Randy Moss: He'd Like To Call It A Comeback

Randy Moss is reportedly working out for one team this week. As such, it seems as good a time as any to discuss what teams could make a run at the future Hall of Famer and his impact on those rosters. Moss stipulates that he can still run a 4.35-4.38 40. In addition he is willing to take a contract with no guaranteed money to prove that he is about football, not money. If Moss still has his speed and can put forth actual effort, look for some team to make a steal similar to the 4th round pick the Pats used to get Moss way back when. The question is what team is going to give Moss a shot?

I have listed the teams according to likelihood they would sign Moss, starting with the most likely. In between, we will pause for reflection on the teams Moss has played for...however briefly.



Good Beginnings, Bad Ending:
As We Begin our Journey so does Moss. Here is his first stop in Minnesota where he and Daunte Culpepper neared legend status. They could have been Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison, but alas it was not meant to be.


1. New York Jets

Moss has been strongly linked to the Jets who want to find a dynamic replacement for Plaxico Burress. I think the Jets will inevitably turn to Braylon Edwards, but having Moss on the squad would be nice…for the other Jets wide receivers because there is little chance that Sanchez is going to be able to consistently get the ball to Moss when he hasn’t been able to do so with the likes of Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards.

2. Chicago

Cutler NEEDS a dynamic #1 wide receiver. There are no if ands or buts about it. If Chicago lets another year pass with Cutler trying to make Hester and Knox into #1s, Chicago is going to remain the third best team in the NFC North. From what I have heard, Bears OC Mike Tice has a good rapport with Moss despite the first blowup Moss had at Minnesota when Tice was on staff. If Moss went to Chicago Jay Cutler could return to his Denver days as an elite QB.

3. Tampa Bay

New Head Coach Greg Schiano may want to install a power run game, but adding Moss to operate opposite Mike Williams may be very tempting for a Tampa Bay team needing to generate some buzz.

4. Detroit

Imagine the headache combo of Calvin Johnson and Randy Moss with Stafford’s arm. Who do you cover? Already teams have to shift double and triple coverage in order to moderately cover Megatron. With Moss around defenses will be unable to slide coverage fully to Megatron. A move like this could put Detroit on the road to a deep playoff run.



Moss Raids Oakland's Payroll:
Moss and Oakland did not get along in the least. Al Davis traded for one of the NFL's fastest, but gave this speedster Kerry Collins as a QB. This did not end well as Moss phoned it in for a paycheck...a sad tradition in Moss' career.

5. Baltimore

The Ravens claim to need a deep threat, why I am not sure given the development and promise of Torrey Smith. Nevertheless they claim to need one and are pretty cash strapped. Bringing in Randy Moss could help them maybe get over that hump of close playoff losses…maybe…

6. San Francisco

Lots of people say San Fran is going to target a deep threat, which is a need, but Alex Smith is hesitant to let the long ball loose to anybody not named Vernon Davis. Smith is a big time trust QB. He only regularly throws to people he trusts. Give him somebody dynamic like Moss who can catch anything awkwardly thrown and the 49ers could secure an actual deep passing game.

7. Philadelphia

The Eagles are rumored to be interested in signing Plaxico Burress and trading Desean Jackson. Why not bring in a player with Jackson’s speed and Burress’ height?

8. New Orleans

Rumors had flashed that Moss was going to join the Saints last year, but nothing ever came of it. If this bounty business results in player suspensions, then much of the Saints defense is going to be gone and the offense will have to pick up the slack. Having a Brees/Moss could be devastating enough to compensate for the lack of defense. Plus, Moss could help ease the seemingly impending loss of Colston.



So Close and Yet So Far:
In New England Randy Moss broke Jerry Rice's single season touchdown record while almost achieving Super Bowl glory. However, shortly after this mind blowing touchdown the Pats parted with Moss and not on good terms.

9. Houston

The Texans desperately need to get a wide receiver to operate opposite Andre Johnson/fill in when Johnson is hurt. Moss could be the High end wideout needed to help the Texans attain back to back playoff berths.

10. Jacksonville

This would be the big splash move the new Jaguars ownership could be looking to make, but it is unlikely Moss would pick a team in a major rebuild with terrible QB prospects. Mike Mularkey may be in town, but so is Blaine Gabbert and that hinders any possibility of Moss making a phenomenal return.

11. San Diego

AJ Smith may be putting the franchise tag on Jackson yet again. If however Jackson hits the free agent market, then the Chargers could turn to Randy Moss to operate as a cheap replacement and deep threat to fill in the time when Rivers isn’t throwing to Gates.

12. St. Louis

Jeff Fisher pulled the trigger on snatching Moss off the waiver wire at the end of his Titan coaching tenure. It would not be out of the realm of reason for the Rams to take a shot and give Sam Bradford a much needed target, and Steven Jackson his first ever seven man front.



Favre and Moss Or The Story of What Could Have Been:
When Moss got traded to the Brett Favre led Vikings I was pumped and traded away Brandon Marshall and Anquan Boldin to get Moss on my team. This touchdown aside, the trade did not really work out for either of us. I still think the Vikes should have fired Childress before Moss, but what do I know.

13/14. Washington/Cleveland

Randy Moss would have to be desperate to sign with either of these teams before seeing what they do to fix their QB situations. If Peyton/Flynn ends up at one of these teams a cheap Randy Moss would help add a weapon to these rosters in great need of offensive firepower.

15. Buffalo

Stevie Johnson is going to be expensive to retain, but ultimately I think Buffalo goes ahead and brings the wideout back. However, adding Randy Moss could help put a team that suffered considerably after the loss of Fred Jackson in contention for the AFC East. At the very least it would keep Buffalo competitive in a division that may be adding Peyton Manning.

16. Indianapolis

If the Colts clean house like most believe, bringing in low risk contract like Moss may help compensate for the bumps that rookie QB Andrew Luck will experience. Also, this becomes a stronger possibility as Pierre Garcon plays hardball with the Colts.

17. Arizona

Arizona is very cash strapped and any cheap player needs to be discussed. If the Cards are discussing bringing in Peyton, I doubt Moss comes along, but if the plan is to stay with Kolb…a Moss/Fitzgerald combo may be too tempting to pass up.



They Told Him to go to Nashville:
A desperate Titans squad turned to Randy Moss and although he made almost no in game impact, the Titans swear up and down that he was an excellent teammate. Teams willing to take a chance on Moss need to hope that the 2010 season was a humbling experience for Moss and that his off the field behavior in Tennessee is duplicated in their club.

18. Seattle

Seattle spent big money on now injury prone Sidney Rice. In order to get this offense off the ground a wide receiver like Moss may be necessary. However, I am sure Moss would wait to see Seattle’s plans to improve their QB situation before signing with a near end of rebuilding phase Seattle.

19. Carolina

Moss, Steve Smith, and Cam Newton would be a nasty combo that would put Carolina in competition for the NFC South. This would be a nice grab by the Panthers especially if the Saints defenders get hindered/suspended by league discipline for their bounty scheme.

20. New England

This could be slightly possible given the return of Josh McDaniels, but a reunion is very unlikely. The Pats will look for younger deep threats that don’t have questionable history.

21. Pittsburgh

Todd Haley likes to work with tall wide receivers who can get down field (evidence Owens, Fitzgerald, Bowe, and Baldwin) a role Moss would fulfill and then some. Also, given the potential for Mike Wallace’s departure and the Steelers’ delicate cap situation a no money down contract would be very beneficial. Not to mention Moss could decoy defenses much like Wallace did while giving the Steeler offense a tall red zone target they have been needing since Plaxico Burress left in 2005. The hindrance is Moss’ history, but to fill a roster spot for very little money, it may not hurt for the Steelers to kick Moss’ tires.

I will be anxiously seeing who decides to work out Moss this week and if his 40 time is as promised. Until then speculation we will just have to wait. However, I am excited at the prospect of a Randy Moss return. Football just wasn’t the same this past season without Peyton manning, Brett Favre, Terrell Owens, and Randy Moss. However, Moss does have a checkered past and any sort of slipup or lackluster effort on Moss' part needs to me met by a very swift pinkslip. Moss' talent and ability to entertain allows him a comeback attempt...it does not permit him to ruin a roster.