Ispain1 said:
I actually think Randy Moss saw himself as the next Michael Irvin. Many thought Aikman needed a good wide receiver to replace Irvin. Moss was considered to have rare talent and would be an impact player. He also had a troubled history and no one knew if he was going to implode or not. The off-the-field problems had resulted in a lot of bad publicity for the Cowboys and that thinking was also in the mix during that draft.
The Cowboys went with Ellis and Moss saw that as a huge slap to him. It was. It was a good story for the media and they never let Moss forget it for a long time. My memory is a bit cloudy but I believe Aikman, while not commenting publicly, was rumored to have expressed disgust over the state of his receivers. Not having someone like Moss may have shortened his career a bit. Thst part of the story has also led to the continuing rumble about the selection.
Based upon results would you rather have Ellis or Moss?
This about sums it up.
Doomsday said:
I believe Jerry told Moss he would be a Cowboy if he was still on the board, then they passed on him and Moss has been torching us ever since.
We can twist it anyway we want but I for one would of loved to see Aikman tossing it around to Moss and Irvin. It didnt happen and thats life but you cant tell me Ellis has won this team more games then Moss would of. Moss has had some issues but nothing that you couldnt live with to get what he brings to the table on Sunday. In reality he isnt the first player we shouldnt of passed on and he wont be the last, thats the nature of the draft.
You may not recall, but the Irvin drug possession arrest was
HUGE news in the sports world because the Cowboys were the team of the 90s and commanded the attention of the media.
So here comes Moss, who has a troubled background. Do the Cowboys take him and ...
1. listen to the constant questions about selecting Moss.
2. have the media hound Moss to the point where he explodes (ala Ryan Leaf) and make a big scene even bigger.
3. risk him doing something bad and opening the Cowboys up to greater negative publicity.
Jerry Jones loves the spotlight. But he loves the spotlight when it shines favorably on the Cowboys. He also likes winning.
At the time, the Cowboys were winning, or at least a competent ball club, so the risk/reward on Moss was lower than it is for TO (the Cowboys now having distanced their "negative" image thanks to the Ravens and Vikings and Raiders and Bengals).
Jerry Jones didn't want to take that risk. So he passed on Moss, even though everyone and their mama knew the Cowboys needed a receiver opposite Irvin, one they had been looking for ever since Harper left via free agency. And even Michael Irvin has said that if it weren't for his transgressions, Moss would be a Cowboy.
But Jones didn't want the negative publicity that came with Moss so he passed.
Was it a bad decision?
Correct me if I'm wrong but has Moss played in any Super Bowls yet?
His best chance was in 99 against the Falcons. Cris Carter, Jake Reed, Robert Smith, Randall Cunningham, and Moss and they still can't advance to the Super Bowl.
I'm sorry, but for all the spectacular plays he makes, I think he's missing that "intangible" factor where he takes his game to the next level and pushes a team over the top.
Despite what I feel about TO, I believe TO has that "intangible" factor. I do not think Moss possesses it.
As for Ellis, he was the safe pick.
in a nutshell.
