Bucs Curious About Moss?

It's hardly news when the Bucs inquire about a player who may or may not be available. They are notorious for considering all possible acquisitions, whether the player be old, young, overweight or undersized.

But the latest rumor making the rounds is juicy enough to discuss, even if it's about as far-fetched as they come. Word is the Bucs are interested in Oakland receiver Randy Moss, the disgruntled Raider for whom Oakland is thought to be entertaining trade offers.

The Bucs are just the latest team to be linked to Moss. Already, the Packers and Patriots are said to be interested in trading for him.

Before you go making reservations for the Super Bowl, understand a few things. If -- and that's a big IF -- the Bucs were able to orchestrate a trade for Moss, the biggest hurdle would be the finances. Moss has a base salary of $9.75-million for 2007, and his salary-cap charge would be even higher. For 2008, Moss is due to make $11.25-million in the final year of the deal. For both seasons, he would be the highest paid player on Tampa Bay's roster by a mile. And teams don't just go around taking on nearly $10-million on their salary caps without some serious thought about the ramifications.

Okay, so why not restructure the deal after such a trade, you ask. Because Moss is not likely to be amenable to a pay cut, particularly a sizable one. Asking him to take one could be a deal breaker. That would be an agreement the pursuing team would insist Moss agree to before the trade is finalized, and when have we ever known Moss to cooperate?

So, this should make for some interesting talk radio buzz, but all in all, we wouldn't bet the farm that this deal gets done. If we hear otherwise, we'll let you know.

In closing, let's pose a question: As a Bucs fan, would you want Moss -- and all the potential distractions that come with him -- on your team? Do share.

Comments

[Bob]

The real question is would you rather have Moss or Calvin Johnson? Because if the Bucs actually get Moss the Raiders will most likely draft CJ to replace him. I'd rather have CJ who will be younger, cheaper and at this point give us way more upside.

[J McNeilly]

Agree with Bob above. Not to mention that Calvin Johnson seems like a class-act kid. Moss is a punk cut from the same T-Owens cloth. Why in the world would Gruden want another, or possibly worse, experience than the one he had with Keyshawn?

Then again, Gruden MUST win next year and it's hard to imagine Moss wouldn't make an immediate positive impact on our offense. Can you imagine how that opens up the field for Simms?

Kind of fun to think about, but I would still vote "no."

[J. Hurst]

Absolutley not! Keep moss, keyshawn and Ownes away from the Bucs. Football is a team game. When it becomes a me me me free for all, just look at the Eagles and Raiders! CJ will dawn the pewter come draft day!

[raidersfan]

bob the real question is would you rather have moss and jamarcus russel or have calvin johnson? the way you state your question it makes it seem like you would need to give up your 1st round pick and in that case you would obviously take CJ over moss but like i said. CJ or JR and Moss?

[Ryan]

Well the main concern here is what J. McNeilly mentioned above. If we do trade for Moss then that leads to the possiblity of the Raiders drafting CJ, especially if that trade involves Jake Plummer. But also like McNeilly said, it's hard to turn down a play maker like Moss who can make an immediate impact on the field. Then again you can't forget about the history between Garcia and Moss. I believe Garcia will be our starter next year and I dont know how well he and Moss can get along. With all that said, as much as I would like to see Moss in a Buccaneers uniform, I dont think it will happen because of the money situation, the bad history between Garica and Moss, and the fact that we can draft the most explosive player in the draft, Calvin Johnson, at wide receiver who is a freak of nature and is bound to play and have a positive impact with the Bucs this year.

There could be a ton of different outcomes from this trade. If we did trade for Moss and the Raiders selected CJ first then that might change the Lions draft pick to JR, I think the Browns would still have to go with Peterson and then the Bucs could add a huge addition to the line with Joe Thomas.

[Darren Young]

God, I promise to eat all of my vegetables if you will keep Randy Moss away from our Bucs.

Amen

[John McNeilly]

Okay everybody, Darren promised to eat all his veggies if Moss is kept away.

We're going to hold you to that man!

Question is: what are you willing to do if the Bucs promise NOT to draft Brady Quinn?!

[Jay Anthony]

browns just signed jamal lewis that might put them on hold for RB adarian peterson for the #3 pick. im praying they dont pick up calvin johnson, they need a quarterback so hopefully they draft Quinn. If CJ is gone by the time the bucs pick, i say pull the trigger on the moss thing (even if he is a basket case) and use plummer for the raiders because they definitely need a veteran qb, and then trade down

[Anthony Gironda]

The Bucs can probably use Jake Plummer & another player to trade to get Randy Moss so that way we can't risk our picking of Calvin Johnson in the draft. I think this can work but it's just an idea.

[steve]

would if plummer decides to stay in tampa, and trade garcia for moss, and keep the 1st round pick. this is all iffy, bruce allen, jon gruden knows the raiders. just an idea

[shane]

last comment i agree, griden wanted plummer 1st over garcia. sounds good to me

[Randy Moss]

Look out buc's, here I come. I'm not sure if I'll be happy. Love me. Kiss me. No cure for cancer!

[Ben White]

All u Randy Moss hater do!nt know that he is the best receiver in the league.All he need is someone to thow it too him.

[BOYZOO@SBCGLOBAL.NET]

TRADE PLUMMER OR GARCIA FOR MOSS

[George L Hicks]

Why would anyone in this organization get Moss, He is bad news. Does this story say that Tampa is not going to select Johnson at pick 4. Well he is Re-tread and getting older. If Tampa is not going to select that Primo WR in the Draft. Then Lets go after the best Defensive lineman in the draft. I like that DE from Nebraska that the Bucs had just given us a preview of some of the players that would be available. Then with pick 3 in the 2nd round get that best WR available in Rd 2.

[Joe in ATL]

The Bucs first need to get a passing game into their offense, before they even consider paying for someone like Moss. Hopefully Gruden can break away from his stale offensive style and start throwing the ball down field. Garcia can certainly throw the ball, now Gruden needs to add some passing plays to his play book.

[SuckaBuc]

What does it matter? Moss or no moss calvin johnson, chad johnson, or even steve smith. None of those guys will make a difference on a team with a horrible defense (except for Ronde) and a noodle arm albineo QB like simms. You ought to consider trading for Kyle Boller, he's almost as bad as simms and would make a great addition to the bucs lousy no hope team! Gruden kiss ur superbowl ring cause thats the last one you'll ever get!

[Frakie]

What history does Garcia and Moss have?? Why did one of you post that?? Do they even know eachother?

[You Got BUCd Up]

SuckaBuc, wow you're showing everyone just how ignorant you truly are. 1st of all, you do realize that the WR's you mentioned better yet WR's in general, have nothing to do w/ defense hence WR's are on OFFENSE (dur dur-dur). And "a noodle arm Chris Simms"? The kid can get off a pretty deep pass last time I checked. Speaking of "last time for kissing rings", last time I checked Gruden still has 1 more Super Bowl Ring than you and please, feel free to inform all of us readers when you've "EVER" had the oportunity to kiss a Super Bowl Ring? you know what's truly sad, you couldn't even win a Super Bowl on MADDEN or NFL HEADCOACH on "Beginner" for that matter kiddo. So next time you decide to post some non-sense, do yourself and the rest of us readers a favor. Do some homework before you make an ass out of yourself on the WORLDWIDEWEB.YOUIDIOT.COM

Hallelujah Holla Back...

"People make themselves out to be idiots... I'm just here to help them realize it."

[NOE]

RAIDERS ARE GOING TO SUCK ANYWAYS, LET'S PUT OUR ATENTION TO REAL TEAMS!! THIS IS ALOT OF NONSENSE I'M READING HERE, I'M OUT OF HERE!!!

[UfoJoe]

I'm still waiting to hear about the history between Garcia and Moss. Did they date?

[ck]

bucs STINK!!!!!!!!! GO EAGLES!!!!!!!!!!! you know gruden wants to come back to philly anyway!!!!!!

[TOm]

I think he's getting Owens and Garcia mixed up with Moss.. My guess

[Nuccah]

You never know how this would turn out. Trade for Moss, you lose CJ, but you still have the #4 pick, which garuntees you JR, Quinn, or Joe Thomas.

However, you decide to take CJ, and he turns out to be a bust (theres been more 'can't miss' prospects than just CJ) than your left with nothing in hell.

Its a HUGE gamble either way you look at it.

[cat444]

the problem is i know al davis and sory he will never pass calvin johnson, always davis like wr and like to pick the best atlethe , it's the reason why buck can make this trade, johsnon will be a raiders and gruden and allen knows davis will pick johnson

[Viking Fan]

To be honest if I were the Buc's I would wait until after the draft, the reason for this is then Oak cannot be certian that the Buc's would trade for Moss and have to Draft a QB. Then after the draft if the Buc's do not get CJ then get Moss, he still is one of the best receivers in the league and has the db's (at least in the NFC) scared. Simm's or Garcia getting him the ball should be interesting to watch, fantasy for you to imagine is Moss and CJ?

[Petrut]

Absolutely NOT. The $10 million could be spent in soo many areas. Areas the Bucs need help in. With that kind of money, we could get a starting safetly AND a great receiver. Not to mention another o-lineman....I also dont like moss. hes a great receiver, but i dont like him and he wont stay long in tampa. Its another, if not worse, case than Keyshawn and Keenan...we dont want that. Bruce, Gruden-dont do anything stupid. as of right now, our team looks good. Good combo of young and veteran. All we need now is CJ...stoke

[Dale]

I think New England ot to sign Randy Moss. Thats what i think. He wants a winning team. lol

[Patriotfan]

I Think your rite about that Dale. Well trade r first round pick to the bucks to get randy at are house. I think Tom Brady would do good for Randy . He needs someone that can give him the ball. And he wants to be with a winning team .

[ZAVALA]

STAY WITH MOSS PICK UP JRUSSELL WE WILL HAVE POTER AND MOSS AND LIKE THAT WE WILL HAVE A QB.RB.AND TOO GOOD WR.