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Moss Is Perfect Teammate With Chips On The Line

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By MARTIN FENNELLY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 30, 2008

Updated: 01/30/2008 12:12 am

GLENDALE, Ariz. - You walked around Super Bowl Media Day and listened to the testimonials, one after another, all those perfect New England Patriots talking about their perfect teammate, that true Patriot:

Randy Moss.

"He's had an incredible attitude," Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said.

"You couldn't ask for a better guy," Patriots offensive lineman Matt Light said.

The Randy Moss who quit in Oakland? The Randy Moss who was once so naughty he got kicked out of Florida State? The Randy Moss who's the best receiver this side of Jerry Rice, but only when he feels like it? The Randy Moss who, while a Viking, famously announced, "I play when I want to play?"

Even if aliens landed again at Roswell in the state next door, nothing would seem more extraterrestrial than Randy G. Moss, changed man, loving media day. Say hello to the happiest man in town.

Moon child has landed.

Tuesday, the chip on his shoulder was tucked away - the chip that, along with his extraordinary abilities, lifted him out of Rand, W. Va., to unimaginable heights, millions and problems - the chip that still keeps him from being considered for true greatness.

Now, after 10 seasons, comes his first Super Bowl.

"It's a chance for people to see the real me and not what's been written," Moss said.

It's amazing what a little perfection will do.

"I'm set to show the world what I'm about," Moss said.

But is the world set to believe him?

Moss' arrival in New England is a big reason why the Patriots are 18-0. He has been that good, with a record 23 touchdown grabs, breaking Rice's record. The angry young man has disappeared. Amazing what winning does. A rolling Moss gathers no stones.

Not So Perfect In Postseason

True, his playoff season doesn't seem so perfect. After breaking Rice's TD record, Moss has made harmless catches in this postseason.

Two catches, one restraining order.

A temporary restraining order is in place after a woman accused Moss of causing her "serious injury" in early January.

Randy Moss, 30, can still fly. But will he ever be free and clear?

He has caught 124 touchdowns in his career, many of them amazing. He has caught hell, too. He has been magnificent. He has been a malcontent.

People would be righteously comparing him to Rice if not for the other stuff.

There's no way around the fact that the Patriots pulled the steal of the century by acquiring Moss from the Raiders for a fourth-round draft pick, a trivia answer named John Bowie. He had one tackle this season.

There's also no way around the fact that here was Moss, one of the most spectacular talents in the game, and nearly no one wanted him.

"I was basically traded for a bag of peanuts," Moss said.

How do you get around that circus? How do you get around Randy Moss dogging it in Oakland because he wasn't happy?

(Requirement No. 1 for being the best: You always try.)

Now he rooms next to Brady in the New England locker room. Brady restructured his contract to help get Moss. Think he throws a record 50 TD passes without his Randy? Heck, bring him flowers. Think Moss' fellow Patriots newcomer Wes Welker makes a team-record 112 catches without defenses double- and triple-teaming Moss.

But should the man really get credit for not complaining? For not being poison?

"I approached the game, when I was young, very angry, not at anyone in particular, just the game of football. ... Now, I still carry that chip on my shoulder, but I do understand I'm a little older."

Ah, the chip ...

"The chip that a man has to carry on his shoulder, not to be extreme, but we do have to have an angry chip on our shoulder because of the game we play."

Comparisons To Rice

He was asked if he had regrets. The trite thing would have been an outpouring.

"Not at all," Moss said. "What can I take back? I am who I am. I'm going to do what I do and say what I say."

The man can be a wonder. Those 23 touchdowns say so. Anytime you do anything more than Jerry Rice did it, it's something.

"The greatest receiver ever to play?" Moss said. "Well, it was Jerry Rice. I think that by the record I did break of his, there was definitely a whole lot of significance to that. I think I knew that what I had accomplished and what was happening, and I really considered myself possibly passing it on, of possibly being the greatest receiver ever to lace them up."

Now comes a Super Bowl. No receiver ever made this his stage like Rice. Here comes Randy Gene Moss. This one is for all the chips, including the one on his shoulder.

He laced up a sneak preview:

"It's about team."

Well, you heard him.

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