Doesn’t it seem like just a few weeks ago that we were examining the odd fantasy football circumstances that were going to lead to Randy Moss playing 17 games this NFL season? Well, leave it to Moss to keep not only his real-life head coaches but also his fantasy football owners guessing.
With His Release, Randy Moss Continues To Make Strange Fantasy Football News
With his release on Monday by the Minnesota Vikings, Moss could add another unique layer to his season. He's either going to land with another team or miss the rest of the season, depending on which opinionated reporter on Twitter you believe. It's worth noting the team he opened the season with, the New England Patriots, sit at 32nd on the waiver wire list; the Buffalo Bills are first. That's got to have Ryan Fitzpatrick owners drooling. But we should know by this time on Tuesday where Moss ends up -- if anywhere.
Until then, it’s time examine the impact Moss is making, again, on the team he’s leaving. Think his quarterback might notice his absence?
We'll start with Brett Favre, who was obviously excited about the trade that brought Moss from New England. And really, what's here to salvage at this point? Favre actually has thrown less since Moss came aboard -- an average of 26 attempts after Moss, 32 before his arrival -- though his touchdown rate has gone slightly up and his interception rate down. But he's also dinged up pretty badly, and it's unlikely you'd want him piloting your fantasy football team down the stretch at this point anyway, Moss or no Moss.
It could impact Percy Harvin much more. Sure, the second-year speedster will once again be the focal point of the Vikings' passing game, but he'll be getting all of the attention from the opposing defense. Aside from the lack of scores (he had two touchdowns in Moss' first game with the Vikings, none since), he's been more than serviceable, catching 19 passes for 287 yards in four games. He didn't come close to topping 100 yards in any of the games pre-Moss.
If anyone benefits, it could be forgotten man Bernard Berrian. He'll have to play now, and should get open with defenses focusing on Harvin and tight end Visanthe Shiancoe. Five of Berrian's nine receptions came pre-Moss -- a very small sample size, but something to consider. He's worth a waiver wire pickup if you have an empty roster spot or you're in need of a bye-week pickup.
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