Randy Moss On the Market: Should the Cowboys Be In the Market?

In the 1998 draft, Jerry Jones failed to pull the trigger on drafting future superstar receiver Randy Moss, opting instead to go with Greg Ellis.

We all know how that turned out.

Ellis put together a respectable career in Dallas, one that garnered him one Pro Bowl appearance in 11 seasons with the Cowboys. Meanwhile, Moss went to seven Pro Bowls and was named to four All-Pro teams while amassing nearly 15,000 receiving yards.

Moreover, the jilted receiver made the Cowboys pay every chance he got, lighting them up for one spectacular touchdown catch after another.

Jones' reason for passing on Moss, while greatly debated, was solid at the time. Moss was seen as an attitude risk, a potential off-field problem. He wasn't, as it turned out, but that was the book on him back then.

Jones' Cowboys, fresh off the "white house" drug scandals involving Michael Irvin and others and the gun incident involving Barry Switzer, were dealing with a very successful franchise whose lone black eye was that its players were perceived as lawless trouble-makers.

Now, at 1-6, if Moss is released as has been reported by several sources, the Cowboys would have the second bid on the waiver wire, right after the Buffalo Bills. So, the question arises: If the Bills pass, should the Cowboys do an about-face this time and snag the hall of fame-bound receiver?

The answer, once again, is No.

Why bother? Talent at the receiver position is the least of the Cowboys' problems. Besides, Moss has proved that, while he is not a threat to break laws, he can be moody and full of complaint when stuck on a team that is performing poorly.

Moss is part of the Cowboys' past. The future belongs to Dez Bryant.

Jerry can echo the famous words of boxer Roberto Duran and cry, "No Moss! No Moss!"