Locals have mixed emotions over Moss trade

LYNN – Area residents had a lot to say Wednesday about the Patriots? decision to trade star wide receiver Randy Moss to the Minnesota Vikings – and most of it wasn?t good.The Vikings originally drafted Moss as a first-round draft pick (21st overall) in the 1998 NFL draft. Moss joined the Patriots via trade prior to the 2007 season in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick. He was traded to the Vikings for a third-round draft pick.North Shore Community College (NSCC) students had a lot to say regarding the trade.Will Kusch, clad in a Vikings jersey, was surprisingly disappointed with Bill Belichik?s decision.?It?s stupid,” said Kusch, who is a fan of both the Patriots and the Vikings. “I like both teams, but I would have liked to see Moss stay because it?s hometown territory.”Anthony Smith agreed.?I watch every team but I think this is a terrible choice,” said Smith. “Who?s going to catch the ball now and do what Moss did? I can?t name another player.”Smith also said he thinks the Patriots should have signed Moss to a long-term contract. Moss? contract with the Patriots was set to expire at the end of this season.Carlos Zeisel, a professor of sociology at NSCC, is a fan of Moss, but believes the decision was made in Moss? best interest.?He complained in the past that he didn?t feel at home,”said Zeisel. “I think it?s best for him. He was causing some distress on the team, which could affect the team?s ability to play well.”For student Jessica Contreras, the decision is causing personal distress.?It?s horrible,” said Contreras. “I love the Patriots and Randy Moss but the fact that he was outspoken hurt him.”She also believes the decision will “hurt the Patriots in the long run.”Kevin Buswell said Randy Moss was a complainer and even referred to him as a “cancer” in the locker room.?I?m a Pats fan, but not a big Randy Moss fan,” said Buswell. “He?s got some growing up to do. Like the saying goes, don?t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.”Buswell doesn?t agree with Contreras that the trade will affect the team in the future.?They?re a great team to watch and I don?t think this decision will hurt them too much,” he said.Student Brandon Cloran believes the Patriots got “ripped off” in the trade.?But it?s business,” Cloran said.He also worried that trading Moss will hurt the Patriots this year.Jorg Amsler, owner of Truly Jorg?s Patisserie, is the official pastry chef for the New England Patriots and is dismayed at Moss? leaving.?I love him,” Amsler said. “He and Brady have showed they are a solid team. It?s sad to see him go.”Amsler said he doesn?t think the team?s decision came down to any one incident, but was more of a “perfect storm” of events that led to Moss? departure.?He?s getting up there in age, but I don?t think that had anything to do with it,” he said. “It?s very sad to see him go. He?s talented, you can?t argue that.”The Lannon family of Swampscott are not only huge Patriots fans, but their daughter, Danielle Lannon, cheered for the Patriots and had her debut at the Super Bowl in 2008. Suzanne Lannon said her and her family will continuously support the Patriots.?We support the Patriots and Bill Belichik 100 percent and respect that his decisions are in the best interest of the team,” said Lannon. “Of course we don?t want to see Moss go, but we were fortunate enough to watch such a great player while our daughter was cheering on the sidelines.”Moss won?t be away from Gillette Stadium for long, as the Vikings face the Patriots on Halloween at 4:15 p.m.