Serious contenders emerge as deadline for Moss nears

The Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, St. Louis Rams and Washington Redskins are four of the teams serious about claiming wide receiver Randy Moss off waivers, league sources told NFL Network insider Michael Lombardi on Wednesday.

Teams have until 4 p.m. ET Wednesday to make a waiver claim on Moss, whom the Minnesota Vikings waived Tuesday, less than a month after trading a third-round draft choice to the New England Patriots to re-acquire the six-time Pro Bowl selection.

Of those four teams, the Rams are highest on the waiver priority list at 13th. The Redskins are 15th, the Dolphins are 18th and the Titans are 23rd.

The Titans, Rams and Redskins have a bye this week, which would allow them more time to integrate Moss into their offense.

On Tuesday, league sources told NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora that the Rams, Dolphins, Titans and Seattle Seahawks were considering claiming Moss.

Moss is owed roughly $3 million in salary if he is claimed. If he goes unclaimed, then the Vikings are responsible for his full salary and Moss would become an unrestricted free agent eligible to sign with any club.

Contrary to some reports, some people in the Vikings front office knew head coach Brad Childress intended to waive Moss, but word might not have trickled up to team owner Zygi Wilf, NFL.com insider Steve Wyche reported Tuesday, according to a team source. Childress has control over team personnel decisions for the 53-man roster.

The source noted that Moss' behavior both in the locker room and after Sunday's loss at New England was a key factor in Childress' decision.

Moss' actions during a Friday locker-room buffet last week reportedly upset some teammates, including quarterback Brett Favre, according to the *St. Paul Pioneer-Press*.