Randy Moss checks in

FOXBOROUGH – Comments from Patriots receiver Randy Moss, who spoke with media members this morning at Gillette Stadium:

What are your thoughts as you prepare to open another season?
“I really don’t have any, to be honest with you. I know it’s been a long preseason, a long training camp, so everybody is ready to get the season started. It’s not that feeling like last year. It’s just more like ‘it’s about time it’s come around.’ I think that’s where I’m at.”

You had expressed some nervousness that you were feeling when we spoke with you at the end of training camp. Are those feelings still there?
“Yeah, because I think the expectations are so high. They’ve already been set. With the preseason included, it’s still here. It’s not a bad nervousness, it’s just knowing what we have to do to accomplish our goals. That’s where the nervousness sets in, because last year we did some good things around here. Hopefully we can continue that, so that’s where the nervousness is.”

With the inconsistency of the preseason, do you feel confident going into the preseason? Some outside observers are worried that you went 0-4.
“I don’t see any frustration or anything setting in around here. We’re getting ready for Sunday, so we look forward to a good game.”

Are you looking forward to getting Tom Brady back in the huddle, running the offense?
“I don’t think just me, but I think the whole team is ready for Tom to come back. I think that he is the leader of this team, and he does some great things out there on the field with that ball. You know, he really wasn’t out there with us in preseason. I guess that’s a good thing, but we’ll see Sunday.”

You dispelled the myth last year that a quarterback and receiver need to work in the preseason to develop timing, because you didn’t play. Now that Tom didn’t play, do you think that still applies?
“I think we’ll be all right. We have enough timing down from last year, to the camps, and also a little bit of training camp. I think we’ll be fine. We’re going to put our guys out there and see what happens.”

How do you feel physically compared to last year?
“It’s no comparison, really. I just feel good, ready to go. That’s about it.”

You’ve had a long career, now in your 11th season. Do you still get excited about the start of the regular season?
“I get excited every day, especially coming to work. I think this year, like I said before, the bar and the expectations are so high – the bar has been raised so high – that it’s actually easier to focus because we know what we have to do. The way I feel, I’m not speaking for the team, but I feel pretty good. I’m actually waiting for Sunday to get another season started.”