DAYUMN

Considering some of the things the media said about him while he was here (this means you, Scat Fouler), it was clear that they had something against him, but I could never figure out what. Given how everyone else seems to think of him, I blame that entirely on the media.

 

I'm a Moose fan, probably always will be, but I agree with the essential arguments of the article: Moose left for Chicago more for the playing than for the money. I remember reading an article from a Chicago rag where he said that he wanted to go somewhere he was going to be the #1 receiver. There's nothing wrong with that. The team had invested big time in Smitty, though the may be something to the speculation that Hurney and Co. were trying to secure some insurance in case Smitty did not return to form after the ankle injury.

I wonder how much Smitty and Moose talked last year, with Moose posting the big numbers and Smitty rehabing. Did Moose see or sense Smitty's attitude maturing? Did he see other things with Smith that made him believe Smith would have a strong return? Or did he just have a general sense of the writing on the wall? Either way he killed two birds with one stone. He secured likely the last big contract of his career and he still gets to play as the "go-to" WR, albiet with a mediocre pass offense (oh the irony, leaving a Fox-coached team, and his new team is much more run-oriented this year than the Panthers).

I'm curious to hear from some of you salary cap gurus, what do you guys think of the argument that the Panthers would not have signed both Wahle and Lucas if Moose were re-signed?

 

Hey, it's an everybody wins situation. I doubt we would be 7-2 without Lucas, and I'm pretty sure Chicago would be below .500 without Moose.

This is stupid. It was probably unnecessary on Mushin's part, but a little light-hearted sarcasm never hurt anybody. Good lord, I can't believe he actually included this as evidence of anything. Not your finest work, Darin.

Well, he did play second fiddle for most of 2003, and never seemed to complain about it. Terrell Owens has a considerable ego. Moose probably thinks highly of himself, but that's true for the majority of people who make it to the top of their profession.

Star wide recievers who aren't self assured are about as common as black guys named Arthur.

 

You mean like Art Monk?

 

It will be fun to watch Lucas shut him down.

Moose was good while he was here, made some big plays. He also made a lot of mental mistakes. If you want to win in the NFL you cant commit the dollars he wanted to a 32 yr old receiver.

 

Yes, because they're gonna be trying to get it to him, Lucas or no Lucas. I think Luke will have a big day.

In the Bears' case it may have been somewhat understandable b/c they needed a vet like him for leadership in the WR corp, or felt they did.

 

Doesn't this whole "good soldier" theory for why they made the offer pretty much contradict the rest of his article?

 

Or Arthur Ashe.

Yeah, I was reaching a bit, but probably should have come up with a better analogy than that. I was thinking more along the lines of my early 20's age bracket.

 

Agreed. Given a choice between Moose in his prime for maybe 2 more years or Wahle and Lucas for 3-5 years I'll take the later every day

 

Muhammad's certainly not the first FA to leave, and certainly not the last. Getting closer to home, close to his mother, getting paid, and being the #1 option were important. When it comes down to it, free agency should be somewhat selfish. I can't fault him for any of it. More often, the ones who do, faulted him every step of the way.