Randy Moss Retirement: The Confusing Masterpiece That Was Moss' Career

Randy Moss’ career cannot be summed up in one word. It cannot be summed up in a sentence or even a paragraph.

I even feel it is almost impossible to write an article about his career.

At times he was the best athlete to ever wear an NFL jersey. He could beat any defense, at any time.

At other times, he made you wonder why he was even on the team.

He would seem to just not care about the game. He would clearly take plays off.

I remember one game I watched where I saw a clip of him blocking down field. And instead of thinking nothing of it, it was noteworthy.

“Hey,” I told my Patriot fan roommate, “Moss actually blocked someone!”

That is something that should not be noteworthy. It should be something that a multimillion dollar star athlete should just do.

It is something Moss should have just done. But he was not that kind of player.

Randy Moss was only a seven-time pro-bowler in his 13 seasons.

Barely over half of his career was considered amongst the top of his position. Someone with the talent he had, should have been one almost every year. No questions asked.

He could have been the greatest wide-receiver ever. Easily. But he had those years where he was almost irrelevant (especially in Oakland).

But he just seemed to not care enough to do that.

When Moss did play hard, he was the most dangerous deep threat in the game.

Tom Brady had a field day throwing the ball to him by connecting with 50 TD in his time with the Patriots. He was dominant.

The ball just had to be in the same building and Moss would catch it. He spread defenses out like no other receiver could.

Every time the QB dropped back to pass and Moss was actually running, look out. Anything could happen.

Six points was always a real possibility with just his presence on the field.

Now do not get me wrong. I do not intend to hate on Moss. I have nothing but respect for him. But I say all those things to show just how astonishing his accomplishments are.

He disappeared on many plays and, arguably, on a few seasons.

And he is still, without a doubt, one of the top 5 receivers in NFL history.

He is amongst the top in receiving touchdowns, receiving yards, receptions, etc. He lit up the stat sheet week in and week out.

He made catches that would leave anyone saying, “Wow!”

His speed, athleticism, hand-eye coordination, and overall natural feel for playing the game made him do things that no other WR could do.

The QB under threw the ball? No problem. Moss could stop on a dime and recognize the pass was short, and use his athleticism to catch the ball at its highest point over any corner or safety in the league.

The QB over threw the ball? No problem. Moss had an inexplicable sixth-gear where he would turn on the after burners and leave the secondary in the dust and get to the ball and make a play.

But now Moss’ career is over. And to those that think he might come back, I would hold not my breath.

For now.

If he really wanted to come back, he could. Many teams would love to have him.

But he wants to play for a title. He wants a ring. And as of now, no championship contender wants to take a chance on Moss. And who can blame them? He did not exactly impress anyone while he was in Tennessee last year.

Randy Moss could have been the Michael Jordan of the NFL. He single-handedly changed the way defenses played against his teams.

I guess being the greatest ever was not that important to him.