Isn't it interesting to see the effect 136 locked out days has had on the NFL? We knew we'd see teams scrambling to sign and trade like there's no tomorrow. But everything that's happened has been more exciting than I originally thought it would be. As it's started to die down and football is getting back to normal, a lot of the most pursued wide receivers are no longer available. Santonio Holmes, arguably the most talented of the free agent wide outs, resigned with the New York Jets. Plaxico Burress, one of the biggest offseason headlines, also signed with Rex Ryan's squad. Sidney Rice signed a deal with the Seattle Seahawks. The move reunites him with Tarvaris Jackson, his quarterback for the first two of his four seasons as a Viking. One of my sleepers, Mike Sims-Walker, signed with the Rams in hope to be a big target for now-sophomore Sam Bradford. But who got left out? Arguably the best deep threat this league has ever had in the form of a wide receiver: Randy Moss. As a result, Joel Segal announced Moss' retirement. Segal, Moss' agent, said that he "weighed his options and considered the offers" but still chose to retire.
Moss was no doubt a piece of work throughout his career, but sometimes bad comes with good. Moss retires with 153 receiving touchdowns, tied for second-most all time with Terrell Owens, 14,858 receiving yards that place him in the top five in the record books, and tied for eighth all time in receptions with 954. Moss notably made more history after he broke Jerry Rice's single season touchdown record in 2007 when he brought in 23 passes in the endzone. The former Marshall wide receiver is surely a first-ballot Hall of Famer, but some people may question their vote because of his work ethic. He was, after all, quoted saying "I play when I want to play," and that really sums up his career in just a few words. When Randy Moss wanted to play, he showed it and embarrassed defensive backs around the league. When he didn't, he simply, didn't.
Because of the quote above, I was shocked to hear that Moss was working hard this offseason to prove that he still had some left. When Randy Moss is working hard, you know something's up. Not even a month ago, his agent said whatever team signs him will be getting the old Randy Moss. Clearly, no team saw eye-to-eye with the 13-year veteran, and that's what spurned his retirement. Will it last? It seems like it won't. Will I be surprised if it does? Probably. The fact of the matter is that he seems to have trained too hard this offseason to just give up. I think he felt that all of these other big-name wide receiver getting signed was making him look bad, and he wanted to "retire" until he got a deal done. The only thing that I think will preclude a return is if team's stop contacting him, but even if they do I think he'll eventually start seeking a new job himself.
Whether you like it or not, the Brett Favre comparison has to be brought up. I'm not sure if Moss will retire and return every year like Favre, but both stars have a lot in common. Both made a lasting impact and became a household name for over a decade. Both players were unwanted by their respective teams towards the downfall of their career (Favre with the Packers and Moss with the Patriots.) Lastly, both struggled (and even as a team for four games) in their so-called "final" year. If both of them are actually done, the two could be in the same Hall of Fame class. The key word is "if." If they stay retired. If Brett Favre doesn't come back for the third time. If Randy Moss didn't just quit because no one wanted him for the amount of money he wanted. The only thing we can do is wait and see. But for now, Randy Moss ended a truly remarkable career that will never be forgotten by avid football fans across the country.
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