Zero2Cool
I own a website
You must be logged in to see this image or video!
By Mike Vandermause
The vision of Randy Moss pretending to moon Green Bay Packers fans at Lambeau Field during a Minnesota Vikings' playoff victory two years ago is hard to forget.
That's why reaction to rumors that Moss could be traded to the Packers has been decidedly mixed.
Moss is a five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver capable of filling the offensive playmaker role the Packers desperately need. But with his extraordinary skill comes potential baggage, which is something the Packers must ponder long and hard.
At first glance, the thought of Moss wearing a Packers' uniform seems far-fetched. His demeanor and attitude don't appear to be a good fit in Green Bay.
But stranger things have happened. Who would have predicted in 1996 that often-misunderstood receiver Andre Rison would become an integral part of the Packers' team that marched to a Super Bowl title?
During his short tenure here, Rison had no trouble fitting into a small-town environment. Winning tends to dissolve problems and shrink egos.
Who's to say Moss couldn't come to Green Bay and become the bona fide deep threat Brett Favre has been longing for? Moss would be a perfect complement to Pro Bowl receiver Donald Driver. Moss and Driver would form the most dynamic receiving tandem Favre has seen, and opposing defenses would be tested severely.
Favre and Moss at one time had the same agent, Bus Cook. The players reportedly share a mutual respect. There can be no doubt Favre would love the opportunity to throw to Moss.
For that to become a reality, numerous obstacles must be cleared.
It's no secret Moss' team, the Oakland Raiders, have been shopping him. Moss had a forgettable two-year stint in Oakland. With no decent quarterback to throw him the ball and playing on an abysmal 2-14 club, Moss caught just 42 passes for 553 yards last year.
Some say he quit on his team. Others suggest the Raiders quit on him.
His less-than-stellar 2006 season has made Moss both available and affordable. The Raiders gave up a first-round draft pick (No. 7 overall), seventh-round pick and linebacker Napoleon Harris for Moss in March 2005.
The asking price should be much less this time.
The best guess is it would take a second-round draft pick to get Moss, who will turn 30 next week.
Packers General Manager Ted Thompson made it clear he made no promises to Favre about bolstering the offense. Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy are adamant that no player — even Favre — will dictate how they rebuild the team.
Thompson would rather stockpile draft picks than give them away, which makes a trade less likely.
There also is Moss' 2007 base salary of more than $9 million to consider. The Packers have enough room under the salary cap and could restructure the terms of the deal, but the sometimes-temperamental Moss wouldn't come cheap.
However, it's rare when a special player like Moss is available.
Assuming the trade terms are reasonable, the Packers should take a risk on a legitimate difference-maker.
Fans will have to forgive Moss for his past antics. But that's a small price to pay to acquire someone who can ignite the offense and elevate the Packers into a contending team.
Mike Vandermause is sports editor of the Press-Gazette.
