Anyone who follows the National Football League knows that Randy Moss has had a rather interesting career. There’s no denying his immense talent, yet he’s run himself out of two NFL cities thus far, and it’s beginning to look like it’ll be a third.

Saturday night, Moss made some very interesting comments regarding his future with the New England Patriots. As reported by both the Boston Globe and Boston Herald, Moss stated the following: “If they want to give me a new contract I would entertain that, but I don’t really think that I’m going to be a New England Patriot next year. So, I’ll play this year out and then look for whatever the future is next.”

To me, this is what’s wrong with professional sports. Players are constantly in contact with the media, and able to voice every single little displeasure they have with an individual or team. Moss was at a charity football event when these remarks were made. I’m not saying Randy Moss shies away from attention, but in the middle of the offseason, he’s just stirring up a little conversation for the water cooler, and more importantly, in the New England front office.

This upcoming season, we’re going to see Randy Moss in two all-important fashions. The first will be the purely gifted wide receiver that he is, able to change a game simply with his presence and abilities. The second is far less desirable, and that’s the Moss who gives up on his teammates and himself. One poor game where he isn’t targeted enough or doesn’t like the play-calling, and Moss will shut himself down, and look to the next chapter in his career.

It’s unfortunate that a player of his skill level is such a hassle. If only he would give the NFL and its fans another season like 2007, in which he set the single season mark for receiving touchdowns. But it is Randy Moss, and he has been in New England for a few years now. He needs to wear out his welcome, alienate himself, and move on to whichever team thinks he may be different in their market. My advice? A one year contract.

TWO POINT CONVERSION

- 59 days left until the NFL Draft

- the NFL let Bryant McKinnie off too easily. He only has to pay back just over $4,200  for skipping the Pro Bowl, plus forfeit his $22,500 game cheque. He should be suspended for at least two games. He embarrassed the league, and disrespected the fans by simply skipping out on the game. He should have done what all other players do to get out of the Pro Bowl, get an ‘injury’

Now that the Super Bowl has come and gone and the love for Drew Brees and Sean Payton has died down, the entire National Football League can focus on what many teams have been for some time: the offseason. With only a few weeks until free agency opens up, and the draft roughly two months away, teams need to formulate a game plan for the coming months. And of course, in the NFL, it all starts with quarterbacks. My first task of the offseason was determining which franchises are in need of a change at the game’s most important position.

MAKE A CHANGE – NOW

St. Louis Rams

It’s been heavily documented that the Rams need a new signal caller, and I couldn’t agree more. It’s time to cut ties with Marc Bulger, Kyle Boller needs to go, and Keith Null is nothing special. Holding the first pick in the draft, the Rams are in prime position to grab the top QB available, assuming either Jimmy Clausen or Sam Bradford demonstrate enough at their respective pro-days. Most analysts believe the Rams will take one of the top defensive tackles available, but that would be a mistake. They need to grab a top flight quarterback for the future, and they need to do it now. I’ll get more into that debate as the draft nears. As for a stop gap, I’m looking to none other than Michael Vick. He’s been electric in a dome before, and he’d surely sell tickets for a franchise that’s lost over $250 million.

Buffalo Bills

Trent Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick are not going to lead this franchise back to the playoffs. I’ve seen both men play in person, and neither has inspired much confidence. The Bills should look into drafting a youngster to lead in the future, but as for the present, they need to be careful who they decide to go with. I’m not wild about the apparent desire for Vick. I don’t see his skill set translating well in Buffalo, especially when the weather turns nasty. I know Vick supporters will come back with his improbable playoff win in Green Bay, but one game aside, Vick isn’t really a harsh climate quarterback. The free-agent market isn’t exactly ripe with options, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Edwards and Fitzpatrick are still on the roster come September. But if I were running the Bills, I’d take a look at trading for Derek Anderson. He shouldn’t be in Cleveland by the end of the summer, and he’s got a pretty strong arm.

Oakland Raiders

I know this won’t happen, but I’d love to see the Raiders rid themselves of JaMarcus Russell. Bruce Gradkowski will get every opportunity to win the starting job this summer, but even with him under centre, I’m not confident that the Raiders will be a competitive team. Unfortunately, Al Davis won’t spend another high pick on a draft pick (yet), so it’ll be the status quo for Oakland this fall.

Washington Redskins

Dating back to last offseason, everything the Redskins organization has done to Jason Campbell is just plain wrong. He’s been a lame duck for well over a year, and I think he’ll be tendered as a restricted free agent and forced to waste another year of his career in Washington. I hope Mike Shanahan does the right thing and let’s Campbell move on.

GIVE IT ANOTHER YEAR

Cleveland Browns

I don’t understand the Browns organization and fan base. Brady Quinn was only drafted three years ago, and I don’t believe there’s enough evidence to prove that he’s a complete write off. I’d like to see him have a full season at the helm in the Dawg Pound before Cleveland makes a change. If they’re desperate to make a change, Troy Smith of the Baltimore Ravens makes sense. He should be easy to acquire, and went to nearby Ohio State.

Arizona Cardinals

Like Cleveland, let’s see what the Cards’ young quarterback has in the tank for a full year. I was a huge fan of Matt Leinart when he left USC, and I still believe he may be able to carve out a career in the NFL. Give him a season, and if he can’t succeed with the weapons in the desert, we’ll know he won’t make it anywhere.

Carolina Panthers

Matt Moore looked pretty good down the stretch, and should be given a look for a full season in Carolina. There’s some talk that the Panthers may be interested in Donovan McNabb, but I can’t see that happening.

MAYBE A CHANGE WOULD BE GOOD

Seattle Seahawks

With Pete Carroll now in charge, why not start a new era in Seattle by dealing Hasselbeck? His best years are behind him, but he may still be able to help a playoff contender.

Jacksonville Jaguars

I’ve never considered David Garrard a franchise quarterback, and apparently Jack del Rio agrees with me. He recently said that he doesn’t believe Garrard is an elite quarterback. If that’s the case, why not give the coach some options at the position.

Philadelphia Eagles

They’re the same every year. Streaky throughout the regular season, and usually heading into the playoffs as one of the league’s hotter teams. We’ve seen McNabb take them to the NFC Championship plenty of times, and even a Super Bowl appearance. But in order to take the next step, they may need a change. They have a more than adequate replacement in Kevin Kolb, so maybe it’s time to roll the dice.

Well, it’ll be interesting to see if the upcoming offseason features many moves at all, let alone at the quarterback position. The NFL is about to enter a great time of it’s calendar year, so stay tuned for what’s sure to be an interesting couple of months.

TWO POINT CONVERSION

- four years, $16 million for a kicker. Oakland is jumping the gun on the uncapped year

- expect to see the words “nose tackle” in almost every football article you read from now until the draft

28 games in, 11 and 17. 11 games from the top, yet only 1 game out of a playoff spot. 9 games from the bottom. 4 and 6 in their last 10. Losers of their past 2. The one thing that we have learned from our ice friends is that teams with new components can take a while to mesh. Michael Grange in the Globe and mail has a good article looking at the Toronto Raptors and the tipping point they are quickly approaching. Grange points out that, “Through 28 games the Raptors have been blown out nine times already. Their average margin of defeat is 16 points. ”

This, as it sits today isn’t a good basketball team. I who know nothing about basketball now that. Grange goes on to talk about the difficult schedule the Raptors have faced and the necessity to give them time to prove themselves- coach included.

Here’s the question I have Raptors fans. They have changed the coach, they have changed most of the parts. The result appears to be the same. Am I wrong? Does Bryan Colangelo get another shot at another coach? Does he get another shot at changing the deck chairs? The guy totally rebuilt the team this past offseason, to the delight of most who cover and root for the team. What are the 2 constants in this every changing franchise? Colangelo and Bosch. Really, what else am I missing? BC said that the best way to keep Bosh was to build a winner around him. So much for that plan, at least so far right? What’s the next option? Should Triano go? Those who cover the team have been very very polite. Those who go to the games have been very very loyal.

So, the season isn’t over yet. There is time to salvage things. What should BC do? What can be done? What does a fan think?

TSM

@yyzsportsmedia

Grange is here

Had Brian Burke taken over the Leafs gig two summers ago, then his second offseason would be worth evaluating. Attempting to evaluate Burke today on his one year anniversary is nuts. I mean, the guy may fail, and he may fail miserably, but come on. He started a year ago, just over a quarter into the season. He has had 1 draft and one free agency, one trade deadline, and we are going to write a story entitled “Jury Still out on Burke”. One friggin year and you are drawing conclusions like that? The problem is the article by David Shoalts of the Globe and mail is only bad because it says NOTHING. The title is brutal and totally misleading.

“One of the things Brian Burke promised when he took over as general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs was a sea change from the country-club atmosphere that settled over the team in previous years.

With the Burke era officially beginning its second year today with a game against the Buffalo Sabres, opinions are divided about the success of his first year – but most of the critics agree the players work much harder than they did in the past. However, no one should take that as a sign that a change in culture is complete.

True culture change, say those who took on the burden of doing it, takes years, sometimes more than a decade to complete. It takes a lot more than getting rid of a few lazy players who may be a bad influence on their teammates and bringing in some hard-workers.”

Rise your hand if you are care where the Toronto Maple Leafs are after his first year, or after his 5th or 6th. Who is going to spend the time and evaluate him at this point of the season. Let’s at least give him until the end of this season don’t you think?

““If you’re looking at the change to an elite team, it was probably 10 years,” Holland said. “But if you’re talking about going from what was the worst team in the world, as it was in 1985, to a playoff team, then you could say five years.””

Exaclty! So why even bother writing the article in the first place? I mean, if that is the gist of the article, and it is, then why bother. Shoalts makes all the arguments on why these takes time…5 to ten years in some cases, and yet the headline is that jury is out? What did people expect? Burke himself said this was going to be a long process.

“The key to success with youth, Holland said, is patience. That is an issue in Toronto, given defenceman Luke Schenn’s struggles in his second NHL season.

“The odd 18-year-old kid can change the fortunes of your team, but they’re named Gretzky and Lemieux,” Holland said. “For most of them, it takes a long time.

“People think next year you’re going to be twice as good, which is unrealistic. You go home for the summer and think you made it after your first year, plus your buddies are telling you, too. So, it is not until your second off-season that you hit the gym a lot harder than you did after the first year.”

I love that the Red Wings are again the blueprint of success. No one ever would have guessed that this would be the model of success years back. I remember when they were giving away cars at the JLA in attempt to get people to come to the arena. If they are the model, then shouldn’t others be afforded the same time to follow it? Let’s see Burke try to draft the same way Illitch’s team did and then we can talk right?

““We’ve got the work ethic, no one can say we don’t,” he said. “But we don’t have the talent like a team like the Red Wings. We don’t have a leader here who is out there doing the right thing all the time, a genuine Stevie Yzerman or Nicklas Lidstrom.

“[Yzerman] wasn’t regarded as a leader until he was about 10 years into his career. He got the captaincy early, but it was Scotty Bowman who basically brought it out of him and that took three or four years. That’s why if it’s Luke Schenn for us, it’s going to take three or four years.”

Exactly the point. So why the headline, and the intro to the article? Shoalts hit a homerun on the Coyotes. On the Leafs he seems to be striking out an awful lot lately.

Talk to you from Las Vegas

TSM

@yyzsportsmedia

For all the MLS soccer fans out there the question has always been how does our league stack up to those in Europe. If last night’s friendly at BMO Field was any indication – not well.

Before the mid way point of the first half Real Madrid star players Cristiano Rinaldo had a goal and Raul scored twice as their team cruised to a 5-1 win over Toronto FC.

I don’t think anyone in attendance thought the hometown team had a chance of upsetting the Spanish League powerhouse and more then likely no one really cared. Although the end result could have been much worse, the fans were treated to an incredible display of soccer. Real Madrid was all over the Reds from the get-go and gave everyone in attendance, including two-time NBA MVP guard Steve Nash, a preview of what to expect out of their squad this upcoming season.

How can you expect a team like TFC to compete with Real Madrid anyways? Taking it a step further how can you expect a league like MLS to compete with those out of Europe?

Real Madrid this offseason spent roughly 250 million Euros on five players. Five players. 80 on Rinaldo, 68.5 on the 2007 Football Player of the Year Kaka, 30 on Spaniard Xabi Alonso, 41 on French striker Karim Benzema and 4 on Alvaro Arbeloa. The mind-boggling thing about the money that was spent on so few players is that they spent that much on just the transfer fees and doesn’t include any of the other star players on the team.

What team in the MLS has that kind of money to spend on players? The answer is simply none. I would think you would be hard pressed to find a million dollar contract in the league. Sure David Beckham makes a truckload of money, but most of it is endorsement cash and not his actually playing salary.

The top players in the world go where they get paid top dollar and unfortunately that is not in the MLS. European leagues sell out 70 thousand plus stadiums while TFC, for example, maxes out at 20 500. The corporate sponsorship oversees is enormous compared to that of what is generated in North America. SO there is no way MLS could compete with the European leagues the same way the CFL will ever compete with NFL.

So Toronto FC got pummeled last night in a friendly match – big deal. They got the experience of playing against arguably the best player on the planet, played in front of another packed stadium and most importantly got to play on real grass. With the all the frenzy surrounding the Real Madrid game out of the way, now TFC can focus on something more important – their first ever post season appearance.

College of Sports Media Game of the Night:
The grass has been laid, the practise was televised and there’s nothing left to do but let them play. It’ll be an electric night tonight at BMO Field as Toronto FC takes on Real Madrid of the Spanish Premier League.

It would be safe to say that Real Madrid was the biggest wheeler-and-dealer over its offseason and there was no bigger deal then the acquisition of superstar and reigning FIFA World Player of the Year, Cristiano Rinaldo. Without a sniff of any type of trophy in the last four of six season the spending didn’t stop there for Real Madrid. They also signed 2007 Player of the Year and Brazilian attacking midfielder, Kaka away from AC Milan. To top if off they added Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa from Liverpool and French striker Karim Benzema. In total, Real Madrid spent over 250 million euros on these five players in hopes that their additions help the team win the Primera Division, the Cope Del Ray and ultimately the UEFA Champions League. Unfortunately for Real Madrid they felt the sting of watching bitter rival Barcelona pulled off the trifecta last season and want to make sure that doesn’t happen this season.

For Toronto FC, although they have the chance to play against arguably the best team in the World, their focus needs to be on their standings in MLS league play. TFC hasn’t had a win since July 11, a stretch that’s included a lose, two ties and an unsuccessful home-at-home CONCACAF play with the Peurto Rico Islanders. The Reds have dropped to fourth in the division, 6 points behind the leading Columbus Crew. On the 15th of this month they’ve got an enormous battle with DC United who FC only trails by one point. The experience of playing internarional teams has value, but Toronto only has 10 games remaining and a trip to their first ever postseason would be priceless.