A Wrong Being Made Right
by Ted Glover on Oct 8, 2010 11:16 AM CDT
in Minnesota Vikings 2010 Season
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Over in another thread, I got into a discussion about the full implications of the Moss trade for me. And why Minnesota, in general, is so happy about it, and Moss himself seems 'happy to be home', as he said multiple times during his re-introductory press conference yesterday.
For me and many others, this is more than just another trade for a great player, this is about a win for the good guys, aka the Fans of the Minnesota Vikings, and the state of Minnesota. This is about sports justice being served, and about being made whole again as a fan of the Purple and Gold.
A bit over the top? Maybe. A tad melodramatic? Possibly. But not if you had walked in our shoes as Vikings fans the last fifty years. And I won't even go back that far, I'll just go back to late 2004.
After the jump, of course.
The 2004 season was a weird one for the VIkings. QB Daunte Culpepper was emerging as an elite QB (or so we thought), Onterrio Smith looked like a long time fixture at RB (before the Whizzinator), and the VIkings were rolling halfway through the season. As they faltered late, Randy Moss, who struggled with injuries all year, walked off the field early in a late season loss at Washington, a loss that nearly cost the Vikings the playoffs. Fans and media went into an uproar, and it was the latest in a line of issues for Moss that cemented his legend in Minnesota. In a bad way.
They made the playoffs, went into Green Bay, and in the first post season meeting of the longtime rivals, the Vikings shredded the Packers. Randy Moss had a game which further cemented his legend in Minnesota, in a good way. It was the sometimes petulant Moss at his best, with a sore hamstring and ankle, still better than anyone the game has seen, scoring on two long TD passes. His mooning of the Lambeau crowd was viewed favorably by everybody but Joe Buck and the Green Bay fans, but it caused even more of a firestorm. The wheels were set in motion for Moss' departure, and when the Vikings lost in the divisional round to Philadelphia, rumors started to float out of Winter Park that the Vikings were exploring a trade of Moss.
A lot of fans thought good riddance. Moss was a distraction, and although the 'Moon Over Lambeau' in and of itself didn't rise to the level of say a Rae Carruth, but it was another incident in a string of them for Moss. He had done worse than the mooning incident, and when taken in context with Green Bay fans doing it to the opposing team’s bus, I thought it was hysterical. At the time, I thought it was the straw breaking the camel’s back, so I could swallow it. I didn't like it, but I understood it. Or so I thought.
Because looking back, that really wasn’t that at all.
What it really was was former owner Red McCombs wanting to break it off in the ass of Viking fans and the state of Minnesota as he walked out the door because he didn’t get a new stadium. He was in the process of selling to Wilf, so Wilf couldn't stop him from doing it, and he knew it.
Daunte Culpepper wanted to be the undisputed star of the team, and he got his wish. Moss was the supernova, and Culpepper was a running QB who wouldn't amount to anything if he didn't have Moss to chuck it to. He wanted to prove that he was an elite QB, and the only was he could really do that was if he were to put up the same numbers without Moss. Culpepper was gone a little over one year, one boatride, and one hissy fit about his contract later.
So if you want to say I'm wearing my glasses with an extra thick shade of purple this morning, I won't dispute it. You see, my whole life as a Minnesota sports fan has seen our superstars go elsewhere, usually to win a championship, with the exception of Kirby Puckett and Kent Hrbek. Moss, Kevin Garnett, David Ortiz, the list goes on. It's almost expected: Guy comes to Minnesota team, becomes great, goes to New York or Boston. Wash. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.
Now, since Zygi Wilf has become owner, the shoe is on the other foot. I saw someone comment either here or on anther site about this trade that Wilf is now like Dan Snyder. I couldn't disagree more. Wilf signs players that are immediate needs for the Vikings and makes them better. Snyder just signs the biggest name available, whether or not it helps the Redskins. Zygi WIlf is a lot more like George Steinbrenner, and I for one am ecstatic that he's the Vikings owner. The coaches identify a need, the front office says they can afford it, and Wilf tells them to pull the trigger. It’s nice to have the superstars from other teams (Hutch, Allen, Favre, now Moss) coming here to try and win one. But for every move and draft up until a day ago, you always wondered...what if we still had Moss? Could you imagine AP, Favre, and Moss on the same team? Well, now it's reality.
So this, for me, is a turning point. A cathartic exorcism of our past that allows us to move forward, at least metaphorically.
It’s a great feeling, and one I am going to enjoy for a long, long time.
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Uh, the Vikes are averaging 143 yards/games
8th in the NFL. Yeah, that’s just a 55 gallon drum of suck.
The Daily Norseman
Off Tackle Empire
SB Nation Minnesota
"A parent's only as good as their dumbest kid. If one wins a Nobel Prize but the other gets robbed by a hooker, you failed."
"Pull your 84 jerseys out, man. I think this is going to be a fun ride." Randy Moss, WR, Minnesota Vikings
you didnt exactly answer his question
Moss hasnt been here to block so I dont see where you’re going with this Ted.
What you just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your entire rambling incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
by Percy Harvin My Fav! on Oct 8, 2010 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions
I thought the comment was inferring
that the offensive line was so bad, we need people who can run block. I don’t agree that the o-line is bad this year, as the Vikes are running for over 140 yards/game, and AP is averaging over 5 yards a carry.
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Off Tackle Empire
SB Nation Minnesota
"A parent's only as good as their dumbest kid. If one wins a Nobel Prize but the other gets robbed by a hooker, you failed."
"Pull your 84 jerseys out, man. I think this is going to be a fun ride." Randy Moss, WR, Minnesota Vikings
no i was just wondering was moss known as a good run blocker?
by vikesfan4lyf on Oct 8, 2010 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh, well, I owe you an apology then
I thought your intentions were something else. My bad. Sorry about that.
Yes, actually, he is. Cris Carter good? Eh, I don’t know about that, but yeah, he’s pretty good at it.
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Off Tackle Empire
SB Nation Minnesota
"A parent's only as good as their dumbest kid. If one wins a Nobel Prize but the other gets robbed by a hooker, you failed."
"Pull your 84 jerseys out, man. I think this is going to be a fun ride." Randy Moss, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Hines Ward good...
Now THAT would be bitchin’
"I run to daylight when I see an opening." - Adrian All Day Peterson
by bleedpurple426 on Oct 8, 2010 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions
A DB three steps behind Moss 60 yards down the field
Is just as good as a pancake block at the line of scrimmage, no?
by Jepp The Viking on Oct 8, 2010 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions
Randy Moss is great at everything...
When he wants to be.
"We have a right to be proud, for in our veins flows the blood of many brave races who fought as the lion fights for lordship. Here, in the whirlpool of European races, the Ugric tribe bore down from Iceland the fighting spirit which Thor and Odin gave them, which their Berserkers displayed to such fell intent on the seaboards of Europe, ay, and of Asia and Africa too, till the peoples thought that the werewolves themselves had come."
-from Bram Stoker's Dracula
And I mean that as respectfully as possible
"We have a right to be proud, for in our veins flows the blood of many brave races who fought as the lion fights for lordship. Here, in the whirlpool of European races, the Ugric tribe bore down from Iceland the fighting spirit which Thor and Odin gave them, which their Berserkers displayed to such fell intent on the seaboards of Europe, ay, and of Asia and Africa too, till the peoples thought that the werewolves themselves had come."
-from Bram Stoker's Dracula
You think he wants to be now?
Coming back to Minnesota after feeling pretty disrespected in New England? Getting a shot at Revis (unless his hamstring hurts too much) in his first week back?
Yes Randy plays when he wants to play. But when he wants to play, he may be the best WR the game has ever seen. And God help you if he wants to play against you.
Ok thats what I thought haha no worrys
What you just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your entire rambling incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
by Percy Harvin My Fav! on Oct 8, 2010 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions
I can remember some blocks he made downfield...
He’s tall and strong, so…
but you also have to remember that his job will be to take a DB with him on running plays as a decoy…
or to tie them up on the outside.
I would say he is average, at least.
I BELIEVE...
by ArizonaVikingsFan on Oct 8, 2010 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions
He gets a bad reputation
Because he didn’t always put in full effort on running plays away. But he is a solid blocker when he needs to lay a hit and he can run off coverage better than anyone that has ever played.
Do you remember Robert Smith?
When Moss was a rookie, he and Chris Carter and Jake Reed used to throw devastating blocks down field for Smith. Carter taught them how.
I think now Moss could teach down field blocking to Sidney Rice, and maybe to Harvin. It would be nice to see cornerbacks and safeties on their butts twenty yards down field as Peterson flew by.
All in
I for one am happy to see Wilf do the absolute most he can to bring in a championship, sure there are probably other motives (stadium) but its refreshing to see stars come in, rather than go. Thank you mr wilf, I am happy to see one mn sports franchise willing to go all in, rather than fold before paying the blind.
Everyone else likes the Jets, though
Which I think is just stupid. The reason everyone is picking the Jets is because of their defense, which up until this point in the season, is not as good as the Vikings. I would be less concerned about how Favre/Moss will handle Revis, and more about how Sanchez is going to do anything against the Vikings….
If I wasn’t permanently banned on ESPN, I would be over there screaming about how they are ignoring the Vikings defense.
Yeah...
I have the Jets D in my fantasy league and am about ready to drop their asses
"I run to daylight when I see an opening." - Adrian All Day Peterson
by bleedpurple426 on Oct 8, 2010 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Vikings D vs. Jets Offense
We held Chad Henne to 114 yards passing. The Jets “held” Chad Henne to 363 yards passing.
But hey, they can always run the ball right? That’s their bread and butter anyways. Oh wait, last time we played LT he had 40 yards on 16 carries (2.5 ypc).
And also...
why are you banned from ESPN? lol. Sounds like a kick-ass story.
"I run to daylight when I see an opening." - Adrian All Day Peterson
by bleedpurple426 on Oct 8, 2010 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Sippy
I remember you on ESPN, what’d you do to earn the perma ban? Not that ESPN has any comunity woth not being banned from.
by Jepp The Viking on Oct 8, 2010 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions
ESPN
They wanted me to apologize and beg for forgiveness for a post I made. The post, if I recall correctly, involved me going off on some Yankees fans about Mauer going to them. I’m pretty sure I referred to every Yankees fan as a prostitute, but in a very derogatory fashion. I didn’t think it was worse than what they were saying.
What actually got me the perma ban, though, was my apology. They had actually emailed me to tell me they will consider letting me back if I apologize. It started out with me saying I was really sorry, but then quickly changing my tone about how I’m not sorry and, well, I will let you imagine what I told them when I revealed my true feelings about ESPN.
To this day, I can’t login under any of the many names I’ve created on ESPN. Not SippyCup, formerlyknowasSippyCup, TheOnceAndFutureSippyCup, or even BenJisdon. If I was really creative, I know I could get back on, but it would be futile. I would just get kicked off again.
Truth hurts too much for ESPN I guess.
No one can EVER say anything bad about The Yanks
by Jepp The Viking on Oct 8, 2010 1:17 PM CDT up reply actions
I thought it was ridiculous that they expected an apology. I thought “Who the eff am I really apologizing to? Some media giant? Is some d-bag getting paid $12 an hour going to look at my apology and pass judgement?” So, I thought I would just be honest with them. I never heard back. Any time I attempt to login, I am greeted with a splash screen informing me of my revoked status.
Way to stick it to the man!
"We have a right to be proud, for in our veins flows the blood of many brave races who fought as the lion fights for lordship. Here, in the whirlpool of European races, the Ugric tribe bore down from Iceland the fighting spirit which Thor and Odin gave them, which their Berserkers displayed to such fell intent on the seaboards of Europe, ay, and of Asia and Africa too, till the peoples thought that the werewolves themselves had come."
-from Bram Stoker's Dracula
You are so right. I didn’t read any comparison to Dan Snyder myself, but I did kinda expect they would come.
It is such a subjective balance that you need to have, to find the sweet spot between being “a fool and his money soon parting” (like Dan Snyder) and “a tightwad who might acquire a Lamborghini, but then not put good tires on it,” preventing it from really handling at its peak (like Ted Thompson). But I think, in my subjective opinion, that Zygi & the FO are walking that fine line as well as anyone.
No doubt...
we are loaded on offense now… I just want to see them put it together and pull the trigger.
I BELIEVE...
by ArizonaVikingsFan on Oct 8, 2010 11:51 AM CDT reply actions
Moss blocking
From what I read and heard from Chris Carter the other night, yes he is a good blocker. Carter taught him well. Also, I heard many people stating how football smart Randy is, hopefully he will pick up the offense quickly. Can’t wait for Monday night! SKOL
Motivations
What it really was was former owner Red McCombs wanting to break it off in the ass of Viking fans and the state of Minnesota as he walked out the door because he didn’t get a new stadium. He was in the process of selling to Wilf, so Wilf couldn’t stop him from doing it, and he knew it.
You got a quote from McCombs about this? Something to substantiate your claim?
Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!
SKOL!
I can make an informed decision based on the circumstantial evidence
and a little info I was able to get from some Viking employees back then.
1. McCombs was selling the team. Whether Moss stayed or was traded, he was no longer going to McCombs’ problem. Even so, he said overall Moss wasn’t a problem. So why trade him then?
2. Fowler (then Wilf) asked him not to trade Moss multiple times. If he’s not a problem and the new owner doesn’t want him traded…why?
3. McCombs had repeatedly said the only reason he was selling the team was because he couldn’t get a new stadium, and he couldn’t get out of the lease and move the franchise, and he was angry about that. Back during all of this I wrote for another Vikes site that is now defunct, and I was able to develop a decent source in the organization. Off the record this person told me that McCombs was within days or weeks of planning a relocation, but the league office told him not to do it, and they wouldn’t support him. And he was PISSED, primarily at Gov Ventura and the MN Legislature that he couldn’t. That’s when he decided to really go on the cheap and sell the franchise. This was late 2003 or early 2004, if I remember correctly. For McCombs it was all about the money.
4. He was despised by Vikings fans, because he was a cheapskate and wouldn’t spend money on free agents and on facilities. I remember Tice paying money out of pocket to fix the air conditioning at Winter Park. McCombs was pissed that Tice fixed it and that it made the papers. I actually went to the 2005 Draft Party at Winter Park, and I’ve never heard anyone booed as mercilessly as I heard McCombs get booed. Honestly, Brack Obama would get a better reception at a Tea Party meeting than McCombs got. You could tell he was furious.
By the end, McCombs was pissed off at Minnesota, both the fans and the politicians, and this was a way to ensure that he got the last laugh.
The Daily Norseman
Off Tackle Empire
SB Nation Minnesota
"A parent's only as good as their dumbest kid. If one wins a Nobel Prize but the other gets robbed by a hooker, you failed."
"Pull your 84 jerseys out, man. I think this is going to be a fun ride." Randy Moss, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Well....
… I don’t miss McCombs, that’s for sure. I wouldn’t buy a used car from that guy, for sure. I’m not going to shed any tears about a billionaire not getting his way with the NFL.
I have missed Randy Moss all this time. I’ve still been a Moss fan, even when he wasn’t wearing purple.
My purple 84 jersey is on order now.
by HammeroftheGods on Oct 8, 2010 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions
The GM of the Raiders at the time was on NFL Network.
He said nobody in the organization was excited to trade Moss. The only person that wanted him gone was Mike Tice.
by PurplePeopleEaters on Oct 8, 2010 2:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Eh
Guess it wouldn’t be the general manager, as that is one Al Davis. Sorry I don’t know the name.
by PurplePeopleEaters on Oct 8, 2010 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions
i dont know how long i have been saying this about Ziggy
he is a person that wants to do the most good as possible for the minnesota vikings. And i hope he gets his stadium, because i want him to stay….for a long time.
Agree 100%
This guy cares about the Minnesota Vikings. Plain and simple.
"I run to daylight when I see an opening." - Adrian All Day Peterson
by bleedpurple426 on Oct 8, 2010 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions
Someone needs...
… to get the picture of Favre mooning the Packers fans on one of these posts.
I’ve been waiting for it. Am I the only one?
Somebody make it happen.
I mean...
… the picture at the top, the lead in to the story. So it is on the front page.
by HammeroftheGods on Oct 8, 2010 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Ok I got it as my...
… avatar. I just noticed I’m not the only one!
by HammeroftheGods on Oct 8, 2010 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions
F5
Is it me, or is anyone else having a hard time not constantly scanning the web for new information about what to expect on Monday? Poor web servers suffering at the expense of my F5 button! SKOL !
---
Uff-da!
for darange and sippycup
greetings from aurora! go vikes!
Lived in Hoyt Lakes but mostly in Virginia through HS
Currently in DC area—ugh
"Skol Vikings! Let's win this game Skol Vikings!
Heh, I thought this was a reference
I looked ahead to the open road, thought about the people and what they know, and wrote a book called "People Don't Know Nothin!"
You know what this trade reminds me of?
When Moss was traded to the Patriots. They were already a great team that was propelled into the stratosphere. They went from good to one horrible call from being 19-0.
Lets look at some simple math:
Moss -0 steps = best reciever in the history of recieving things
Moss -2 steps = still 2 to 3 steps ahead of the next best reciever
Moss -6 steps(40 yr old) = Sidney Rice (who is still great)
Also, what’s with people talking like we have been getting our ass kicked this year? We barely lost to the defending champs and the Phins because we had no passing game. There is no reason to believe that Moss will not remedy that in a hurry. Again some math:
Moss + Daunte (poor qb), decent rb, and decent line = one of the top offenses in history
Moss + Brady (decent qb), no rungame, and good line = one of the top offenses in history
Moss+ Favre, best rb in league by wide margain, and decent line = How will this turn out?
The two early losses were not indicative of or teams skill/talent. We are not a 1-2 team. The evidence this year suggests that the Packers are marginally better than the Lions who are a hair better than the Bears. Judging by our game with Detroit, before we traded for fro, we are at least 37% better than the Lions. Basically Vikings>>Packers>Lions=Bears
You are forgetting...
… Moss + Cunningham (slightly above average QB) + Cris Carter + Robert Smith = the top scoring offense in the 20th century. Randy was just a green rookie with freakish skills.
Moss has been on two of the most potent offenses of all time. Coincidence?
When Sidney Rice comes back, this offense SHOULD stack up with the ’98 team.
by HammeroftheGods on Oct 8, 2010 6:56 PM CDT up reply actions
You should also note...
… our defense is better now than in ’98, or at least as good. The Vikings D is better than the Bears now, and our offense now is MUCH better.
Packers D is going to implode.
by HammeroftheGods on Oct 8, 2010 6:57 PM CDT up reply actions
Add Marian Gaborik to that list.
"Jaromir Jagr.... it's a POWER PLAY GOAL!"
- Sam Rosen
"Let me ask you, would you want to play for the Edmonton Oilers...? (laughter)"
-Evgeni Nabokov
Even though I am a Rangers fan, not starting any trouble. The Vikings are my football team.
Can’t wait for a beatdown on the Jets on Monday night.
"Jaromir Jagr.... it's a POWER PLAY GOAL!"
- Sam Rosen
"Let me ask you, would you want to play for the Edmonton Oilers...? (laughter)"
-Evgeni Nabokov
No, that's a good one to bring up.
But Gaborik was kind of a pain in the ass at the end, and it seemed like as many Wild fans wanted him gone as wanted him to stay.
Kind of like Moss, but to a much lesser degree. But I’m not a huge Wild fan, so that’s much more my opinion than any disecernible things we like to call facts.
The Daily Norseman
Off Tackle Empire
SB Nation Minnesota
"A parent's only as good as their dumbest kid. If one wins a Nobel Prize but the other gets robbed by a hooker, you failed."
"Pull your 84 jerseys out, man. I think this is going to be a fun ride." Randy Moss, WR, Minnesota Vikings
If I had been Gabby trapped on those Wild teams,
I cannot say I would have acted much better. The management seemed to pride itself on being composed of slightly below average players. They were like the anti-zygi.
I don’t think you are referring to his injuries that shadowed his career there, so what do you mean by “pain in the ass”?
Eh, superstar leaving to a New York team. That was the main point, and being a football blog, don’t know if hockey talk is “acceptable” haha
"Jaromir Jagr.... it's a POWER PLAY GOAL!"
- Sam Rosen
"Let me ask you, would you want to play for the Edmonton Oilers...? (laughter)"
-Evgeni Nabokov
Hall of Fame ... QB's and coach
Moss stated that he has gone from a team with a Hall of Fame QB and Hall of Fame Coach, to a team with a Hall of Fame QB. He has great respect for Brian B..
Everyone knows this coach and staff stink, but hopefully the players can make it work anyway. I do like Chilli for making the move. Just promote BF officially to Offensive Cord / QB and lets roll.
Can't hate on chilli too much
H’es improved the record every year.
Which means, we have to win out the remainder of the season to continue our increase of record.. haha
Great read Ted
I am ecstatic to have Moss back in purple. I had hoped this would happen, but had thought it would be more of a “one day contract to retire a Viking” kind of things. To actually have him back at a productive stage of his career is beyond fantastic.
While trading Randy was likely a vindictive act by an idiot, jerk of an owner, I have to wonder how Randy would have handled the rebuild process of the last 5 years. Would he have been content to sit by and watch us rebuild? I suspect that is unlikely. History suggests he may have eventually demanded a trade to a contender as “he isn’t getting any younger” (i.e. Kevin Garnett). How might Moss have felt about T Jack or Gus Frerotte or Brad Johnson at QB?
Was it a wrong? Yes. Definitely. If nothing else, the way it went down was terrible. Was it for the best? Maybe. You have to wonder how Moss would have matured if he hadn’t gone through the struggles in Oakland, and the brilliant success in New England. Was it always destined to play out the way that it did? If you believe in football destiny, it’s hard to not think so. We’re getting a hungry, healthy Moss with “unfinished business” at a point where he is desperately needed on a stacked offense we likely couldn’t have assembled with him here. I’d even go so far as to say that our need for him has never been greater.
As they say, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” And my heart has never been fonder of Randy Moss than it is now.
Solid post
Can’t disagree with anything you said. It very well could’ve played out that way, and then we wouldn’t be here today.
The Daily Norseman
Off Tackle Empire
SB Nation Minnesota
"A parent's only as good as their dumbest kid. If one wins a Nobel Prize but the other gets robbed by a hooker, you failed."
"Pull your 84 jerseys out, man. I think this is going to be a fun ride." Randy Moss, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Great Post Ted
Many a Viking fan was disappointed when Randy was traded away and I believe that the overwhelming majority of us have always longed for him to “come home”. Well, he’s back now and we have a helluva lot of catching up to do…LET THE GAMES BEGIN!
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