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After Latest Release of Randy Moss, Who Enters the Sweepstakes?

Article By on 1st November, 2010

After Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress informed his team that Randy Moss “is no longer with us,” Moss’s agent, Joel Segal, confirmed the reports when he told the Star Tribune that his client had been waived.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Moss’s name did not appear on Monday’s waiver report.

The waiver wire operates in the order of current team record, with the winless Buffalo Bills having the first opportunity to sign Moss and the New England Patriots (6-1) with the last. If a team does claim Moss on waivers, they will be responsible for the $6.4 million owed in the final year of his contract. In the unlikely scenario that Moss is not claimed on waivers, the Vikings would be forced to pay Moss the remaining $3.88 million on his deal, and he would then be available for about $450,000 with the luxury of hand-picking which team he’d like to join.

As Adam Schefter reported, the possible teams interested in claiming Moss are the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears, St. Louis Rams, Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets and even the New England Patriots. So let’s break it down.

As mentioned before about how the waiver wire operates, a team will have to hand out a pretty large chunk of change for a slightly troublesome 13-year veteran receiver, who in turn will give them a maximum of eight weeks of regular season service. That’s unless, of course, the team is playoff bound, in which case an owner would be more inclined to spend the nearly $7 million. So without the desired ability to predict the future, I’ll do my best by eliminating a team like the Dallas Cowboys who would need to fire Wade Phillips, find a quarterback and pull off a miraculous turnaround in the NFC East.

Two obvious teams with “interest” in acquiring Moss are New York and Miami, coincidentally both of which are division foes of the New England Patriots and threatening forces in the AFC playoff hunt. With that in mind, and the fact that both the Dolphins and Jets have decent talent at receiver, each team would likely take interest in Moss with the primary goal of keeping him out of Foxboro.

I would instantly rule out the Kansas City Chiefs and St. Louis Rams for two different, yet similar, reasons. Rookie quarterback Sam Bradford is off to an impressive start for the Rams this season, giving fans the belief that he’s the real deal. Although the Rams could use some serious receiver help, they won’t touch a guy like Moss that could truly harm the mentality of a 23-year-old quarterback.

The Chiefs are under a new regime with Scott Pioli running the show. So far, the Chiefs front office has stayed away from detrimental figures and welcomed high-character players—a great recipe for success. With enough insider information and experience with Moss, Pioli would likely steer clear.

While the New England Patriots are listed as a potential suitor, I highly doubt they’d bring back someone they just traded four weeks ago. But then again, anything is possible with Belichick. For now, especially since they have the last waiver claim, we’ll count them out.

Mike Shanahan and the Washington Redskins believe they’re only a few pieces away from serious contention. While I disagree with that, there’s no question that Moss would drastically help the ‘Skins offense. After McNabb’s recent inconsistencies, his longtime inaccuracy and unexpected benching just before the bye week, he needs another receiver besides Santana Moss and Chris Cooley. Rookie Anthony Armstrong has played well as the Redskins’ No. 2 receiver this season, but Moss would instantly become McNabb’s largest and most threatening target. The team is sitting at 4-4 (2-0) and has a debatable shot at the playoffs.

The Chicago Bears are currently undefeated in their division, and a breakout receiver could help the team a lot. However, the Bears’ clear-cut problem on offense is their offensive line, or lack thereof. Even if you give Jay Cutler a group of pass-catchers like Johnny Knox, Devin Hester AND Randy Moss, it doesn’t give him any more time to throw behind a dismal set of blockers. Even in an open division, the Bears should focus on their line first.

Already having served time/played in Oakland before, Moss may not be against a possible return to the Black Hole. With the Chiefs being recognized as a beatable team, the Chargers struggling and the inconsistency of the Denver Broncos, the Raiders are a threat in a wide-open AFC West. The defense is playing well, the offense seems to be clicking as of late and Moss could redeem himself in a scary situation.

After the San Francisco 49ers struggled to leave the runway this season, the Seattle Seahawks suddenly realized that the NFC West was attainable. New head coach Pete Carroll has a burning desire to win in his first season, and he’s demonstrated that by making moves early in the season, like trading away Deion Branch and acquiring Marshawn Lynch. The Seahawks defense is playing well, the offense is led by a veteran quarterback in Matt Hasselbeck and they could obviously use a primetime receiver opposite Mike Williams—all of which serve as fine prerequisites for a team looking to land Moss. A pickup by Carroll and the Seahawks may be more logical than you think.

So after that rant, I leave you with my top three teams to land Randy Moss (I didn’t do all this for nothin’).

1. Washington: There are obvious problems beyond receiver (see: offensive line), but Randy Moss could literally change the 2010 outlook of this team. Shanahan flirted with Brandon Marshall during the offseason, McNabb has played with diva wide receivers and owner Dan Snyder loves big names. 

2. Seattle: The more I mention it, the more I like it. Seattle is thin at receiver, Pete Carroll is eager to show something early and the Seahawks are actually in the playoff hunt (don’t laugh). 

3. Oakland: Other than the whole Return-to-Oakland bit, this really does fit. The Raiders are in playoff contention (uh-huh), and Jason Campbell would love to have a receiving target like Moss. Like other teams on the list, Oakland also has some leaks along the offensive front. 

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