Randy Moss and LeBron James: How Can Both Players Be Wrong?

I've been considering a paradox. On the one hand LeBron James is branded a traitor for his departure from Cleveland in spite of all that the ownership there did for him. On the other hand Moss is branded a diva for calling out New England for not even opening up contract talks in spite of all he had done for them.

It strikes me as a contradiction. It seems that loyalty in sports is intended to be a one way street. 

Some have actually said that Moss should "prove himself" first. Since Joining the Patriots Randy Moss has caught 47 touchdowns, 11 more than anyone in the NFL. He has started 48 games, as many as any WR in the NFL in that time span. He is fifth over that period of time in yards, and 11th in receptions.

My question for them is, how much proof do you need?  

Some point to his age, but last year he did lead the league in TD receptions. Is it possible he will lose something? Perhaps. But if we want to make things about loyalty, then we need to make them about loyalty. It's a logical inconsistency to be bothered by LeBron for leaving and with Moss for wanting to stay. 

The question becomes when does loyalty apply to a team?

Keep in mind that this isn't a matter of whether the Patriots are offering Randy Moss enough money. He's not holding out for a hundred million dollar contract, he's bothered that there's been no contract offer at all. This is a receiver who is already second in touchdown receptions all-time and who, in all likelihood, will be second all time in receiving yards by the end of the season. When he retires, he will be firmly entrenched as second all time in receptions.

It's hard not to make the argument that Randy Moss is the second best receiver of all time and that his best years were given to the Patriots. In fact, prior to the outbursts about his contract, he had been a pretty good citizen, a regular Patriot.

And he'd done so for less money. He agreed to pay cuts down to $3 million each of his first two seasons. That was money that his Oakland contract had at over $20 million. For those keeping track that's a pay cut of $14 million. This year he's only making $6.4 million. Let's not pretend that he's got a me-first attitude. He's done a lot for the Pats and not asked for a lot in return. Is contract talk really too much?

Is it any wonder that his teammates have come out and defended him?

He's not asking to be let out of a contract, he's asking to be given one. He doesn't want to leave his team, he's asking to retire as a part of it. He's not asking to do what he hasn't earned the right to do. He's played his way into the position.

My question is where are all those who criticized LeBron's decision to leave? If his loyalty is called out, why not New England's? Don't the Pats owe Moss at least a conversation? At the very least a reasonable offer?

Yes, I understand that he's 33. Yes, I understand that the Brady contract needed to be worked out. Perhaps that's got something to do with the timing. Perhaps Moss had been waiting for that to be concluded. Now he's played the first game of the last year of his contract. Brady got his huge deal and Moss has yet to receive a phone call.

And let's not pretend this is an isolated  incident. Teams in every league are quick to give you the big money for the future. Then they'll ask you to take one for the team at the back end your contract. Then when it comes to pay that back end they cut you to put in a new, younger, fresher player.

When they do it there is no outcry or demands for loyalty. I'm still wondering where the calls for the Patriots to account for themselves are. Why have they not shown loyalty to their player who has shown it to them?

Ownership and teams are held to a lower standard. While this doesn't have much impact on the fans it does to the players. If the teams are allowed to be only concerned about what they feel is best for them, then the pontificating media needs to sit on its fingers when the players are doing what they feel  is best for them. Loyalty can't work unless it's  a two way street.