TBC Breaking News: Randy Moss Retires

This just in off the wire: wide receiver Randy Moss (pictured at left) has decided to retire from professional football, according to the always reliable Adam Schefter (so if things turn out otherwise, you can go ahead and blame him). If this is actually the case, it marks the end of one of the most spectacular and drama-filled careers for a wide receiver in NFL history. Moss, 34, played 13 seasons in the NFL, caught 954 passes for 14,858 yards and 153 touchdowns. He holds the NFL single season touchdown reception record (23, set in 2007), and the NFL single-season touchdown reception record for a rookie (17, in 1998). And his personality and outspokenness were just as big as the numbers he put up, often to the detriment of his team. During the last game of the 2004 season, Moss walked off the field and into the locker room with two seconds remaining on the clock; he was widely criticized for quitting on his team, although he later stated that he felt as though the game was essentially over because he did not believe the Vikings would recover the onside kick. Then there was the infamous mooning incident at Lambeau Field in the 2004-2005 playoffs, for which he was fined $10,000 by the NFL. (In our view, the reaction by Joe Buck in the video clip was more of a disgrace than the actual incident itself.) Later that year, in an August 2005 interview with Bryant Gumbel, Moss admitted that he had smoked marijuana during his NFL career “every blue moon.” This comment drew widespread criticism from throughout the league, although Moss was not disciplined by the NFL. To say the least, Moss was one of the most entertaining receivers on and off the field throughout his NFL career. While it would not be at all surprising if he makes a comeback at some point during this season, for now, Randy Moss won’t be signing any more NFL contracts and will be instead paying his way through life with nothin’ but straight cash, homey.

2nd and 10

The NFL free agency/trade/roster adjustment frenzy continues. Adam Schefter still hasn’t slept. Manish Mehta is now being followed by every Jets fan on Twitter. And Andrew Brandt still hasn’t gone back into hibernation (we’re over you, Andrew). Best of all, though? Barney is back with 10 quick points to recap and prognosticate on all of Wednesday’s NFL action, and tell you why he couldn’t be more excited about the upcoming season for a certain New York football team. Read more of this post

1st and 10

After 132 days, the NFL lockout is finally over. Everyone who thought that Sunday was about to officially become the worst day of the week can exhale. And in related news, Adam Schefter is beginning his 96-hour bender to make sure everyone stays informed of everything that is happening in the NFL world.  Here at the Bleacher Creatures, we have better things to do then deprive ourselves of sleep and BBM all day with our “sources”, but we still want to make sure all our dedicated readers stay informed of what exactly is transpiring in regards to free agency, trades, players being cut, and the like. Barney is here to give you 10 quick updates about all of today’s NFL action.  Read more of this post

TBC Breaking News: Lockout Lifted?

Not an hour ago NFL owners voted to approved the new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the NFL Players Association, putting the potential end to the 128 day labor struggle in the hands of the players. The owners voted 31-0, with only the Oakland Raiders abstaining. In related news, it remains to be seen whether Al Davis is still alive. Anyone? Nonetheless, it appears as though we are finally on the bring of having football again (and the country collectively exhales). The owners have notified the players that the deal is contingent on the players “recertifying” as a union, and resolving all union-related matters. Each of the 32 teams player representatives will be on a conference call with union officials and lawyers tonight at 8PM EST to decide whether or not to accept the agreement the owners have approved. They also will discuss how to go about reconstituting the player union, which was disbanded when the lockout began in March. All 1,900 players have to vote on the recertification issue, with a 51% majority needed to officially reconstitute the union. This is expected to be the biggest hurdle left in the process of having football return. If all goes according to plan, the new league year is expected to officially begin next Wednesday, with free agency starting on that day and training camp beginning on August 1st. The August 7th Hall of Fame game has already been cancelled, as both the Chicago Bears and St. Louis Rams simply do not have adequate time to prepare for the game. All other games are expected to be played, pending the issues with the players union being ironed out. As we here at the Creatures like to say, more to play…

Update (7:59PM): Sports Business Journal’s Liz Mullen just tweeted the following: “Breaking–NFLPA’s De Smith says Players did not agree to terms passed by NFL owners today, in letter Smith just sent to Players” WOW!

Update (8:15PM): The following is the email sent from NFLPA Executive Chairman DeMaurice Smith to the players: “As you know the Owners have ratified their proposal to settle our differences. It is my understanding they are forwarding it to us. As you may have heard, they apparently approved a suplemental revenue sharing proposal. Obviously, we have not been a part of those discussions. As you know from yesterday, issues that need to be collectively bargained remain open…Other issues such as workers compensation, economic issues and end of deal terms remain unsolved. There is no agreement between the NFL and the Players at this time. I look forward to our call tonight.”

Update (10:00PM): The players DID NOT vote on a deal tonight. The reason being the players felt as thought the owners were trying to slip things into the deal that they had not previously agreed upon. The celebratory mood that was a result of the owners ratifying the deal quickly turned into a more surreal mood when NFLPA Exec. Director DeMaurice Smith sent an email to players saying there was no agreement in place between the NFL and the players. Saints fullback Heath Evans tweeted: “Here is what the ‘Real’ fans need to know: The owners tried to slip many things in to the CBA “they” voted on that were NEVER agreed to!#PRPlay,” This is a sentiment shared by many players around the league. It will be interesting to see whether the players and owners can get past tonight’s issues and continue negotiating. If all the major players step up, it shouldn’t be hard to hammer out the remaining issues. But it may take a bit longer than many fans, players, and owners expected and wanted. The players are expected to vote on a deal on Friday, according to ESPN.com’s Chris Mortensen.