Randy Moss Trade: Why He's No Longer a Top NFL Receiver
With the Randy Moss trade, the question is, what is Minnesota getting? Are they getting the All-Pro we have seen for years, or are they getting someone who's on the downside of his career?
I'm in the middle but closer to the latter. Inside you'll find 10 reasons why I think that Randy Moss is no longer an elite wideout in the NFL.
No. 10: Lack of Route Running
1 of 10
Randy Moss isn't exactly what you'd call a versatile route runner. Moss' teams have found a bunch of different ways to run a go route for the wideout.
Moss can't make much happen in terms of other routes, and it kind of helps the defense out because you have a general idea of where he's going to go on any given play. While he requires some attention, it does help to be able to rule some things out before the snap.
No. 9: Skills
2 of 10
A moment in Monday night's game was telling of Randy Moss' ability right now.
The Patriots were driving deep in Miami territory as the clock was winding down. New England ran a fake spike for Moss and, though he spun around and got his hands on the ball, it fell incomplete. It was behind him, but it's a catch that Moss normally used to make.
While Moss makes catches like the one against the Jets, he also lets a couple he should catch slip through his fingers. Moss currently leads the league in dropped passes with five.
No. 8: Doesn't Go Across The Middle
3 of 10
One thing you could never say about Randy Moss is that he'd go across the middle and make the tough catch.
Moss has always been a finesse receiver. It's always been a knock on players like him and Terrell Owens that they refuse to go across the middle for their teams and lay it all out on the line. When it seems like you're more concerned with protecting yourself than putting it all out there for your team, it's a drawback, regardless of your talent level.
At some point, Moss will have to reinvent himself, and that time is approaching rapidly.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
No. 7: Takes Plays Off
4 of 10
Moss is notorious for taking plays, drives, quarters, and even games (more in the Oakland stage of his career) off.
There's a reason that Darrelle Revis called him a slouch, and he's gotten the reputation as being lazy at times during his career. Great players don't take plays off, especially when they're veterans and they should know better. Moss is an all-time great athlete with an awful work ethic at times.
It's scary to think about his numbers had he not mailed in his tenure as a Raider and taken some plays off.
No. 6: Complainer
5 of 10
Randy Moss has complained wherever he's gone. Even after people thought he had turned a corner in his career, he did it as a Patriot too.
Gary Tanguay of CSNNE.com reported that Moss had been very unhappy behind the scenes in the Patriots locker room, and that he and coach Bill Belichick had a discussion on Tuesday that wasn't exactly a friendly one.
At what point does someone's attitude override their talent? Especially when that player is 33 years old.
No. 5: Can't Beat Top Corners
6 of 10
When Randy Moss goes up against the best of the best, he has come up short. Darrelle Revis shut him down twice last year and did a good job in the first half of their matchup this year, with the only touchdown coming on a broken defensive play call.
Moss used to feast on every corner, regardless of skill; but now when Moss goes up against the young, stud corners of the league, he struggles. That's not a coincidence, and it is symptomatic of Moss being an aging wideout.
No. 4: Lack of Consistent Production
7 of 10
In the past two games, Randy Moss has two catches. For the season he has nine. Yes, he has three touchdowns, and that has masked the fact that Moss is not giving you the type of production he used to.
Some of that has to do with New England's offense, but some of it has to do with Moss as well. Tom Brady's not going to throw it if his receiver's not in a position to make a play, and it's just not happening right now for Moss.
The constant, steady production we're used to from Moss isn't there anymore.
No. 3: A Step Slower
8 of 10
Last year, and even more this year, it's clear that Moss' outstanding physical gifts have shown signs of decline.
Moss isn't as quick and agile in and out of his breaks and cuts in his routes, and he doesn't have the breakaway speed that made him such a phenom when he came into the league. It's just the way it is with athletes, the speed and quickness are the first things to go and it's starting to slip for Moss.
Just watch him next time he's on your TV—you'll notice it.
No. 2: Selfish
9 of 10
When the Patriots went out and clobbered the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1 and made a statement by beating a playoff favorite, Randy Moss decided it was time to talk about his contract.
His team made a big stride to start a season and Moss made it about himself. It was just poorly timed and fit in with all of the other incidents in Moss' career where he put the spotlight on himself. He put himself above the team, and I'm sure it angered some of his teammates.
Moss has a track record and it will never, ever change.
No. 1: Controversy Machine
10 of 10
There have been plenty of incidents in Moss' career where he's started a controversy and made things tough on himself and his team.
Moss has been fined for a variety of incidents in his career, and has openly admitted that he plays when he wants to. Then he complained about his contract prior to the season. Now there are reports that he and Bill Belichick's relationship was not a healthy one and that he requested a trade after Week 1, the same time he was saying he wanted to retire in New England.
Some things never change.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")