Question: Why is everyone so down on Randy Moss? The Raiders' offense was a joke last year. I would only trade him for a top-20 first round pick, and that's only if he wants off the team. I want to see JaMarcus Russell going DEEP to Moss next year!
-- John Crowley, Citrus Heights
Answer: Moss' status is the question of the Raiders' offseason (besides whether Russell, the LSU quarterback, be a Raider this coming season.)
So after a season in which the Raiders' offense was bad in terms of coaching, game plan and player execution, why do so many Raider fans want to get rid of Moss?
When the team's highest-paid player says he is dropping passes because he's not focused because he's not happy, that is going to create a backlash. That's why boos could be heard when Moss was introduced toward the end of the season. No one wants a player that is perceived not to be trying his hardest.
While I'm sure there must be a study somewhere that shows work performance suffers when morale is low in any workplace, sympathy for workers in that position isn't the same when they make millions of dollars to do their job.
Morale was low on offense most of last season. Moss wasn't the only player disillusioned by what was happening. But when you're the lone superstar on the worst offense in football and having the worst season of your career, criticism will come. Couple that with admitting you drop passes because of a lack of focus and Moss isn't going to earn sympathy.
Moss might not have marched into Al Davis' office and demanded a trade, but he said in a radio interview during the season he would welcome a trade if the Raiders thought getting rid of him helped the team. He also said he wouldn't mind being closer to the East Coast.
Moss' lawyer, Tim DiPiero, said the Raiders had control as to any potential trade.
That's a brief synopsis.
Assuming Moss is back for the 2007 season, the Raiders have hired his position coach. Adam Henry, 34, resigned Tuesday as offensive coordinator and receivers coach at McNeese State to become receivers and quality control coach, according to Internet reports.
"This is an opportunity of a lifetime," Henry was quoted in a story posted on the New Orleans Times-Picayune's Web site Monday. "It really came out of the blue but I have always wanted to coach in the NFL."
Henry coached at McNeese State for 10 seasons, where he also played wide receiver. He replaces Fred Biletnikoff, who retired after 32 years with the Raiders, including a Hall of Fame playing career as a receiver.
-- Jason Jones
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