What’s wrong with Randy Moss wanting to get paid? Would any of you chumps take a pay cut just to work for a great company? I don’t want to hear the argument that he can afford it. Question still remains, would you take a substantial pay cut to switch to an employer that is ‘world class’? Many on this board couldn’t even afford to think about that. Yes, greedy as it sounds, in the end it’s about money. Rings are great, but even if you hawk them on Ebay, they don't provide for a nice financial future.
Money isn't the issue - it character, and specifically his motivation to play well when signed to a long term contract with guaranteed money rather than on a one year "prove it" deal where he has an incentive to act like a team player, saying all the right things about wanting to finish his career here and that winning, not money, is the important thing.
But just for the sake of argument, let's say this was Tom Brady, who's contract could well be extended this offseason, instead of Moss.
Let's say he's on record as wanting to finish his career with the Patriots.
Let's say that for various reasons he's also stated loudly, clearly and publicly that he is not interested in demanding top dollar.
I think we all agree that such "team first" and character attributes are part of what makes him such a great and well liked leader (beyond his winning record) and part of the reason this team does so well.
Now imagine you pick up the paper tomorrow and read that Brady's unhappy with his extension negotiations, feeling like the Patriots aren't offering him enough money and he's now actively shopping himself to other teams in the hopes of working a trade to, say the Jets.
Are you honestly telling me you wouldn't fault Brady for this for a second? You'd not be troubled by this departure from his on the record pledge of wanting to play here with money not being his top issue?
After all, what's wrong with Brady wanting $$$$? The fact that what he said and what he does are two different things, making clear that his statements can't be trusted and that money is his motivation - wouldn't bother you in the least?
That's what's happening with Moss. Even Mike Reiss admits Moss is shopping himself to other teams.
However in Moss's case, unlike Brady, there's a history of being motivated solely by the checkbook - and that once the guaranteed money is paid, a history of not playing up to his abilities in Oakland.
So what's wrong with Moss wanting $$$$? Absolutely nothing if you don't have a problem with him breaking his word to the public and too the team and shopping himself to the highest bidder, illustrating where his allegiance and motivation truly lie.
I'm speaking hypothetically of course - suggesting that anything I've said about Moss is actually what's taken place is going to trigger a few dozen "How dare you question Moss" rants.