Gannon Praises Randy Moss

From the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:

Rich Gannon, a Raiders quarterback for six seasons, said he is sure the Raiders are excited about bringing in a player of the caliber of Randy Moss.

The Vikings agreed to trade Moss on Wednesday for linebacker Napoleon Harris and a first-round draft choice.

"I mean you really, literally talk about a franchise player," said Gannon, who lives in Excelsior. "A guy of his position is one of the dominant players in the league and probably one of the top 10 players in the league."

"From that standpoint, it's exciting, but at the same time, there's a reason why the Vikings traded him, you know. You deal with off-the-field and on-the-field issues."

Gannon, a 16-year NFL veteran who played for the Vikings from 1987 to '92, missed most of last season because of injury and now is trying to decide whether he will retire from football. He thinks Moss' behavior might change in Oakland.

"You hope so -- you got a new coaching staff, you got new players, and hopefully Randy will change with the scenery," said Gannon, 39. "And a little bit more maturity and hopefully you put him around the right type of people and he'll fit in and begin to continue to blossom, as a leader on the football team and not a distraction. I think that he has a world of potential."