New York Jets Interested in Randy Moss: Smooth Landing for the Moss Man?

According to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, the New York Jets are legitimately interested in acquiring the services of Randy Moss.

At this point, I almost wish the lockout would end just so the free-agent talk can finally go to bed. If I have to keep hearing about what teams are interested in Randy Moss, Nnamdi Asomugha or Kevin Kolb, you might have to keep sharp objects away from me for awhile.

Moss has come under fire over the past year for running his mouth about a contract after a win, complaining about team dinners, and purportedly calling into a sports talk radio show to badmouth his coach.

It hasn't helped that his production went way down in 2010, either. He had just 28 catches for 393 yards and five touchdowns, just one year after posting 83 catches for 1,264 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Of course, everyone knows that in judging whether Randy Moss is a fit, it's not just about what he brings to an offense, but what he brings into the locker room.

The Jets should be careful with Moss. Treating him as if he were a "crazy hot chick" would be a splendid idea.

This would be right in line with the Randy Moss we know. He takes pleasure in making those who have doubted him pay. Even for all the respect he has for the Patriots organization and leadership, he would probably relish the opportunity to make them pay for shipping him off to Minnesota.

In that regard, the Jets offer him an accepting place to be himself and succeed.

This is the second "reclamation project" Moss has gone through in the past four years, and the circumstances are all too similar to the situation Moss encountered just four years ago when traded from the Oakland Raiders to the New England Patriots.

When he joined the Patriots, Moss was welcomed by veteran leaders, and offered a clean slate. He came into a situation where he had an opportunity to follow the guidance of veterans knowledgeable in the Patriot way.

If he were to join the Jets, Moss would also be welcomed by veteran leaders, but he wouldn't need a clean slate. The Jets don't care about your past, they don't care what you say at the podium, all that they care about is that you can step onto the field and make something happen.

The only question with Moss is, can he?

Mehta has a great point that Randy could be as motivated as ever.

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Even in the twilight of his career, Moss creates matchup problems. In other words, opposing defensive coordinators still game plan to stop him. Moss is apparently as motivated to prove doubters wrong as he was when the Patriots rescued him from the Raiders four years ago.

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If that's the case, the NFL needs to watch out. If not, dealing with Randy Moss could be risky business.

Erik Frenz is the co-host of the PatsPropaganda & Frenz podcast. Follow Erik on Twitter @erikfrenz.