Randy Moss is prime example of how “keeping it real” can go wrong.
It was reported yesterday that Moss is expected to be released by the Minnesota Vikings. It hasn’t even been four weeks since the Vikings traded a third round pick to the New England Patriots to get him. He was supposed to be the deep threat that would help the Vikings right ship and get them back in the playoff picture.
Instead he’s looking for his third NFL team in less than three months.
News of the release came a day after Randy Moss went on a rant after the Vikings lost to the Patriots 28-18. Moss, somewhat inexplicably, refused to speak to the media about the game leading up to Sunday and was fined $25,000 by the NFL for it.
Yesterday, he refused to take questions from the media at his locker, and instead went to the press conference room and said “I’m not going to answer any more questions for the rest of this year. If it’s going to be an interview, I’m going to conduct [it]. … I’ll ask myself the questions, then give y’all the answers. So from here on out, I’m not answering any more questions for the rest of this season.” He then spoke about missing playing with the Patriots and openly questioned why the Vikings didn’t take his advice in game planning for the Patriots.
Vikings coach Brad Childress wouldn’t say if that tirade was the reason Moss got his walking papers, but it has to be assumed it played a part. But that incident can’t really be the main reason, right?
When you make the trade for Moss, you know what you’re getting. A phenomenal talent with some previous baggage. If he was really that much of a problem, the Vikings — who previously had Moss for six seasons — shouldn’t have ever made the move.
You’ll hear people say that Moss was just being Moss. Moss has certainly had a laundry list of issues in the past, from an incident involving marijuana, to mooning fans, to traffic accidents, to not playing hard. But all of these incidents came before he went to the Patriots. The last three seasons he’s been on generally good behavior.
When Moss spoke at a Patriots press conference in week one, and said how he felt disrespected for not getting a new contract, you would’ve thought he did something illegal with how it was perceived in the media. Moss was merely speaking his mind honestly…exactly what we as fans want from our athletes.
Can Moss be difficult at times? Yes. Is he a diva? Probably. Is it safe to say that Moss probably should’ve just kept his mouth shut from the beginning? Absolutely.
But again, this is what you get with Moss. You know what else you get with Moss? One of the most dangerous wide receivers to ever play the game.
Now Moss will go to waivers, and there’s already talk that as many as nine teams might have interest in acquiring him. As much of a “head case” as he is, it’s clear that talent outweighs his issues in most team’s minds.
Going to three teams in the same season is unprecedented. When we look back at this season for Moss, many will point to his poor and selfish attitude as the reason. People will say he’s a problem and more trouble than he’s worth.
I won’t. Because frankly Childress is the one that deserves the blame here. You can’t tell me that Moss doesn’t help the Vikings win. So what’s the rationalization in releasing him? The only explanation is that Moss and his comments were a distraction to the team and would affect performance on the field.
I’m not buying that. No Vikings players have said anything negative about Moss. Some were surprised to hear the news that he wasn’t with the team.
This is more of an ego thing. Childress clashed with his future Hall of Fame quarterback, and now he’s clashed and released his future Hall of Fame wide receiver.
Moss will get picked up by some team this season. And he’ll probably still perform well. He’s still one of the most talented players in the game.
And Moss may say something else that will be perceived as controversial. And people will probably criticize him for it.
But don’t be mad at Moss for speaking his mind. That’s who he is. As a fan, I’m glad he does it.