From Profootballtalk:
MOSS WANTS OUT OF OAKLAND
To those of you who thought we were crazy when suggesting in the offseason that the Raiders and Randy Moss were heading for a divorce -- we were right.
For a change.
On Friday, Moss finally articulated in no uncertain terms a desire to get out of Oakland, after beating around the bush during multiple public comments over the past few months suggesting that it might be time for his second fresh start in less than two years.
Said Moss on FOX Sports Radio, only days after explaining that he's dropping passes because he's in a bad mood, "It's done sort of set in, man, and I'm tired of it. I might want to look forward to moving somewhere else next year to have another start and really feel good about going out here and playing football."
Moss has stopped short of demanding a trade or a release, likely because he's smart enough (barely) to recognize that owner Al Davis would sooner pay him to rot on the bench (see Allen, Marcus) than to give Moss his way. The only thing operating in the former Pro Bowler's favor is that he's due to earn $9.75 million in 2007 and $11.25 million in 2008.
Put simply, it might not make sense from a cap standpoint to keep Moss around.
The best move? Trade Moss for a first-day draft pick. This year, the Raiders might have been able to get a first-rounder if they'd tried to move Moss before the October 17 deadline. If, after all, Deion Branch is worth a one, Moss should be, too.
But Moss has looked less like a star and more like a slug over the past month, and unless he steps up and catches balls and scores points over the last seven weeks of the season it'll be hard for anyone to justify making a deal.
Potential candidates, as we see it, are the Cowboys, if they part ways with Terrell Owens, the Redskins, and the Dolphins. Maybe the Jets, if quarterback Chad Pennington can lobby the powers-that-be to make a move. Maybe the Jaguars, if the Meathead can do the same.
Our money is on the Cowboys. Owner Jerry Jones has long regretted his decision to pass on Monday in the 1998 draft, and Mos has had some of his best performances in Texas Stadium.
But until his fate is resolved, Randy's best move will be to shut his mouth and play football.
Then again, it might not matter that he's talking. At one point in his career, if Moss burped the AP wire would report on what it smelled like. His most recent inflammatory remarks have barely caused a ripple.
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http://www.tbo.com/sports/bucs/MGBUH0MPOUE.html
Gruden Sending Out Feelers
By IRA KAUFMAN The Tampa Tribune
Published: Nov 19, 2006
IRVING, Texas - Get used to this dateline, Buc fans.
It could be Jon Gruden's mailing address next season.
While it's unlikely the Glazers will dismiss Gruden this winter, there's a growing likelihood Tampa Bay's fifth-year coach will seek employment elsewhere.
The Tribune has learned Gruden already is sending out feelers regarding potential job opportunities for 2007. One major stumbling block is his contract status, with Gruden signed through the 2008 season.
Given the annual turnover rate among NFL coaches, several clubs will be looking for a new leader within the next two months and Gruden still generates star power.
The Cowboys, who take on the unbeaten Colts today at Texas Stadium, could make a play for Gruden's services if Bill Parcells retires, as expected.
Although Tennessee's Jeff Fisher has been linked to Dallas, Gruden may have more appeal for a savvy marketer like Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
Although his regular-season record with the Bucs would fall to 37-37 with a loss to the Redskins today, Gruden has proven he can turn a good club into a champion.
He also would provide the Cowboys with the kind of celebrity clout Jones craves as much as a Vince Lombardi Trophy.
If Jones calls the Glazers in an effort to pry Gruden out of his contract, they'd have to listen. Wouldn't you?
Jones and the Glazers already have a good relationship and the ensuing compensation issues wouldn't be insurmountable.
"That's not implausible," one NFL source said of the Gruden-to-Dallas scenario. "Ten years ago, it couldn't happen. Now, it's not a crazy idea."
Gruden could depart Tampa the same way he arrived - through the back door.
The Dallas job would be attractive to Gruden, who doesn't appear to be the type of coach to put down roots with one franchise for 15 years.
Tony Romo is a young quarterback who fits the Gruden prototype and the prospect of working with Terrell Owens undoubtedly would excite Chucky, even though Owens can be as disruptive as Keyshawn Johnson.
Gruden likes great players, and he never thought Keyshawn was great.
Faced with the prospect of several more losing seasons in Tampa, Gruden naturally is starting to feel antsy.
If he stays, Gruden could be on the verge of losing his job a year from now, with four losing seasons in a five-year span on his resume.
Bolting to Dallas could be a win-win situation all the way around. Jones gets his man, while the Glazers accelerate the rebuilding process with a slew of draft picks.
When Herm Edwards left the Jets in January with two years remaining on his contract, it cost the Chiefs only a fourth-round choice.
Gruden would command considerably more compensation.
But after years with the Glazers, would Gruden want to work with a hand's-on owner so involved in personnel decisions?
Gruden didn't finesse his way out of Oakland in 2002 because he couldn't stand Al Davis. He engineered a trade because Davis doesn't like to pay his coaches top dollar.
That isn't an issue for Jones, who may decide to take the easy way out and simply hire Fisher, whose contract expires at the end of the season.
But if Gruden's camp keeps making overtures, Jones will be tempted to call the Glazers and check out the price of juice these days.
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Wouldn't it be just our luck that we'd send Moss to the newly coached Jon Gruden Cowboys and he becomes the scary productive Moss of old?.. .
