Even if the Jets fail to sign either Santonio Holmes or Braylon Edwards or both when the lockout finally ends in the next couple of years, they need to stay away from The Slouch.
Rex Ryan, of course, thinks every player in the league wants to play for him - he just might be right - and surely believes that even Randy Moss would Play Like A Jet, which has become Ryan's favorite expression. But if Moss could make himself so miserable in New England - it was contract related - even though he had the dream job for a receiver of playing with Tom Brady, how can he be happy anywhere, unless someone gives him really stupid money, which is not going to happen? Besides, what kind of tension would there be in the Jets locker room and on the practice field between Moss and Darrelle Revis, who was the one who called him a slouch?
Ryan did a great job of getting all the Jets' massive egos to buy into the team concept last year on the way to another AFC title game. But there is no reason to expose Mark Sanchez to Moss, who plays when he wants to play, as he said earlier in his career. If the Jets feel the need to bring in a veteran receiver - it's going to be hard to sign both Holmes and Edwards - they would be better off with Plaxico Burress, who gets out of jail in two weeks.
At least they know he will be hungry.
Moss caught the second wind on his career when Bill Belichick rescued him from Oakland four years ago. He was supremely motivated and had a great year. Does anybody really see that happening again? Moss, 34, is just about done as a feared deep threat. And he played for three teams last season - the Pats traded him, the Vikings cut him and the Titans don't want him back - which has to be a record in one year for a future Hall of Famer.
There are conflicting reports about the level of the Jets' interest in Moss, ranging from they would definitely pursue him if they lose either Holmes or Edwards, all the way down to having no interest at all, which would be the smart way to go. This is not fantasy football and this is not 2007, when Moss caught an NFL-record 23 TD passes from Brady. It was tough enough for Jets fans to accept Jason Taylor, one of the most hated opponents in team history. But asking Jets fans to embrace Moss would be just too much.
Moss doesn't play hard all the time, which led to Revis calling him a "slouch" in an interview following the 2009 regular season. In their first meeting last season, Revis reinjured his hamstring chasing Moss on his one-handed 34-yard touchdown catch late in the second quarter. Revis watched from the locker room as Antonio Cromartie shut out Moss in the second half.
When I asked Revis if Moss played like a slouch in that game, he said, "You can tell he was kind of like putting his foot on the brake. Everybody knows that's Randy. Sometimes he comes out and plays 100% and sometimes he doesn't."
Moss played a total of 16 games between the three teams last year. Here were his totals from the worst year of his career: 28 catches for 393 yards and five TDs. The Vikings gave the Patriots a third-round pick for Moss and wound up cutting him after four games. The Titans were the only team that claimed him on waivers.
In an interview in April with ESPN, Moss said, "... I'm a free agent. I know I'm 34. I know I didn't have a great season last year. But I also know that these still work (holds up his hands) and I know I can still play at a high level. We just need to get this season back on track so I can start working on finding that team that wants Randy Moss on their roster."
As much as Ryan and GM Mike Tannenbaum like to collect big names, and may need a veteran receiver, they should stay away from Moss.
Rex Ryan, of course, thinks every player in the league wants to play for him - he just might be right - and surely believes that even Randy Moss would Play Like A Jet, which has become Ryan's favorite expression. But if Moss could make himself so miserable in New England - it was contract related - even though he had the dream job for a receiver of playing with Tom Brady, how can he be happy anywhere, unless someone gives him really stupid money, which is not going to happen? Besides, what kind of tension would there be in the Jets locker room and on the practice field between Moss and Darrelle Revis, who was the one who called him a slouch?
Ryan did a great job of getting all the Jets' massive egos to buy into the team concept last year on the way to another AFC title game. But there is no reason to expose Mark Sanchez to Moss, who plays when he wants to play, as he said earlier in his career. If the Jets feel the need to bring in a veteran receiver - it's going to be hard to sign both Holmes and Edwards - they would be better off with Plaxico Burress, who gets out of jail in two weeks.
At least they know he will be hungry.
Moss caught the second wind on his career when Bill Belichick rescued him from Oakland four years ago. He was supremely motivated and had a great year. Does anybody really see that happening again? Moss, 34, is just about done as a feared deep threat. And he played for three teams last season - the Pats traded him, the Vikings cut him and the Titans don't want him back - which has to be a record in one year for a future Hall of Famer.
There are conflicting reports about the level of the Jets' interest in Moss, ranging from they would definitely pursue him if they lose either Holmes or Edwards, all the way down to having no interest at all, which would be the smart way to go. This is not fantasy football and this is not 2007, when Moss caught an NFL-record 23 TD passes from Brady. It was tough enough for Jets fans to accept Jason Taylor, one of the most hated opponents in team history. But asking Jets fans to embrace Moss would be just too much.
Moss doesn't play hard all the time, which led to Revis calling him a "slouch" in an interview following the 2009 regular season. In their first meeting last season, Revis reinjured his hamstring chasing Moss on his one-handed 34-yard touchdown catch late in the second quarter. Revis watched from the locker room as Antonio Cromartie shut out Moss in the second half.
When I asked Revis if Moss played like a slouch in that game, he said, "You can tell he was kind of like putting his foot on the brake. Everybody knows that's Randy. Sometimes he comes out and plays 100% and sometimes he doesn't."
Moss played a total of 16 games between the three teams last year. Here were his totals from the worst year of his career: 28 catches for 393 yards and five TDs. The Vikings gave the Patriots a third-round pick for Moss and wound up cutting him after four games. The Titans were the only team that claimed him on waivers.
In an interview in April with ESPN, Moss said, "... I'm a free agent. I know I'm 34. I know I didn't have a great season last year. But I also know that these still work (holds up his hands) and I know I can still play at a high level. We just need to get this season back on track so I can start working on finding that team that wants Randy Moss on their roster."
As much as Ryan and GM Mike Tannenbaum like to collect big names, and may need a veteran receiver, they should stay away from Moss.