Editor’s note: In honor of Randy Moss’ decision to retire, WEEI is re-running this list of Moss’ most memorable moments with the Patriots. The list originally ran last fall, after Moss was traded to the Vikings.

The Patriots acquired wide receiver Randy Moss in 2007 via a trade with the Raiders in exchange for a fourth-round selection in that year’s NFL draft. “It’s something that you dream of,” Moss said, in his first interview as a Patriot, “knowing that the New England Patriots sit high on a lot of people’s charts and as a wide receiver to come in and play with the core guys, with Tom Brady and Kevin Faulk and the offensive line.”

Moss is now on his way to a different group of core guys out in Minnesota, including Brett Favre and Adrian Peterson, as the Patriots have finalized a trade to send Moss to the Vikings for a reported third-round pick in the 2011 draft. As a parting gift, we give you the top 10 most memorable moments in Moss’ career as a Patriot.

10. Sept. 19, 2010: Moss escapes Revis Island

Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis is known for making star wide receivers “disappear” in games. In 2009 that included Moss, who was held to a total of nine catches, 58 yards and one touchdown in two regular-season matchups. But in this season’s Week 2 battle Moss was able to one-up his rival with a one-handed, 34-yard touchdown catch — his first of the season and 150th of his career.

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For the final 10 days of 2010, WEEI.com will count down the top 10 stories of the year. In what was a memorable 12 months for all four of Boston’s major professional teams, there was a plethora of compelling storylines. Our next entry in the countdown is No. 6: The Bruins’ historic playoff collapse against the Flyers.

Check out our previous entries:
No. 10: Kevin Garnett’s return to form
No. 9: Patriots’ playoff meltdown vs. Ravens
No. 8: Marc Savard-Matt Cooke incident and aftermath
No. 7: Red Sox derailed by injuries

Also, make sure to cast your vote in WEEI.com’s poll for the 2010 Boston Athlete of the Year.

In 2010 the Bruins did not take a traditional path to the playoffs. There was the 10-game losing streak, a record-breaking home losing streak, a shortage of offense (the B’s ranked second-worst in the league in total goals scored in regular season), and just a general sense of dejection surrounding the so-called Big Bad Bruins. But you’ve got to give the guys credit for defying their critics down the stretch. The B’s won four of their final five games, gathering points in all of them, to not just secure a playoff spot, but also jump up to the sixth seed.

“I knew we had it in here but we just had to bring it out,” forward Mark Recchi said back in April. “I never had any doubts about the guys. You know, I just know what is in here. That was the frustrating part, because you know what is in here and you know we can get it through a couple more notches and we just weren’t doing it consistently. We would do it some nights, but it wasn’t a consistent thing and that was our problem all year.”

Things came together at the right time for the Bruins, and they knocked off their first-round playoff opponent, the Sabres, in six games. Suddenly the Bruins found themselves hosting an Eastern Conference semifinal series against Philadelphia.

“I think that was probably a good thing for us where we hit some adversity like that where we hit such a low,” forward Milan Lucic said. “I mean, for us to overcome that and end up where we are now we found a way to come together and do that. It is what helps a lot of teams — to be successful is to go through some adversity and with everyone pegging us out, the media was all over us, the fans were all over us to just walk up to bat and do some good, it was just a good thing for us to see and pull through and stick up for each other.”

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Eagles rookie safety Nate Allen has a ruptured patella tendon in his right knee and will have season-ending surgery. Allen was hurt in the Eagles’ thrilling 38-31 win over the Giants on Sunday. His knee appeared to buckle while attempting to tackle Mario Manningham. Rookie Kurt Coleman, a seventh-round pick, will take Allen’s starting spot. Allen is the Eagles’ fourth defensive starter to go down in 2010. Already out for the NFC East division leader are rookie defensive end Brandon Graham, defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley and cornerback Ellis Hobbs on injured reserve. Middle linebacker Stewart Bradley is also out with a dislocated elbow and may not return until the playoffs.

Islanders left winger Matt Martin has been suspended by the NHL for two games for a blindside check to the head of Coyotes forward Vernon Fiddler. Martin is slated to sit out Wednesday against the Lightning and Thursday at the Devils. He can return to the lineup Sunday when the Islanders host the Canadiens. Martin was given a minor penalty for charging when he hit Fiddler in the first period Saturday. The suspension will cost him $6,792.12 in salary, which will go to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund. Martin has two goals, no assists and 37 penalty minutes in 22 games this season.

Coach Rex Ryan said Jets’ quarterback Mark Sanchez had an MRI exam Monday on his right shoulder, which was “kind of sore” after being banged up early in the team’s 22-17 win over the Steelers Sunday. Ryan said Sanchez’s soreness began after a hit on the Jets’ second drive. “It was like the first time he ran with the football,” Ryan said. “His arm was in an awkward position, but it never affected him.” Referring to the MRI as simply “precautionary,” Ryan expects Sanchez will be fine to start at the Bears next Sunday, although he does plan on limiting the QB slightly in practice this week. “Anytime it’s your quarterback, you’re going to make sure he’s OK,” Ryan said. In the game against the Steelers Sanchez went 19-of-29 for 170 yards with a rushing touchdown and no interceptions.

The Padres have finalized their two-year, $11.5 million contract with second baseman Orlando Hudson. The team was simply waiting for the 33-year-old to pass a physical exam. Hudson spent the 2010 season with the Twins and hit .268 with six home runs and 37 RBIs. General manager Jed Hoyer says the Padres are thrilled to have Hudson on board, as their focus during the offseason was to build strength up the middle. “Orlando is a proven winner, a four-time Gold Glove winner and I think he’s going to bring a ton of offense to our team, a ton of defense and a ton of energy,” Hoyer said.

Marlins right-hander Ricky Nolasco has agreed to a three-year, $26.5 million contract pending a physical examination, reports the Associated Press. The contract breaks down to give Nolasco $6 million next season, $9 million in 2012 and $11.5 million in 2013. He made $3.8 million last season, going 14-9 with a 4.51 ERA. The 28-year-old missed the final month of the 2010 season after undergoing arthroscopic right knee surgery, but is expected to be ready for the start of spring training. This agreement further solidifies the Marlins’ rotation as they prepare to open a new stadium in 2012.

Browns rookie quarterback Colt McCoy will take first-team snaps in practice Wednesday and could start against the Bengals on Sunday. McCoy hasn’t played in three weeks since sustaining a high ankle sprain on Nov. 21 against the Jaguars. Coach Eric Mangini wants to see how McCoy looks Wednesday before naming him or Jake Delhomme as the starter for Week 15. McCoy is 2-3 as a starter and Delhomme passed for just 86 yards in Sunday’s loss to the Bills. Mangini said he will announce his choice on Thursday.

The Bulls are concerned there may be ligament damage in center Joakim Noah‘s right thumb. General manager Gar Forman told ESPNChicago.com before Wednesday morning’s shootaround that the Bulls are still evaluating the situation and Noah will be re-examined once he returns to Chicago on Thursday. If an examination reveals the need for surgery, Noah would most likely be out for a minimum of eight weeks.

Noah originally hurt the thumb back on Nov. 27 in a 96-85 win over the Kings, and he tweaked it again in a 119-116 win over the Rockets on Dec. 4.

When asked specifically on Wednesday if there was any structural damage in his thumb, Noah said: “I’m not sure yet. We’ll find out [Wednesday night].”

Noah, who has been averaging 14 points and 12 rebounds, is expected to still play Wednesday against the Raptors.

Giants receiver Steve Smith is out for the rest of the season with an injury to his left knee. Smith was tackled from behind in the 21-3 win over the Vikings on Monday night, and an MRI on Tuesday revealed injury to the articular cartilage. The Giants announced Wednesday that Smith will need season-ending surgery on the knee. The Monday night game was Smith’s first after missing the previous four with a partial tear of his pectoral muscle. The fourth-year receiver had 48 catches this season for 529 yards.