Randy Moss Thinks LeBron James 'Could Be a Star' in NFL

Randy Moss is the best wide receiver in the NFL. For different reasons, Al Davis, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady have a lot to do with that. But before his professional football career, Moss was a legit basketball player, too.

He was twice named Mr. Basketball in West Virginia, and even contemplated the two-sport route at one point. So when he says LeBron James could play in the NFL, I believe him. And not just suit up George Plimpton style, either. Moss thinks LeBron, an All-Ohio wideout in high school, would dominate.

Via ESPN.com's Tim Graham, who talked to Moss about LeBron's NFL chops:

"LeBron James is the athlete that comes around every so often," Moss told me by phone Monday. "I would put myself in that category. We're multi-talented, able to go out and play different sports, different positions." ...

"That's a good comparison," Moss said. "I think LeBron could come in and do better than Antonio Gates. ... I believe that he could be a star in this game."

I suppose I could feign incredulity at the notion of James having a bigger impact that Gates, but seriously, who knows? LeBron is listed at 6-8, 250 pounds, but he could just as easily be 270. And that, coupled with ability to effortlessly glide through defenses (getting four steps after picking up his dribble doesn't hurt, I imagine, but still), helps makes Moss' case.

My only concern -- and this is the biggest difference between the NFL and most other professional sports -- is the beating LeBron would take as a tight end. Moss has made a living out of making big plays and avoiding getting the crap knocked out him in the process. It's a little tougher to manage when you're stationed in the middle of the field, lined up opposite linebackers and safeties.

Still, Gates and Tony Gonzalez (who also hooped it up in college) have combined to play 18 seasons, haul in 1,316 passes, score 127 touchdowns, and earn 15 Pro Bowls appearances. It's not impossible.

That said, LeBron has it pretty good as a one-sport legend in the making. Save a Travis Henry-type situation, I can't think of one good reason why he'd need to work two jobs. But as long as we're making stuff up, here's my short list of other NBA players who could make it in the NFL:

- Dwight Howard, defensive end: He's the Falcons' Jamaal Anderson, but with ability (and the full acknowledgement that he'll need to add a few pounds).

- Carmelo Anthony, tight end/linebacker: According to Simmons and Adande, Kobe says Melo is stronger than LeBron. I find that hard to believe, but just in case, I'm including him here.

- Will Bynum, safety: I can't take credit for this -- Matt Watson passed it along -- but I'll happily go along with it.

- Greg Paulus, quarterback/inspirational leader: I know he's not in the NBA, but he could be*. Not only that, he's going to play football at Syracuse this fall, and that program is just like the NFL. (If the NFL was a one-team league consisting of the Lions. Again, see the asterisk.) Actually, I hate Duke and want to see Paulus run for his life 16 times a year. "You want to flop!? I'll give you a reason to flop."

For a more serious examination of this very important question, see this or this.

Oh, and because we haven't heard from White Chocolate in a while (he played with Moss in high school), enjoy:



* not really, but you'll have to suspend reality for the purposes of this post