2011 NFL Free Agency: Is Randy Moss Still a Viable No. 1 WR Option?

Mr. Moss has had a rocky career. He has gone through two different and sustained periods where he was widely considered the best receiver in the league. Moss has also gone through sustained periods of mediocrity that have resulted in him being traded, at separate times, for a third round pick, a fourth round pick, and then being waived.

Randy Moss is going to be 34 at the start, if there is one, of the 2011 season. He is coming off of a season where he played in all 16 games and caught only 28 passes for 328 yards. He was on three different teams and seemingly got worse with each switch.

He is currently without a contract and will be looking for another new home. Does Moss have another team changing highlight filled season in him or is it time to start playing this diva receiver on the oldies stations?

It's All In The Numbers

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NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 21: Randy Moss #84 of the Tennessee Titans has a touchdown pass called back for offensive pass interference against the Washington Redskins at LP Field on November 21, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Redskins won 19-16 in overt

In eight games with the Tennessee Titans Randy Moss totaled six catches for 80 yards and zero touchdowns.

He was brought into Tennessee to be the number one receiver and he couldn't even manage to get one catch per game.

The Titans offense struggled mightily in the second half of the season, but in that same stretch Kenny Britt was able to haul in 19 catches for 341 yards and two touchdowns, and he only played in four of the eight games.

A Number One: No

A Cold Dish

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NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 30: Randy Moss #81 of the New England Patriots runs during the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on November 30, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Randy Moss is at his best when he is hunting the field for revenge and redemption.

His draft stock slid as people questioned his character and he went on to post 1313 yards and 17 touchdowns his rookie season.

He was traded from Minnesota because the team felt he had lost his competitive edge and he went on to lead the Raiders in all major receiving categories.

He was dumped from the Raiders and the best offer they got for Moss was a fourth round pick, and Randy went onto to his record breaking 2007 season.

A Number One: Yes

Erosion

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KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 26: Receiver Randy Moss #84 of the Tennessee Titans watches from the sidelines during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on December 26, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Ima

It is not a well kept secret that Randy Moss is not the most diverse route runner. He likes to go deep, and he is not fond of the middle parts of the field.

Moss is about to turn 34, and while it is not unheard of for receivers continuing to be productive into the their mid-thirties, they had to do it by running good routes and finding the soft spots in the zones. There is nothing to suggest Moss is willing to do this.

A Number One: No

Do The Evolution

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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 3: Randy Moss #18 of the Oakland Raiders leaps to make a catch in front of Dunta Robinson #23 of the Houston Texans at McAfee Coliseum December 3, 2006 in Oakland, California. Houston won 23-17. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Okay, in order for Moss to be productive he is going to have to evolve his game and do things he has never done before. He is also going to have his supreme motivator of revenge and an entire offseason to refine his game.

This was only the third time Moss has failed to gain over 1,000 yards in a season. The following season he returned rededicated and was his team's unquestioned number one. Moss might be practicing his short slants right now.

A Number One: Yes

A Product Of The System

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots throws a pass during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Bello/G

Randy Moss is fresh off a run of domination as a New England Patriot. The same New England Patriots that seem to make stars out of everyone who puts on their uniform.

The Patriots bring guys in off the streets and make productive players out of them in a week. Slipping and unproductive veterans, free agents who can't make a team, late-round rookies or QBs that have never started, it just doesn't seem to matter—the Patriots make them productive.

A Number One: No

This One Is Just Right

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts looks to pass against the New York Jets during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Jets won 17

The Patriots aren't the only team that gets production out of whoever they throw out there. Any team bringing in Randy is likely going to already have an established and productive system in place.

Moss is coming off of a unproductive season, but he also was going through a revolving door of systems. Quarterbacks and receivers need a little time to build some chemistry and receivers need some time to learn an offense.

A Number One: Yes

Climbed The Mountain

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CONCORD, NC - MAY 15: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team owner and NFL wide receiver Randy Moss speaks during a press conference following practice for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on May 15, 2009 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolin

It's clear that Moss has been motivated by spite, but he is reaching a point in his career where he has little left to prove. He has his numbers and he's undoubtedly headed to Canton.

It will be easy for Moss to tell himself he has nothing left to prove, and focus on other things—like his NASCAR team.

A Number One: No

Recent Past

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 19: Darrelle Revis #24 of the New York Jets defends against Randy Moss #81 of the New England Patriots during their game on September 19, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al

Moss is just one season removed from a year where he caught 83 passes for 1264 yards and a league leading 13 touchdowns.

I know he is aging, but not "I just drank from the wrong holy grail" type of speed aging. He has not suffered any major injuries, and he has recently proven he is capable of being an elite receiver.

A Number One: Yes

Character Is Destiny

Randy Moss's attitude has consistently come into question. He has been accused of being a bad teammate, a bad employee and a bad human being.

He has admitted that he quits on plays and he smokes weed. A number one receiver is going to be looked at as a leader on a team. Is it viable to have a team leader taking the time and energy to verbally abuse the caterers?

A Number One: No

Booty Call

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NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 21: Randy Moss #84 of the Tennessee Titans is introduced before a game against the Washington Redskins at LP Field on November 21, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Moss is very available. For any team desperate for receiving help, Moss is going to be the most readily available and proven option.

The only resources it will cost a team to acquire him is the small amount of the contract they sign him to. That team will then be free to call him their number one receiver.

A Number One: Yes

The Verdict

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MIAMI - NOVEMBER 14: Wide receiver Randy Moss #84 of the Tennessee Titans is seperated from the ball by Chris Clemons #30 of the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium on November 14, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

Moss has not given any indication that he can evolve his game in a way that will keep him productive into his mid-30s. The Titans gave him every chance to prove he could still be a threat on the field and he rewarded them with less than one catch per game.

Brad Childress was so disenchanted with him as a player and person that they he put his career on the line by cutting him loose. After he was cut loose the Titans were the only team that put in a claim for him.

The writing is on the wall and it says...

A Number One: That's a big negative, Ghost Rider.