NFL notes: Minnesota Vikings crave Moss
The New England Patriots and the Vikings are discussing a trade that would bring star receiver Randy Moss back to Minnesota.
A league source spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday night because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the negotiations.
The seven-time Pro Bowler was a first-round draft pick of the Vikings in 1998 and spent his first seven seasons in the NFL with Minnesota.
Moss was traded to Oakland in 2005 and languished for two years before being revitalized in New England.
Moss set an NFL record with 23 touchdown receptions in 2007. But he has said several times this year that he expected 2010 to be his last season with the Patriots.
Moss caught 98 passes for 1,493 yards in his first season with New England in 2007. He had 69 catches for 1,008 yards and 11 TDs in 2008, when Tom Brady suffered a season-ending knee injury early in the year and came back with 83 catches for 1,264 yards and 13 scores last season.
Smith: Owners ready for NFL-free 2011
NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith sees new signs that owners are preparing for a football-free 2011.
With support from Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, he asked fans to take the players’ side.
Speaking at a tailgate-style fan luncheon a few blocks from Lambeau Field, Smith referred to a recent Sports Business Journal report that said the NFL is requiring banks that lend money to its teams to extend grace periods for loan defaults through the end of the 2011 season in the event of a lockout.
“That to me is a step where the owners are protecting themselves in the event that there is no season,” Smith said.
The prime-time meltdown by the Miami Dolphins’ special teams cost an assistant coach his job. Only 12 hours after a calamitous 41-14 performance against the New England Patriots, the Dolphins fired special teams coordinator John Bonamego. … Linebacker Robert James, who was suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy, was waived by the Atlanta Falcons. … The Colts lost safety Melvin Bullitt for the rest of the season with a right shoulder injury. He is scheduled to have surgery and will be placed on injured reserve. … The Tennessee Titans placed top draft pick Derrick Morgan on injured reserve (torn left anterior cruciate ligament) and replaced the defensive end with defensive tackle Amon Gordon. … Chicago terminated the contract of defensive end Mark Anderson, who four years ago made a rookie club-record 12 sacks. … Running back Clinton Portis said he doesn’t think his injured groin will allow him to play in the Washington Redskins’ game this week against Green Bay. … Carolina Panthers receiver Dwayne Jarrett was arrested on a charge of driving while impaired for the second time in less than three years, authorities said.