Randy Moss started out on a rough controversial path to College and then on to Notre Dame. When Moss was a senior in HS he was sentenced to 30 days in jail for fighting a white student after his Moss friend was called racial slurs. After his guilty plea Moss dream school, Notre Dame revoked his scholarship. After serving his 30 days he enrolled at Florida State University (after sitting out a year due to NCAA rules). Early into his freshman year Moss tested positive for Marijuana was released from the Seminoles program, and was put back in jail for 60 days on a parole violation. Moss later enrolled with the Marshall Thundering Herd, but did not lose a year of eligibility because it was a Division-AA
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Moss finished as the best WR in Marshall history, and
also set NCAAA records for receiving |
Moss played 2 seasons at Marshall University (Red shirt-Sophomore) and in 28 career games recorded; 174 receptions, 3,529 receiving yards, and 54 Receiving TD's. In his final year at Marshall he won the Fred Biletnikoff Award fr Nations Best WR, and was a finalist for the Heisman trophy. Moss then entered the NFL Draft, and scouts believed he would go in the Top 10-15 picks, but many teams had concerns about his character issues, and problems with the law. Moss grew up as a Cowboys fans and was hoping they would select him with their 1st round pick. The Cowboys passed on Moss because of his off the field issues, having already dealt with Michael Irvins antics before. Moss eventually was selected 21st overall by the Minnesota Vikings, where he would start immediately and play with QB Randall Cunningham.
Moss had an instant impact on the NFL as a rookie due to his great hands, tremendous leaping ability, and blazing speed. He set a rookie record with 17 Touchdown receptions to go along with 1,313 total yards, for 3rd in the NFL. Moss helped the Vikings set a record for most points in a season (556 points) and the No.1 seed in the NFC after finishing 15-1 on the year. Moss went on to make the Pro Bowl in his 1st year, and also won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. The Vikings were knocked off by the Falcons in the NFC Championship, falling just short of a Super Bowl trip. Moss went on to play 6 more seasons with the Vikings. In his 6 seasons in Minnesota Moss had; 554 Reception's, 90 Touchdowns, and 9,142 Receiving yards. He was selected to 5 Pro Bowls, and was voted as an All-Pro WR 4 times.
After the 2004 season Moss was traded to the Oakland Raiders for the 7th overall pick in the 2005 Draft (Troy Williamson) and two 7th round selections. The Raiders were looking for a Big Play WR to give their offense a explosive weapon, which would hopefully lead them to the playoffs. Unfortunately things did not go well in Oakland. Moss struggled with hamstring injuries for much of his time there, and even when he was on the field, he often took plays off and didn't show the heart, that Al Davis was looking for. After 2 seasons of little production ( 11 TD's, 1,558 Receiving yards, and 102 receptions) Moss was out casted in Oakland, and traded to the New England Patriots for a 4th round selection (John Bowie). Moss was looking for a fresh start in New England, but expectations were not high.
Now in New England Moss was on a mission to prove he was just as good as when he was a rookie, and that Al Davis was wrong. All he did was end up setting a new NFL Record for Receiving Touchdowns with 23, and help lead the Patriots to a 16-0 record. The Patriots seemed destined heading into the playoffs to go 19-0 and break the Dolphins previous undefeated record. They made it all the way to the Super Bowl before being upset by the New York Giants, and falling short of perfection. Moss was almost non existent during the playoffs, which many believe was one of the reasons the Patriots didn't beat the Giants. In his next 2 full seasons with the Patriots Moss recorded 24 Touchdowns, 152 Receptions, and 2,272 Receiving yards. It would end up being Moss last productive year in the NFL. In 2011, his poor play came back, and he started to take plays off again. In a Monday Night Game against the Dolphins Moss had a easy TD bounce off his hands, and he ended up not catching a single pass the entire game.
2 days later he ended up returning to the Minnesota Vikings, in hopes he would connect with future Hall of Fame QB Brett Favre. The return to Minnesota was a failure, after a crushing loss in his return to Galette Stadium, Moss criticized the Vikings coaching staff for their poor play calling in the game, and finished off the Press Conference saying he loved the Patriots, then walking off. He was cut shortly after by the Vikings and signed by the Titans to finish the season. He spent 8 games with the Titans, but only started in 4 games, and did not record a single touchdown. It left many to wonder if this was the last we would ever see of Moss, and if he had lost any love for the game he once had.
After reports by his agent that Moss was in the best shape of his life, and ready to prove himself again, in hopes of rejoining the Patriots. Moss shocked the NFL world and retired from the NFL after 13 incredible, memorable years. He finished with 954 Receptions, 14, 158 Receiving yards (2nd All-Time), and 153 TD's (2nd All-Time). He was selected to 7 Pro Bowls, was voted All-Pro 5 times, and won Offensive Rookie of the Year, and was also a member of the 2000's All-Decade Team. As he retires he enters a shroud of questions of where does he rank among the all time greats, and is he 1st Ballot Hall of Fame worthy.
Despite all the off the field issues, and frequent occurrences where he would take plays off, he was still one of the best WR's this game has ever seen. His amazing leaping ability, matched with his blazing speed, and great hands, made him the most feared WR of his time. He may not be the best WR of All-Time, because that designation will always go to Jerry Rice, but Moss was one of the best ever. He is worthy of a 1st Bllot HOF spot, and in my mind he is the 2nd best WR of all time. Here is to you Randy Moss for a great 13 years, for all the mistakes you made, and routes you took off, you still managed to be one of the greatest ever, and that is worthy of a HOF spot to me.
From: My sports blog
247 Sports Zone
