Offensive bar set high for Moss & Co.

FOXBOROUGH - Randy Moss now knows how the cornerbacks lined up across from him feel before the snap of the ball - nervous.

Speaking yesterday in a team setting for the first time since the Patriots' Super Bowl XLII loss in February, Moss admitted being nervous about trying to equal the offensive output that he and his teammates produced in 2007, when Moss notched an NFL-record 23 touchdown receptions, Tom Brady had a league-record 50 TD tosses, and the Patriots set NFL marks for points (589) and touchdowns (75).

"I'm actually kind of nervous, and the reason why is that I think [about] what we did last year as a whole unit," said Moss, who in his first season in New England had 98 catches for a franchise-record 1,498 yards. "We're going to try to come out and put points on the board because that's what we're coached and asked to do, but the expectation, the bar is set so high here - not by you all, not by the fans, but by the coaches and the team."

In an interview that only lasted three questions - the number of queries Moss stated he would field before the session began - Moss touched on why he returned to the Patriots, his comfort level in his second season with the team, and the chances of he and the Patriots' offense topping their historic 2007 campaign.

"We have high expectations for this offense, and this team as a unit, but what we did last year I don't think we can really live and dwell off that because that was last year," said Moss. "Like I said, it's a little bit of nervousness because I know how high the bar is here."

During the offseason, Patriots fans were nervous about Moss's possible departure. The 31-year-old Moss, who took a pay cut to play for the Patriots last season, flirted with leaving Brady and coach Bill Belichick behind when the Eagles offered him a lucrative deal, but he ultimately took less money to keep the Randy Renaissance in Foxborough, signing a three-year, $27 million deal ($14.1 million in bonuses and guarantees).

The end of the Patriots' undefeated season at the hands of the Giants in the Super Bowl tugged at him to return.

"I just think that first and foremost we have some unfinished business," said Moss. "I like the camaraderie around here, especially in the locker room, on the field. We've got a great group of guys in the locker room. I think that's all you can ask for - and coaching. Coach Belichick understands football and understands his players and really puts us together as one. We come together as a team, and that's what you can definitely respect playing in this profession, playing in this league."

Despite Moss's anxiety regarding an encore, Brady said that Moss, who has been dominating camp with a series of highlight receptions, is actually ahead of where he was last year at this time. In 2007, Moss missed more than a month of preseason practices and sat out all four exhibition games after suffering a leg injury early in camp.

"The good thing that I can really say about our offense, and I'm speaking for myself, is that you had guys that came in late, myself, Chad Jackson was hurt last year, and [Wes] Welker coming in last year, so for us to have a whole offseason, a training camp to really understand the offense and the concept, is really scary," Moss said.

Bryant exits

The last thing the Patriots need is another injury to a cornerback, but that may have happened during practice yesterday, when Fernando Bryant appeared to hurt his left shoulder.

Bryant went to break up a pass intended for tight end Benjamin Watson near the goal line and came down favoring his left shoulder. Bryant missed the remainder of practice, and was seen on the sideline testing the arm by pushing off against one of the members of the training staff.

The 31-year-old Bryant has had durability issues in the past. He played a full 16-game schedule for the first time since 2003 last season with the Lions.

The Patriots cannot afford to lose Bryant, who has been one of the bright spots in a banged-up secondary and is a leading contender for one of the two starting cornerback spots. The team practiced without cornerbacks Jason Webster (hamstring), Jonathan Wilhite (right leg), Lewis Sanders, and Mike Richardson. Sanders and Richardson are out with undisclosed injuries.

Among the able

It appears likely that veterans Mike Vrabel and Ellis Hobbs, both of whom started camp on the physically unable to perform list, will see their first game action of the exhibition season tomorrow night against the Buccaneers in Tampa.

Hobbs, who came off the PUP Aug. 2, ran with the first team all week in practice, and Vrabel, who was removed from the PUP Aug. 5, also appears to be back up to speed.

"We will make that decision between now and when we leave [today]," said Belichick, when asked about Hobbs and Vrabel. "I want to let them go through a week of practice and see how it goes. It is possible. If they are practicing, then it is possible."

The team will also have to make decisions on defensive lineman Jarvis Green and Mike Wright, both of whom were removed from the PUP Monday.

The 'dos were don'ts

Yesterday was the day the veterans got to put their tonsorial mark on the rookies with some creative, and in some cases cruel, haircuts. Among those who got the wrong end of the shears were kick returner/safety/wide receiver Matthew Slater, cornerback Terrence Wheatley, and tight end Jonathan Stupar. Quarterback Kevin O'Connell ended up with a pseudo-Mohawk.

Linebacker Vince Redd got to keep his nascent dreadlocks, but had to sacrifice his eyebrows. "Yeah, that's it. You've got to give a little and take a little," said Redd.

Missing out

Brady sat out practice, likely just resting his arm. Among those also not participating were safety Rodney Harrison, running back LaMont Jordan, wide receivers Sam Aiken, who suffered a knee injury in the first exhibition game, and Kelley Washington, and offensive linemen Matt Light, Russ Hochstein, and Ryan O'Callaghan . . . In order to make room for John Lynch on the 80-man roster, the team placed offensive lineman Barry Stokes on injured reserve with a back injury . . . Yesterday marked the last practice that was open to the public.

Christopher L. Gasper can be reached at cgasper@globe.com.