Who Takes A Chance on Moss Now?

The Buffalo Bills, the NFL's only winless team, will be the "home" team this Sunday at the Rogers Centre as this ill-conceived attempt to make the Bills beloved in Toronto continues.

At least theoretically, Randy Moss could be in the Buffalo lineup. It would be expensive, but a year after taking Terrell Owens out for a rather pointless test drive, would the Bills be cynical enough to acquire Owens just to goose the gate and create some interest in their awful season?

Probably not. The Bills, through the NFL waiver claim system, will have first shot at Moss, who won't be awarded to a new team until Wednesday. If a team picks him up, they'll be liable for the remaining portion of his $6.4 million salary, or about $3.9 million this season.

If nobody picks him up, the Minnesota Vikings would be stuck for both the remainder of his contract after already coughing up a valuable third round pick to New England to rent Moss for four moderately helpful games. Another team could then pick him up on the cheap for $450,000.

So would the 0-7 Bills bite at $3.9 million? Seems extremely unlikely. The issues at the top of the Buffalo need list are help for its porous run defence, somebody in the secondary who can catch a ball and, despite some good work of late by Ryan Fitzpatrick, star quality at the quarterback position.

A high-maintenance, 33-year-old receiver with a tiresome act on and off the field doesn't seem to be a good fit.

But if it happened, it sure would make for a fun week prior to the Bills-Bears game on Sunday, wouldn't you say?

Interestingly, the Bears are also mentioned in some circles as a destination for Moss, although again, it's unlikely. But we in Toronto looking for a news story to spice up a game between the terrible Bills and Jay (DeAngelo Hall is My Favourite Receiver) Cutler and the the mediocre Bears would take it.

ESPN football insider John Clayton suggests the Rams, Seahawks, Redskins, Dolphins and Chiefs are the likeliest teams to chase after Moss, plus the Patriots. Imagine the conspiracy theories that would abound if the Pats got Moss back for $450,000, which would mean they had shed his salary and got a draft pick for him, and then were still able to use him as a threat down the stretch.

 

Comments

[JR Jake]

"Who Takes A Chance on Moss Now?" Simple answer: No one except maybe the Raiders who are known to bring in others outcast. If not, Randy needs to re-invent himself; but only after he gains a perspective of his talents and play those to the best of his abilities. Could be in sportscasting, scouting, coaching...start a business.

If he is still healthy be thankful because many NFL'ers don't have that luxury with walking away in one piece, with financial security and still has his wits about him. It is up to Randy, but than again it as always been. Turn that 'me,me,me,' into a 'we,we,we'. (I am not talking about one of the three little pigs either).

[Pyramid Power]

Can't see the Raiders taking another chance on Moss after getting torched last time he was there. Keep in mind the Raiders have put up huge offensive numbers the last two weeks in two huge wins for the organization. Sure Al Davis will stay far away from this diva after previously getting burned.

Has been an amazing saga the last month with The Petulant One. I don't see the Buffalo/Toronto Bills taking a chance on him either. They are developing chemistry with some tough losses, but the effort has been there and Fitzpatrick does not need this distraction and disruptive player. I don't think Moss would like to go to a losing team, but it is not up to him of course.

Dolphins and Seahawks have already been in touch with the Vikes from what I read. This man is an amazing talent when he is motivated as we saw early in his career with the Vikes, and the past three years in Foxborough with Brady and the Pats.
Some team will definitely take a flyer on him, and it will likely be a contending team. My guess is the Dolphins as Parcells and Sparano take a chance on him to give them one heckuva wideout threat with Marshall and Moss. Henne would be one happy QB if that happens.
It would be phenomenal if he landed up back in Foxborough as Damien points out. After Moss heaped praise on Belichick after Sunday's loss in New England it would not completely shock me if somehow they get him back. It would seem Moss deeply regrets whatever happened whatever led to his release by the league leading Pats - 6-1.
But they have the last shot at picking him up, and a team will definitely grab this surefire Canton-bound receiver. Best receiver in history behind Jerry Rice imo. Loved that one handed grab he made against the Jets and Revis earlier this year. A thing of beauty.
Talent like that gets picked up. Look what happened with Owens this year, and the Bengals grabbing him after many thought he might be done after a fairly tough year in Buffalo?

[Chad]

I'm sorry, but when your one of the top receivers in the NFL....and you go a whole game without even a pass attempted in your direction, then you have a right to be mad. This guy is being paid to catch the ball, plain and simple. But he can't do that if no one will throw the ball in his direction.
So while his attitude may come off as selfish, I see it as a guy who's trying to do his job but no one will let him do it. Clearly being paid over $6M to do nothing but run the play isn't good enough for him. He actually wants to EARN his keep!

[mark]

I find myself agreeing with Chad. I don't see Moss as the vilian here. Brad Childress is a power tripping coach who thinks it's 1965 and the players can be treated like dirt. In the age of multi-millionaire athletes, you need to be a bit more diplomatic with players and you need to show some respect for a guy who has been all pro multiple years. Moss is a bit of prima dona, but that comes with the turf. If Childress thinks he run guys out on a rail everytime they step over a line only he knows, then he's going to lose that room (if he hasn't already) and the Vikings season will continue to spiral. Moss will land on his feet; there's no way he won't get picked up by someone.

[Pyramid Power]

@Chad And he was indeed earning his keep in Minny. He created a lot of space for Harvin, Berrian and others just by running his routes effectively and being double teamed.
This became an ego thing, a control issue for Vikes coach Brad Childress.
The team has already basically been hijacked by Brett Favre, and Coach Chilly could not allow Moss to impose his will on him too.

Looks as if the player's have given up on their coach especially after this perplexing move, and he will be fired at the end of the season at the latest.