Should the Dallas Cowboys Have Taken Moss Instead Of Ellis?

The Dallas Cowboys released linebacker Greg Ellis, who spent 11 seasons with the silver and blue.

And I'm hearing the whispers in many blogs:

"Hey, the Cowboys screwed up in that 1998 draft! They should've taken Randy Moss instead of Ellis in the first round!"

Nonsense.

Yes, Ellis had in recent years been public with his displeasure over his playing time, but when he did play, he was a solid player. Six times he led the Cowboys in sacks, including five straight years. He's eighth all time on the Cowboys' all-time sack list at 77.

Yes, Randy Moss is a talented wide receiver who has all the tools. But keep in mind that 20 teams passed on Moss in that first round due to his well-documented legal issues. He's admitted to drug use and once famously said he took plays off. Is it a coincidence he's on his third team?

Perhaps playing for Bill Belichick has been an attitude adjustment for him, but considering his run-ins with the law and that suspension for dousing a referee with a bottle of water, I really don't think Dallas erred in taking Ellis. Yes, with Dallas' current situation it looks like they could've used a wide receiver.

While some think of what could have been if Dallas had taken Moss, I have to ask: What guarantee do we have that Moss would've turned out brilliantly? What guarantee do we have he wouldn't have been cut due to disciplinary problems?

I must admit, though, that in light of taking chances with Adam Jones and Tank Johnson, it does seem odd Dallas passed on Moss.