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Randy Moss to Make Third NFL Team Debut of the Season


Tennessee Titans wide receiver Randy Moss catches a pass during practice on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010, in Nashville, Tenn.
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Randy Moss catches a pass during practice on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010, in Nashville, Tenn.

National Football League hopeful Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss is set to make his debut with his third team of the 2010-2011 season on Sunday when he starts for the Tennessee Titans. Moss played the first four games of the season for the New England Patriots, who traded him to Minnesota, where he had played the first seven years of his career. This time around, Moss' tenure in a Vikings uniform lasted only four games before the team released him on November 1. The Titans hope Moss can help take them to a division championship, and beyond.

Seven-time all-star Randy Moss reported for his new job with the Tennessee Titans on Monday - six days after he was released by the Minnesota Vikings and put up for grabs on the National Football League's open market.

The 13-year veteran did not have long to wait. The Titans claimed Moss off the waivers list after only one day.

The Titans are the third team this season to have Moss in their lockerroom. The 33-year-old wide receiver was warmly welcomed by his new teammates and Titans head coach Jeff Fisher, who said Moss is prepared to start Sunday on the road against the Miami Dolphins. "Randy understands what we're doing and where it needs to get to, and you know then of course, there'll be some adjustments," he said.

The timing of Moss' release from the Vikings could not have been better for the Titans, who indefinitely lost their top receiver, Kenny Britt, to a hamstring injury in a game two days earlier.

Moss arrived at Tennessee heading into a bye week at the mid-point of the 16-game regular season.

When he was traded from New England to Minnesota, Moss said he was excited to return to the Vikings, but after only three games, the NFL fined him $25,000 for refusing to speak to the media as required by his contract. The Friday before what would be his final game in Minnesota, he alienated many of his Vikings teammates with a loud expletive-spiked outburst during a traditional pre-game meal.

On Sunday, Moss addressed the media without answering any questions following the Vikings embarrassing 28-18 loss to his former team of only a month earlier, the New England Patriots. Moss gave a monologue heaping praise on the Patriots and New England head coach Bill Belichick, while criticizing some of the decisions of the Minnesota coaching staff.

Vikings head coach Brad Childress released Moss the next day, and placed him on waivers 24 hours later.

Moss addressed the media in Tennessee for the first time since leaving Minnesota, saying he did not bear any hard feelings toward Childress for letting him go. "I made Minnesota my home. I loved being there, and it just didn't work out. Just I had my own beliefs in what I believe and coach had his. Am I bitter or mad that he let me go or the organization? No. You never know what the future holds. Right now, I'm a Tennessee Titan. I'm here to do whatever coach Fisher wants me to do," he said.

The Titans are tied with the Indianapolis Colts for first place in the American Football Conference South division standings, and hope Moss will help lead them to the NFL's Super Bowl title game.

Moss is second on the NFL's all-time list with 153 career receiving touchdowns. If he takes a reception into the end zone against the Dolphins on Sunday, Moss will be the first player in NFL history to catch a touchdown pass with three different teams in a single season.

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