Article: New England Patriots' Randy Moss still great when he wants to be

[JSn]

Don't shoot the messenger. This guy breaks down each significant play by Randy in the Rams game and decides to ascribe psychological meaning to some of them.

Every Play Counts: New England Patriots' Randy Moss Still Great When He Wants to Be - NFL FanHouse

Excerpts:

Randy Moss had a big game on Sunday in the Patriots' win over the Rams, with seven catches for 102 yards. He became the 19th player in NFL history with at least 800 catches, and by notching his 52nd career 100-yard game, he moved into third place all time, behind only Jerry Rice and Marvin Harrison.

And yet Moss also showed off some of the negative qualities that have shown up through most of his NFL career: disinterest in blocking, inconsistent route running, failure to fight for the ball every time it's thrown to him. It was a reminder that the man who infamously said, "I play when I want to," is still a great player -- but only when he wants to be.

On the Patriots' final drive, which resulted in a Faulk touchdown that gave New England the winning margin of 23-16, Moss was the go-to guy. He caught all three balls thrown to him, for a total of 34 yards, and as a result, the headline in the Boston Globe the next day said, "Moss was clutch when it counted."

That's true. Except that in reality, all 60 minutes of the game counted, and Moss was only great for part of the time. No one can deny that Moss is one of the league's elite receivers, when he's playing his best. It's just too bad that he only plays his best when he wants to.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Don't shoot the messenger. This guy breaks down each significant play by Randy in the Rams game and decides to ascribe psychological meaning to some of them.

Every Play Counts: New England Patriots' Randy Moss Still Great When He Wants to Be - NFL FanHouse

Excerpts:

Just remember--NFL FanHouse is kinda like this board. Not much editorial control.

 

[JSn]

Just remember--NFL FanHouse is kinda like this board. Not much editorial control.

I'm not even sure I've heard of the site until today. Apologies if I'm posting from a despised source guys.

 

[dhamz]

Based on a lot of threads I've read this season, there are a lot of posters on this board who would agree with those statements.

 

[Deus Irae]

Based on a lot of threads I've read this season, there are a lot of posters on this board who would agree with those statements.

Based upon the Patriots players getting a "gut check" speech from Belichick not too long ago, there are likely coaches who'd agree with those statements in some form, as well.

 

[ALP]

i would agree with some of that...

randy, u have to fight for the ball...i dont know about the rest of the things, but the ball isnt gonan be in the perfect spot every time...

cassel isnt brady, go out there and help him out...many recievers can be doing what u are doing for us right now...

u have to do what other cant, thats why we have YOU

 

[emoney_33]

Oh boy the quote without context

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

Not sure on this blocking thing.

When did 6'5", slender receivers need to become road graders?

I also don't buy the "play when I want to play" thing. Taller guys always look like they are in slower motion. Also, RM is the type of receiver who needs the all world QB to get maximum output.

 

[Absurdly Metro]

IMO, the answer to this question lies in understanding the difference between when he "wants to" and when he "needs to." According to none other than TB, that's what actually counts.

Here's what Tommy said regarding Randy's effort during games...

"We had 54 pass attempts in a game, and you go out and tell a world-class sprinter to run 50, 50-yard dashes, the idea is 'you better have it when you need it.' And Randy is a smart player and he knows when he needs it." You can read the full transcript of Brady's comments here.

 

[xmarkd400x]

That "I play when I want to play" is out of context.

He was asked if he drew inspiration to play well from his teammates (or something of the like). His response was "no, I get all the inspiration I need from myself", and "I play when I want to play" was part of that response.

Now, nobody ever accused the guy of being overly articulate. You usually need to hear/see him talk to get a read on what he is saying. Moss says plenty that can be taken out of context all the time.

 

[Nunchucks]

Know what I notice about these kinds of articles, they never compare Moss to other WRs in the league.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

While I don't view Moss as a cancer or not carrying about the team or slacking.
I do think that right after Brady went down Moss's attitude changed. Moss went into the season with hopes of getting a ring and leading the league in TD receptions. When Brady went down, so did Moss's dreams. Many on this board and many in the media thought Cassel didn't have "it." Moss may very well have shared the views of the majority of poster on this board that a Brady injury meant no playoffs.

In contrast, I think Wes Welker like BB and minority of us on the board believed in Matt from day one and in training camp.

The reality is most players work harder if they believe they can be successful than if they view the season lost. It should come to no ones surprise there is more energy in the Titans locker room than the Lions.

A completed pass requires more than a good QB and a good WR. It requires a chemistry between the receiver and the QB. I think Wes and Matt had that chemistry since before the season to a much greater degree than Matt and Randy.

Like many on this board, I think Randy is starting to believe more and more in Matt. Which improves the chemistry and both players success.

 

[emoney_33]

I disagree 100% with all this Moss micro-analysis. Pure and utter crap IMO.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

IMO, the answer to this question lies in understanding the difference between when he "wants to" and when he "needs to." According to none other than TB, that's what actually counts.

Here's what Tommy said regarding Randy's effort during games...

"We had 54 pass attempts in a game, and you go out and tell a world-class sprinter to run 50, 50-yard dashes, the idea is 'you better have it when you need it.' And Randy is a smart player and he knows when he needs it." You can read the full transcript of Brady's comments here.

I think Tom assessed it correctly - no receiver gives 110% on every play when they are on the field for basically every play nor should they reasonably be expected to. Thing with Randy this season is he hasn't mustered it consistently when it was needed including on several plays when his number was called by a team striving to save its season in transition from a HOF QB to a backup who had never started a game becoming it's starter...

Last season it was there consistently for the first 12 weeks, after that not so much. Why is something we don't know and many here prefer not to ponder. Maybe he was injured or simply wore down. Maybe this season he planned to pace himself better. Maybe while saying all the right things he has subconsciously struggled with the loss of Brady. But something is different. Nobody is accusing him of being a malcontent or slacker, but people are noticing a difference in consistency - that's all. And the truth is this QB and team needs him to be consistent moreso than the other one did...

 

[BradyManny]

Don't shoot the messenger. This guy breaks down each significant play by Randy in the Rams game and decides to ascribe psychological meaning to some of them.

Every Play Counts: New England Patriots' Randy Moss Still Great When He Wants to Be - NFL FanHouse

Excerpts:

I'm pretty sure that Moss quote was taking out of context, we've seen that quote many times and heard that what Randy was trying to see isn't what the media makes it out to be.

 

[emoney_33]

I think Tom assessed it correctly - no receiver gives 110% on every play when they are on the field for basically every play nor should they reasonably be expected to. Thing with Randy this season is he hasn't mustered it consistently when it was needed including on several plays when his number was called by a team striving to save its season in transition from a HOF QB to a backup who had never started a game becoming it's starter...

Last season it was there consistently for the first 12 weeks, after that not so much. Why is something we don't know and many here prefer not to ponder. Maybe he was injured or simply wore down. Maybe this season he planned to pace himself better. Maybe while saying all the right things he has subconsciously struggled with the loss of Brady. But something is different. Nobody is accusing him of being a malcontent or slacker, but people are noticing a difference in consistency - that's all. And the truth is this QB and team needs him to be consistent moreso than the other one did...

MO, the answer could be... he's not perfect. I mean yea he's the best, but that doesn't mean we should expect him to come up with the ball 100% of the time. Hell the greatest hitter ever in baseball failed 60% of the time.

Last year there wasn't as much focus on Moss early on, there wasn't as many DBs making really good plays, there wasn't a young QB trying to learn, there weren't as many inaccurate throws. I mean aside from the drop in the last game in the endzone, he hasn't really been at fault for the unsuccessful attempts. No one is accusing Welker of ANYTHING but he dropped an easy catch and fell down without contact last game.

If Moss didn't carry the reputation he has, this would not be an issue at all IMO.

 

[Deus Irae]

MO, the answer could be... he's not perfect. I mean yea he's the best, but that doesn't mean we should expect him to come up with the ball 100% of the time. Hell the greatest hitter ever in baseball failed 60% of the time.

Last year there wasn't as much focus on Moss early on, there wasn't as many DBs making really good plays, there wasn't a young QB trying to learn, there weren't as many inaccurate throws. I mean aside from the drop in the last game in the endzone, he hasn't really been at fault for the unsuccessful attempts. No one is accusing Welker of ANYTHING but he dropped an easy catch and fell down without contact last game.

If Moss didn't carry the reputation he has, this would not be an issue at all IMO.

I'm sorry, but this is just nonsense. I don't give a damn what Moss' reputation is. I do care, however that he's not making catches that he could, and should, be making. Moss also got Welker lit up in the last game because he half-assed a blocking attempt. Welker may have dropped a pass, but he's busting his ass on blocks, and he's playing special teams.

You can keep making excuses for Moss, but the reality is that Belichick had to have a talk with the team about their attitude/play post-Brady, and I didn't hear anything about the meeting involving everyone except Moss.

A partial list of Patriots' personnel who've been called out on this message board this season:

Players

Seymour
Cassel
Light
Kaczur
Yates
Koppen
Mankins
Maroney
Seymour
Bruschi
Vrabel
Thomas
Harrison
Hobbs
O'Neal
Sanders
Hanson

Coaches:

Pees
McDaniels
Belichick

Moss isn't above being on that list by any reasonable stretch of the imagination.

 

[emoney_33]

I'm sorry, but this is just nonsense. I don't give a damn what Moss' reputation is. I do care, however that he's not making catches that he could, and should, be making. Moss also got Welker lit up in the last game because he half-assed a blocking attempt. Welker may have dropped a pass, but he's busting his ass on blocks, and he's playing special teams.

My bad, because the TV showed you one or two blocks that Moss didn't handle well (and he's never been a great blocker) that means only Welker busts his butt.

You can keep making excuses for Moss, but the reality is that Belichick had to have a talk with the team about their attitude/play post-Brady, and I didn't hear anything about the meeting involving everyone except Moss.

Yea TEAM... doesn't mean Moss. But keep thinking that meeting was Moss-specific as you seem to hint-at at least twice on this board so far.

A partial list of Patriots' personnel who've been called out on this message board this season:

Players

Seymour
Cassel
Light
Kaczur
Yates
Koppen
Mankins
Maroney
Seymour
Bruschi
Vrabel
Thomas
Harrison
Hobbs
O'Neal
Sanders
Hanson

Coaches:

Pees
McDaniels
Belichick

So because THIS MESSAGEBOARD calls a player out it means it's justifiable? LOL If this MB decided things, we wouldn't even have a team, everyone would be traded/fired.

Moss isn't above being on that list by any reasonable stretch of the imagination.

Oh but Welker, Faulk, Gaffney, Morris, etc... are above reproach. Turn Morris into Moss on the play Brady got injured and I guarantee everyone blames Moss for Brady's injury.

Moss' reputation and unfair expectations 100% play a large role in his criticism here and elsewhere. I never said Moss has played perfectly nor have I said he shouldn't be working on things (everyone should be). But to single him out for crap like this is ridiculous. He hasn't played nearly as poorly as some believe. But let's forget about the other guys getting paid and demand Moss make highlight reel catches anytime the ball is in his vicinity. I mean Jerry Rice never made a mistake either ya know. Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison don't drop balls or have good plays against them!



But I guess calling out the team means calling out Moss

 

[tuckeverlasting]

That "I play when I want to play" is out of context.

He was asked if he drew inspiration to play well from his teammates (or something of the like). His response was "no, I get all the inspiration I need from myself", and "I play when I want to play" was part of that response.

Now, nobody ever accused the guy of being overly articulate. You usually need to hear/see him talk to get a read on what he is saying. Moss says plenty that can be taken out of context all the time.

and1

I disagree 100% with all this Moss micro-analysis. Pure and utter crap IMO.

and1

Moss' reputation and unfair expectations 100% play a large role in his criticism here and elsewhere. I never said Moss has played perfectly nor have I said he shouldn't be working on things (everyone should be). But to single him out for crap like this is ridiculous. He hasn't played nearly as poorly as some believe. But let's forget about the other guys getting paid and demand Moss make highlight reel catches anytime the ball is in his vicinity. I mean Jerry Rice never made a mistake either ya know. Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison don't drop balls or have good plays against them!

and1

 

[Deus Irae]

My bad, because the TV showed you one or two blocks that Moss didn't handle well (and he's never been a great blocker) that means only Welker busts his butt.

Feel free to show me the the film convincing me that Welker has half-assed his blocking, dropped multiple passes and taken multiple plays off, in multiple games. I've seen Moss do that this year. I haven't seen Welker doing the same thing.

Yea TEAM... doesn't mean Moss. But keep thinking that meeting was Moss-specific as you seem to hint-at at least twice on this board so far.

I hinted no such thing.

So because THIS MESSAGEBOARD calls a player out it means it's justifiable? LOL If this MB decided things, we wouldn't even have a team, everyone would be traded/fired.

Never mind my response...Did you even read your own post? Your comment was

If Moss didn't carry the reputation he has, this would not be an issue at all IMO.

I pointed out a slew of players who don't have Moss' reputation and have been called out. At least read the posts before writing silliness like this.

Oh but Welker, Faulk, Gaffney, Morris, etc... are above reproach. Turn Morris into Moss on the play Brady got injured and I guarantee everyone blames Moss for Brady's injury.

Actually, people did criticize Morris for that. As I pointed out when I made the list, it was a PARTIAL list.

Moss' reputation and unfair expectations 100% play a large role in his criticism here and elsewhere. I never said Moss has played perfectly nor have I said he shouldn't be working on things (everyone should be). But to single him out for crap like this is ridiculous. He hasn't played nearly as poorly as some believe. But let's forget about the other guys getting paid and demand Moss make highlight reel catches anytime the ball is in his vicinity. I mean Jerry Rice never made a mistake either ya know. Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison don't drop balls or have good plays against them!

Randy Moss has dropped, or failed to come down with, multiple passes that he should have made the play on, in multiple games. You may not like to hear that about your binkie, but it's just the way it is. His lousy play in San Diego played no small part in the team's loss, and his failures in the Rams game could have cost the team a win. He's considered the best receiver in the game by many here, including myself. With such a lofty status comes higher standards. Frankly, I don't know when catching the ball when the pass is catchable became too much to ask of Randy Moss in your eyes, but it'll always be high on my list for my favorite team's #1 receiver.