Randy Moss Was a Dud In Minnesota: Where Will He Land Now?

The Vikings announced that they have waived Randy Moss, thus wasting a third round pick and letting their number one receiver leave the building. Moss has had controversy swirling about him, but are the 2-5 Vikings really in a position to release an elite wide receiver, especially with a struggling and battered 41 year old quarterback?

The Vikings clearly know something we all do not. After Moss lasted only four games, the Vikings are right back where they were. They have no go to guy and they sacrificed a third round pick in the process of coming full circle.

Randy Moss refused to cooperate with the media and was fined an insignificant amount of money relative to Moss' salary. Moss went on to salute the Patriots and criticized the Vikings in a press conference for not listening to his game planning strategies in their game against the Patriots. While this is not common practice, perhaps head coach Brad Childress should have confronted Moss and attempted to correct the problem, before cutting bait. Perhaps this already happened and a conflict arose, but it is all speculation at this point.

What we know for sure is that Randy Moss is out of a job. Moss is easily a top ten receiver in the NFL, which makes him a prized entity for a number of teams. While Moss has character issues, there are certain circumstances where he could come in and make an immediate impact. The question becomes who will look past the off the field issues and where can Moss succeed immediately. After missing all of training camp and having no exposure to the system before entering, are teams willing to take a risk on Moss given the debacle in Minnesota?

The NFL waiver order is going to play a huge role in where Moss lands. The waiver order is simply the league standings in reverse order. This means the worst teams in the NFL are in the best position to snag Moss. I can't see Randy Moss falling past the top 15 teams on the waiver order, but there are only a few teams in a position to take him.

At twelfth on the waiver order, the Washington Redskins could make a play for Moss. They have a history of acquiring big name players. Donovan McNabb is a big time quarterback who could handle having Randy Moss at wide receiver. Mike Shannahan is stable at head coach and won't be involved in banter with Moss, should he join the Redskins. The team already has problems with big time potentially cancerous personalities. With McNabb and the Redskins going through issues with his benching, the Redskins might not be particularly interested in more potential problems. They have a very fragile locker room at the moment and Randy Moss could be the straw that breaks the camel's back.

If the Redskins don't make a play for Moss, the Rams are next on the list. The Rams have a legitimate shot at the playoffs, as they are in the less than spectacular NFC West. Before he went out with an injury, Mark Clayton was on track to have a Pro Bowl year. Sam Bradford looks like a veteran, but he could definitely use a presence like Moss on offense. With Steven Jackson and Bradford in place, Moss could immediately contribute to the Rams. 7-9 could be good enough to win the division and with a weak schedule ahead, Moss might be just what the Rams need to push them over the top. The Rams need a guy like Moss and Moss could easily find himself in the playoffs, something he wouldn't have had an opportunity to do if he stayed in a Vikings uniform. While the Rams certainly aren't in a win now mode, they could make giant leap with a playoff appearance.

At number fifteen in the order, the Jaguars could certainly use Moss. The Jags have one of the most talented backs in the league in Maurice Jones-Drew, which is no secret. Teams are stacking the box, which is the catalyst behind David Garrard throwing for four touchdowns in their win against Dallas last week. The Jaguars could be extremely effective if they brought in another play maker on offense. While it is unclear how well he would be utilized, Moss could have an immediate impact in the offense. Teams would have to play the Jaguars more honestly, which would open up the field. The AFC South is tough to compete in, but the Jaguars are statistically on the brink of making noise. Randy Moss could be an impact player for Jacksonville.

I don't think the Redskins are going to make the gamble. While they have a history of going after high profile guys, they haven't done so with Mike Shannahan at the helm. They are in slight disarray at the moment, so I don't see them necessarily making the leap.

On the other hand, St. Louis could benefit tremendously. While they may worry about the negative impact it could have on Bradford, the pros easily outweigh the cons. Hindering Bradford's progress would be disastrous, but as of right now he doesn't have the weapons to succeed. The Rams are one Randy Moss away from being dangerous.

The Jaguars aren't exactly a franchise that could handle the market that comes with Randy Moss. They don't generally have the solid structure that is needed to maximize Randy Moss' skill set. While Moss can be a Hall of Fame player at times, it would be a shame to see him regress into his Oakland form. Minnesota couldn't handle him and it isn't likely the Jags would fair any different.

If Moss slips out of this group, Seattle is likely to jump at the chance to pick him up. They are all about second chances there and Pete Carroll could also use Moss to push his team atop the NFC West. They need another difference maker. While their young receiving core might be negatively impacted by Moss, he could excel in a mentor roll.

All things considered, I see Moss in a Rams uniform in the near future. This lets the Vikings off the hook financially and gives Moss a fresh start in a new city. He needs to embrace the new start as he did when he first got to New England. His talents would be fully appreciated and utilized in St. Louis. It is a win for both sides and could make the Rams the team to beat in the NFC West.