When Randy Moss was traded by the Vikings to the Raiders in early 2005, it wasn't the most acrimonious departure in the history of the NFL, but it felt like a definitive enough ending that the thought of ever seeing Moss again in a Minnesota uniform seemed nigh on impossible.
The Hot Read: Randy Moss, The Vikings, And Bizarre NFL Reunions
Randy Moss’ trade to the Vikings has people jazzed about a return to the good times of his early years. That view, of course, forgets the turmoil that went with it. The Hot Read looks back at the troubled time and explores other improbable returns.
In the seven seasons Moss spent in Minnesota, Vikings coaches spent as much time hailing Moss’ on-the-field feats as they did wringing their hands over having to control his often restive personality. To this day, there’s still talk about how Randy Moss got Dennis Green fired. There’s the assumption that Randy Moss got Mike Tice the head coaching job simply because it was thought that the two were close. When Tice was fired, more than a few people put that on Moss as well, ignoring the truism that Mike Tice requires little assistance in being a mediocre NFL head coach.
And while “straight cash, homie” remains the definitive Randy Moss sound byte, a more revealing quote was the one Moss gave in 2002 to then-Sports Illustrated writer Mike Silver about the Tice speculation. Asked whether Tice was, in fact, promoted to head coach because it was thought the he could control Moss, the receiver replied, “No. Mike Tice got the job because he and Randy Moss can get along. Nobody controls me but my mama and God.”
For all the bubbly nostalgia that Moss’ highlight reel from his early years evokes, time and again Randy Moss has proved that when he doesn’t feel like being controlled, he won’t be. That applies to everyone from Dennis Green to Mike Tice to Norv Turner to Art Shell to Bill Belichick. Eventually, teams just decide that he isn’t worth the trouble anymore.
Of course, organizational memory in Minnesota doesn’t extend very far back. The coaches who dealt with Moss are gone. Hell, the Vikes don’t even have the same owner they had when Moss was traded away. The fans are the constant. While many of them are doubtlessly excited to have as dynamic and entertaining a player as Randy Moss back on the team, they have to know better than anyone how tenuous a hold the coaches will have on his willingness to accede to their demands.
This, then, got me thinking about which would be the most unlikely and bizarre reunions of current NFL players and teams they have moved on from. I fully realize most of these situation range somewhere between highly unlikely to downright impossible, but then Moss-to-Minnesota could have appeared on this list not long ago.
Michael Vick to the Atlanta Falcons - As with Moss' return, this would be a return greeted with vast enthusiasm by fans. Probably even more so. It will be a long time before some Falcons fans get off the events that led to Vick's departure from the team. Even though he's been gone from the Falcons for years now, I still see more Mike Vick Falcons jerseys than any other player past or present for that franchise. And all that makes for compelling drama, given the feelings of disappointment and betrayal Falcons owner Arthur Blank has expressed about Vick, we're virtually guaranteed never to see Vick come back.
Jay Cutler to the Denver Broncos - For this to ever happen, regardless of the realities of the roster moves that have happened since, either Cutler or Broncos coach Josh McDaniels would need to develop a shred of emotional maturity. Neither of those prospects seems incredibly likely.
DeAngelo Hall to the Oakland Raiders - Remember when Hall was traded to the Raiders, signed a seven-year, $72 million contract then played only eight games before being released? Al Davis might not at this point. But if he does, it would require visiting one of the more embarrassing of his many unfortunate personnel decisions in recent years.
Braylon Edwards to the Cleveland Browns - For as long as Edwards was in Cleveland, he felt dwarfed by the presence of LeBron James' star. Of course, it was less than a year after he left that LeBron did as well. One might think that could make matters better for Edwards were he ever in a position to come back. Except he'd have to deal with the backlash from these comments about Cleveland that he made to The New York Times a few months back:
“There’s nothing going on in Cleveland. There’s no real estate. There’s no social life, no social networking. All the people who have something going on leave Cleveland. So Cleveland has nothing, and I came in there with a New York-type of essence. So what? That was the attitude I came in with. Like, this is who I am. They didn’t like the flash.”
So if you had any bizarre hopes to see another Derek Anderson to Braylon Edwards connection in Cleveland - though why would you? - consider them dashed.
Terrell Owens to Any Team He's Ever Played For Except Buffalo - Maybe Dallas too. Jerry Jones is crazy enough to try anything. Everywhere else is a definite no.
Plaxico Burress to the New York Giants - On one hand, if any team is going to give Plaxico a shot at a return when he gets out of prison, it's going to be the Giants. Plax would have served him time and therefore have his shot at redemption as Vick had had, but you know it would also come with overwhelming scrutiny, and likely criticism, from the New York media.
Donovan McNabb to the Philadelphia Eagles - This is almost the complete inverse of the Vick to Atlanta scenario, though just as unlikely to occur. Eagles fans would totally lose their minds. Some would talk about boycotting the team. Others would just throw things. Actually, they all would throw things.
Brett Favre to the Green Bay Packers - As with McNabb, it's too late now for this to happen unless Favre does one of those deals where he signs with the team for a day and retires. Which, knowing Favre's overpowering desire to be liked, is a very real possibility. Favre is still admired by Packers fans even after all the endless drama of the past few years, so the move could be greeted fondly by some. The rest of us, however, would just issue another audible groan.
Albert Haynesworth to the Washington Redskins - Oh wait, he's still there. We'll just leave this one on here for future use.
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