The Vikings and the agents for Randy Moss are expected to sit down soon and start talking to each other, not just the press, to begin the framework for what could make Moss the highest paid player in NFL history.

So far, the "talks" between Randy Moss and the Vikes haven’t been anything resembling talks — the Moss camp has floated out outrageous numbers and the Vikings have spoken in veiled in terms — like Red McCombs saying he expects Moss to retire as a Viking.

However, VU has been told actual speaking is expected to begin this week between the Vikes and Moss’ people — the outcome being at least a framework of where contract language will hinge. As it stands now, Moss wants to be the highest paid player in NFL history, but the problem with that is the players being used as comparison.

Currently, the highest paid players are quarterbacks Brett Favre and Drew Bledsoe, who each signed 10-year contract extensions for more than $100 million. However, the chances of Favre or Bledsoe being in the NFL 10 years from now are about as probable as our own fearless leader Bob Lurtsema being the July centerfold in Playgirl magazine. Those contracts were signed for salary cap reasons only, which really makes them moot in the perspective of contract language. Even the six-year, $62 million deal signed by Michael Vick with Atlanta is unrealistic because it includes incentive language that makes it almost impossible for the full amount to actually be paid out.

What does this mean for Moss remaining a Viking? It translates into an acrimonious negotiation between the two sides and one that, if either side is forced to blink, could turn ugly. Hopefully, cooler heads will prevail and Moss will receive the highest contract for a player who will actually play the contract out. Do the Vikings owe Randy Moss some serious jing for the contract he signed as a rookie? Yes they do. Do they feel beholden to make up for his draft stock dropping to them? No.

It’s not show friends in the NFL, it’s show business and the NFL is definitely a business. Moss and Vikings fans may well learn that the hard way.

THURSDAY NOTES
* No settlement was reached in an ongoing legal battle between the Vikings and former merchandising manager Mickey Giuliani. In August 1999, Giuliani was fired, which he said was unjustified. A pretrial hearing didn’t reach a verdict and the Vikes are asking the federal court judge to provide a summary judgment on the case. If that is granted, if the decision is in the Vikes’ favor, the case will likely be dropped. If not, the case will go to trial.
* Former Vikes QB Jay Fiedler has been cleared to practice with the Dolphins at their minicamp. Fiedler, who had rotator cuff surgery on his non-throwing shoulder, says he expects to be 100 percent by the time training camp opens — and he once again tries to hold on to his starting job.
* In NFC Central news, the Packers signed Mark Hatley to head their scouting department. This is the same Mark Hatley that was the vice president of player personnel for the Bears — the same guy who was instrumental in the drafting of Rashaan Salaam, Cade McNown and Curtis Enis. Good luck, Green Bay.