Moss Comments Hurt

By: Viking Update Staff

Date: 2/26/2001

Media people who have dealt with Randy Moss have often referred to him in the same single word -- "punk." Moss can be forthcoming at times and difficult at times, but the team has accepted his faults. Todd Steussie may find out the hard way not to criticise the cash cow. Red McCombs has made no bones about his feelings about Randy Moss -- he'll be a Viking as long as Red owns the team, regardless of what it takes to keep him. In the recent past, Dennis Green has echoed that sentiment, saying that Moss is such a game-breaker that he is worth whatever his asking price becomes.

The team's commitment to Moss took a blow last week when the Vikings announced that no new discussions over an extension with Moss would happen until after the current cap woes were finalized. While VU has been told that talks will resume after June 1 -- the league's fiscal year, not the salary cap year -- and that the team hopes to lock Moss into a long-term deal before training camp begins, fallout from the club's commitment to Moss could result in the loss of one Vikings veteran.

VU has learned from a team source that, if left tackle Todd Steussie doesn't change his renegotiating of his contract within the next couple of days, the team will release him to gain the cap relief it needs. Why is Steussie on the line? From what we've been told, it was his public criticism of Moss. The Vikings are internally fearful of alienating Moss, who isn't happy with his current deal for obvious reasons, but that pissiness has been heightened by the team's effort to sign fellow three-year veteran Matt Birk to a long-term deal with signing bonus money that would make just one more player of lesser talent surpassing Moss.

Steussie was critical of Moss for "taking plays off" in the Vikings loss to the Giants and VU broke the story about Moss in pregame warmups before the game being more concerned with getting some of his peeps access to the field than concerning himself with the task at hand -- getting to the Super Bowl.

Was Moss wrong? Was Steussie justified? The answer to both questions may well be "yes" but Randy Moss is such a talent -- both on the field and in the marketing portion of the NFL -- that an offensive lineman should know better than to flap his gums about taking a critical stance on the team's marquee player. In the end, it may cost Steussie his job with the Vikings if he doesn't relent and sign an extension on Red and Green's terms.

MONDAY NOTES You have to love team sources that e-mail VU. Part of our success in working with other teams is the exchange of information and the e-mails were piling up over the weekend. Some highlights to watch in the coming days and weeks: * Rumors of the Vikings interest in Ricky Watters may have taken a blow over the weekend. The Carolina Panthers are also interested in Watters and Panthers coach George Seifert shares a Super Bowl ring with Watters from their days with the 49ers. * Matthew Hatchette is a player the Vikings want to keep, but VU has been told independently that both the Saints and Packers are prepared to make Hatch an offer when he becomes a free agent. * Another former Viking could land in Tampa Bay. VU was told by a Bucs source that David Palmer is being strongly considered as a kick returner for the Bucs. Ironically, the Bucs have never had a kickoff returned for a TD in team history. Our bet is that, if the Bucs sign Palmer, he'll change that next season. Tampa Bay, despite making several key signings in recent years, are still well below the salary cap -- thanks to shrewd signings of players prior to their becoming household names. * The Oakland Raiders are apparently willing to let Rickey Dudley slide away somewhere else instead of spending $3 million a year to keep him. One name that has surfaced inside the organization as a player they might look at as a

-- Mark (Karch 222@aol.com), February 26, 2001

Answers

This is what pisses me off about Randy Moss and how the whole team is expected to bow and scrape before him. Steussie was right on target with his comments about Moss taking plays off, it's been well- documented (in spite of Moss's excuses). Steussie was just being a real man in having the guts to stand up to Moss, Denny, and Red. I suspect that Steussie has more team spirit in his little finger than Moss has in his whole body.

-- Deb Cross (debcross2000@aol.com), February 27, 2001.

One reason why Steussie will be released. Go Vikes!!!

-- Tom (BMatheus@aol.com), February 27, 2001.

I think Steussie was right on target in what he said. Also, I think what was said will make Moss a better player. No one likes a negative media especially when it is true. I think next season we will see a more mature Moss on the field. Steussie only said what many of the players felt. On the football field you can't have different strokes for different folks.

-- John (Maccody@aol.com), March 11, 2001.