Randy Moss breaks silence
Wide receiver Randy Moss broke his training camp silence today, speaking with the assembled media for the first time since the Patriots' 17-14 Super Bowl loss to the New York Giants in February.
Moss started the interview by saying he would answer only three questions, and he was true to his word. Despite the brevity of the interview, Moss, who returned to the Patriots this off-season, when he inked a three-year, $27 million deal with $14.1 million in bonuses and guarantees, said he came back for another go-round in Foxborough because he felt there was unfinished business.
He also talked about whether the Patriots offense can top its prolific output from 2007, when it set an NFL record for points, and Moss broke Jerry Rice's TD reception record, hauling in 23 of Tom Brady's record 50 TD tosses.
Here is a transcript of three questions with Moss:
Randy, in the end what made you decide to come back to the Patriots?
"I just think that first and foremost we have some unfinished business. I like the camaraderie around here, especially in the locker room, on the field. We 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."
As explosive as you and Tom and the whole offense were last year how excited are you to get back on the field and now you have training camp under your belt that you didn't have last year?
"I'm actually kind of nervous and the reason why is that I think [about] what we did last year as a whole unit. 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 just by the coaches and the team.
"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, really live and dwell off that because that was last year. Like I said, it's a little bit of nervousness because I know how high the bar is here."
Tom said you were ahead of last year going into the point at last year. He said from Day One you've been ahead because you have a year in the system. Did you feel that comfort level coming into Day One?
"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, [Jabar] Gaffney, myself, Chad Jackson was hurt last year, and Welker coming in last year, so for us to have a whole off-season, a training camp to really understand the offense and the concept is really scary. That's why I say I'm nervous man because there is really no telling what we're going to do. So, like I said, the bar is set high and we'll see what happens."
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What a Class Act Randy Moss is !!!
I am so ready to watch that team dig in and deliver.
Even after the Superbowl, I went out and bought one of the Perfect Season posters because they are such a great and accomplished team.
GO PATS !!
That is hilarious stuff...hes scared and nervous for the league about how good the Pats offense will be next year.
Heres to the "freak" having another pro bowl year capped off by a super bowl win.
Does anyone else get the sense that a little nervous energy out of Randy Moss is a good thing...nervous as in "i dont know man i am nervous for other teams this year because tommy and billy got this real sour taste in their mouth and i can totally see them getting me like 30 touchdowns and running up the score as we scalp each team we play." nervous.
"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, [Jabar] Gaffney, myself, Chad Jackson was hurt last year, and Welker coming in last year, so for us to have a whole off-season, a training camp to really understand the offense and the concept is really scary. That's why I say I'm nervous man because there is really no telling what we're going to do. So, like I said, the bar is set high and we'll see what happens."
I just got goosebumps!!!!
This is an odd but somewhat telling interview. As modest as every player on the team is Randy is really speaking volumes when he says the coaches have extremely high expectations. That makes me somewhat uneasy just in the fact that, here we are, four weeks away from the season and already some of the players are feeling pressure. I think Moss will put up large numbers again but I have my doubts against the three or four teams in the league who can effectively double cover him.
Wow. I can't believe we all waited 8 months for those pearls of wisdom.
it was last year at this exact time that all fans of other teams were predicting Randy would be a PITA and screw up the Pats team. heh, heh we don't hear that anymore. I hope the Patriots can be good and consistent, I don't need a perfect season. I just want to see the all Pats haters out here (Reno), have to Shut Up!
Ironic how we think this guy is a class act now. I hated him when he wasn't a Pat and thought he was classless, ungrateful, etc, etc....now, I love him, I would carry this guy's bags around like a 24/7 caddy.
If you read this post Randy, WE ARE WITH YOU !!!!!!!! We all have twists and turns in life. You have lived and learned, just like us. Your dedication to the game and comment about being a "student of the game" speaks volumes and goes a long way in Patriot's fans minds. Trust me. Good luck to you and the Pats this season. Let's go get #4 !!!! FYI, pay no attention to the negative blogs/comments. Jealous, psuedo arm chair quaterbacks are a dime a dozen out there !!!!!!
The scariest thing is that the Patriots have still not managed to sign a solid back-up for Brady. Brady is superb and will continue to get the ball to Moss & Co., but he is not Superman. I hope the offensive line does a better job for him than it did for his stumbling backup QBs in the first preseason game.
"UNFINISHED BUSINESS" that needs to be the motto all year. I hope they destroy teams.. The schedule is weak, from a health standpoint all is good, Matt Light may be the only question mark.... Everyone in the league needs to take notice that this team is on a mission to destroy again.. So Cowboy fans, go get your popcorn, Peyton Manning go lick your fingers and change the play at the huddle in your ugly A$$ Helmet and shoulder pads.... 16-0 is the mission with some "unfinished business at the end.. Go Pats!!!!
With a start like this let's hope that he answers at least 3 questions every week. Patriots fans are lucky in that they are getting the Randy Moss that everyone else thought had disappeared. Go Pats!
The only thing that I'm scared about is the offensive line and subsequently, Brady's health.
If he gets hit the way he got hit in the Superbowl, it's a house of cards.
Can Lynch play Oline?
Bruschi should be coaching. He looks like he runs a 6 flat Forty time these days, especially when he's chasing from behind.
You just wonder if the Patriots are actually going to try to win ALL their regular season games. 18-0 going into the superbowl would be a lot of pressure. It would bring up a lot of last year's SB memories and what a lot of people are calling "The biggest choke in sports history". It would almost be better if they lost 1 or 2 games in the regular season just to take the pressure off.
Q: Are you really only going to answer three questions?
Moss: Yes.
Q: Really?
Moss: Yes.
Q: Only three?
Moss: Yes
Next year? What are you talking about, Amir?
19-1 thats all you need to know.
I think he's more nervous about living up to what they did last year... but I think he should probably be most nervous about his quarterback getting mauled or injured. The way things are shaping up, Moss won't have time to get down the field before the pressure engulfs Tom Brady. That's what happened in the SB, and Moss wasn't a factor because he takes too long to get open.
This is a man who has matured with age and is a class act. All he wants to do is to add one more word to his biography, when it is written - - - CHAMPION.
I pray that he gets it. He deserves it.
The best in the league will be even better this year !!!!!
Good luck to the rest of the league
It's too soon to make any conclusions about Brady's backup. This is what pre-season is for.
That said, I wouldn't mind if Coach B and co. gave Vinny T another call.
I'm glad to have Randy back, but where did he go when the playoffs came around last year? What happened to the offense that was so good they couldn't help but run up the score on hapless defenses? The truth is, defense wins championships. For some reason BB decided the Pats were to become some kind of offensive powerhouse football team and we broke lots of records and scored a lot of points, but we didn't win the championship - because our offense picked a terrible time to have an off day, and because our D couldn't stop the Giants.
I hope Randy can make a little bit more of an impact during the playoffs this year. Go PAts!
I agree with Jeff B. There is a need which is defined as "Unfinished Business". Let this be the motto all year. That has definitely got my attention.....Let the games begin...I can't wait.....
randy is the man!
You just wonder if the Patriots are actually going to try to win ALL their regular season games. 18-0 going into the superbowl would be a lot of pressure. It would bring up a lot of last year's SB memories and what a lot of people are calling "The biggest choke in sports history". It would almost be better if they lost 1 or 2 games in the regular season just to take the pressure off.
Pats Nation
The season has reached an all time lowest plateau as Brian and I are watching the "Toilet Bowl" contested by your New England Patriots and the lowly and also winless Indianapolis Colts. The contest will decide whom among the only winless teams in the NFL will actually prevail and thus LOSE the first round draft pick as a result. Our New England Patriots on that given day that ended the regular season, when incidently the Patriots season usually ended, lost the first pick to the defeated Colts. Yes our New England Patiots chose the last day of the season to play hard for Coach McPherson and won a game that lost them a first pick.
Hmmmm.......kind of hard to make any negative comments about an 18 and 1 team that has made Sundays a day to enjoy and anticipate with all that we have endured. For those "youngsters" out there who expect "Big Game" victories realize that to be in every game, to have an honest chance to win every game, and to be playing during the second season is an honest treat...........not something that Brian nor I will ever take for granted.
We have something more than special....................heck we could be back trying to "lose" the toilet bowl in a blink of an eye!!
GO PATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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