Jan 9, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Trent Richardson (3) carries the ball during the BCS National Championship game agains the LSU Tigers at the Louisiana Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-US PRESSWIRE

Crazy season has been upon us for awhile, but now we’re officially in batpoop crazy season. Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork made a big contribution to the craziness today by tweeting about the Jets’ apparent interest in trading up high enough to draft Alabama running back Trent Richardson. “At NFL event today, Trent Richardson said #Jets called him Sunday to verify correct contact info just in case they trade up for him. Hmm.”

Hmm indeed. Especially if you’re a Viking watcher who favors the idea of a trade down from 3. But most plausible trade scenarios thus far have floated the idea of the Vikes moving down maybe a pick or two, at most down to #8. The Jets don’t pick in the first round until 16. How many picks could you dislodge from the Jets in a trade for the #3? It would have to be a lot. And given the Vikings’ need for a major upgrade at any of at least three positions? The 16th pick seems a little low for your first selection.

Unless of course you got a totally absurd bounty of picks in the trade. Then, hell yeah. But would the Jets really do it? For Trent Richardson? Last month I floated the idea of the Buccaneers trading up two spots for Richardson, and was informed that such an idea is absurd given the lowered value of the running back position in today’s pass-heavy NFL. If a team wouldn’t even go up two spots for a running back, then certainly no team would leap from 16 all the way to 3.

Then again, I doubt many people would’ve believed last year’s Julio Jones trade could happen before it did. The point being, crazy things happen sometimes, especially when draft day looms up and teams start getting desperate. If the Jets think they’re close to winning and believe all they need is a stud running back to put them where they want to be? They might do it. The Falcons last year thought Jones was the last piece in their puzzle, hence their willingness to pull off what looked at the time like a crazy deal.

Realistically we must put this Jets trade scenario down as something completely far-fetched and silly and impossible. And then wait to see if our assumptions are proved wrong as they have been so many times before.

Like The Viking Age on Facebook.
Follow Dan Zinski on Twitter.

Well clearly, given recent events, there is only one place to begin:  Randy Moss.  What a crazy week it was for every Twin Cities metermaid’s favorite wide-out.  Just seven days ago, Moss was still a member of the New England Patriots, and there wasn’t even the hint of a whisper of a rumor of him possibly being traded anywhere, let alone to the Vikings.  Then Moss was shutout in the Pats’ game against the Dolphins and…well, things took off from there.  On Tuesday night, thanks to Bill Simmons‘ “accidental” tweet, the internet was set ablaze with talk that Moss had worn out his welcome with the Pats was about to be sent to the Vikings.  On Wednesday the actual trade happened – and there was much rejoicing in Vikingland.  On Thursday, Randy reported to his new/old team, practiced, met the media, kissed up to Sid Hartman, cracked a Love Boat joke…yes, Randy Moss was back in a Vikings’ uniform and catching passes from Brett Favre, and it wasn’t a weird Nyquil-induced half-dream/half-hallucination.  Tonight, Moss will put on his purple 84 jersey for the first time since January 16, 2005, and hopefully provide a spark for what has so far been a misfiring Vikings passing game.
(more…)

The guard in question is Alan Faneca, and according to John Clayton (via PFT), the Jets are listening to offers.

With the Vikings possibly looking to upgrade at right guard and nothing particularly enticing presenting itself on the free agent market or in the draft…

No, probably not.

But I figured, if we’re going to speculate on Albert Haynesworth coming in, or Ray Edwards going to Oakland for Darren McFadden – yup, saw that one earlier too; Ray would have to sign his tender first of course – might as well toss Faneca’s name in there.

It’s the time of the season…for wacky rumors.