Randy Moss Claimed by Titans; Vikings Regret Trade

One day Randy Moss was a Viking. The next, a Titan.

The talented but troubled wide receiver was claimed off waivers by Tennessee, one day after being cut by Minnesota, reports ESPN.

"Timing is everything," Titans coach Jeff Fisher said in an interview with the Associated Press. "I really think the quicker we get him on the field, the longer he's here, the more productive he'll be. We think he can help us, and I'm looking forward to seeing him run under those deep balls."

The addition of Moss comes at a fortuitous time for Tennessee. The Titans are banged up, with leading receiver Kenny Britt ailing from a injured hamstring after a loss to the San Diego Chargers. The team enters their bye week with the opportunity to get healthy and for Moss to get some reps with quarterbacks Vince Young and Kerry Collins before hitting the field in a live game situation. Tennessee, 5-3, is currently a game back of the AFC South leading Indianapolis Colts.

Collins, who played with Moss for the Oakland Raiders, said that Moss' reputation as a problem child is overhyped.

"He was a professional, respectful, he was a team guy," Collins said. "I think a lot of the stuff that you see and hear gets overblown. The guy speaks his mind. He's very truthful with what he says and that doesn't always play well. He was a great teammate."

Moss is set to report on Sunday evening to the Titans, who were 22nd in waiver claim order. They were the only team to put in a claim on the player.

Chris Johnson, the Titans dynamic running back, also welcomed Moss' arrival.

"You can't put eight in the box if you got Randy Moss out there on the outside. If you've got Randy Moss out there, you just can't play him one-on-one," he said. "I feel like Randy would be a great addition to this team, be a great addition to our receiving corp and really help us go deep in the playoffs."

Moss landing with the Titans is the fulfillment of a "what if?" scenario for the franchise, which passed on selecting the star player out of college in 1998 due to concerns over character issues. The Titans, then the Oilers, selected another wide receiver, Kevin Dyson, with the 16th pick in that year's draft.

But if the team that landed Moss' services is feeling lucky, the team that traded for him has been left with a bitter taste in its mouth.

Vikings head coach Brad Childress called the move to send a third-round draft pick to the New England Patriots for number 84 a "poor decision."

"I've got to stand up and I have to make it right. When it's not right, you need to make it right," he said of the decision to waive the player, a move that was met with raised eyebrows in both the Vikings locker room and around the league.

Vikings quarterback Brett Favre said that the team was "a little bit shocked" upon hearing the news, but added that things would go on, whatever the difficulties between Childress and Moss.

"Good teams are the teams that can overcome adversity, work well together," he said. "Having a good working relationship doesn't mean you have to like each other. That goes for any phase of business or sports."

Selected Reading: ESPN, Fox Sports, CNNSI

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