Moss is the force behind Pats' record offense
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They exchange brief pleasantries as Moss is escorted to the interview podium. "I always wanted a chance to play on this stage," he says.
It's a crowded stage on Media Day, an event that reduces the most esteemed members of the Fourth Estate to the journalistic equivalent of bimbo brides. With no other choice, we traffic in obviousness. Hence, I present to you Randy Moss, the most glaringly apparent symbol of the new New England Patriots.
Without him, they were a perennial contender. With him, they are the greatest offense ever assembled. Through the regular season, they set new marks for yards and points. Tom Brady, recently crowned MVP, now holds the season record for touchdown passes — an even 50 against eight interceptions. Then again, one shouldn't consider the elevation of Brady's status — from mere greatness to possible greatest-ness — without Moss. Their records are to be seen in tandem. Brady's 49th and 50th touchdown passes — thrown in the season finale just a month ago against the Giants — coincided with Moss' 22nd and 23rd touchdown catches, thereby eclipsing the single-season record of somebody named Jerry Rice.
The Patriots retooled their receiving corps in anticipation of this season. Wes Welker, who came from the Dolphins, is the best slot receiver in football. Donte' Stallworth, who played with the Saints and the Eagles, isn't too bad, either. After 10 pro seasons, Moss has finally acknowledged concessions to time. "A lot of miles been traveled on these legs of mine," he says. "Every year your body and your skills diminish." Of Welker and Stallworth, he adds quite matter-of-factly: "Those guys are younger and fresher than me."
Still, it's Moss who captures everyone's attention and imagination, especially opposing players and coaches. It's Moss who changes the geometry of a defense. Just a couple weeks short of his 31st birthday, he can still outrun the fastest cornerbacks and post-up the biggest safeties. He gives the Patriots a quick-strike capability they've never had. Suddenly, Bill Belichick's reputation as a primarily defensive coach seems as antiquated as the notion of Moss as a malingerer and a malcontent.
It's impossible to really judge a man here at the Super Bowl; no event does more to confuse the victory with virtue. A year ago, Oakland was willing to part with him for a fourth-round draft pick. The Raiders had tired of him just as the Vikings had a couple of seasons before. But 23 touchdowns later, the world knows of a different Randy Moss. One cannot escape the testaments to his football aptitude, his work ethic and good character.
"I'm a football player," he says. "All I do is eat and sleep football."
As for the accusation that he roughed up a girlfriend — and his counter accusation of a shake-down — he will not speak of the matter. Fair enough, for now. It's the Super Bowl.
"I'm setting to come out here and show the world what I really got," he says.
But now you wonder. His last good game was against the Giants — six catches, 100 yards, two touchdowns. In the two playoff games since, he has a total of two catches, 32 yards.
What happened?
When the Giants tried to cover him with a single defensive back, he and Brady made them pay. But the playoffs have been different.
"The last couple of weeks they've been doubling me and, somewhat, triple covering me," he says. "It was up to the other guys to make things happen."
Some years ago, adds Moss, he would have voiced his displeasure. He would have demanded the ball. But now he's a team guy, happily deferring to colleagues who offer younger, fresher legs and single-coverage. "If I can do anything to contribute to a victory, I'm willing," he says.
Randy Moss wants a Super Bowl ring, as it will show the world what he really has, proof of his capacity for both victory and virtue. Of course, he wants to retire a Patriot, and live happily every after.
"I'm living a dream," he says.
What else could it be, a place where brides show up in red heels?
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