Advertisement

Question of the day: Is Randy Moss worth picking up and where will he end up playing?

Share

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Writers from around the Tribune Co. weigh in on the topic. Check back throughout the day for more responses, vote in the poll and feel free to leave a comment of your own.

Dan Pompei, Chicago Tribune

Advertisement

There isn’t a team in the NFL that should not be considering Randy Moss on its roster. But there are very few teams that should be serious about pulling the trigger on acquiring Moss.

The controversial receiver has value only in the perfect situation. He clearly didn’t have much value in Minnesota and lost whatever value he did have in New England.

He needs a contending team with a void at wide receiver, a strong head coach, a secure quarterback whose leadership is unquestioned and an offensive scheme that will allow him to do his thing — that means no West Coast offense teams. If you put Moss where he doesn’t fit, he can be a detriment.

My best guess on where he might end up -- St. Louis, where he is either going to be Sam Bradford’s best friend or his worst enemy.

[Updated at 1:38 p.m.:

Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times

Advertisement

Randy Moss, skilled as he is, could wind up watching the rest of the NFL season from his couch. Four teams have cut ties with him -– the Vikings (twice), Oakland and New England -– and, considering how toxic he can be, he would instantly be a legitimate concern for his next potential employer.

Plus, with a potential lockout looming and teams squirreling away cash, is anyone going to want to absorb the Rent-a-Randy cost? If a team picks him up it will be responsible for the remaining nine weeks on his contract, or about $3.5 million.

Often in these cases, the egos of owners, general managers and coaches cloud their judgment, and they figure they’ll be the one who can “fix” a talented but troubled player. But in the case of Moss, in light of how corrosive he can be, it might be that no one will want to cut through all that caution tape surrounding him.

If a team does, it could be the 49ers, who need another receiver and still like their chances in the NFC West; the Seahawks, who have done more roster juggling over the past year than anyone; or maybe Chicago.

Steve Svekis, South Florida Sun Sentinel

I don’t see many fits for the future Hall of Fame receiver, who has become the NFL’s Pandora’s box. His constant glowering and maddening penchant to not show up on a chunk of plays can kill a team.

Advertisement

However, even at 33, he can still get behind the most skilled of corners, and it has to be tempting for a team such as the Miami Dolphins to take a hard look at the mercurial Moss. Pairing him up with Brandon Marshall would give offensive sets ultra-talented 6-foot-4 bookends and help the unit find a solution for its dearth of touchdowns (they haven’t scored more than two in any game this season).

Also, doesn’t Moss have to be motivated by figuring that this team will be his last chance in the NFL as he only gets longer in the tooth?]

Advertisement