Randy Moss has left yet another team due to his off the field antics and attitude problems. That's three straight teams, and his newest team is the first team he left tumultuously. I think Randy Moss has officially become the Manny Ramirez of the NFL. In fact, Moss and Ramirez fit the same profile to from their attitude problems all the way down to their physical appearance. Moss is listed 6-4, 210 pounds. Ramirez is listed as 6-0, 200 pounds. Moss has short braids and a beard. Ramirez has shortish dreads and a goatee. Moss was drafted 1st round, pick 21. Ramirez was drafted 1st round, pick 13. Moss has been one of the most electrifying receivers NFL history since the start of his career, and is a future Hall of Famer. Ramirez blossomed into one of the greatest hitters of all time, and might be a Hall of Famer (one of things that Moss and Ramirez don't have in common is that Moss never was caught using performance enhancing drugs). Moss has made just as much of a career getting his team to get rid as he has scoring touchdowns. Ramirez has done the same thing except instead of scoring touchdowns he produced high average and lots of homers and RBIs. During his most recent fiasco, Moss got into a heated argument with a coach before he was traded. During Ramirez's most recent fiasco, he got himself tossed by arguing a third strike call making that his final act as a Los Angeles Dodger. Hell, Moss and Ramirez even have the same two letters in their initials. But enough about how they are basically the same person playing a different sport, this article is about Randy Moss. Manny Ramirez got his article already (check it out, it's called 'In Manny Ways' and it's right here on Spotlights on Sports).
Randy Moss has always been an off the field problem. Don't believe me? After 7 seasons as a Minnesota Viking that ranged from great to spectacular, the Vikings decided to dangle him on the trade block. So the Oakland Raiders picked him up, giving up linebacker Napoleon Harris and the 1st and 7th round picks of the 2005 NFL Draft. In Oakland, he had a mediocre followed by an awful year for Randy Moss standards and just seemed disinterested, and so the Raiders traded him to the Patriots for a 4th round pick. Yes that's right, Randy Moss was traded for a 4th round pick. His first year in New England he went bonkers and caught 98 passes for almost 1500 yards and a NFL-record 23 TD passes on root to the Patriots near perfect season. His second year was pretty good considering Tom Brady went down in Week 1, and so Matt Cassels became Moss' quarterback. His third year with the Pats, Brady was back under center and Moss' stats were back on track. His fourth year, aka this year, Moss was doing OK with the Pats, but had expressed numerous times during the offseason, preseason, and even regular season that he was unsatisfied that he was at the last year of his deal and the Pats never offered him an extension. He also stated that he understood the NFL was a business and that he was committed to playing for the New England Patriots, but then Week 4 came along and he did not record a catch for the Pats, first time that happened with him as a Patriot. He also reportedly got into a heated discussion with QB coach, Bill O'Brien, during halftime of the game. Three days later he was shipped back to his original team, the Vikings, along with a 7th round pick in exchange for a 3rd round pick. Yep, the single season TD record holder was dealt for a mere 3rd round pick. If the Pats dealing him for only a 3rd round doesn't scream to you what a problem he can be, then I don't know what will.
Now that we've discussed Moss' past, it is time to talk about his future. More specifically, how will he do in his second tour of duty with the Minnesota Vikings? Well, to me, when your quarterback is the best in history, Brett Favre, the sky is the limit. You saw Sidney Rice's monster season last year as a deep threat for Favre, imagine what will happen when the best in the game hooks up with the best in the game. I'll give you a hint. Look at Rice's numbers last year, and then add about 200 more yards and possible double the amount of scores. Defenses were not able to stop the Brady to Moss connection in 07 and Moss and Brady ended up with record breaking seasons. Moss is three years older, but you can bet your bottom he can still get the job done...if he's happy and motivated. And I'm going to take a guess and say returning to his old stomping grounds with the Brett Favre as his QB has made Moss a very happy man. Although Week 4 was basically a BYE week for Moss, the Vikings have already has their true BYE week meaning Moss will be playing in all 14 games remaining for the Vikings. I guarantee Moss will have add another season in which he has caught 15 or more TDs as a Minnesota Viking. Yes, I am aware has already 3 TD's as a Patriot this season and would have to total 15 or more this season to do what I just guaranteed. But with Favre's abilities and Moss' own abilities and hopefully the return of Sidney Rice in December resulting teams to choose between the two deep threats, Moss should be able to put up 15+ TD's as a Viking. If he doesn't, then that means Moss blew out a knee or Brett Favre died on the field. And do you think either of those two will happen? Nope. What's the Patriots loss could be the Vikes mega gain. Let's hope things work out or else I'm going to have to coin the phrase, 'a Moss-ed cause.'
References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Moss#Oakland_Raiders
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=1433
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=2974
http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nfl/news/story?id=5658579
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