Randy Moss vs. Terrell Owens: Retired Moss Is Still Better Than Super-Fit T.O.

The recent announcement made by Randy Moss on his 35th birthday that he intends to attempt to return to the National Football League in 2012 after sitting out last season has caused a great deal of speculation as to where the mercurial wide receiver might land (as well as if he has anything left in the tank), denials by teams that they have any interest in Moss and reports of a potential reunion with Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

Meanwhile, fellow former superstar Terrell Owens has kept himself in fantastic shape and did everything short of just showing up on someone's sideline on Sunday to get back into the National Football League last year before eventually signing on as a wide receiver and part owner of the Allen Wranglers of the Indoor Football League.

Both players have well-deserved reputations as headcases for everything from quitting on teams to throwing their teammates under the bus, so Moss' announcement begs the question:

Why should teams be any more interested in Randy Moss than they were in Terrell Owens?

The answer lies in that always tantalizing but sometimes unquantifiable thing known mysteriously as "potential."

If Randy Moss is in half the shape he claims to be in (I'll believe a 35-year-old running a 4.3 40-yard dash when I see it), then he can still be a dangerous receiver in the National Football League, as even a slower Randy Moss is still faster than most defensive backs, and his 6'4" frame and leaping ability make him the prototypical red-zone target.

Meanwhile, although the 38-year-old Owens was fairly productive for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2010, catching 72 passes for 983 yards and nine touchdowns, it was clear that the 15-year veteran had lost a step, and without any real game-breaking ability, Owens was little more than a glorified third wide receiver.

The problem is that most of the glorification of Owens came from Owens, and NFL teams aren't generally prone to signing third receivers who are also historically massive pains in the—neck.

Randy Moss may well yet wither on the vine himself, but reports are already circulating regarding teams being interested in meeting with him, and if Moss can show that he still has some gas left in the tank and any ability whatsoever to focus his attention on football and keep his mouth shut, he'll likely get the last hurrah that Owens has, to this point, been denied.

I wonder if they have their popcorn ready?

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