Gab Session- Randy Moss -- Franchise Killer

By: Brian Gabrielle

I don't have any particular allegiance to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

I mean, their colors are kind of nice. I'm not sure how much I buy a blue-tongued jaguar (what, did he just eat a popsicle or something?), but Jacksonville's kind of a sleepy one-horse town whose NFL franchise is mostly just a little bit boring, saddled as it is in a primarily college-mad environment. I mean, they're not the most offensive team in the league, but they're just sort of there.

So believe me when I tell you, when I offer this advice, it's not tainted by emotion. You ready? Here comes. Do not trade for Randy Moss!

The latest rumors out of both Oakland and Jacksonville indicate that the Jags are considering a trade for the disgruntled Raider receiver, whereupon perhaps Oakland would turn around and draft young-Moss-clone Calvin Johnson with the first-overall pick. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune has run with this rumor (Moss is a former Viking, after all), claiming that the story has legs because Jacksonville offensive coordinator Mike Tice has strong ties with Moss. Okay, that may be so. But that doesn't make it right.

Sure, the Jags have struggled to find receivers who can hold onto a football. But they've got more severe problems than wideout. I mean, Matt Jones might be a player. Ernest Wilford has questionable hands at times, but he's a solid possession receiver. I don't care much for Reggie Williams, but hasn't this team invested heavily enough (two first-rounders in three years) at this position? It seems to me that until Jacksonville finds a better quarterback, problems with this offense are going to persist. Byron Leftwich isn't terrible, but he's mediocre. David Garrard could actually be a little better, but he's not great. Quinn Gray will probably go elsewhere. Moss complained about the signal-callers in Oakland, and trust me, he'd complain about them in Jacksonville, too.

The larger issue, of course, is the fact that Moss is a walking one-man circus, a squeaky wheel that can't be oiled, a traffic violation waiting to happen, a me-first publicity hound, and basically a jerk. He's not the kind of guy that winds up leading teams to Super Bowls. He's the kind of guy who opens Inta Juice franchises in the middle of the season and goes on TV to promote them. And that's to say nothing of the fact that his skills are clearly declininghe's not as fast as he used to be, and he doesn't have the desire to go get bombs like he used to. He'll be a distraction who raises expectations to unrealistic levels, and he'll disappoint. I promise you, he'll disappoint.

So figure out something else, Jacksonville. For heaven's sake, don't listen to Mike Tice (a.k.a., The Meathead). He's still got the dysfunctional taint of Minnesota all over him. Randy Moss will tear open your organization and rip out its heart. Then he'll make Inta Juice out of it.

Ohio St. and Wisconsin are ranked #1 and #2, and played a classic Sunday afternoon. Do you think they're the best two teams in college basketball?

BoDog Bookmakers, BoDog.com : Ohio State has done everything it can to claim the top spot. Last weekend's win over Wisconsin in Columbus was the Buckeyes' 13th in a row. But let's not forget that their last loss was to Wisconsin in Madison. So who's to say for certain which team is better? It's also important to note that both those teams have played relatively easy schedules compared to, say, UCLA or North Carolina. An undisputed number-one team simply doesn't exist right now.

Have you been bowled over by the stories of Calvin Johnson, who is 6'5", 239 lbs., running between a 4.31 and 4.35 40-yard time at the NFL combine? Do you think he winds up being the first overall player chosen (even if it means Oakland trading the pick)?

BDB, BoDog.com : Johnson is the real deal. He put up remarkable numbers at Georgia Tech despite playing with mediocre QB Reggie Ball. Johnson broke the Yellow Jackets' single-season record with 15 TD catches. He also won the Fred Biletnikoff award as the nation's top receiver. But if NFL Draft history has taught us anything, it's that wide receivers rarely go No. 1 overall. Since the inaugural college draft in 1936, only two wideouts -- Irving Fryar in 1984 and Keyshawn Johnson in 1996 -- have been taken with the first pick. The Raiders have a pressing need at QB with the release of Aaron Brooks, so it would be a huge shock if they didn't go after either JaMarcus Russell or Brady Quinn with the number one. Johnson looks to be a great fit in Tampa Bay at the #4 spot, as the Buccaneers are desperate for a playmaking WR.

What do you think of the Dwyane Wade injury? Do you expect him to wind up having shoulder surgery, or could he still come back and help the Heat? Does Miami make the playoffs without him?

BDB, BoDog.com : Although the Heat could make the playoffs without him, the chances of Dwyane Wade being ready for another title run seem next to nothing. Doctors have specified that vigorous rehab could have him ready with about 10 regular season games remaining, but it would be foolish for Pat Riley and the Heat to expect Wade to carry the load on offense when he does come back. Therefore, expect Wade to make the long-term choice and opt for season-ending surgery, killing the Heat's chances at another NBA title.

How about a little hockey. Do you think the Nashville Predators will win it all now that they've made the incredibly bold move of trading for Peter Forsberg?

BDB, BoDog.com : The Predators certainly got better on paper with the addition of Forsberg, but they still aren't the favorites to win the Stanley Cup in the Bodog Sportsbook. Buffalo is at 7/2, Detroit is at 4/1, followed by Nashville at 6/1. The Preds have actually struggled of late, losing seven of their last 13 games. Forsberg has also been held scoreless in four of five games since being acquired from Philadelphia.