Another Expert Defends Randy Moss
Former NFL safety Matt Bowen on National Football Post.com – Randy Moss is still the most dangerous weapon in the NFL—and I am not going to argue that. However, after the Patriots’ 20-10 win over the Panthers yesterday, his effort was brought into question by members of the Carolina secondary—especially Chris Gamble, who implied that Moss “shut it down” on certain routes… Asinine, really, after taking a beating on the road. But, that is where we are at now. And I know from watching Moss on film during my own playing career that he does at times look disinterested on the field when the ball is not coming his way, when he is away from the formation on a running play, and most importantly, when teams game plan to stop him. Which was the exact case yesterday against the Panthers. However, we tend to forget that for all the negative comments made about Moss throughout his career, he still forces teams to game plan specifically to stop him… he is always an issue when you set a defensive game plan throughout the week. Bottom line, he makes defensive coordinators and defensive backs nervous.
So, yes, the Panthers did take Moss out of the game. And, yes, he did look lethargic on a certain number of plays. But to say that he quit on his teammates? No, I’m not buying that. Did he play poorly? Sure he did, and just like the other members of that team, he will be corrected when they turn on the film today in their meeting rooms—but that is all that I see in play after this story has come out… Sure, you can game plan to take him completely out of a game, but in return, you will allow other players to beat you, just like we saw yesterday. And because of that, I am going to defend Moss.
I’m going to make a couple of confessions here. For starters, I was worried a little bit watching that game Sunday that maybe we were in the early stages of the Randy Moss Doomsday Scenario. That what we’d always heard about Moss being a diva who counts his touches, how he “quits” on you and teams “lose” him when things don’t go his way was beginning to come true. I was dreading the inevitable “told you so” out of the press who’ve been lying in wait to spring a list of grievances they’ve been saving against Moss even when he was coming into this week leading the NFL in receiving yards. But now I’m breathing easy. And I have another confession to make, one which I’m actually proud to share. I love Matt Bowen’s column. Since I discovered this guy I’ve learned more about football than I had in a lifetime spent watching NFL Matchup or more recently NFL Net’s Playbook. This guy explains the intricacies of football in a way that even the most illiterate blogger can comprehend them. Everything from how Philly operates in the red zone to analyzing Ravens’ 2-Man coverage, Bowen is the best in the business. So you can listen to Chris Gamble or the rest of the Moss bashers, I’ll stick with what Brady, Faulk, Matt Bowen and Belichick, who told WEEI Moss is “one of the most respected players on the team” have to say on the matter. From their lips to God’s ears.
I usually agree with you, Jerry, and I think Moss has tried to turn his attitude around, but even his old buddy and mentor Cris Carter said Moss bailed last Sunday. He indicated that it was probably because his feeling were hurt from the events of last week. He was disappointed because he thought Moss had reached a “higher level of maturity at this time”. Seriously, Moss looked terrible last week, but if he comes out with some great efforts the rest of the Season, who cares? All I know is when you see one of your star players dogging it–you have two choices–either sit him or continue to watch it. The Pat’s chose the latter, probably thinking it would just make matters worse to embarrass him any further. Maybe they were right. Time will tell!
It’s unfortunate that all of the DBs knew the Pats were running the ball because of RM’s body language. They made the Pats pay by holding them to 185 yards rushing.
If you doubt it, just watch the tape. All the flapping in the world isn’t going to get him to go across the middle or work hard.
It’s just not a story…he gave up; he sucked; he has for a while; lets hope for a better performance this week.
I don’t know what to make of Moss these days. I understand what Bowen is saying here and I don’t have any basis to dispute it. But don’t you have to refer back to the eyeball test at some point?
Jerry, how many times have you seen him be completely lazy with items like hand position and attacking the ball at its highest point? Don’t even get me started on the drops that are blatant due to these laziness.
I’m not willing to blast him on what he does on running plays or dummy routes, because you can do that with any #1 receiver in football. I don’t really care if he jogs on a route so that he can explode to get separation as the ball arrives, but for Christ’s sake, get your hands in the proper position to make a play! How many times have we seen that this year?
I still think he makes an impact every game, but the piss poor effort on key parts of your craft as a professional really piss me off as a fan.
can we shut the fuck up about randy fucking moss, holy shit.
That’s funny, here’s Peter King’s take on the whole Moss incident.
You’ve seen Tom Brady and Bill Belichick staunchly defend Randy Moss in the last 36 hours, and so you’re thinking, “Well, maybe the media’s being too hard on Moss for laying down against Carolina.” Not true.
There’s a reason Brady, desperate for another target at receiver other than Wes Welker, threw four of his 32 passes for Moss on Sunday, and went 2.5 quarters without throwing a pass Moss’ way after Moss fumbled on the first play of the second quarter. It’s because Moss checked out of this game, giving only marginal effort.
But the reason you won’t ever hear Belichick or Brady even remotely chide Moss is because they know — as Denny Green knew a decade ago and Mike Tice knew after him — that Moss will check out totally if you challenge him mentally. He’s soft. And Brady and Belichick are trying to get whatever they can out of this classic prima donna as they try to save their season. Sitting on him doesn’t accomplish that.
And he’s right. Stop kidding yourself pres, not all patriots buy into the evil genius’ team first mantra. Moss is totally pissed that Welker is Brady’s favorite target and his whiney prima dona selfish attitude is taking over just like it did in Minnesota and Oakland.
and what exactly makes Matt Bowen an “expert”?????
Love the pic Jerry. I was at that particular contest. Can’t remember if it was taken after his 8th or 9th TD of the first half of that game. I, for one, am predicting a simlar performance this weekend at the Ralph…I shall be in attendance…awaiting greatness….
Wow. Moss is grumpy. Does the wittle baby want a baba?
so the question is, does it matter if Moss mails it in when the other team schemes to take him out of the game?? He still draws a double coverage every play thus allowing welker to go one on one and if they man up on him he burns them for a deep TD. So who cares if he dogs it as long as he takes two of the defence aolong with him.
How many Superbowls have the Pats won since they robbed the Faiders to get Moss?
Thats not exactly a glowing endorsement of Moss.
Asspirate,
Zero.
How many records has Moss and the offense shattered since he’s been here?
Are you implying that a 4th rd pick for Moss was a bad deal for the Pats because they haven’t won a ring yet?
This is a very delicate situation, The Pats need Randy and they know it, they have to walk on egg shells right now with so they don’t completelt lose him. Even if he is not going 100% the simple fact that he is out there opens the field up.
But last week was bad, remember in 07, even if he was triple covered he would go up and snatch the ball. I remember a game vs Miami where he went up against 3 DB’s, came down with the TD and one of the DB’s blew his knee when he landed. It was a bad throw by Brady but it didn’t matter, Randy would come down with it- you are just not seeing that effort this year- They need it to make some noise, cause if Brady is healthy and Moss is on board, I like our chances
If Moss shows up next week Bills, which he will, espn and everyone else will finally shut up about it. This is just a one game thing that happened to occur in the midst of other patriot controversy. we won’t even be talking about Moss’ effort on Monday because it won’t be an issue.
Moss is a scumbag, pure and simple. when things arent going his way he quits on the team. he did it in minnesota. and he did it in oakland. congrats pats fans, the real randy moss has entered the building.