With the Vikings in dire need of defensive help and so far over the cap, do you believe the Vikes should re-sign Moss or trade him before he becomes a FA next year? Keep in mind that re-signing him would probably result in a contract of about $70 million over seven years, including a $20 million signing bo

-- Mark (Karch 222@aol.com), February 14, 2001

Answers

Now that Ditka's outta the league, I can't see any team giving up enough players/draft-picks/money/first-borns to the Vikes to justify in my mind the trading of Moss. The days of the Herschel Walker type dynasty-building mega-trades are over, and it would require something of that size to make me comfortable with giving up the most "dangerous" player in the league. Sure, he's going to cost a bundle but I can't believe the money could be better spent elsewhere.

Re-sign him!

-- Clark (cdvike@mindspring.com), February 14, 2001.

I just don't see the Vikes letting Moss leave. He will cost a bundle but he is the Michael Jordan of the NFL right now. I see him signing something like a 5 year deal with an out after the thrid year to allow for a renegotiation. Something like Smith's. Hmm, maybe not a good example there.

-- Bruce (sixxking@aol.com), February 14, 2001.

I say trade Moss. Our cap situation will only get worse if the Vikes re-sign him to a huge long-term contract, thus preventing the spending of money to improve the pathetic defense. Is any one player worth 15-20% of the cap? Rumor has it the Skins are willing to part with Arrington or Bailey and two #1's for him.

In addition, if you think Moss is somewhat of a loose cannon now, just wait until his mentor and baby-sitter Cris Carter ret

-- Mark (Karch 222@aol.com), February 15, 2001.

I have to agree with Mark on this. We haven't made it to the Superbowl with Moss as our star receiver so far....what makes us think he will get us to the promised land in the future without a decent defense to go with him? Seems like we can't have it both ways. We can sacrifice Moss and get some great D players, capitalize on Carter and build up Hatchette (hopefully). Get a decent RB to take the pressure off a still learning Culpepper. Just seems like we are putting all our eggs into one basket with Moss. I'm not saying Moss isn't a great WR, probably the best. But his non-team player attitude and his ego seem to always bite the Vikes in the ass when they need him the most. If he doesn't get the ball enough to his satisfaction he pouts and sits out plays. I for one am sick of hearing the same old tired excuse that he's only 23 years old and he needs to mature. When you're making as much money as he is and your team is depending on you, shelf the immaturity and the ego and save it for Monday through Saturday.

-- Deb Cross (debcross2000@aol.com), February 15, 2001.

And having top WR's are not a prerequisite to winning the Super Bowl.

Look at the Ravens. Qadry Ismail and Patrick Johnson?

-- Mark (Karch 222@aol.com), February 15, 2001.

I have to agree with Deb. Randy, as great a receiver as he is, has some qualities that may cause real trouble in the long run. I agree also that, when Chris retires, Randy may become a real problem to handle. I would trade him in a heartbeat and shore up the defense plus try to bring Jeff George back as back-up. Now I dearly love Doug Flutie but he really is too small and sometimes can't see over the line. He leaves the pocket and though he has been successful scrambling - he is going to get crushed, no, KILLED one of these days!

-- Jan Zumbo (dvt99@aol.com), February 15, 2001.

"And having top WR's are not a prerequisite to winning the Super Bowl. Look at the Ravens. " -Mark

[Playing devil's advocate...] Nor is having a decent defense a prerequisite to winning the Super Bowl. Look at the Rams.

(Greetings Deb and Jan. Glad to see ya made it here. Here's hoping the others will weigh-in soon)

-- Clark (cdvike@mindspring.com), February 15, 2001.

I hate to say it but a trade may be the best thing. We need a serious upgrade on"D" and 10-15 mil for any 1 player is ridiculous. No doubt some team will pay him that but can the Vikes afford that? I doubt it especially with their revenue. Red has already said they will NOT trade him but I don't trust him as far as i can throw him. Then again with Denny running the show you never know. Denny want's desperately to keep his PRIZED offensive possesion. I don't want to trade SUPERFREAK, I wish we could keep him and our other top FA's and upgrade the 'D' but I;m just greedy. We will just have to wait and see what happens. I obviously didn't agree with Moss's comments after the Giant game, i don't know if it was frustration or if he really meant it. Either way it's time to grow up and become a "TEAM" player. like i said we shall wait and see. GO VIKES!!!!! THANKS FOR THIS MESSAGE BOARD GUYS GREAT WORK!!!!!

-- Tom (BMatheus@aol.com), February 15, 2001.

I knew someone would bring up the Rams....lol. :-)

Thanks for the Welcome!

-- Deb Cross (debcross2000@aol.com), February 15, 2001.

I don't think it's about the Superbowl when it comes to keeping or trading him, I don't think one man (or 23 year old waiting to mature) is going to make that much of a difference. But he is a fantastic player when he's on and can in fact make the difference in a game! Yes the defense needs to be upgraded and why the Vikings keep missing the boat on this is beyond me, Every year there are players avalible who IMO can help our defense improve but those players get signed elsewhere and we always get the leftovers! Bruce Smith is a perfect example last year of someone who again IMO could have helped our dline! instead we get the other Smith (Fernando) So keep Moss and make offers to quality players on the D

-- Ralph (RFELIX7550@aol.com), February 15, 2001.

Clark wrote: [Playing devil's advocate...] Nor is having a decent defense a prerequisite to winning the Super Bowl. Look at the Rams. (Greetings Deb and Jan. Glad to see ya made it here. Here's hoping the others will weigh-in soon)

The Rams had the sixth ranked defense the year they won the Super Bow

-- Mark (Karch 222@aol.com), February 16, 2001.

I didn't realize the Rams D was ranked that high their SB year. They sure stunk-up the joint last season.

-- Clark (cdvike@mindspring.com), February 16, 2001.

Most posting here about trading "THE FREAK" are posting from the heart so to speak. IMHO there is no trade that could be made that would offset the loss of the NFL's most prominent offensive weapon in the league today! You couldn't get enough fair trade on the market for Moss's talent! Karch mentioned the Redskins offer, what a joke! Remeber we're talking about Randy Moss, not Ricky Williams! If the Vikes trade Moss we go down in History as the team with the worst trades ever made, first the Herschel Walker Debacle then the Moss Masacre! No thanks people, we don't need that, this team doesn't deserve that! Keep Moss and rebuild the defense through the draft and whatever FA's we can afford to sign this and next offseason! ROME wasn't built in a day! Looking forward to Moss and the Vikings remaining a household name for years to come! -Kron

-- Chris Morales (krondor105@aol.com), February 19, 2001.

Rome will never be built as long as Denny is Emporer.

-- Deb Cross (debcross2000@aol.com), February 20, 2001.

Chris wrote: ROME wasn't built in a day!

Denny has had nine years to build ROME. Are the Vikes any better than they were nine years ago? Time for a new plan

-- Mark (Karch 222@aol.com), February 20, 2001.

Personally I would rather see Moss hit the road. My ultimate end is to see Dennis Green leave town, and if that is to occur, Moss will only become a huge problem. I know everyone is on Moss' jock right now, but I think he is going to fade as the years go on. He has the talent, and as of now the work ethic, but I think it is all based on his motivation to prove his detractors wrong. Once he decides that this has been accomplished, I think he will lose it in more ways then one.

-- Iz (izmorrow@aol.com), February 21, 2001.