Randy Moss Trade Rumors: A Deal To the Minnesota Vikings? Say It Ain't So!

By: Chris Ross

In his first 6 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Randy Moss did not have a season under 1233 yards receiving. For a time, Moss and quarterback Daunte Culpepper formed a dynamic duo as good as any. 6 years after his controversial exit from Minnesota, rumours are swirling that Moss could once again be back where it all started.

After a disappointing 1-2 start the Vikings are desperately seeking a number one receiver with Favre’s pet receiver Sidney Rice on the shelf until at least the mid-way point of the season. The Vikings attempted to land disgruntled Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson but failed, which was probably the best thing for the franchise. However, the Vikings front office is doing their darn best to hurt their team and the future of their franchise by going after another unhappy diva wide-receiver.

There have already been a lot of issues surrounding Randy Moss and his inability to land a contract extension with the New England Patriots, which has led to him being irritated and feeling “unwanted.” The Vikings are trading for a receiver who has had attitude problems in the past, present and subsequently would be bringing a poor mind-set to Minnesota.  

At 33, Moss is looking for another big contract, which as most NFL fans know, the Patriots are unwilling to give and with good reason.

If a team is going to give Randy Moss a contract extension during the season, what would he have to play for? Does Randy Moss have the burning desire for a Super Bowl ring?

Moss isn’t the type of guy who will play hard no matter the circumstances and without a new contract to play for; there is no guarantee that you are going to get maximum effort from him. Can you get a better situation than playing for a championship coach, and catching balls from a championship quarterback?  Randy Moss obviously doesn’t care about the ring, he wants the money and the recognition, which has ultimately led to his poor effort and the Patriots putting his butt on the trading block.

In reality, contract or not, there is no situation that can assure you full effort on the part of Moss

It has been rumoured that the trade is pending on Moss receiving a contract extension from the Vikings. As I mentioned, a contract extension is not the best idea and not just because you can’t guarantee a maximum effort from him. At 33 years of age there is also the question of the inevitable decline of an athlete.

A constant comparison that is made is Randy Moss to Terrell Owens, who has shown that at 36, he can still put up numbers (222 yards this past Sunday). Despite some quality numbers, it is evident that TO has lost a step or two over the past couple of years which, combined with his attitude problems, caused him to be cut from Dallas, sign with Buffalo, where he had a very pedestrian season, and then having to sign a 1 year $2 million deal this year with the Bengals. The Punch line? Terrell Owens has not been the same receiver for the past couple years with a big part of that being his age in all likelihood.

So then why would anyone want to give a big contract extension to an aging wide-receiver with attitude problems?

I guess obviously the Minnesota Vikings, but it is for all the wrong reasons.

If they do indeed bring in Moss and sign him to an extension they will be stuck with him for at least a couple of post-Favre years. I understand that you can release him if he isn’t doing what he is supposed to do, but you are potentially wasting money and cap space on one of the NFL’s true enigmas.

Also, what are you giving to get him?

Obviously it is going to be some sort of draft pick that could be used to assist in the “pain” of the post-Favre era. The Patriots love draft picks and utilize their picks so well, which is part of what makes them such a successful franchise.

So then how does potentially harming the future of your franchise for one faint chance at glory and a possible bust make sense?

I am honestly not sure. 

Agree? Disagree? If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please feel free to reply in the comments section below. Or you can e-mail me at [e-mail]. I’m now on twitter follow me @paintstheblack and I will gladly return the favour.

More from Chris can be found on Painting the Black, his personal multi-sport blog.