EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — In his last act with Minnesota, Randy Moss stepped to a podium to fawn over the New England Patriots, criticize the Vikings for ignoring his strategic advice, and announce his plan to interview himself the rest of the season instead of letting reporters do it.

So much for that boost to Brett Favre's passing attack.

Moss's second go-round in Minnesota was far less successful than the first, not to mention swift and, simply, bizarre. After four games and three disappointing losses, coach Brad Childress showed Moss who was boss by telling Vikings players in a team meeting Monday afternoon the six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver was being let go.

"This decision was made based on what we thought was in the best interests of the Minnesota Vikings, both in the short and long term," Childress said several hours later in a team-issued statement. "We wish Randy the best as he moves forward in his career."

Just four weeks ago, Moss was gushing about his return to Minnesota, where he looked forward to seeing those purple No. 84 jerseys in the crowd more than five years after the Vikings first dumped him in a trade.