Jeff Chiu / AP file

Randy Moss is the ultimate winner in Sunday's trade between the Raiders and Patriots.

Sure, Moss, 30, may be on the decline. His recent statistics certainly suggest a significant drop-off. Moss, who has dealt with several nagging injuries in recent seasons, had his worst NFL year for the 2-14 Raiders in 2006. He had just 42 catches and three touchdowns. With a lifetime per catch yardage average of 15.8 yards, Moss dipped to 13.2 last season.

Thus, Moss is no longer the premier deep threat in the game. But this is a supremely gifted human being. Sunday, there were reports that Moss recently clocked a 4.29 40-time. If he still has that terrific speed, Moss will get his rings.

Brady will help Moss as much as Moss will help Brady. Moss finally has a legitimate quarterback to keep him interested. And that’s the key with Moss — the man has to stay interested.

In Minnesota, he was a king loafer when things weren’t going his way. In Oakland, the dearth of talent seemed to sap his energy from the time he donned the silver and balk.

Moss will come alive in New England. He’ll be energized by the talent around him. He’ll want his piece of the action.

He’ll also fit in; Belichick has this reputation as a disciplinarian. But he really isn’t. He simply makes his players understand his rules and makes them act like the rest of the NFL is evil and the Patriots are a unified unit. And the players' reward usually are Super Bowl rings.

Belichick doesn’t want choir boys. He just wants men who want to win a Super Bowl.

Moss has wanted his rings for years. This is his final chance.

All he has to go is go along with the ride and he’ll get his rings.

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