Is Randy Moss legitimately thinking about an NFL comeback?
Everyone thinks they can make a comeback. But maybe people might believe Randy Moss if he tried.
Moss showed up at the joint practices of the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots the other day in his native West Virginia, backed Tom Brady in the deflate-gate things and hinted he might be interested in playing in the NFL one day.
On Sunday, Moss added more fuel to that fire.
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Appearing on Fox’s pregame show, Moss told co-host Curt Menafee that his fire still burns.
“I actually have not lost the itch,” Moss said. “I’ve been working out with a few guys over the offseason. I have been retired for the last two years, but you never know, Curt. But it’s the love of the game that I still have inside of me.”
Asked by Menafee is Moss was reneging on his Fox analyst role and was considering rejoining the league, Moss said — with Cheshire cat-like smile:
“Hey, I don’t know. The sky’s the limit for me, Curt. So we’ll just have to wait and see.”
OK, so that’s not the same as a team reportedly calling Moss (which could have happened) and Moss not denying mutual interest. But with two teams, the Carolina Panthers and Green Bay Packers, having just lost their No. 1 receivers respectively to ACL injuries, it certainly means the market for Moss might be a tad warmer. And who knows? Moss always has professed his love for Brady, even though the Patriots are reportedly working out Reggie Wayne on Monday.
Moss, 38, who last played for the San Francisco 49ers in the 2012 season (with his final game being Super Bowl XLVII), is third all time in receiving yards in league history — 642 behind Terrell Owens with 15,292 — and 11th all time with 982 catches, but only 42 catches away from eighth place (Isaac Bruce).
Could it happen? Moss sat out the entire 2011 season before joining the 49ers and becoming a key contributor of sorts for that very good team. He’s never gone by anyone else’s path, so you can’t rule it out, and you certainly can’t rule out one of the most naturally gifted pass catchers the NFL ever has seen being in football shape.
Now, if you do come back, Randy, can you please do it in the vein of this amazing 2010 news conference? Thanks from all of us in advance.
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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Eric_Edholm