So now he's whining like a baby, quitting on himself and choosing to leave the game without completing his career of uncertainty. This is a cowardly retirement -- if you believe in his career-finisher theory, a bunch of hearsay that I'm not buying into anytime soon. If so, he'd regret the stunning departure, an exodus that defines Moss as a petty quitter, if nothing else, not only on franchises or plays but himself as well.
Then again, maybe it's not such a major shock for the vast majority, used to Moss' pattern of abrupt departures from teams whenever he's not ultimately a targeted wide receiver in the offensive tactics. Rather than acknowledging that he was a cancer for a multitude of franchises in the past, with such a crabby, miserable and wicked attitude, we spurned the sense of the defiant receiver being a problem-child in the league.
He is, indeed, a mischief-maker and an attention-seeker obligated to whine when he doesn't receive enough touches or have a key impact on the game. Mostly, he's the toxic waste on a 100-yard field each Sunday, salivating like a toddler missing a pacifier to calm his endless fussing of displeasure at a team that holds back on involving Moss on a series of plays, based solely on the fact he quit on teams, drop passes, turn over the ball carelessly and pout over the franchises' strides because of the formula.
He can explode and lose his cool at anytime, persist on a rampage during press conferences or pregame interviews to make a fool of himself, burning his ruined credibility frequently. It seems almost certain that Moss, who'd rather leave football fully capable of still performing efficiently if he changes his reckless demeanor, as people don't stomach his murky personality too well, is cowardly calling it a career distraught he has no attractive offers.
With the future Hall of Famer unwilling to accept a huge paycut, but truly longing to play if a convenient deal comes along, Moss would be content and sign a contract and hopefully return as a prolific receiver, gaining acceptance and even appreciation for solidifying someone's offense with his presence. The sudden demise miserably erased much grief for a number of teams in which Moss damaged morale and spirit for a probable team of tremendous talent, but hopefully he changes his mind and matures -- something we rarely seen from Moss.
Until then, his talent is clouded by his petulance and low spirit when he could be more humbled and modest, capable of playing through the adversity, so hopeful that he can adjust his oversized ego and realize nobody ever understands where Moss' state of mind is -- although he's in discussion as one of the best receivers. The most surprising thing is, the folks are startled over Moss' latest announcement, never paying attention to his pattern of turning his back on teams, players and coaches, or even turning his back on himself when it doesn't happen as planned.
Moss, 34, is a discontent individual and has an awful trait of driving coaches nuts, but amazingly -- teams in the past brought him aboard as a fixture only because of his explosiveness and craftiness. For the entire hullabaloo over Moss' vanishing act, which many are sick of hearing already as an exaggerated issue amplifies much hyperbole, he dislikes the option accessible to him after 13 seasons in the league.
The folks even gleefully assume, in a matter of days of course, that he'd return to play in his 14th NFL season, even if his agent, Joel Segal, offered a reasonable but inexcusable explanation for Moss' dubious retirement. Is it because no one declared interest in the perplexing wideout, not falling in love with the peeved Pro Bowler since there are too many top receivers on the market amid the free-agency frenzy? Sadly, it seems nobody cares about Moss, a name still quite irrelevant in the league.
The headlines are the announcements of the New York Jets signing Santonio Holmes and the Seattle Seahawks reaching a deal with Sidney Rice, a pair of wide receivers who are much mature than Moss, but more than ever, younger and quicker. No one knows exactly how the aging Moss would perform next season, leery on taking in a player with too much baggage. This is the debatable gamble of a lifetime, to bring in a petulant player, of all wideouts available. It's not worth the risk, but it's a cowardice move by Moss.
Plaxico Burress, who had been released from prison after serving 20 months on a gun charge, was the veteran to reach a deal with the Jets already on his way to redemption. The irony here is that Chad Ochocinco was a higher attraction over Moss and had been dealt to New England for a change of scenery and possible shot at winning his first NFL championship. What's more notable is that Moss has had an imposing career with solid numbers, which include 954 receptions, 14,858 yards and 153 touchdowns.
On the positive side of things, he was always a well-rounded player, but he was never an endeared athlete. The more glaring scenario of his monumental career was when he played his first seven seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and even his 2007 campaign with New England, a season that he established record-setting 23 touchdown receptions. But the greater story in the Moss saga so far is that he was a trouble-maker on the field and a renegade player with an ego bigger than his mouth.
The exact opposite of his exploits was that he was prima donna who could destroy coaches and teammates, tear down the spirit and divide an organization. The absence on certain days was because of his disengagement and lethargy, lacking aggressiveness and even surrendering on one of his former teams, for what became a commonplace in his faulty performance. At this juncture, he couldn't care less about reentering his career, he couldn't care less about ever playing again and then retiring on stronger terms.
Arguably the most impressive player until he almost self-destructed in 2010, he ultimately became a symbol of misbehaved athletes. That has certainly caught the attention of teams, especially his cocky persona that became more noticeable when he was traded to the Patriots just four games into the regular season. From there, he spent four games with the Vikings, until he was then traded to the Tennessee Titans that appeared puzzling after he was claimed off waivers.
While in Nashville, where Moss underachieved mightily, he caught only six passes in eight games. If he expects to land the biggest contract, might he contribute effectively and be willing to run routes and block assertively?
Much of the problem came when Moss declined in his work ethic and frustrated Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. What it showed is that Moss is not the dangerous receiver he was earlier in his indomitable career, on decline as one of the elite receivers and seems to be an undermined star with his inability to escape irritability and moodiness, crippling his own ability in excelling at an all-time high.
It remains uncertain whether he'll stay retired, but if not, he is cowardly taking the easy way out.
--Jonathan Mathis
