In an interview with NFL.com Wednesday, Viking’s former head coach, Brad Childress spoke out about the mistake he made in the way he handled the release of Randy Moss.
When Vikings passing offense was struggling last year with a 1-2 record, Childress traded to bring Randy Moss back to the Vikings. On the outside looking in, it appeared Moss was saying all the right things: The Vikings were still a part of his heart, as they drafted him back in 1998. The opportunity to return would be like a homecoming.
“He called me and said, ‘I can’t wait, I can’t wait. I feel like I’m coming home again,” Childress told NFL.com in an interview Wednesday.
So despite Moss’ reputation for loafing and being a distraction, Childress took a chance, believing that the receiver had matured over the years. However upon Moss’ return, the same attitude that had him ran out of Minnesota after his first stint with the Vikings ,was the same.
He returned to refusing to speak with media after games, which is a violation of NFL rules and he conitnued to be a distraction for the organization. So after only four games, Childress made the decision to release Moss when he humiliated a local caterer in the locker room, exclaiming he wouldn’t feed their food to his dog.
Problem was ….Childress didn’t tell anyone.Which in retrospect, may have been a good idea. Because three weeks later, with a 3-7 record, Wilf made the decision to fire Childress.
“I should have gone up the chain,” Childress now admits.
“We had good guys, by and large, [but Moss] walked in the locker room and vomited on it,” Childress said.
I don’t quite understand Childress’ purpose for speaking out on the issue now. Perhaps just to get his feelings towards Moss off his chest? Although releasing him without informing the person who wrote his paychecks was symbolic enough.
Looking back, I’m not sure much could have been done to prevent the Vikings trainwreck in 2010. Favre really aged between 2009 and 2010, the offensive line play was awful and their defense was in decline. I honestly believe the Moss trade and subsequent release was only a small leak in a pipe that was long overdue for repair.