Randy Moss was a shell of his former self at age 33. But after a year out of football, the now-35-year-old SuperFreak has announced he wants to return to the NFL. He made the announcement during a 35th birthday celebration. It was reported on Pro Football Talk with a link to the announcement on Ustream.tv.
"Faith, family and football, that's my M.O., bro," Moss said. "Your boy be back for the upcoming season."
Yes, the Vikings need a receiver. No, Moss won't be coming back for a third stint with the team. Strike Two was embarrassing enough for everyone involved that a Strike Three isn't required to call the SuperFreak out as a potential free-agent signing.
It's not a given that anyone will take a flier on Moss at his age, with all his behavioral baggage and with what he put on tape in 2010. That year, he played for the Patriots, Vikings and Titans, catching just 28 passes in 16 games for 393 yards and five touchdowns.
It is possible that someone will sign him considering it wouldn't cost a draft pick and Moss is in no position to bargain for anything but the minimum one-year salary.
The Vikings, who drafted Moss in the first round in 1998 and held onto him until trading him before the 2004 season, were burned too badly when they reunited with Moss in 2010. Former coach Brad Childress traded a third-round pick to the Patriots but had problems with Moss from nearly Day 1. The tension between the two boiled over following the Vikings' loss at New England, leading to Moss take to the post-game podium and interview himself.
Going against team protocol, Childress released Moss without consulting ownership. It came 26 days after the trade and ultimately led to Childress' firing later in the season.
