The War Within Randy Moss - Keith Allison from Baltimore, USA Photo

SPORTS NOTES - RANDY MOSS.... SILK PURSE or SOWS EAR?

James Loving/National Radio Text Service

His talent is unquestionable he's a great player. Moss 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). Talent is not the problem, it's the 33-year-old veteran's attitude and ego and if it needs to be adjusted - FIFA TOP 10

Saturday November 13, 2010

The War Within Randy Moss

It goes without saying that if you don't play buy the rules you pay the price usually in the way of a fine when it comes to not obeying league requirements for players and the coaching staff to talk to the press after games. Now Tennessee Titan receiver Randy Moss was fined $25,000 earlier in the season for doing just that when he was with the New England Patriots. He was traded to the Minnesota Vikings after the Patriots fourth game of the season against the Miami Dolphins when for the first time in his Patriots career he failed to register a reception.

It was a return to the team that signed him as a rookie and the fifth team he has played for in his 13 season NFL career which includes stints with the Minnesota Vikings (1998-2004), Oakland Raiders (2005-2006), New England Patriots (2007-2010), Minnesota Vikings (2010) and now the Tennessee Titans (2010). His value has diminished as he was traded in exchange for the Vikings' third-round selection in the 2011 NFL Draft. The Patriots also sent a 2012 seventh-round selection to the Vikings as part of the trade.

His talent is unquestionable he's a great player. Moss 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 averages 11.769 touchdown receptions per season including five this season. Talent is not the problem, it's the 33-year-old veteran's attitude and ego and if it needs to be adjusted.

During the last game of the 2004 regular season against the Washington Redskins and with two seconds remaining on the game clock, Moss walked off the field and into the locker room; critics criticized Moss for quitting on his team. Moss stated afterward that he didn't think Minnesota, who ended up losing 21-18 to Washington, would recover the onside kick. On January 9, 2005, the Minnesota Vikings traveled to division rival Green Bay to take on the heavily favored Packers in an NFC wildcard playoff game. Moss finished the game with 4 catches for 70 yards and two touchdowns in the 31-17 win.

After the second score, Moss trotted to the end zone goalpost and, facing away from the crowd, feigned pulling down his pants to moon the Green Bay fans. TV announcer Joe Buck, calling the game, was incensed, calling it "a disgusting act" on-air. Days later, the NFL fined him $10,000, finding it "unsportsmanlike" and "offensive" during the playoffs. However, then-Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy, the former Vikings defensive coordinator, explained Moss' action by pointing out that Packers fans are infamous for actually mooning the buses of departing opponents after a loss, unlike Moss' fully-clothed imitation.

On November 14, 2006, Moss was honored for his success in college as a kick returner by having an award named after him, becoming only one of two black athletes (along with John Mackey) so honored. During the press conference, Moss responded to questions about his dropped passes and lackluster effort in several games, saying "Maybe because I'm unhappy and I'm not too much excited about what's going on, so, my concentration and focus level tend to go down sometimes when I'm in a bad mood." Days later, he reiterated his unhappiness with losing games and being a member of the Raiders on his weekly segment with Fox Sports Radio, saying, "I might want to look forward to moving somewhere else next year to have another start and really feel good about going out here and playing football."

Part 2 - THE CONTINUED DECLINE OF RANDY MOSS

Spain's Iker Casillas - FIFA photo

FIFA TOP 10 - Croatia and Russia climb into top ten

Spain and the Netherlands, the two World Cup finalists, continue to lead the way at the top - Several teams have made incredible climbs of at least 20 places over the last month, including Guinea (47th, up 34), Armenia (60th, up 45), Libya (81st, up 26), Guyana (98th, up 22) and Niger (100th, up 54). The Central African Republic (112th) have even jumped 60 places

Spain and the Netherlands , the two World Cup finalists, continue to lead the way at the top of the FIFA World Ranking. Brazil (3rd) and Germany (4th) have traded places just behind them, whereas both Croatia (9th) and Russia (10th) have climbed into the top ten on the back of victories in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifiers. The races to qualify for the AFC and CONCACAF continental championships are now also under way, which means that there is significant movement in this edition of the world ranking.

A total of nine teams are currently in their highest-ever position in the history of the world ranking: Slovenia (15th), Burkina Faso (37th), Belarus (42nd), Armenia (60th), Botswana (79th), Azerbaijan (91st), the Central African Republic (112th) and the Philippines (152nd), as well as Montenegro (26th), who have continued their ascent and once again grabbed the headlines by defeating Switzerland and drawing with England.

Several teams have made incredible climbs of at least 20 places over the last month, including Guinea (47th, up 34), Armenia (60th, up 45), Libya (81st, up 26), Guyana (98th, up 22) and Niger (100th, up 54). The Central African Republic (112th) have even jumped 60 places after emerging from a three-and-a-half-year absence that had seen them rooted to the foot of the ranking with no points to their name just two months ago. They marked their return to international football with victory over Algeria .

A total of 156 “A” international matches – 80 continental qualifiers and 76 friendly matches – have been taken into account for the October edition of the world ranking, which brings the total number of matches evaluated in 2010 to 641.

Summary

· Leader Spain (unchanged)

· Moves into top 10 Croatia (9th, up 2), Russia (10th, up 15)

· Moves out of top 10 Egypt (11th, down 2) Chile (14th, down 4)

· Matches played in total 156

· Most matches played Iraq , Kuwait , St. Vincent and the Grenadines (6 games each)

· Biggest move by points Armenia (up 241 points)

· Biggest move by ranks Central African Republic (112th, up 60)

· Biggest drop by points Bolivia (down 267 points)

· Biggest drop by ranks Bolivia (100th, down 50)

· Newly ranked teams none

· Teams that are no longer ranked none

· Inactive teams, not ranked São Tomé e Principe

FIFA TOP 10 for October, 2010

Rank -- Team -- Points

1. Spain - 1881

2. Netherlands - 1683

3. Brazil - 1493

4. Germany - 1481

5. Argentina - 1320

6. England - 1205

7. Uruguay - 1167

8. Portugal - 1123

9. Croatia - 1086

10. Russia - 1061

The next edition of the FIFA World Ranking will be published on November 17, 2010.

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