Nate Washington On Randy Moss "I Don't Think We Need Him"

I guess everyone isn't a fan of Randy Moss joining the Tennessee Titans. Per this report on prosportstalk.com, receiver Nate Washington (who was signed to be the Titans resident deep threat) thinks the Titans were fine without Moss. Here's what Washington had to say...

"I don't really think we need him," Washington said. "I'm going to speak up and say that we have so many good young guys. If it so happens he does come to this locker room, we'll find a way to make it work. That's the type of guys we are. We aren't individuals . . . We have a team goal in mind. That's what we're reaching for."

I can't say whether Washington is the minority or majority with this, as his teammate and star running back Chris Johnson appears to be ecstatic about the addition of Moss. Maybe lil' Nate knows he'll get less passes thrown his direction (well, duh...). They have similar stats so far this season, but you also have to figure in that Moss basically quit on both the Patriots & Minnesota. Either way it will be interesting to see how these two respond to each other now that Moss is on board.
 
Pipe down Lil' Nate! Maybe Randy will help you get one on one coverage on the outside and improve on those 21 catches, 351 yards and 4 TD's you've gotten so far.
 
Or not? *Shrugs*
 
-ALR

Randy Moss Waived By Vikings? (Updated)

This rumor has been all over the web, and NFL Network has confirmed that Randy Moss has been placed on waivers by the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings traded a 3rd round rick to New England just under a couple months ago for the wide receiver but you could tell in his body language and talk that he was not down with losing in Minnesota.

ed. - Apparently, head coach Brad Childress made the decision to release Moss without everyone in the organization on board. Moss doesn't officially hit waivers until tomorrow so this can develop in a number of ways. Once Waived, Moss could be claimed by any team, with waiver claims in priority of worst team to best (meaning New England stands the least likely chance of reaquiring the receiver).

When I head of this the first thing I could think of was a return to New England. But where will Moss really end up is anyone's guess.

One thing is for sure; Randy Moss press conferences > T.O. press conferences. Yesterday he sounded like he really missed playing for the Pats (who also own the league's best record). This season has been a circus so far. Just another week in the World's Greatest Reality TV Show, aka the National Football League.

-ALR

Quick'ems Hitter'ems

It's been a minute since I've posted and there has been a lot going on in the sports world, so here are a few things that have been on my mind these past couple weeks... Enjoy good readers

MLB
In baseball there are a few good story lines going into Major League Baseball's Playoffs, but the one thing that has really had me perplexed was the situation going on with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers have been the team that noone wants, and it stinks. The McCourts are involved in divorce court to find out who is going to have custody of the team. It seems in this case a big piece of evidence was how the lawyer that drew up the papers that separate the proprieties owned by the McCourts, went back and changed some of the verbiage after the documents were signed and notarized. Big Dummy (Fred Sanford voice)... I'm not sure of the official outcome, but it looked like Jaime McCourt was going to get custody from Frank McCourt. I hope Frank gets weekends and maybe Thanksgiving at his house...

On top of that Joe Torre gave the Dodgers the deuces (say bye bye...)

NBA
The season is upon us and it is a joyous occasion. I must say, I love NBATV because they gave us insight into training camps. As much as I didn't want to, I couldn't help but watch Miami Heat training camp. Those dudes, led by Lebron James, were intense in camp.

*Editorial Note... That will be the last time I mention his name, he will now be referred to as 6*

Anyway, the vocal and on court leadership of 6 will prove to have a big affect on the Miami Heat this season. It was evident in the preseason game against the Pistons. 6 looked energized and he looked like he was definitely going to live up to his twanksta statements. He still needs to get a jumper, but it looks like he will get himself to a place where Mr Wade can get him over the top. Chris Bosh is going to benefit the most as he will be able to score efficiently. I would not be surprised if he has a game going 12-12 from the field, 8 of those buckets being dunks.

Matchup wise they will have problems against the top teams in the league. I honestly don't see them winning a series against the Celtics to even make it to see the Lakers in the finals. The difference will be Shaq clogging the middle, and since 6 can't shoot, there will be a repeat of last season. I can go on about this in length, but I will save it for the NBA Preview.

Oh and John Wall is a beast and will be Rookie of the Year...

NFL
The hot news worth noting is Randy Moss returning to the Minnesota Vikings. I actually think this is a good move for the Vikes. One of my favorite Florida Gators, Percy Harvin, will get much space to operate out of the slot. I know the trade won't cure his injuries, but damn, we all have to know that his season will improve. It also helps the Ageless Wonder because when he gets in trouble he can close his eyes launch the ball down field and there is an 80-20 chance Moss will score.

NCAAF
I am not a Boise St fan, eventho most of their recruits come from the LA area, shame on me. Boise St plays a good brand of football and they do everything they are supposed to do. I just can't get passed their schedule and how weak their conference is. Part of me wants to see them play for a BCS Championship only because I want to see them get waxed by an Ohio St or an Alabama so we can put an end to all this cupcake schedule should make it talk. Bitter...

Boxing
The much hyped Super Six Middleweight Tournament has been a bust. The first round was good, but after Jermaine Taylor got KO'd he quit. Allan Green wasn't good enough to stand in for Taylor as he got outclassed by Andre Ward. Mikkel Kessler sighted injury, but inside circles says he quit. Glen Johnson, another Ageless Wonder, is joining the tournament but noone cares. Last and sadly, Andre Dirrell is out of the tournament with neural issues. Dirrell is very talented and this blogger wishes him the best of luck in his recovery.

I hope Paul Williams v Sergio Martinez puts a nice end of the year stamp on what was been a crazy boxing calendar year.

- @lostherod is back

"Good Idea, Bad Idea" (Wednesday Morning Bonus)

In an interesting twist to a weekly segment we've instituted on "That Sports Blog", something very intriguing transpired over the last 12 hours or so. I'll get right into this morning...

"Good Idea"
Vikings Taking Advantage of Bill Belichick's Ego And Nabbing Randy Moss

Bottom line; Randy Moss is still one of the top receivers in the NFL. The Viking saw an opportunity and jumped on it, just as they attempted (and failed) to pry Vincent Jackson away from the Chargers. Minnesota appears to be serious about one last run at the Super Bowl and are giving Brett Favre the pieces he needs to be successful in what should be his final season. This move immediately puts Minnesota back in contention for the NFC crown. And what did they have to give up to get a pro bowl caliber play maker? A third round pick. Advantage Vikings.

"Bad Idea"
New England Trading Randy Moss"

You can't tell me this man doesn't have some sort of ego complex. The Patriots are becoming notorious for letting key players walk away , and I'm willing to bet the house Belichick has everything to do with it. They let Ty Law go a few years back when they refused to pay him. They let Mike Vrabel, who was a very big part of their championship teams, walk and he has had a nice impact on Kansas City so far. They pretty much threw Richard Seymour out the door and shipped him to the Raiders. Granted, Moss might have been becoming a problem in the locker room, but there is no disguising that he is great on the field. Maybe that hasn't translated so far this season, but could it be that he was being phased out of the game plan to make trading him easier? Possibly. Either way, I do not see how this move makes them better. It actually makes them worse. It appears that Belichick is preparing for the future as the Patriots now have two picks in each of the first 3 rounds, so maybe we haven't seen the end result of this most recent trade. All I have to say about the move is, "J-E-T-S, JETS JETS JETS!"

-ALR

Moss On The Move...

According to this report of espn.com, All-Pro wide receiver Randy Moss is on his way back to where his NFL career began, the Minnesota Vikings. As Moss was in a contract year and an extension was unlikely, the Patriots decide to cut him lose and get something for him before losing him for nothing in free agency.

Moss came to New England with a huge splash in 2007, amassing 98 receptions for 1,493 yards and an NFL record 23 touchdown catches. He has had productive seasons with them up until this year, where he has only 9 catches for a measly 139 yards. It remains to be seen how the Patriots can replace his big play potential, but my guess is 2nd year speedster Brandon Tate becomes the initial deep threat as Wes Welker is primarily a slot receiver that works the middle of the field.

If you recall before he was dealt by the Raiders to New England, Randy Moss has a habit of checking out mentally when he feels unwanted or under utilized. He had the worst season statistically of his career in Oakland and there was talked that he was washed up, then he responded a monster season. Can the same happen for the Vikings? That remains to be seen but I wouldn't bet against it. Moss gives Minnesota the deep threat Brett Favre has missed with Sidney Rice out with an injured hip. Once Rice gets back, the Vikings offense has the potential to be unstoppable.

One thing that stands out to me is that Moss has recently been dealt for a fourth rounder (Oakland to New England) and a third rounder (New England to Minnesota). That really isn't a good return for a record setting future Hall of Famer who is only in his early 30's. If you ask me, New England basically just handed the AFC East over to the Jets. Somewhere, Rex Ryan is laughing while enjoying a snack.

-ALR