ST. PAUL
Thanks for stopping by, Randy.
Things took another turn toward the ridiculous at the loony bin Monday as the Vikings decided to waive Randy Moss. Clearly, this was an effort by Brad Childress to retain control as this season, and probably the guys in the locker room, slip away from him. But it looks as if he's clinging by his fingertips.
Apparently, though, the Jersey boys aren't considering a coaching move, even though they run the risk of being pelted with eggs and tomatoes as they stroll across our humble tundra. Right or wrong, Childress is about as popular as the emerald ash borer in Minnesota. (The Wilfs rank about even with milfoil.)
However, Zygi isn't from here, doesn't live here and probably doesn't give a damn what people think. He signed off on the Moss trade and he also signed off on the Moss firing. So he's obviously still aligned with his head coach.
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The good news is that the Vikings have become nutty to the point of being entertaining. All we need is Herschel Walker talking about doing 10,000 pushups every morning and living off one French fry per day. Right now, it's like watching a monster truck tip over on its side and sort of spin in the dirt.
Signing the screwy Moss smacked of desperation to begin with. Waiving him appears to be even more of an act of desperation. I'm sure a few more players will tune out Childress after his latest move. Of course, we all knew there would be trouble with Moss. Vikings fans remember the young, fast wide receiver. Now he's not so young and not so fast. However, he continues to be a problem. Only Patriots coach Bill Belichick was able to keep him in line.
The move could accelerate the team's downward spiral. Although Moss is a negative force in the locker room and a "me-first" player -- which Childress and staff should have known, by the way -- it's got to be a tough sell to the remaining players that they are better off with Bernard Berrian at wideout.
Plus, it's probably just a matter of time until other Vikings figure out that they can escape this hellish season by criticizing the coach's play calling and/or otherwise badmouthing the organization. It's like getting a free ticket out of town.
So as Alice once said while traipsing through Wonderland, things just keep getting "curiouser and curiouser." I don't blame Childress for cutting Moss. I blame him for trading for him. And now look at what's happened. Some of the players will be upset. All of the peanut gallery will be upset. And Chilli will clear his throat and talk about gap coverage and staying aggressive. He really put himself in a position to be hammered.
People will wonder what comes next, a showdown with Brett Favre?
At least the Vikings' schedule is about to turn very soft. They have the 3-4 Cardinals coming to the Dome on Sunday. Perhaps if they play well for the next month, they'll climb back into it. Right now, the team is in limbo. It's not contending and it's not rebuilding. It's just thrashing around.
Well, after these past few days, I can't wait to see what happens next. Maybe Denny Green will show up and threaten to buy the team again.
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Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
