BY BILL WILLIAMSON AND SEAN JENSEN, Pioneer Press
The Vikings and Dolphins have discussed a trade that would send Randy Moss to Miami for a package that could include some combination of defensive end Adewale Ogunleye, cornerback Sam Madison, receiver Chris Chambers and draft picks.
According to sources close to the talks, the deal was discussed within the past few days, but there is no indication when or if either team will continue pursuing the deal.
Sources told the Pioneer Press and the Miami Herald that the Vikings initiated the talks. Vikings director of football operations Rob Brzezinski would not comment on whether the Vikings made the first call but did say the Vikings have received inquiries about Moss.
When asked Monday whether the Vikings were shopping their star receiver, Brzezinski said, "Randy Moss is not for sale."
Moss caught 111 passes for 1,632 yards and 17 touchdowns last season. He signed an eight-year, $75 million contract that included a then-record $18 million signing bonus in July 2001. The contract does not include a no-trade clause.
Moss was unavailable for comment.
It likely would require one of the biggest trades in league history to pry Moss from the Vikings, who consider him the best player in the NFL, but the Dolphins are no strangers to blockbuster deals. They sent two No. 1 draft picks to New Orleans to acquire running back Ricky Williams prior to the 2002 season.
Ogunleye, a restricted free agent, led the Dolphins with 15 sacks last season. Chambers led the team with 64 catches and 11 touchdown receptions. Madison had 50 tackles and three interceptions, one he returned for a touchdown. The Dolphins have the 20th pick in the April 24 draft; the Vikings pick 19th.
Coach Mike Tice said he knew nothing about trade talks for Moss.
"It's ridiculous," Tice said. "There has been so much talk about Randy. Randy's under contract. He can't go anywhere unless we want him to go somewhere."
While major NFL trades are complicated and fairly rare, the Vikings' salary-cap flexibility would help lessen the complication. They are $33.33 million under the cap — the most room in the NFL.
Vikings owner Red McCombs did not return a phone call Tuesday.
The Vikings and Dolphins have discussed a trade that would send Randy Moss to Miami for a package that could include some combination of defensive end Adewale Ogunleye, cornerback Sam Madison, receiver Chris Chambers and draft picks.
According to sources close to the talks, the deal was discussed within the past few days, but there is no indication when or if either team will continue pursuing the deal.
Sources told the Pioneer Press and the Miami Herald that the Vikings initiated the talks. Vikings director of football operations Rob Brzezinski would not comment on whether the Vikings made the first call but did say the Vikings have received inquiries about Moss.
When asked Monday whether the Vikings were shopping their star receiver, Brzezinski said, "Randy Moss is not for sale."
Moss caught 111 passes for 1,632 yards and 17 touchdowns last season. He signed an eight-year, $75 million contract that included a then-record $18 million signing bonus in July 2001. The contract does not include a no-trade clause.
Moss was unavailable for comment.
It likely would require one of the biggest trades in league history to pry Moss from the Vikings, who consider him the best player in the NFL, but the Dolphins are no strangers to blockbuster deals. They sent two No. 1 draft picks to New Orleans to acquire running back Ricky Williams prior to the 2002 season.
Ogunleye, a restricted free agent, led the Dolphins with 15 sacks last season. Chambers led the team with 64 catches and 11 touchdown receptions. Madison had 50 tackles and three interceptions, one he returned for a touchdown. The Dolphins have the 20th pick in the April 24 draft; the Vikings pick 19th.
Coach Mike Tice said he knew nothing about trade talks for Moss.
"It's ridiculous," Tice said. "There has been so much talk about Randy. Randy's under contract. He can't go anywhere unless we want him to go somewhere."
While major NFL trades are complicated and fairly rare, the Vikings' salary-cap flexibility would help lessen the complication. They are $33.33 million under the cap — the most room in the NFL.
Vikings owner Red McCombs did not return a phone call Tuesday.
Comment