According to a report published in the St. Paul Pioneer Press Wednesday, the Minnesota Vikings and the Oakland Raiders have reached a tentative deal that would send wide receiver Randy Moss to Oakland for the seventh overall pick in this year's draft and a veteran player.
The deal is tentative and cannot be completed until March 2 when the new fiscal year begins for the NFL. The Raiders are expected to assume the remainder of Moss's eight-year $75 million contract. The Vikings would also receive an undisclosed 2006 pick from Oakland.
Moss's agent, Dante DiTrapano told SI.com, 'Randy is thrilled to be going to Oakland. He's overjoyed. He sees a team with a history of throwing the ball long and a team with a history of going to championship games. He's just ready for a change. He's been frustrated in Minnesota, because of the way he's been used and the mediocrity of the Vikings. He's looking for a championship team.'
The deal stands to benefit all parties involved. For the Vikings, they will now have two selections in this year's draft. In addition, the removal of Moss from the Vikings locker room may well be a case of addition by subtraction. Moss has a history of questionable behavior on and off the field and is often a distraction to the team. Two recent examples include Moss's decision to leave the field before the final play of the Vikings season finale against the Washington Redskins just as Minnesota was preparing to try an onside kick and Moss's touchdown celebration in the playoffs against Green Bay in which he imitated mooning Packers fans.
The Raiders stand to gain a very talented wide receiver who will combine with Jerry Porter to give the team two legitimate deep threats. The Raiders have a history of throwing deep as owner Al Davis has long advocated a 'vertical passing game.' The Raiders also have a history of acquiring NFL 'rebels' and 'outcasts' and turning them into productive, winning players.
As for Moss, he gets a chance to start over again with a relatively clean slate in a new organization. Hopefully, Moss can grow up and take advantage of this opportunity.
