Brad Childress Commits Coaching Suicide By Cutting Randy Moss

[FISHINGURU]

This makes no sense. None.

Waiving Randy Moss is a synonym for "the season is over." That is what Vikings head coach Brad Childress is saying at 2-5, with the team's next three games coming against the Cardinals and the two teams ahead in the division in an NFC that could be described as anything but "difficult." The season is over.

And so is Childress' credibility...and probably his coaching career. We'll get to that later.

Reports are surfacing that Childress acted alone when he waived Randy Moss today, that no one in the organization—the front office, the owner, the players—had an inkling this blunder was going to occur. And then around noon, the atom bomb went off.

A little over four weeks since he traded a third-round pick for Moss, Childress cut Moss for, well, being Moss: for being too honest for his own good during a press conference and not accepting the role of decoy on a losing team with open arms—for having the temerity to doubt Brad.

That's the only sane explanation, although sanity doesn't seem to have much room in this scene, so maybe I'm wrong.

Four weeks...you can't make this stuff up.

Football-wise, what could Childress be thinking? Percy Harvin, allowed to return to his natural position in the slot, has been his dynamic self with Moss on the team. Adrian Peterson and the offensive line have the rushing game chugging along. And had anyone seen how pathetically anemic Brett Favre and the rest of the passing offense looked previous to Moss's arrival?

Was waiving Randy Moss a good idea?

Moss's stats aren't eye-popping, though he does have two touchdowns, but his impact is there.

And who have the Vikings lost to? The 5-2 New York Jets, the 6-1 New England Patriots, and the division-leading Packers. Not Swiss cheese, and they could have been wins with a play here or there. The schedule was about to turn. Sidney Rice is about to come back. Thanks to the NFC, the Vikings still had a shot. But now the season is over.

It will be insulting when Childress tries to claim the season isn't over, that the team is better for cutting Randy Moss. Childress will actually puff his chest out and believe the words that are coming out of his mouth when he says, "He wasn't a good fit for us. We needed to address depth at other positions." How he'll be able to say that with a straight face and be an employed football coach will be mind-blowing.

This makes no sense. And yet, it makes complete sense for an insecure, neurotic, controlling person like Brad Childress to cut Randy Moss. This is Childress' Mona Lisa, his Sistine Chapel, a masterpiece and testament to the delusional, power-crazed mind of a sad football coach who was the only person in the world unaware of who Randy Moss was. And who Brett Favre was, for that matter.

Who's in control!? Brad's in control!

That was the biggest problem last year with the team—making sure people knew Brad was in control. Making sure Brad got credit. Brad would rather lose on his terms than win—period.

He doesn't want to be questioned by lowly reporters or serf players or nerdy front office management. Brad is Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan and Vince Lombardi and Braveheart all rolled into one 5'10'' pudgy, middle-aged man who more than likely has male menopause.

But really, he's just an awkward, paranoid worrier. How he got so paranoid without drug use is a wonder, as well.

It's ironic, though, that his want and need to throw his muscle around, to keep some semblance of security in his insecure life, to show who's the boss around the organization, will ultimately cause him to lose this job.

Owner Zygi Wilf can't be happy with the second-rate, slapdash, comedy show Winter Park was today—and reports agree. The players can't be happy with a head coach cutting the cord on the season—and reports agree.

There is a small group of Vikings faithful, the real crazed and deranged who live out where the buses don't go, that think Wilf might fire Childress tonight, promote Leslie Frazier and not waive Randy Moss. Those people have tried drugs, clearly.

What will happen is Wilf and Childress will perform damage control, the right things will be said, some form of order will be restored and the season (or show, as it were) will go on. At the end of it, when the Vikings are 5-11—maybe, maybe 6-10—with their players having packed it in weeks ago, Wilf will call Childress up to his office and give him his pink slip.

And Brad Childress will never work in the NFL again.

What player will take this man seriously? What front office will? What owner will look at Childress and say, "This guy, this guy who traded a third-round pick for Randy Moss and then cut him outright without consultation with anyone in the organization about four weeks later, this is the guy who's going to win me a Super Bowl. Three of them, in fact."

He's done coaching in the NFL. Maybe he'll slide into the under-the-bridge world of the NCAA. He'll probably end up as an accountant somewhere, though, working overtime and hating his boss. And his co-workers will laugh at him behind his back.

"That's the putz who cut Randy Moss. What a maroon."

[bottom-bouncer]

Well said!

[Shack]

Maybe he knows he is on his way out some how and at least wanted to go down as the coach who waived Randy Moss? Might even gain him some respect in the end with other organizations? Very unlike Chilly.

IMO benching him for a couple weeks, then wavering him would have been more of slap in the face and to an ego, but maybe he feels he does not have that long. Something is up and as much drama this season has seen, I just feel it ain't even close to being over yet.

No matter what, I would have not loved more to see Randy leave in any other fashion.

He came back. I saw a Moss touchdown pass while wearing purple. If he is really gone, I am cool with that. Lived it, watched and loved it. If anything it is a highlight I though I would never see again and not sure if I if will happen even again. Not sure as in reallllyyy not sure. No ones knows?

[SpitnArgueDuckClub*]

What if this happens; Moss stays and Chilli gets the axe? Now that would be funny!!! ESPN is reporting that Ziggy is none to pleased with any idea to put Moss on wavers. So Moss staying and Chilli going could be an option.....

[Jim Almquist]

What if this happens; Moss stays and Chilli gets the axe? Now that would be funny!!! ESPN is reporting that Ziggy is none to pleased with any idea to put Moss on wavers. So Moss staying and Chilli going could be an option.....

From ESPN:

Sources close to the situation told Schefter that Vikings owner Zygi Wilf is angry that his team plans to waive a player he wanted in Minnesota. Wilf played a major role in the re-acquisition of Moss and is unhappy with the way Monday's events regarding Moss unfolded.

[DTro]

Maybe he knows he is on his way out some how and at least wanted to go down as the coach who waived Randy Moss? Might even gain him some respect in the end with other organizations?

How does firing a Hall of Fame player who's making several million dollars (that the organization is on the hook for AND just traded a 3rd rounder for) without even telling the owner or front office, gain him respect?

LOL

[harvey lee]

Chilly will be the real loser in his last move.

Chilly may not coach again but Randy will play.

I sure hope they wait to fire Chilly until the Gophers find a coach.

Man, we do not need him with the Gophers as they have enough issues.

[spearchucker]

How does firing a Hall of Fame player who's making several million dollars (that the organization is on the hook for AND just traded a 3rd rounder for) without even telling the owner or front office, gain him respect?

LOL

I don't think we are on the hook for the money from what I understand.

[DTro]

Well, if he clears waiver, yes indeed we are on the hook. Probably won't happen, but who knows in this goofy sport.

[FISHINGURU]

Child is the worst coach in NFL history.

Please god, let him get fired today.

[thatoneguy]

The crazy thing about all this is that Moss was genuinely excited to be back in MN, and within days, Childress had thrown a wet blanket over that and Moss was sullen and sulking (this according to several sources close to the team).

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that Childress' control freak ways didn't mesh very well with Moss' personality, and Chilly Dip's insistence on using Moss as a decoy instead of a primary option probably didn't help much either.

This season is a total loss. We can only hope that there will be a long-term benefit in the form of Childress being fired.

[Shack]

How does firing a Hall of Fame player who's making several million dollars (that the organization is on the hook for AND just traded a 3rd rounder for) without even telling the owner or front office, gain him respect?

LOL

Just you watch.

My current idea is that this was done just for this fact. Obviously with the beind scenes go ahead from Ziggy, but to install law and order in Chilly land. Chilly, at the moment, actually has the Dirty Harry "Did I Fire Six Shots or Only 5?" title rolling.

It's all just dog and pony show. I guess that is the entire NFL, but we have won first place in this dog and pony show and are heading into the finals. Smoke and mirrors with Chilly and Ziggy rubbing their hands like Mr. Burns while chuckling a Doc. Evil laugh out loud.

[spearchucker]

Well, if he clears waiver, yes indeed we are on the hook. Probably won't happen, but who knows in this goofy sport.

I thought that NFL contracts weren't guaranteed?

[mrklean]

if he doesnt get picked up we are on the like for all of his salary, if he is we still have to pay him $400,000 i think it was

[1900_LE]

It's almost like Childress wants to be in last place with all the stupid moves he's making.

[PierBridge]

I think in the end everybody will get what they deserve/d.

Moss absolutely deserved to be waived with his attitude of late and that pathetic press conference. It was only going to go down hill off the field from here for the Vikes and the fledgling Moss. This had Terrel Owens written all over it.

I agree it probably hurts the offense short term and Chili will have to pay the price for that in the end .

As far as respect goes I personally respect Chili more for having the go-nads to CUT Moss who turned into a CANCER AGAIN, knowing the backlash may cost him his job!

[ZapBranigan]

I am by no means a chilli backer but I have to wonder how long Moss would have lasted with Bud Grant at the helm after that stunt. Max Winter and Bud grant would have gotten together minutes after the crazy press conference and annonced his dismissal. I actually wouldn't be surprised if they wouldn't have interupted it to make that annocement.

Goodbye and good riddence. Three of the craziest wacko's in football (Childress, Favre, and Moss). Time to start over.

Since Ziggy won't be getting his stadium soon he should consider a sale also. I don't think after this mess even a move is going to do this team much good. This makes the party boat seem mild.

[LMITOUT]

I guess that is the entire NFL, but we have won first place in this dog and pony show and are heading into the finals.

The Vikings have had the Dog and Pony Show traveling trophy 50 years running!

[zepman]

I agree Pier.

But....Chilly and the Vikes finally signed a guy in Moss, who wasn't afraid to say what everybody else in that locker room is or has been thinking...that Chilly is a joke of a coach.

It will be really interesting if Favre sounds off on Chilly when his stay here in Minnesota is done. I bet he does...and it will be an eye opener to those who still support Chilly.

[DTro]

So the owner of a team was highly involved in bringing a high profile player onto the team, not to mention it is his money paying for him, plus giving away a semi high draft pick, and you as a head coach are likened to Dirty Harry or having 'gonads' by cutting him 3 weeks later without letting the owner or front office know about it?

I think Dumb and Dumber is a better hollywood reference.

[Jim Uran]

if he doesnt get picked up we are on the like for all of his salary, if he is we still have to pay him $400,000 i think it was

3.8 million I heard. I don't think he'll clear waivers. Nobody in the AFC will want him going back to the Pats. Obviously Moss has a hard on for that organization.

[Shack]

I know. There is and has been something going on all season. But!!!!!!! Usally once you start thinking the owner is extremely close to his employee & looking out for him, that is when you find out he is no longer with the company no longer. Who knows? Chilly and Ziggy were unexperienced at this kind of thing when they first met and so pure of heart when their eyes met. The bonding might have went deep and they now feel something for each other? The first break up is the roughest & toughest. After that you can go plop threw coaches like cord wood.

Maybe they just do not have a clue and are winging it via a how-to-book on

"How to Make the Move to L.A. Easier"=

Chapter One: Prepping the "Base"

Establish hatred, fear, and dismay among your current fan base. If they have a great distrust & dislike for your organization, it will make the announcement and sudden move much easier for the greater populous of your fan base.

Chapter Two: Show Them You Gave It Your "ALL"

During your last season that you actually use well known Pro Football players before the move, during your pre-pre-season preparation and selection processes, prepare yourself for sparing NO expense. This holds several positives and three of them being:

1) Money spent & draft picks throw to the wind will only come back to you after the first season in your new home.

2) You will leave as an NFL Owner who (can honestly say and tell yourself) tried everything. Again, for instant compensation is awaiting in the next town.

3) Hire on controversial players and staff. Also those that could "do it again" but really might not be able to do so. The on scene drama will cover your real actions while you meet secretly to lock the deal on your new stadium. Just remember, everyone can be replaced and even you. If you are reading this book, chances are you really did not think they would give you an NFL franchise. If so, you are still at a point which investors and the NFL can pull the plug from your socket. Include everyone close to you in and when things get tough, let them go before the media.

[JP Z]

This is hopefully the beginning of the last chapter in the book that is the coaching of Brad Childress.

[mrklean]

3.8 million I heard. I don't think he'll clear waivers. Nobody in the AFC will want him going back to the Pats. Obviously Moss has a hard on for that organization.

Yep 3.8 if no one picks him up, but if someone picks him up we still have to pay him $400,000

[beer batter]

Sounds like the writing was on the wall for Moss' dismissal following last Friday's catered lunch, where Moss complained about the food being catered in as unfit for his dog. The owners of the restaurant doing the catering took it pretty hard, and sounds like a few team mates didn't care for Moss' comments as it was a Mom and Pop owned restaurant, not just some big chain.

Yahoo has a story about it. For all the talent Moss has, the guy just doesn't seem to get it. Sounds like an A1-Jack@ss to me.