Forgive me if I come across as that jilted ex who’s having a hard time letting go but I can’t help it. I’ve watched one weekend of preseason games where most starters played few of the meaningless plays of the first preseason game and in spite of a low sample to judge, it’s apparent that the two greatest wide receivers of their era can still pay dividends to a NFL team or two. Terrell Owens says he’s ready and Randy Moss’s agent Joel Segal is only a month removed from saying his client went through a summer of two-a-days and was ready to be a difference maker again.
I know Moss is retired and Owens recent video could be a facade, but both are worth testing if there’s a belief that either could better a team and most importantly their Super Bowl hopes.
I know both want to play for a team with a Super Bowl chance and more than pennies but aren’t they worth it if there’s a belief that either could better a team and most importantly their Super Bowl hopes.
I know both can be a locker room distraction and have a history of bad attitudes. But attitudes be damned, this is about wins and losses. There are some teams who could use the services of Moss and Owens and would be best served by exploring the thought at the very least. Assuming, scratch that…knowing that the team has to a be a veteran laden team that made the playoffs last season and has a legitimate chance to make it to Indianapolis, here are some teams that should think about placing a call to Moss or Owens:
Philadelphia Eagles: We might as well start with the biggest spenders of this offseason. There’s something mysteriously plaguing Jeremy Maclin and recent free agent signee Steve Smith won’t be healthy come September 11. The Eagles could be placing their season in the hands of Desean Jackson, Jason Avant, and Riley Cooper. I’m sure an Eagles fan just had a flashback to last year’s playoffs. Of course Owens burned his bridge in Philly and the ashes have since been flushed, the Eagles should consider making their second offer to Moss in hopes of coaxing him out of retirement.
New Orleans Saints: The Saints addressed a couple of concerns in overhauling their defensive front and upgrading the running game this offseason. They also resigned fan favorite Lance Moore. There’s an expectancy that this season will mark the emergence of Robert Meachem and Jimmy Graham in the passing game while Devery Henderson is always good for a big game or two a season. Fortunate as all of that may be, the Saints receiving game goes as the recovering from microfracture Marques Colston goes. While Colston has proven to be one of the tougher receivers in the league, you can never go wrong with insurance…especially when you’re a Super Bowl favorite in some circles. The Saints should look into either the bionic Owens or Moss to shore up a shallow receiving corps.
Baltimore Ravens: Yes, the Ravens already traded for deep threat Lee Evans. In doing so, they also traded for the notorious for underperforming Lee Evans. If the Ravens ever want to get that breakout season from Joe Flacco, they’ll have to keep him surrounded with weapons. Rookie receiver Torrey Smith won’t be reminding anyone of Randy Moss’s rookie season if needed so why not have the most respected player in the league Ray Lewis convince Moss to pull a Brett Favre. Owens bridge to Baltimore was more than likely burned in his descendance upon Philadelphia in 2004 so this probably isn’t a fit for him.
New York Jets: The Jets kept Santonio Holmes, but lost Braylon Edwards who actually played a pivotal role in the Jets making it back to the AFC championship game. The Jets also added the recently freed from prison Plaxico Burress, but lost Jerricho Cotchery and Brad Smith. The addition by subtractions the Jets made would be ok if Burress wasn’t already sidelined with a bum ankle. As minor as an ankle injury is in the preseason, it can’t be overlooked on a 34 year old who hasn’t played in two years. Rex Ryan would be a positive influence in making sure that Owens or Moss, who the Jets were rumored to be attracted to remained distraction free in the Jets locker room.
Kansas City Chiefs: If a game is an indignation of what’s needed then Kansas City may need to call both Owens and Moss. By head coach Todd Haley’s design Matt Cassel didn’t throw a pass and Dwayne Bowe didn’t catch one against Tampa Bay but this is a passing game that seems sure to struggle in spite of adding Jonathan Baldwin and Steve Breaston to the fray. It also helps that Moss is familiar with Cassel from his New England days. Getting Haley and Owens to make up from their Dallas run-ins wouldn’t be easy though.
Chicago Bears: Roy Williams is your “A” receiver…need I say more.