At a Loss with Moss

Moss put on Ice in Minnesota

Acquired from the Patriots for a 3rd Round pick, the Vikings have waived Randy Moss after 3 games. I believe the Vikings are now on the hook for the remainder of Randy's 2010 salary ($3M+), and what did they get in return? 13 receptions, 174 yards, and 2 TDs. Nice.

Why make the move? It just doesn't seem to make sense.

- Are the Vikings upset over what Moss had to say during the Week 8 post-game interviews? Sure he implied strongly that he feels the Patriots are a better organization and that he's regretful of the move; however, it seems to me that at most the reaction should have been a chew out session, and a fine. Nothing more.

- Is this Brad Childress' attempt to regain control of the team? If that's the case, then Brett Favre should have been waived and not Moss. During the post-game, Childress was asked directly does he regret acquiring Randy Moss. His answer? "Not at present I don't...no". He said Moss' comments simply showed a fondness for a team he'd played for the last 3+ years. So how does it make sense that the next day we hear that Moss has been waived, and that Childress did so without consulting Owner Zygi Wilf and President Mark Wilf?

- Many players/coaches (Chris Gamble, Tom Walsh, Chris Harris, and Darelle Revis of note) have said that Moss doesn't always give 100% and often gives up on routes. Do I believe it? Sure. I've seen it. But if you're the Vikings you knew this already. It's something you considered before bringing him over. [In the words of Sterling Sharpe "When people show you who they are, believe them the first time...the Minnesota Vikings got fooled twice"]. The Vikings were looking for a martyr, when the sacrifice should have been Brett Favre. Did you hear Childress' explanation for letting Moss go? He said that he was a "programmatic non-fit". A what? Is that what you told the remaining players? Is that what you told the owners?

- Brett Favre: You had a lacerated jaw man! Why were you curled up in the fetal position? To me it looked like a man trying to garner sympathy as the ultimate warrior. A man trying to distract his detractors...and Moss paid the bill.

- Better for Moss, he landed with a good organization with a well respected, tenured, coach in Jeff Fisher who knows the x's and o's. He may only be a fill-in for an injured Kenny Britt. But he'll do for now. And Jeff will evaluate the situation and make a fair decision on whether he'll be a Titan next year.

McNabb benched for Rex Grossman?

Are you kidding me?

McNabb doesn't know the 2-min drill? McNabb is not in good enough shape to run the 2-min drill? (Excuse me? McNabb had a 36 yard run in the 2nd Q)

WOW. What a huge insult. Sure McNabb handled it well in front of the media, but make no mistake. This was not a vote of confidence...not game strategy. This is Mike Shanahan sending a big time message to McNabb and the rest of his team. I'm just not sure what the message was, other than to say, I'm not 100% satisfied. But aren't there other ways of telling him that? Like say, directly?

By now you know that the Shanahan's also brought in both Jamarcus Russell and JP Losman for a look-see on Tuesday. Did you know that Russell weighed in at 286 pds? Do you know what his playing weight with the Raiders was (when the entire NFL said he was overweight)? 265 pds. Nice. Look, I think that Mike Shanahan is now coming to understand why the Eagles were fine with letting McNabb go to a division rival. But don't tell me he isn't slightly embarrassed by the last few days' chain of events.

Henne destined for the HOF?

I've been hearing from Fin Fans that Chad Henne will be a future HOFer. So let's compare his 2009 (13 games started) and 2010 numbers (7 games thus far) to Joe Montana's 1980 (7 games started) and 1981 numbers (16 games):

1980 Montana- 176/273, 1795 yds, 64.5 comp%, 15 TDs, 9 Ints, 3.3 Int %

2009 Henne- 274/451, 2878 yds, 60.8 comp%, 12 TDs, 15 Ints, 3.1 Int%

1981 Montana- 311/488, 3565 yds, 63.7 comp%, 19 TDs, 12 Ints, 2.5 Int%

2010 Henne (7 games)- 154/243, 1669 yds, 63.4 comp%, 8 TDs, 7 Ints, 3.1 Int%

*In his 2nd year as a starter for the Dolphins, Henne's numbers look good when compared to Montana's 2nd starting year. However, it is definitely way too early to declare him a future HOFer. Let's wait and see Fin Fans.

C.J. Spiller is the man!

Well not exactly, let's revisit what I'd said about him back in April 2010:

"I personally didn't think he was the best back taken in Round One. In fact, I didn't even think he was the next best Back. I had both Ryan Mathews and Jahvid Best ahead of him. Why? The combine results were fairly even amongst the three, so for me it all boiled down to the game film. Ryan Mathews seemed quicker to the hole, showed better instincts in the field, and seemed harder to tackle than Spiller (although Spiller did seem like the better receiver out of the backfield). While Jahvid Best looks like he's going to be a devestating 3rd down Back. Give him half an inch too much and it's over- watch the film and you'll see what I'm saying".

The only thing I was wrong about was Jahvid Best being a 3rd down Back. He's a full-time back, and once he puts on some muscle and builds up his stamina and durability, he'll blow people away with how good he is. Take it to the bank.

Touch Football Update:

- Canes go to 7-1-1 with a 33-30 comeback win over the Twin Hawks. They game-planned to beat us with crossing routes and double slant patterns but were more lucky than good. We adjusted in time to stop their final drive and seal the win.

- Bear Obessessions take down the Wildcats to move to 1-1 on the young indoor season. Much better effort all around on both sides of the ball. The wildcats were left wondering how they could have lost to a bunch of out of shape Italianos. Wonder no more Wildcats. Wonder no more.

Da Rhino recommends:

- DVD: 'Get Him to the Greek'- A record company intern is hired to accompany out-of-control British rock star Aldous Snow to a concert at L.A.'s Greek Theater. You'll chuckle your way through this daft, foul mouthed comedy starring Jonah Hill, and Russell Brand. Then you'll cancel your kid's music lessons and wash your own ears out with soap.

- TV: The Tudors (CBC, Tues 9pm)- The multiple Emmy Award-winning 16th-century prime-time soap is back for its fourth and final season, chronicling Henry VIII's turbulent last days as king. Starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers. If you're into English History, this will not disappoint.

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