FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Patriots coach Bill Belichick and Randy Moss spoke of each other in reverential terms in separate news conferences Thursday. But both were vague about the circumstances that led to the receiver's trade from New England to Minnesota on Wednesday.

While Belichick was not forthcoming about the reasons for the trade -- saying only there was "a combination of factors" that went into the decision -- he did rule out discipline problems and contract issues as factors. Moss is in the final year of his contract and had been vocal about his displeasure with that status.

"There was never any incident or discipline problem with Randy, there never has been one with me in four years," Belichick said during a news conference addressing the deal. "It certainly wasn't about contract and money, I think Randy showed and proved from the first year he was here what that was all about. He [re-did] his contract and made the whole [trade from Oakland] work. I think you can eliminate those two things."

Moss said he wasn't hurt by the trade. He called it an "understanding" that had everything to do with the business of football.

"I've been traded before. I was more hurt when I left [Minnesota the first time],"

Moss said. "I think when I got traded from New England I feel it was more of an understanding. I've said time and time again. This is not football, man. It's a job; it's a business. When the fans of the game understand the business of the game I think it'll be better for everyone."

What is still unclear is whether Moss requested a trade, something New England receiver Wes Welker alluded to when asked Thursday about reports that Moss wanted out.

"I think that was kind of the difficult thing, just because he was the guy giving the pep talks before games and halftime, and after the game," Welker said. "Not knowing he wanted to be traded the whole time was a little bit disappointing. At the same time, he's doing what's best for him. It's a business. You just have to roll with it."

Asked whether it was his understanding that Moss wanted to be dealt, Welker said: "I don't know. You'd have to ask Coach Belichick. I'm hearing the same rumors you all do. I'm not exactly positive."

Moss posed the question to himself during his news conference and his answer was no more illuminating.

"Did I want to get traded out of New England? I don't really know what the answer is," Moss said. "All I can say is that there's no other place I'd rather get traded to besides Minnesota."

Belichick and Moss had a conversation on Wednesday morning when the trade was consummated, but neither would divulge what was said.

Belichick called Moss "a pleasure to coach" and wished him "the absolute best" going forward.

"When I spoke with Randy yesterday morning, the conversations were consistent with what they've been for the last four years: honest, open, very forthright," Belichick said. "We talked about a lot of things that I'll keep between Randy and myself. In the end, it was a difficult decision, but one that I feel is in the best interest of the football team.

"Our team, organizationally, we've had conversations and obviously are comfortable with the trade. We wish Randy the absolute best. He's been a player I've had a good relationship with. He's very honest, when I've asked him questions about football and personnel and things like that. He's been very helpful to me personally. He's been very professional and I think a good teammate and a good contributing member of this team.

"But in the end, that was the decision. I have confidence in our players, that if they continue to work hard and improve that we'll be competitive and be able to win games. That's what we're here to do -- win games. We've won more games than any other team in the last decade. Hopefully we'll continue to win them going forward. That's what we're here for."

Moss had verbal bouquets of his own for Belichick and the Patriots.

"The respect that I have for him as a coach and as a man speaks high volumes, because Bill is the one that brought me to New England from Oakland," Moss said. "I commended him and thanked him for that because me being in New England, that was something special. I have never been a part of a team. That's all I ever wanted to do was be a part of a team. They're a team.

"Now that I'm gone I'm not going to say anything negative and I'm not going to bash the organization because they gave me the opportunity to play when nobody else thought I could play at a high level. Whatever me and Coach talked about, I want to keep that between the two of us. I wish him the best."