The Most Scrutinized Patriot?

[Absurdly Metro]

Is Randy Moss. This is the opinion of Mike Reiss according to this weeks mailbag.

I tend to focus on Randy's reputation etc. as the major reason he seems to be continually held under the microscope from both media and fans. Reiss, however, identifies something else. I found his take especially interesting. Thoughts?

I look at Moss's playing time this year and he's been on the field 90 percent of the time, more than any other receiver. He plays in every package, expect for the goal-line run-based power package. Has he gone all out every play? Probably not, and sometimes his frustration of not having the ball delivered when opportunities are there shows. But other times you see him blocking relentlessly downfield in the running game, or making that big catch against the Jets with one second left when he had previously been pretty quiet due to double-teams, and it sort of clears up the picture to me. I think he's working hard. I also think sometimes it looks like he's not working hard, because he has the most graceful stride I've ever seen on a football field. In all, he's probably the most scrutinized Patriot.

 

[GostkowSKI]

I think he makes a great point about the "graceful stride". This happens more often in basketball where people compare college to NBA. Many people think that college players try much harder than pro player. While in some cases this may be true, often it's the fact that some basketball moves come much, much more naturally to a pro as they do a college player. Thus it appears it takes much more effort for a college player to get to the rim, while guys like LeBron or Wade do so with seemingly ease.

It is possible, in my opinion, that Randy Moss is so talented and such a natural at the position of WR that he may come off as lackadaisical while someone like a Wes Welker has to fight and scrape for every inch he gets of seperation.

 

[cmasspatsfan]

Someone send that to douchebag.....I mean felger

 

[PJM]

It also fits the New England sports culture. We love scrappers like Welker, Bruschi or Pedroia. Moss makes it look too easy; it offends our Puritan/Catholic work ethic for anyone to be that outrageously talented. We tend to think 'imagine if he worked hard!'

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

It also fits the New England sports culture. We love scrappers like Welker, Bruschi or Pedroia. Moss makes it look too easy; it offends our Puritan/Catholic work ethic for anyone to be that outrageously talented. We tend to think 'imagine if he worked hard!'

Larry Bird, Rodger Clemens and Tom Brady all say hi!

Three very popular and very talented ball players.

Micheal Jordon was very popular in NE despite not being a Celtic.

Moss is scrutinized cause of a well deserved reputation at Minn and Oakland.

 

[Jackson 2]

It also fits the New England sports culture. We love scrappers like Welker, Bruschi or Pedroia. Moss makes it look too easy; it offends our Puritan/Catholic work ethic for anyone to be that outrageously talented. We tend to think 'imagine if he worked hard!'

Point well-taken.

 

[DaBruinz]

I hate to disagree with Mike, but Maroney is the most scrutinized player on the Pats... And the proof is in the pudding.. er the forums..There have been multiple threads that have hundreds upon hundred of posts in them going back and forth.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

I hate to disagree with Mike, but Maroney is the most scrutinized player on the Pats... And the proof is in the pudding.. er the forums..There have been multiple threads that have hundreds upon hundred of posts in them going back and forth.

Your right, it is Maroney. We know what Moss is going to give us. However, we have know idea what Maroney will bring to the table. He has been injury prone since his rookie year and is looking more and more like another first round bust.

 

[Rob0729]

I think the most scritinized Patriot changes over time. Randy is it one day, then Cassel, then Maroney. McDaniels always seems to be from a coach's standpoint, Light has gotten a lot of scrutiny in the past. Kazcur gets it a lot. Hobbs gets it all the time. So does Watson. Gaffney has been getting it a lot lately.

Personally, I think Moss is probably pretty low on the scrutinized totempole when you look at it. If I was to guess who was the most scrutinized, I would say it is Hobbs. He has had a few games this year where he has had dominant coverage (or at least solid) and he gives up one 20 yard play and everyone is all over him for sucking.

 

[Absurdly Metro]

It also fits the New England sports culture. We love scrappers like Welker, Bruschi or Pedroia. Moss makes it look too easy; it offends our Puritan/Catholic work ethic for anyone to be that outrageously talented. We tend to think 'imagine if he worked hard!'

Great point PJM. I agree 100%.

 

[T-ShirtDynasty]

If I was to guess who was the most scrutinized, I would say it is Hobbs. He has had a few games this year where he has had dominant coverage (or at least solid) and he gives up one 20 yard play and everyone is all over him for sucking.

I think you have a good point, Hobbs gets my vote too. Followed by JMcD's playcalling, then Maroney.

 

[tanked_as_usual]

interesting thing about maroney is that his RB mate from his gopher marion barber is just as injury-prone

ya think it may have something to do with their running style?

 

[ikeman20]

Larry Bird, Rodger Clemens and Tom Brady all say hi!

Three very popular and very talented ball players.

Micheal Jordon was very popular in NE despite not being a Celtic.

Moss is scrutinized cause of a well deserved reputation at Minn and Oakland.

Dude, u r so making me want to debate moss with you. Let's find out what u really think u know. Part of me feel so gay having to defend a first ballot hof. On the net at that. I keep wondering, when will people realize they are watching greatness. TD#160, 180, 200. Men lie, women lie #'s dont.

 

[Absurdly Metro]

Moss is scrutinized cause of a well deserved reputation at Minn and Oakland.

But that's the striking thing to me about Reiss' argument. Is it possible that much of the reputation he's earned was because he makes the things others look like they're working so hard at look effortless?

Imagine you're a kid. 22 or 23 years old and you're just supremely talented at something and you work your a** off at it because you're so competitive and you just want to win. Imagine you're so good, however, that it looks like you're not even trying.

Now imagine what could happen when others, who don't see all the work you put in day in and day out and don't know how bad you want to win, see how easy you make it look and compare you to the other guys who look like they're working so hard and start telling everyone you're dogging it and you're lazy.

If that happened to you, do you think you might brood? Do you think you might act out? Do you think you might become defiant and say something stupid like "I play when I want to"?

If that were to happen, do you see how easy it would be to end up with a "reputation"? Would it be well deserved? Perhaps. After all your reaction was wrongheaded and only served to give your critics more "proof" that their initial perceptions were accurate. Now you're caught up in this never ending pissing contest with influential people who are personally invested in looking for every opportunity to tear you down in support of their precious "truth".

So is Moss' reputation really so "well deserved"? I don't know. Maybe so. But it seems possible to me that we all might have been influenced to jump to conclusions based upon media bias and a potentially faulty premise.

It's okay if you think I'm a Moss apologist and suck up. I used to believe all the stuff I read about Randy Moss and was convinced his reputation was well deserved. But I also have an open mind and a willingness to question my own preconceptions and beliefs. I'll also admit I prefer to have people give me the benefit of doubt and so I try to extend the same courtesy to others. Randy Moss included. I've considered the testimony of his current coach and teammates. The fact that they voted him a team captain speaks volumes to me. I don't believe he would have gotten their votes if they believed he was taking plays off and quitting on them and their teammates even for a second. I don't believe BB and TB would so vehemently support him in the face of this kind of constant scrutiny and criticism if the criticisms were just. That would make them enablers. It would make them weak. IMO, it would make them unfit to lead the team. I just don't see it. That's why I think there's got to be some other explanation. It's also why I find Reiss' explanation so plausibly fascinating.​

 

[wdkantro2]

Maybe it's Moss, but on this board it's Richard Seymour. He sucks unless he has 10 sacks a game.

 

[woolster22]

I'd have to say it is Ellis Hobbs. I think he's an ok number 2, he's one tough SOB but his height (or lack thereof) is an issue. As a #1, doesnt bode well for the secondary, but if we could bring in a true #1 or if he improves a little more, he would be an excellent fit. Then you have to think about his return capabilities...ehh, i'm starting to wander lol...

 

[E Belichick Unum]

Hobbs is, and for good reason. Last year he was the number 2 DB, and we were saying the same things about him. He is a nickle corner, probably will be a good nickle corner, but he shouldn't be a starting corner on a contending team.

Second, in my opinion, would be Moss. He has taken some games off or maybe lost his edge in those games. He has had a couple of devistating drops this year also.

The guy who is having his worst pro season, and is flying under the radar a little, is Ben Watson. What happened to this guy? When he first got here he could run, block a little, but let the ball get to his chest to catch it. But he has his moments. Now he seems like a lost cause. I guess his blocking has improved, and he still has the speed, but he has Roberto Duran hands.

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

Although, there have been many threads titled,
"moss sucks"
"maroney is made of glass"
"seymour sucks"
"cassel sucks"

and so on, and so on,

I would vote for Hobbs. There have been more threads b*tching about him the last 3 yrs, than any other Patriot. The guy works hard, plays injured, and is a good "enough" corner for this team. We all would like to see 2 shutdown corners on this team, but it isnt going to happen. Besides, BB can't afford 2. Hopefully the rookies will continue to improve, and then we'll have 2 good corners, not great, but good. I think the secondary will be improved next year, and everyone will be able to go back to scrutinizing Maroney

 

[SoCal Pmen]

I would have said Matt Cassel. Going back to pre season this board was dominated by his lackluster play and continued to dog him through the first 4 games. From his ascension the discussions turned to whether he would replace Brady and whether the team should franchise him.

You can make an argument that he is one of the most scrutinized players in the league right now because he is set to become a free agent and every GM is assessing his progression and whether he can lead their team.

 

[Sicilian]

Larry Bird, Rodger Clemens and Tom Brady all say hi!

Three very popular and very talented ball players.

Micheal Jordon was very popular in NE despite not being a Celtic.

Moss is scrutinized cause of a well deserved reputation at Minn and Oakland.

Brady is very talented now, but he was a 6th round pick for a reason. He's not a natural, he's had to WORK for all the talent he's acquired.

Larry Bird supposedly was early to practice every day working on his three point shot, even though he was already one of the best in the game. Again, talented AND hard working.

Don't know much about Clemons or Jordan's work ethic.