Editor’s note: Jon Laging writes sports columns from a regional perspective. His columns will appear regularly each Thursday. Comments on the column may be directed to Sports Editor Jim Lutgens, 379-3437 or

Managing Editor Debbie Irmen, 379-3433.

Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, uses an unusual technique during press conferences. He asks himself a question, then answers it. Now, if you get to ask the question, then answer it yourself, it does away with a lot of hard questions posed by nosy reporters. Rumsfeld: Are we having some difficulty in Iraq? Yes. Am I doing the best job possible? Yes.

While there may be much better means of communication, it does help you get to the core of the matter quickly. Let’s use the same technique and ask ourselves a couple of questions concerning Minnesota’s favorite problem child.

Is Randy Moss an embarrassment to himself, the team and the State of Minnesota? Yes, he is. Would the Vikings have won the Green Bay game without him? No, probably not. We are now down to the nitty gritty of the problem. Is Moss worth it? In view of his attitude and antics is it worth it to keep Moss on the team in order to win football games? Let’s take a look.

During the game the Fox Network came down on the side of “no.” J. B. and the boys said that Moss’ negative actions had exceeded his talent. There are a lot of analyst network types that find Moss’ actions over the top and unforgivable. I think this is particularly true if you don’t like him, and Moss is hard to like.

A couple of years ago I wrote a column entitled Moss Must Go. In it I stated that the Vikings would be better off if Moss left. I have mellowed over the years and after reading of the things Moss does for kids

Randy Moss reminds me of a seven-year-old without boundaries. He draws attention to himself and does things that he feels he can get away with. Is it in keeping with team play and coach’s structure? No. Does it negate his value to the team? Yes. Does it mean the team is better off without him? No. There you have it. As long as Moss has his God-given talent, he is immune from strong discipline.

I tried to come up with a similar athlete in a similar situation and the best I could do was Dennis Rodman of the Boston Celtics. Remember Dennis, the multi-hued-hair forward of the Celtics. He was a rebounding fool and the historic Celtics, the proud heritage Celtics, kept him on the team, no matter what outrageous stunts he pulled.

The analysts criticizing Moss were mostly made up of ex-players and announcers. The coaches such as Jimmy Johnson were much more moderate in their critique of Moss. They know that the name of the game is to win and Randy Moss is a huge weapon in the arsenal of a team.

Will Moss continue to be a Viking? Almost everyone, including Donald Rumsfeld, would say yes for the following reasons: 1. He is still an asset. 2. He is under contract. 3. For good or bad he is a huge part of what the Vikings are. 4. He puts people in the seats. Pro football is about entertainment for money received and Red McCombs’ football team is worth more with Randy Moss than without him.

Another question. Will all this change? Yes, when Moss’ skills diminish and injuries pile up. Moss with his seven-year-old psyche, will sulk and not want to play with the other kids.

Jon Laging is a resident of Preston. He’s been writing a sports column for more than five years and works as a seasonal Interpretive Naturalist for the DNR.