
Randy Moss making a reception over Falcons CB Christopher Owens. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com
Randy Moss has been to Flowery Branch before. In August of 2010, Moss practiced at the Branch with the New England Patriots in a joint-practice.
Even though he was a jerk and didn’t want to speak to the media, we probably should not hold that against him. Not so sure about this given the Falcons penchant to steer clear of “challenged souls,” but it could’t hurt to do some due diligence.
I can’t get this three-wide lineup out of my head. Roddy White to the left, Julio Jones to the right and Moss slotted on either side or in motion from one side to the other.

Patriots QB Tom Brady chats with Falcons QB Matt Ryan before Tuesday's morning practice between the teams in Flowery Branch. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com
Then you think about the four-receiver lineup with Roddy, Randy, Julio and Tony Gonzalez. Wow, who’s going to stop that?
Five wides – Roddy, Randy, Juilio, Tony G and Harry Douglas or Eric Weems (Both are prospective free agents.)
Wide receivers coach Terry Robiskie is a strong and forceful coach. He certainly could firmly manage Moss.
And heck, if Moss becomes a problem, send him to Harsfield-Jackson in the black mini-van with a one-way ticket back to West Virginia.
The Falcons have to at least give my man Joel Segal (Moss’ agent) a call.
Here’s the ESPN story on Moss saying he wants to return to the NFL.
He’s even been endorsed by New England quarterback Tom Brady! (I don’t know where Giselle Brady stands on this development. I have to think that she’s all for receivers who catch her husband’s passes.)
Moss abruptly retired on Aug. 1 with a one-sentence statement from his agent, Joel Segal. But the ink had scarcely dried on the stories listing his career accomplishments — 954 receptions for 14,858 yards and 153 touchdowns over 13 seasons — when reports began to surface that Moss would be willing to return if the right situation presented itself. Tom Brady, with whom he connected for a single-season record 23 touchdowns for the Patriots in 2007, even said he’d welcome Moss back to New England.
Your thoughts?
Be nice, now!
Tweet
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
225 comments Add your comment
Joshua Malavenda
February 14th, 2012
4:09 pm
heres a article about hinesward: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/twould-shame-hines-ward-didn-t-retire-steeler-230616500.html
Joshua Malavenda
February 14th, 2012
4:09 pm
I think it would be great for him to retire in his hometown
keyser soze
February 14th, 2012
4:12 pm
Hines Ward all day, Randy Moss no way! Sorry DLed, but with regards to your earlier comment regarding Moss having matured at the age of 35, you just don’t outgrow crazy.
Falconer
February 14th, 2012
4:13 pm
Did the 2 live stews come up with this brilliant idea dol?
Slick
February 14th, 2012
4:13 pm
Our QB (Matt Ryan) can’t get the ball pass the 50 yards line.
Agent009
February 14th, 2012
4:18 pm
This is awesome!!! Now if we could add a courageous, strong armed quarterback to the equation.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
February 14th, 2012
4:19 pm
Slick — Yes he can. Stop it!
WestGa Falcon
February 14th, 2012
4:20 pm
I agree with “Slick”. It will not matter who the receivers are if Matt doesn’t gain the confidence to throw the long ball. He’s scared to throw it and let our guys go get it. They have the talent to do it. He needs them wide open and that just doesn’t happen in the NFL unless you’re playing the Falcons…
D. Orlando Ledbetter
February 14th, 2012
4:21 pm
Falconer — I have to take full credit for this. My editor did send me an email that said “blog fodder?” And usuallly when that happens, it’s a good thing to come up with a blog.
Eastside
February 14th, 2012
4:22 pm
Would be a great line up BUT #1 line wouldn’t protect long enough to throw the deep pass. # 2 if the line held up long enough the QB arm is to weak to throw deep. #3 He is a Diva and the falcons want take any basket cases. #4 I wouldn’t want a persons that gives up.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
February 14th, 2012
4:22 pm
Stirg d’Nahsif — Stop it with the dread locs stuff. What does that mean?
D. Orlando Ledbetter
February 14th, 2012
4:23 pm
Just sayin. . .. – You need to stop. Ice can throw deep if he’s not laying on his butt.
Just Sayin.....
February 14th, 2012
4:24 pm
What evidence do you guys have that Randy Moss has lost his break away speed? According to Chris Carter on ESPN, Randy Moss still runs a 4.3 in the 40. In the combine Julio ran a 4.4 in the 40 and he is the faster player on the team.
Secondly, Randy Moss is 6′4 and has a 43″ vertical so he doesn’t need that blazing speed because he would win most jump balls.
The question is not whether the Falcons should give him a shot the question should be why would he come out of retirement to play for a team that just lost their offensive coordinator, player personnel boss and an 0-3 record in the playoffs.
Just sayin…..
e Large
February 14th, 2012
4:25 pm
…………..bad idea, D-Led, Stay away from rutabaga flavored ice cream, and stay away from problem child receivers.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
February 14th, 2012
4:25 pm
hiramsaint – Ice is fine. You are tripping . . . again.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
February 14th, 2012
4:26 pm
Sid — See above re: email.
Just Sayin.....
February 14th, 2012
4:27 pm
On a side note: The Ravens stated they are working on a new contract for Flacco.
JK
February 14th, 2012
4:29 pm
NOOOOOOOOO. Way.
FalconJim
February 14th, 2012
4:33 pm
D Led, are you kidding? Why would we want that “cancer” in our locker room???
Besides, when Rowdy Roddy wasn’t the “big man on campus” anymore (after we got Julio), he got his wittle feelins hurt. Oh, he tried to act all glad about it and stuff, but you could tell he was steaming inside about it. And it actually hurt his play, if you ask me. So, what would happen if we brought Moss in here? It’d just be over…..we might as well go ahead and trade White…..he’d be crying himself to sleep every night…..Haha!
Stolies7
February 14th, 2012
4:38 pm
Hines Ward would be a better addition with his leadership and championship experience, plus local Georgia ties, than Randy Moss.
Falcon James
February 14th, 2012
4:39 pm
Since we talking about Moss. I have a few other we should look at as well
Andre Johnson
Peyton Hillis
Chris Johnson
Josh Freeman (to start for Ryan)
Just Sayin.....
February 14th, 2012
4:42 pm
@Falcon James
Freeman for Ryan……interesting.
True Falcon
February 14th, 2012
4:43 pm
I remember everyone was excited about the possibilities with Roddy and Julio. Matt Ryan killed those dreams and will kill any dream that consist of an explosive passing game.
Falconer
February 14th, 2012
4:43 pm
DOL You got no love for Hines Ward?
ATL Fan
February 14th, 2012
4:54 pm
Ryan has made deep passes and will continue to. It will be interesting how the new OC will work with him.
Me Too
February 14th, 2012
5:02 pm
DLed,
We would still run Michael Turner up the middle on first and second downs. It’s not who we have but the plays that are called.
Falcons4life
February 14th, 2012
5:14 pm
even if we did have moss, by the time he was down field ryan would be on his back because of the line
pawatl
February 14th, 2012
5:24 pm
no wayyyy!!!!!!! If I was the gm I WOULD ACTUALLY CUT OR TRADE RODDY,TURNER, andOVIE and take the 13million plus and add it to the26 millon in cap space and land DE Willams or or Mathis, and OG Nicks. I would also look at top free agent NT that is famillar with the new d coorninator, hint,hint , miami!Would try to resign MLB Loffton,RB Snelling,WR douglas, and DE Beirman for the eventual 3-4 scheme.If you could work CB grimes with space it would be great, but he’s probably a goner.Use the draft to sulitify the rest of the weaknesses and add depth to RB , OL, and d backfield. I would let Abe and Weems walk. REsign Sanders or Decloud for the right price, Put douglas outside and stick WR Cone in the slot, Also resign CB Hayden if Grimes is gone, to be inssurance for Franks and Owens
Steve
February 14th, 2012
5:25 pm
d led – thoughts on roddy ripping commish about his pay??????
Najeh Davenpoop
February 14th, 2012
5:26 pm
“There’s this little thing called the FIRST AMENDMENT! (only hate speech folks get banned)”
You threatened to ban me on this blog once for quoting Tupac. You block all posts that contain #7’s name.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 14th, 2012
5:27 pm
JJM I noticed that post from you right after I posted mine.
pawatl
February 14th, 2012
5:28 pm
o yeah almost forgot Jerry your a gonner too, maybe keep Baker one more year to and depth at LT
Najeh Davenpoop
February 14th, 2012
5:29 pm
One problem with a Roddy-Julio-Randy lineup (aside from Matt Ryan’s inability to throw deep passes) is that none of them is ideally equipped to be a slot receiver. The ideal slot receiver is a precise route runner with good change-of-direction skills, and usually the smaller the better. All three of those receivers are big receivers who are better at playing on the outside.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 14th, 2012
5:33 pm
” I assume you’re referring to Matt Ryan’s arm strength. No, he doesn’t have the strongest arm in the league, but neither does Drew Brees. Brees’s strength is his accuracy.”
Brees may not have Aaron Rodgers’ arm, but he has enough arm strength to fit the ball between good defensive backs playing zone. Ryan tried to complete a 3rd and long to Roddy White in that game against the Giants, and a ball thrown with some zip would have gotten to Roddy, but Ryan’s pass was too slow and got batted down by the DB. It’s not just deep balls that are the problem. He is a very accurate passer on passes within 15 yards or so, but he doesn’t have the arm strength to throw any deeper with any consistency.
What he really needs is a Wes Welker type playing in the slot who can get open underneath, and for Tony Gonzalez to play another ten years.
pawatl
February 14th, 2012
5:40 pm
This will hopefully be the the year that we see if matt ryan is our long term QB. He has to prove his accuracy deep, like he did year 1 and 2, It might be scheme,might be O-line but some of the last 2 seasons Qb play fall on ryan when it comes to deep throws.
Falcons would be wise to pass on Randy Moss | Falcons Focus – Atlanta Falcons Blog, Opinion and Analysis
February 14th, 2012
6:21 pm
[...] Some people have gotten swept up in Moss’ announcement that he’s making a comeback at age 35. He wants to play football again and is apparently ready to make his services available for the 2012 season. [...]
Big Ray
February 14th, 2012
6:29 pm
Two things:
1) Robiskie has enough to do with Roddy White and his case of “oopsie dropsies”.
2) 50 Pro Bowl wideouts won’t make up for a suspect OL. Do the right thing here….
SCFalcon
February 14th, 2012
6:50 pm
Unstoppable until the one big wheel decided to fall off the tricycle…………..
Mikefalcon63
February 14th, 2012
7:25 pm
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I would rather have TO. At least TO is not known as a quitter in the middle of games. He may be a cancer, but Moss is a cancer and a quitter.
Joe Tess Fish House
February 14th, 2012
7:28 pm
U no i came up with this idea yearts ago 4 the Flacons 2 get Moss and U all laffed at me. U 2 Mr Ledbeter!
Now who is laffing?
Laughing out LOUD
February 14th, 2012
9:21 pm
In a word, NO! Falcons should not waste their time and money with Randy Moss, a”has been” or a “wantabee.”
Chucktown38
February 14th, 2012
9:42 pm
Who is going to throw the ball took them? Matt can only throw at the ball about 43 yards/
Jon
February 14th, 2012
9:58 pm
Sounds great on paper and Madden 12. One problem, Matty Melt can’t throw down field and in stride. Stick to what is working. 3-5 yard passes to Tony G..
Phalcon Phil
February 14th, 2012
10:16 pm
I wonder who we draft at qb in 2013 when it finally becomes painfully obvious to even the biggest ryanettes that this dude is just not that great.
Z-ro the crooked
February 14th, 2012
10:45 pm
Enter your comments here
Z-ro the crooked
February 14th, 2012
10:47 pm
i dont care how many you get Matt Ryan cant throw a tantrum all we could hope for is a bunch of quick slants…hopefully we’ll throw a few screens this year!
mrzizzle
February 14th, 2012
11:04 pm
Moss is an interesting thought. He would not be asked to do too much. Kinda like Plaxico on the Jets. I figure bring him in for a workout with the offense and if it does not work out, cut him.
screg
February 15th, 2012
2:16 am
this has nothing to do with it but roddy white adressed roger godells salary and took some heat for it. now he’s right though, players make the game not the commisioner. and the fans dont make it either. without the players what would you be a fan of? and while players are over paid to play a game id play for free…godell is getting paid 10 million to 20 million a year from now to 2019 to destroy the game of football. its not fun watching offense vs defenders who arent aloud to defend. we used to love the game for the big hits from guys over the middle like dawkins, lewis, etc…. those were called big hitters and good plays. now its called a 50,000 fine. yeah drew brees and brady broke dan marinos record….with the help of godell. magically every qb can throw for 4000+ yards now? the game is garbage now. thanks to godell.
Gritsfalcon
February 15th, 2012
3:01 am
I really respect a man who thinks! I appreciate the article DLED. But, no thanks, on Moss!!! Frankly I think Julio is going to be a SuperSTUD in this league. I don’t think it would be a good idea to have Moss as a “role model.” Besideds I hope we resign Harry Douglas. I think next year will be a breakout year for him!!
Mora less Petrino
February 15th, 2012
4:14 am
When your team has experienced DA’s like Jeff George, Jim Mora, Petrino, Ron Mexico, and Deangelo Hall, you hopefully have learned to steer clear of guys like Moss. Black dots are a good thing. Let’s keep the drama on the field, not off of it.