Free Agent Wide Receiver Randy Moss Wants to Comeback; Could Miami Make Sense?

by Kevin Nogle on Feb 14, 2012 5:00 AM EST in 2012 NFL Free Agency

Yesterday, Finhead83 posted a Fan Shot discussing free agent wide receiver Randy Moss attempting to make a come back in the NFL next year. With the Dolphins looking to improve after three straight losing seasons, could Moss make sense for the Dolphins?

The most common answer is going to be no. A very emphatic no, even. But, I think there's one reason why Moss could make sense in Miami next season.

Peyton Manning.

Normally I would not be interested in looking at a 35-year old wide receiver who had sat out an entire season. A wide receiver who could not find a job in the NFL. A wide receiver who burned through three teams in his final season. But, the Miami Dolphins signing Peyton Manning is not normal.

So, rewind on the dismissal of Randy Moss. Think about it for just a second.

Moss was simply a decoy the last time we saw him on a field. He was no where near the wide receiver that Randy Moss was. He was normal. But, after a year of rest, maybe, just maybe, there's something left.

And, if there is anything at all left, maybe, just maybe, the Dolphins need to investigate.

Manning is not going to come to Miami looking to develop the team around him. Jeff Ireland and Stephen Ross aren't going to go get Manning expecting to build the Dolphins for three years before making a run. If Manning comes to Miami, it's win time. And, they have to win now.

Moss could assist in that. If there's any gas left in the tank, Moss could be an asset. If he can stretch the field at all, he can at least serve to free up Brandon Marshall some.

When you take into account the state of the Dolphins' wide receiver corps, maybe Moss has a chance to make the team. Behind Marshall, there is Davone Bess and Brian Hartline. After those three, the Dolphins have Clyde Gates, Marlon Moore, and Roberto Wallace. Assuming the Dolphins are not going to give up on Gates after just one season, Moss would be competing against Moore and Wallace for a roster position.

If there is any bit of the old Moss left, could be replace one of those two on the roster, and help Miami win now?

Moss will not be commanding the type of money he once was. There's not going to be much of a market for Moss. Miami could get in cheap, with little to no guaranteed money, and see what happens during training camp. If he does not make the roster, the team will cut him and move on. If he makes the roster, then you have a once great wide receiver, who could be playing to prove himself, as your fourth, fifth, or sixth wide out.

And, if the Dolphins are looking to use Manning's competitive nature, and need to prove something, to make a run at their first Super Bowl championship since 1973, could a wide receiver trying to prove something be that far out of the realm of the possible?

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Randy Moss?

Miami is better off going with Gates or Marlon Moore. A young WR will play for Miami a lot longer than Moss.

by tpl on Feb 14, 2012 5:43 AM EST reply actions

OMG NO!

"Theyas no fawking qwatahback!"-Anonymous Patriots fan at seeing the Wildcat formation for the first time.

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by texascowpunk on Feb 14, 2012 5:55 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

No to Moss

Wish we could sim this season

by biggaandbadda on Feb 14, 2012 5:58 AM EST reply actions

But just think if things start to go badly,

We can watch both him and Brandon blow-up

Are the voices in my head starting to bother you too?

by Northern Fin Fan on Feb 14, 2012 6:31 AM EST reply actions

NO

I would take R. Wayne instead!! IF P. Manning comes to us!!!

by DS1975 on Feb 14, 2012 6:35 AM EST reply actions

Sure and while we\re at it let's sign TO and Ocho5o while we're at it

Might as well have the complete set.

Owner of the Running Shulas
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by PhrozenPhish on Feb 14, 2012 6:56 AM EST reply actions

LOL Although I would not lump Ochocinco in to the same group.

"Theyas no fawking qwatahback!"-Anonymous Patriots fan at seeing the Wildcat formation for the first time.

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by texascowpunk on Feb 14, 2012 7:11 AM EST up reply actions

TO

I’d actually be all for signing TO, if we get Manning. I think now that TO has hit some tough times finacially he know he can’t mess up his next job, if he ever gets another football job. He’s a solid WR even at 36 or 37, however old he is. I don’t want Moss…let the Jets have him. Ocho I think will retire as a Pat. But IMO, TO has got to have something left in the tank. And I think with a leader like Manning in the locker room, TO won’t have to be that leader. I mean Manning kept the inner thug in Marvin Harrison hush hush for years.

by Mr_Solo_Dolo on Feb 14, 2012 8:32 AM EST up reply actions

I think now that TO has hit some tough times finacially he know he can’t mess up his next job

I might agree with you but after hearing the recent interview with TO where he blames everyone but himself for every issue he has ever had I say no. He has not changed one bit. I can’t think of any other HOF level WR who can not find a single ex QB of theirs to say a nice thing about them. Think about that!

"Theyas no fawking qwatahback!"-Anonymous Patriots fan at seeing the Wildcat formation for the first time.

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by texascowpunk on Feb 14, 2012 9:28 AM EST up reply actions

Ahh, it was just a hunch! I hadn’t heard anything from TO in a while…outside of the whole broke as a joke BS. And actually IIRC, the last article I read about TO gave me a different perspective on the dude.

Eitherway, maybe TO is better suited trying out for an NBA team (IIRC, TO is a straight up baller?)

I’m actually on the, lets not do anything to the WR corps bandwagon, unless Blackmon is there. Otherwise, I guess my next favorite option would be Manningham (even pre super bowl) if he is not resigned.

I’m beginning to think Manning is done for though. It was only ESPN, but Antonio Pierce thinks Manning is just done (he had the same type of neck injury, but opted to not have surgery). I kind of like how our draft is without Manning though and signing Flynn. That means unless Griffen falls down to us, we aren’t drafting a 2nd round QB.

by Mr_Solo_Dolo on Feb 14, 2012 11:41 AM EST up reply actions

TO is not part owner and player for the Allen Wranglers about 30 min. from here.

"Theyas no fawking qwatahback!"-Anonymous Patriots fan at seeing the Wildcat formation for the first time.

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by texascowpunk on Feb 14, 2012 11:55 AM EST up reply actions

Texas I take it?

When did this break-out? Guess TO isn’t going to wait for an NFL team to call?

Such a shame some of these guys with all the talent in the world, but not a good enough head on their shoulders to just shut their mouth. Playing baseball, the guys who talked smack were 99% more likely to get hurt. Not to get off subject but one game I flat out spiked the shit out of a teams second baseman (slide spikes high and more than an arms length wide of second) because the kid wouldn’t shut up. Needless to say, he shut up after that.

Ah well…hopefully B-Marsh finds a cure for his mysterious dropitous in the redzone.

by Mr_Solo_Dolo on Feb 14, 2012 2:34 PM EST up reply actions

Yes. Allen it just north of Dallas. Honestly I did not even know that they had an indoor football team until he signed.

I guess the deal went down in Jan. He thinks this will be his springboard back to the NFL. I honestly think that people have long since tired of his antics and hes done. Maybe if he were a bit younger someone would give him a try but probably not now.

"Theyas no fawking qwatahback!"-Anonymous Patriots fan at seeing the Wildcat formation for the first time.

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by texascowpunk on Feb 14, 2012 3:31 PM EST up reply actions

Randy Moss really only runs one route well...

Granted he is the best in the history of the game at running it… but he also only plays hard when he is getting the ball. I would be ok if we signed TO and Moss under these conditions. We require them both go to therapy together. We make it clear that they are role players and if they are not ok with that, they can go find another team to play for. We make it clear that once either one of them messes up on, or off the field, if they say something bad about a teamate, if they don’t go hard on a play, they are off the team. Then we see if either one is serious about playing. I would only do that though if we could apply for a roster exemption for both guys, given the good that we are doing them by sending them to therapy. We could make them inactive for the first few months and see if either one is worth a spot.

We had [Brady] down… but we didn’t kick him. We helped him up and gave him a PowerPuff Girls band-aid for his knee. What exactly did you expect would happen when we did that?

by Jason Scott_90 on Feb 14, 2012 7:03 AM EST reply actions

I think he'd be disastrous in the locker room...

We need unity in there…I don’t think that there’s room for another ego in there…even if it’s trying to humble itself and make a comeback.

President of the "Do What You Have to Do to Draft Luck in '12" FanClub.

by cordy_1971 on Feb 14, 2012 7:05 AM EST reply actions

Kinda in the words of Roberto Duran

“No Moss”

Are the voices in my head starting to bother you too?

by Northern Fin Fan on Feb 14, 2012 7:18 AM EST reply actions

MOSS has lost at least 2 steps

And has a shitty attitude…would be a disaster for ANY team!!

Only reason he wants to come back is try & get a quick buck

Randy Shannon owes me a Liver.

by SSFDballer on Feb 14, 2012 7:25 AM EST via mobile reply actions

guess his race team isnt makin him enough money

i say let him change tires on his truck, dont let him in our locker room

Voted 6 time" MVP"..... Summercamp Pantyraid winner !!!!!!!!!

by smokinjoe699 on Feb 14, 2012 7:35 AM EST reply actions

I have theory

Moss is only coming back to clean up his act so he can get voted in the HOF

Wish we could sim this season

by biggaandbadda on Feb 14, 2012 7:46 AM EST reply actions

I am along those lines as well.

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by Agent J 78 on Feb 14, 2012 11:54 AM EST up reply actions

i will go against the grain

Two things I would do -
1) get the feedback of one brandon Marshall.
2) if 1 proves positive, kick the tires. There is little to lose.

"The first thing I do when I get out of bed and feel the jolt in my knees is think of Roy Winston. On the second step, my calcified Adam's apple starts bobbing, and I think of Carl Eller. A few more steps in the dark and it's Willie Lanier. By the time I get to the bathroom, I'm flashing back to Dick Butkus and Ray Nitschke. And when the light finally comes on, I just hope that somewhere in the darkness they're thinking of me, too" - Larry Csonka.
He played before my time but one of the toughest SOBs to ever play!

by Strange on Feb 14, 2012 8:39 AM EST via mobile reply actions

I agree

I for one never thought I would actually be ok with going for Moss. I’d bet BM would be all for it, if Moss can be anything close to his old speed it would be a real challenge for the defense. Can you imagine an inspired Moss with BM on the other side, Bess in the slot and Reggie in the backfield? That would keep defensive coordinators up for the week leading up to their meeting with us.

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by Agent J 78 on Feb 14, 2012 12:10 PM EST up reply actions

No, and my second thought is also No.

Moss = loner. If there was ever a me first player in the NFL, it’s Moss. He performs when it’s time for a payday, but one bipolar wr on the team is plenty.

Official member of "The Luck Fleet"
Nobody hurt a tackler like Zonk did.

by rintintinsoldier on Feb 14, 2012 9:00 AM EST reply actions

Are you kidding me?

First of all… I don’t think we should be signing Peyton Manning. He’s a stop gap! We have had enough stop gaps/retreads whatever you want to call it since Marino. We need to keep rolling the dice and find a more long term answer there. But if we do decide to bring it Manning, wouldn’t it be worth bringing in Reggie Wayne or Pierre Garcon for the familiarity? Yes, it would cost more but hell we’d already be rolling the dice on Manning might as well give him the best chance at succeeding here.

by Madeinwadecounty on Feb 14, 2012 9:24 AM EST reply actions

actually

wayne and moss should cost the same amount, and Garcon will be cheaper than Moss

RGIII or flynn, whichever one helps us win
Leader of the "draft Jayron Hosley in the 2nd" bandwagon
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by AnishB15 on Feb 14, 2012 10:45 AM EST up reply actions

Why is signing Peyton Manning a bad thing?

Couldn’t the front office sign Manning AND draft a QB? Is that not possible? If they did that, wouldn’t the “stop gap” actually be having a veteran start while a rookie develops?

Only two QBs in this draft really should be starting from day 1, Luck and Griffin. Unless we go all in on landing one of them, we are going to need a QB to start for 2-3 years while the rookie learns the NFL. Wouldn’t Peyton fill that role?

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by Kevin Nogle on Feb 14, 2012 1:22 PM EST up reply actions

I’m beginning to become skeptical of signing Manning. Antonio Pierce (never liked the dude) said on ESPN this morning that he had the same neck injury and opted to retire and Manning should do the same. Manning has to be able to throw the ball first and if he can’t then we’re back to having Moore as a starter (not a bad option but you pass up the chance at getting a 100% healthy Flynn or even Campbell). That’s the only thing that bothers me about waiting around for Manning to get healthy.

Plus I’m kind of liking the idea of having Flynn now. I want Manning…but I don’t want to have to develop a QB behind him. That pick could be used for another weapon for Flynn, someone to protect Flynn, someone to rush the opposing QB, someone that can cover a flippin’ TE, or someone who can provide depth. We have bigger issues than drafting a QB IMO.

Flynn or Manning, either way I’d be satisfied….granting Manning is the same player he once was.

by Mr_Solo_Dolo on Feb 14, 2012 2:52 PM EST up reply actions

Who the hell is Antonio Pierce?

Seriously… should Manning have to take advice from this idiot? So he retired.. so what? Manning has to follow his path to success? Honestly…

We had [Brady] down… but we didn’t kick him. We helped him up and gave him a PowerPuff Girls band-aid for his knee. What exactly did you expect would happen when we did that?

by Jason Scott_90 on Feb 14, 2012 7:43 PM EST up reply actions

Campbell? as in Jason Campbell?

Are you smoking something? Peyton Manning at 50% is better than Jason Campbell at 200%… I don’t understand why you wouldn’t take a chance on probably the most talented QB in the past 12 years because some moron that played in one Pro Bowl and one Super Bowl, says he should retire. I really don’t get the fact that everyone is doubting that this guy will ever be able to throw again. He had 3 surgeries to make sure that he could throw the ball again. He is not 100% yet. So what… he has how long before the first regular season game starts? Do you honestly think we are not a much better team with him coming back 90% of what he was pre-surgery even if he skips the entire training camp and preseason and just takes “mental reps”? Look at what BM did with 3 different Pro Bowl caliber receivers against Pro Bowl CBs with like a week of practice. So what if the CBs were giving half effort, they were still Pro Bowlers and not every CB he faces will be as good as Pro Bowl CBs going half speed(see Jason Allen).

We had [Brady] down… but we didn’t kick him. We helped him up and gave him a PowerPuff Girls band-aid for his knee. What exactly did you expect would happen when we did that?

by Jason Scott_90 on Feb 14, 2012 7:49 PM EST up reply actions

U Mad?

Yo bro, u mad?

I agree, I never have liked Pierce…as a player on ESPN. However, the information is coming from someone who had a similar injury….his voice should be heard.

Yeah…Campbell as in Jason Campbell. Hell no, I don’t smoke no smoke. I’m just sayin’. The Dolphins have a long history of throwing in someone who want to slam your head against the wall with. Look man, I’m from Indiana and I’ve had to hear pretty well all my life how great Peyton Manning is. I want him as a Dolphin, but only if he’s 100%. And I’m not so keen on Flynn either. I mean there’s a 50/50 chance Matt Moore could beat Flynn out of a starting job.

I’m on the Manning bandwagon…don’t let me shit ya. However, I’m begging to think it isn’t all peaches and cream like everyone seems to think it is. Manning needs protection. If you look back at his dominance, he was rarely even touched. When he was, he’d get up crying like a little baby. Which means we need to shore up the right side of the line to protect him. Who knows, 1 hit and Manning may be done for his career. He has to decide if he even wants to take that chance….

by Mr_Solo_Dolo on Feb 14, 2012 9:04 PM EST up reply actions

the stop gap might just win us a Super Bowl or 2...

That is what I call a pretty good stop gap… wouldn’t you say? Then we could develop a franchise QB the way that good teams do, behind a franchise QB… just saying…

We had [Brady] down… but we didn’t kick him. We helped him up and gave him a PowerPuff Girls band-aid for his knee. What exactly did you expect would happen when we did that?

by Jason Scott_90 on Feb 14, 2012 8:25 PM EST up reply actions

I'll pass on Moss.

If we choose to upgrade WR, there are better options out there.

by PhinnyFromItaly on Feb 14, 2012 11:05 AM EST reply actions

No. Just no, Mosul.

"Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that." George Carlin

by DolphinNation on Feb 14, 2012 11:14 AM EST reply actions

In the past I would have said HELL NO!

but I am thinking along the lines of biggaandbadda. I have a feeling he has seen what has gone on with Carter, Reed & Brown and doesn’t want to be in a holding pattern for Canton. The last time Moss was very inspired he put up the following numbers: 98 catches 1,493 yards and 23 TD.

I would be open to it only if: 1) Peyton does in fact come to Miami & 2) both Peyton and BM are ok with it. If he can run anything close to his old speed he would be dynamite on the other side of BM.

Like I said, with previous circumstances I would have said HELL NO but with an inspired Moss bent on one thing and that is winning a Super Bowl to cement his legacy I say why not kick the tires on him.

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by Agent J 78 on Feb 14, 2012 12:05 PM EST reply actions

bring him in as a 53rd man... sign him to an incentive laden contract....

put him on the 45 man active roster only on weeks you think he will be useful. If he says one word, put him back on the inactive roster, but don’t cut him. If he wants to be on ESPN, he has to play nice. If he wants to get paid, he needs to play nice… Send him to therapy and make it a condition of employment. It is time he grew up. No one is saying anything about his talent… he is still wildly talented, but you gotta get over the ME issues. Is he more useful to your team in that role than your 53rd man? I think so. Will a guy that you relegate to the inactive roster be a cancer to the lockeroom? If so, ban him from the locker room… but don’t cut him, make him go to extra therapy sessions.

We had [Brady] down… but we didn’t kick him. We helped him up and gave him a PowerPuff Girls band-aid for his knee. What exactly did you expect would happen when we did that?

by Jason Scott_90 on Feb 14, 2012 7:54 PM EST up reply actions

I'd rather see TO

If we were going to sign an over his prime primadonna, then I’d prefer TO… he might be less disruptive to the locker room after having been served a little humble pie.

by AFT on Feb 14, 2012 4:36 PM EST reply actions

No Moss to gather on our stones!!!!!

And no locker room poison, i’d rather keep trying to develop our eager to please rookie’s , than cater to these primadonna’s.

founding member of the dolphins really old bastards fan club GO PHINS... TO THE GRAVE BABY!

by daytonadolfan on Feb 14, 2012 6:34 PM EST reply actions

Manning: 1 hit bust.

Does everyone remember how many plays Chad Penington had in 2010? 2 pass attempts with 1 completion. One hard hit on Manning and he could be done for the season. Let’s hope the dolphins don’t waste time or money on a QB who should for intent and medical purposes… RESIGN.

by Wori on Feb 14, 2012 9:31 PM EST reply actions