In January, as Randy Moss was preparing to conclude his 14th NFL season with his second Super Bowl appearance, we reported that he planned to play at least one more year.
At the time, he did. As of early March, he still planned to play. But no contending team with a high-end quarterback was planning to offer him the kind of deal he wanted. And so as teams launch their plans to open training camp, Moss apparently now has other plans.
Sure, all it takes is one injury for his phone to ring. But when Moss emerged from his one-year retirement in early 2012, he was anxious and motivated and ready, as evidenced by a stream of online videos in which he eagerly discussed his plans to return to the game.
As of two months ago, Moss reportedly was undecided about playing. Now, but for a daily tweet or two (few of which if any have anything to do with his NFL career), Moss has disappeared from view.
His most recent impression was not a good one. After being a good soldier (at least outwardly) for the 49ers in 2012, Moss opened up during Super Bowl week, complaining about his role, declaring himself to be the best receiver of all time, and contending he was blackballed by the Titans in 2010. His performance in Super Bowl XLVII prompted at least one former player to suggest that Randy was sporting the arms of an alligator.
It appears that, at least for now, Moss may not find the right situation -- even as the NFL places a greater premium on the men who run at catch passes. And if Randy is done, he’ll find himself jockeying for position in five years with Ray Lewis, Brian Urlacher, Ronde Barber, Steve Hutchinson, and Matt Birk before a body that has had a hard time in recent years of letting receivers in.
