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The Vikings were working Tuesday to clear several last-minute hurdles in hopes of announcing their blockbuster trade of receiver Randy Moss by late today. The complications are not believed to be deal breakers, but they might delay Moss' official arrival in Oakland until Thursday or later.
The Vikings and Raiders completed the structure of the trade last week. Moss would move to Oakland, while the Vikings would acquire linebacker Napoleon Harris and the No. 7 overall pick in the April draft. Today is the first day trades can be completed under NFL rules, and both Moss and Harris are scheduled to undergo physicals.
Harris arrived in the Twin Cities on Tuesday, and it is believed Moss was in Oakland. The timing of those physicals is one complicating factor; it is possible the results will not be fully evaluated until Thursday.
Another complication was the Raiders' request for the Vikings to restructure Moss' contract rather than doing it themselves; by having the Vikings rework it, the Raiders would not have to clear additional salary-cap space to fit him under the NFL's $85.5 million limit.
As of Tuesday night, however, the Vikings had made no move to change Moss' eight-year, $75 million contract that calls for a $7.25 million base salary in 2005.
Moss' official departure will be the Vikings' first major offseason move. The free-agent market officially opened for business early this morning, and the Vikings have more salary-cap space -- upward of $36 million -- than any other NFL team.
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The Vikings and Raiders completed the structure of the trade last week. Moss would move to Oakland, while the Vikings would acquire linebacker Napoleon Harris and the No. 7 overall pick in the April draft. Today is the first day trades can be completed under NFL rules, and both Moss and Harris are scheduled to undergo physicals.
Harris arrived in the Twin Cities on Tuesday, and it is believed Moss was in Oakland. The timing of those physicals is one complicating factor; it is possible the results will not be fully evaluated until Thursday.
Another complication was the Raiders' request for the Vikings to restructure Moss' contract rather than doing it themselves; by having the Vikings rework it, the Raiders would not have to clear additional salary-cap space to fit him under the NFL's $85.5 million limit.
As of Tuesday night, however, the Vikings had made no move to change Moss' eight-year, $75 million contract that calls for a $7.25 million base salary in 2005.
Moss' official departure will be the Vikings' first major offseason move. The free-agent market officially opened for business early this morning, and the Vikings have more salary-cap space -- upward of $36 million -- than any other NFL team.
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