A story in Tuesday's edition of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Green Bay Packers brass would meet and general manager Ted Thompson would present an outline on how to acquire Raiders wide receiver Randy Moss via trade.
It was reported, citing anonymous sources, Thompson had spoken directly with Raiders owner Al Davis and that Packers negotiator Andrew Brandt had begun preliminary talks to restructure Moss' contract.
Moss is due $9.75 million in base salary in 2007 and $11.25 million in base salary in 2008.
Could it really happen? Of course. Just don't expect a a smooth transaction.
A big reason is compensation. Davis reportedly wanted a first-round draft choice for Jerry Porter (a big reason he wasn't traded last season) and he'd probably want more in exchange for Moss, who put up Hall of Fame-level statistics (and had a respectable 2005 season with the Raiders despite injuries) before last season.
When the Raiders acquired Moss from Minnesota, they sent linebacker Napoleon Harris - who was the starting middle linebacker when the Raiders played in Super Bowl XXXVII - plus the seventh overall pick in the draft and a seventh-round draft choice.
You can bet Davis isn't going to settle for a fourth-round pick for Moss.
The Journal Sentinel reported the Packers might give up a middle-round draft choice while the Raiders would want at least a second-round choice. Citing an unnamed source, the story said defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila or defensive tackle Corey Williams would interest the Raiders if players were involved in a deal.
The Raiders, however, don't have much leverage in moving Moss.
The only other team reportedly serious about acquiring Moss, the New England Patriots, added three wide receivers in the offseason. They acquired Wes Welker in a trade from Miami and signed Kelley Washington and former Grant High School star Donté Stallworth.
Moss is 30 and a player who dominated early in his career because of his freakish athletic ability. Never a superb route runner and with his athletic skills possibly slipping with age and injuries over the past three seasons, Moss' luster has dulled. He also is coming off his worst season as a pro.
In the end, Davis might decide he doesn't want to give up Moss. If he didn't move Porter, when just about any other squad would have dealt him for something, what's the incentive to trade Moss?
Sure, he's unhappy. So was Porter. Don't be surprised if the Moss drama drags into the summer. Then again, I wouldn't be shocked if Moss were traded tomorrow. You never know with the Raiders.
- Jason Jones
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