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Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Randy Moss to the Titans? I'm not buying it

I have a friend who every time a big name becomes available the first thing he says is " He is coming to the Titans" and every time I tell him sorry man it's just not happening. So of course with Randy Moss becoming available as of today thanks to being cut by the Vikings, it poses an intriguing question. Would the Titans go after the talented but mercurial wide receiver?

It's not as far fetched as it sounds. The reason I usually shoot my friends notion's down is because I seem to think I know how Bud Adams and the Titans operate. Nashville is not the big city with the big lights. We are more of the small country city variety. The Titans have not been known for making big splashes via free agency, trades or anything else of that nature. Although their have been a few instances "Bottom line Bud" and the front office have went after a receiver. Lets take a look at the memorable wide receiver signings in Titans history:

In 2000 Tennessee signed veteran Carl Pickens. He would go on to play in just 9 games in a Tennessee uniform and produce 10 receptions for 242 yards and 0 touchdowns. Yancey Thigpen signed with the Titans in 1998 for what was at the time the biggest contract the organization had given to a wide out. He had a few good years with the Titans. His career numbers with Tennessee: 91 receptions, 1430 receiving yards, and 9 touchdowns. Not bad numbers for Thigpen but he eventually got injured and spent the last part of his career as an ineffective veteran. The last most memorable free agent wide receiver that comes to mind for the Titans was David Givens. Givens was fresh off a great playoff run with the New England Patriots. Beginning in the 2003 AFC championship game, Givens would have at least one touchdown catch in the Pats next seven playoff games. In 2005, Givens caught a career-high 59 passes and was the Patriots' number two receiver for the second year in a row. Givens would be rewarded by receiving a 5-year deal for $24 million with Tennessee in 2006. That is where the good part ends for Givens. He would tear his ACL in week 10 of his first season with the Titans and never play another meaningful game for them. He was cut in 2008.

Now as you can see, it has been a mixed bag of results for the Titans. A Randy Moss signing would be be way bigger than any of those guys listed above. Moss's career stats: 946 receptions, 14,778 receiving yards, and 153 touchdowns. Those are Hall of Fame numbers folks. Moss is a once is lifetime talent but his mouth is also once in a lifetime itself. Could you imagine him lining up on one side and Kenny Britt on the other? That just sent shivers up my spine! He would be able to free up running lanes for Chris Johnson just by being on the field. Moss would also be able to teach young Britt some of his veteran savvy moves as well. He would elevate the offense to a level never seen before here in Tennessee. But there is a reason two teams told Moss his services would no longer be needed (not to mention two respected football men giving up on him in Bill Belicheck and Brad Childress). He says some of the dumbest things ever in  press conferences I have ever heard (As I write this the "Straight cash homie" remark pops in my head) and has a history of dogging it if he doesn't feel like playing.

The main reason I don't think he would fit with the Titans is just the culture of the team. Tennessee has never had a superstar of his magnitude. It would definitely be different for coach Jeff Fisher, who has always had supreme control over his team. Could you imagine Moss criticizing Fisher for his conservative play calling? I know I could. Could Vince Young or Kerry Collins be able to get the ball to him the way he likes it? Doubt it.The Titans would be wise to look into signing Moss. He would come relatively cheap as he just owed six million for the rest of the year. But don't get your hopes up to high Nashville, the Titans have been down this road before and they tend to go the other way for players like this.

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