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- Adam ParkerMonday is Randy Moss' birthday, and to commemorate his 35th year on Earth, he announced he's ending his brief retirement and wants to return to professional football in 2012.
"I just wanna go to a team and play some football," Moss said on a video posted at the website Ustream.tv. "Your boy is going to come back here and play some football, so I'm really excited. I had some things I had to adjust in my life."
Moss abruptly retired last August 1 with a one-sentence statement from his agent, Joel Segal.
He did not play football at all in 2011 after spending a turbulent 2010 season split between the Patriots, Vikings, and Titans. He said Monday he retired because of issues he needed to address off the field, but his family has reportedly since told him, 'It's fine, whatever you wanna do.'
So now that Moss has the green light to return to the NFL, we here at the Beard and Stache thought it would be appropriate to break down three potential landing spots for the future Hall of Fame wide receiver.
#3. San Francisco 49ers - We love the 49ers as a good fit for Moss. The clear lack of wide receiver talent outside of former first round pick Michael Crabtree makes San Francisco an obvious choice. With guys like Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker, the 49ers' passing game has clearly become more oriented towards targeting the tight ends above anyone else.
Not to mention, San-Fran's Josh Morgan and Ted Ginn Jr., who are usually the team's second and third receivers, are set to become free agents. My final reasons for thinking Moss might be headed for the Bay area?
If he proves he still has that devastating deep speed that forces opposing teams to double him, it would give Vernon Davis a lot of one-on-one looks, and he would be worth more than taking a flyer on. Oh, and I think he would get along wonderfully with Jim Harbaugh as well.
Less drama and more winning could be the recipe needed for a 49ers/Moss marriage to work.
#2. Arizona Cardinals - This is an intriguing choice to say the least. There are whispers that Peyton Manning could end up in the desert if the Colts decide to release him, but even if Kolb is the starter, I still like this match both for the Cards' and Moss.
Larry Fitzgerald is a fixture at the No.1 receiver slot, but Moss, despite his advanced age, could be a great compliment as Fitz's partner in crime if he does indeed still possess the same physical gifts we've seen from him in the past.
Like the 49ers, I really don't think Arizona has much to lose here, considering that after Fitzgerald their second receiver is currently Andre Roberts from the Citadel. I don't mean to take anything away from Roberts, but when you put his name next to Moss' name when you're looking at who could play opposite Fitz next season, I have to believe that most people would take a chance on Moss despite his baggage.
With the reputation Cardinals' head coach Ken Whisenhunt has for airing it out on offense and the competitiveness that could blossom between Moss and Fitz, it could mean great things for Arizona's offense in 2012.
#1. New England Patriots - Why not? Deion Branch might not be returning to the team and Moss' itch to play football could be fulfilled by the team he 'loves' and 'misses' so much. He has a good relationship with Tom Brady, and as long as #12 is under center, the Patriots are always going to be in contention for winning Super Bowls, which, at this stage of his career, is probably the main motivation for Moss.
Bill O' Brien, the Patriots' offensive coordinator that Moss took a disliking to, has left the Pats' to take the head coaching gig at Penn State.
To replace him, the Patriots brought back Josh McDaniels, who coincidentally was the offensive coordinator that got the most out of Moss - evidenced by his NFL record 23 receiving touchdowns in 2007.
If the Patriots can get anywhere close to the production they got out of Moss during the '07 campaign, you have to believe Bill Belichick and company would consider pulling the trigger.
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