Tomase on Moss - background story

[Vern]

Thought this was a great piece on Moss, just out tonight for tomrrow's Herald I guess.

http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/view.bg?articleid=198503&format=&page=1

At first I thought, "oh no, here comes a McMullen-esque puff piece" but it was really a good read.

Given how much unfounded hype, myth and stereotyping we get from our own Boston media, I guess I should not have been surprised that a lot of Moss' persona and even quotes may be overblown and out of context.

Not saying I'm turned around on this guy, but definitely some stuff there I never heard before.

Also, Thomasse's got another one on how this thing evolved for almost a year.

 

[patfanken]

Re: Thomasse on Moss - background story

Thought this was a great piece on Moss, just out tonight for tomrrow's Herald I guess.

http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/view.bg?articleid=198503&format=&page=1

At first I thought, "oh no, here comes a McMullen-esque puff piece" but it was really a good read.

Given how much unfounded hype, myth and stereotyping we get from our own Boston media, I guess I should not have been surprised that a lot of Moss' persona and even quotes may be overblown and out of context.

Not saying I'm turned around on this guy, but definitely some stuff there I never heard before.

Also, Thomasse's got another one on how this thing evolved for almost a year.

Good read...and I'm not usually a Thomase fan. BTW, what most people don't tell you about the GB mooning incident, is that Packer fans traditionally moon the Vikings bus when it comes into the stadium area. Again it wasn't exactly a very professional move, but it helps explain it a bit.

 

[Ahriman]

Re: Thomasse on Moss - background story

For the most part, that was an extremely well-written piece. I appreciate something that isn't dumbed down for the masses -- *cough* Felger *cough*.

The anecdote about the plane landing was great.

Good job, Tomase.

Edit: In my mind, Tomase is on the same level as Reiss. They have different strengths, though. Tomase gets juicier scoops and can craft a story rather well, while Reiss' expertise comes on the football side of things -- he can break stuff down and simplify some of the more complex aspects of the game for fans with ease. That's not to say each of them embarrasses themselves if they stray from their forte, it's just that their wheelhouses churn a bit differently.

 

[Mike the Brit]

Re: Thomasse on Moss - background story

An excellent story -- congratulations to Thomase.

People are complex and who knows what it is that makes us just the way we are, but there's no doubt that the experience of racism can undermine the sense of security and self-worth that we all need to relate comfortably to other people. Sadly, black athletes still don't have it easy.

 

[The Gr8est]

Re: Thomasse on Moss - background story

"Moss has taken his share of hits in the media, which has made him distrustful of the fourth estate."

Keep Borges, Felger and Shaughnessy (among others) as far away from Moss as possible.

 

[DarrylS]

Re: Thomasse on Moss - background story

I agree a pretty good read, overall most of his transgressions are pretty minor, and in the big scale he is an OK citizen.. his actions have been very closely scrutinized, perhaps it is his penchant to draw attention to himself or just a function of bored press, trying to make something from nothing.

 

[patsox23]

Re: Thomasse on Moss - background story

John Tomase is an excellent writer, who continually goes the extra mile, makes the extra phone call and adds the extra dimension. He gets a HUGELY undeserved bad rap here. That is a terrific article.

 

[Murphys95]

Re: Thomasse on Moss - background story

Thomase wrote - "He passed the SAT on his first try"

Maybe I'm getting along in years here, but since when did the SAT become a pass/fail test?

 

[aabtec]

Re: Thomasse on Moss - background story

"Moss has taken his share of hits in the media, which has made him distrustful of the fourth estate."

Keep Borges, Felger and Shaughnessy (among others) as far away from Moss as possible.

Can thre Pats revoke the press pass of the 3 stiffs..Borges, Felger and Curly Haired Boyfriend ?

 

[fgssand]

Just nice to see a writer actually do some investigating before reporting, something Jackie Macmullen and Harpo Shaugnessey used to do.

Imagine - the Boston Herald gets it right....

 

[marty]

Re: Thomasse on Moss - background story

Thank you Tomase for an informative piece on Moss!

John Tomase is an excellent writer, who continually goes the extra mile, makes the extra phone call and adds the extra dimension. He gets a HUGELY undeserved bad rap here. That is a terrific article.

Sadly, I think we've all been so conditioned by commentary/opinion writing, so prevalent here in Boston, that we forget what reporting is supposed to be. Don't get me wrong 23, I agree that Tomase has taken his lumps from this board because he's "taken a few plays off" with some of his NFL reporting, but hopefully he'll continue to produce this kind of informative reporting.

 

[PF1996]

You're really being a homer if you view this story as flattering to Moss despite Tomase's pitiful efforts to make it so.


Stomping on an unconscious person is pretty disgusting. Moss is lucky he only got 30 days in jail. Even if that person had written the racist/threatening statements, which, although Tomase tries to imply that Johnson did, wasn't shown to be the case anywhere in the article, still doesn't make it right or excusable what Moss and his pal did. Then Tomase claims that Moss being rightfully punished for his actions made him mistrustful of the public/strangers This makes absolutely no sense particularly if Moss was supposedly raised in a "strict household" (belied by the stomping incident). It is also contradicted by Moss' public behaviour as someone who has been negatively affected (and "changed") by the media/strangers wouldn't be bluntly honest with the media/strangers (i.e. "straight cash homie").

Tomase's article is informative but it would have been better had he left out the first page and not claimed a ludicrous connection between Moss' punishment for stomping on an unconscious fellow student and his later immature behaviour. Only thing the first page demonstrates is that Moss has been impulsive and immature from an early age (not surprising). It would also have been better if he had not tried to whitewash Moss' immature behaviours.

P.S. Randy cannot be a "finicky" eater if he eats from MacDonalds - I wouldn't give food from MacDonalds to my dog.

 

[fair catch fryar]

I thought this piece shed a light rarely seen on professional athletes. It just goes to show that everyone has some type of issue in their lives and everything becomes compounded when you are an athlete or celebrity. I really think that Moss is going to go that extra mile to show people that he is the same receiver that everyone thought he could be as a rookie in Minnesota. There was also a little blurb about all the slack Brandon Merriweather got for being associated with the rap group at U of Miami that he actually wasn't part of, but the media doesn't want everyone to know that because it wouldn't sell papers. Wouldn't it be funny to see reporters go after other reporters and dig up dirt on them. I wonder how the likes of Borges and Shaugnessey would do under their own microscope?

 

[smg93]

You're really being a homer if you view this story as flattering to Moss despite Tomase's pitiful efforts to make it so.


Stomping on an unconscious person is pretty disgusting. Moss is lucky he only got 30 days in jail. Even if that person had written the racist/threatening statements, which, although Tomase tries to imply that Johnson did, wasn't shown to be the case anywhere in the article, still doesn't make it right or excusable what Moss and his pal did. Then Tomase claims that Moss being rightfully punished for his actions made him mistrustful of the public/strangers This makes absolutely no sense particularly if Moss was supposedly raised in a "strict household" (belied by the stomping incident). It is also contradicted by Moss' public behaviour as someone who has been negatively affected (and "changed") by the media/strangers wouldn't be bluntly honest with the media/strangers (i.e. "straight cash homie").

Tomase's article is informative but it would have been better had he left out the first page and not claimed a ludicrous connection between Moss' punishment for stomping on an unconscious fellow student and his later immature behaviour. Only thing the first page demonstrates is that Moss has been impulsive and immature from an early age (not surprising). It would also have been better if he had not tried to whitewash Moss' immature behaviours.

P.S. Randy cannot be a "finicky" eater if he eats from MacDonalds - I wouldn't give food from MacDonalds to my dog.

So what's your opinion on the trade??? hehehe.

 

[PatsRI]

The only thing that keeps me from saying this is a spin piece for Moss is usually Tomase goes the other way and finds the dirt. Simply put I like the trade and I could care less what has led to Moss being who he is, good or bad. What he does from this point out will tell the tale. Besides I figure by this time next year he'll be cashing in with another team.

 

[marty]

You're really being a homer if you view this story as flattering to Moss despite Tomase's pitiful efforts to make it so.


Stomping on an unconscious person is pretty disgusting. Moss is lucky he only got 30 days in jail. Even if that person had written the racist/threatening statements, which, although Tomase tries to imply that Johnson did, wasn't shown to be the case anywhere in the article, still doesn't make it right or excusable what Moss and his pal did. Then Tomase claims that Moss being rightfully punished for his actions made him mistrustful of the public/strangers This makes absolutely no sense particularly if Moss was supposedly raised in a "strict household" (belied by the stomping incident). It is also contradicted by Moss' public behaviour as someone who has been negatively affected (and "changed") by the media/strangers wouldn't be bluntly honest with the media/strangers (i.e. "straight cash homie").

Tomase's article is informative but it would have been better had he left out the first page and not claimed a ludicrous connection between Moss' punishment for stomping on an unconscious fellow student and his later immature behaviour. Only thing the first page demonstrates is that Moss has been impulsive and immature from an early age (not surprising). It would also have been better if he had not tried to whitewash Moss' immature behaviours.

P.S. Randy cannot be a "finicky" eater if he eats from MacDonalds - I wouldn't give food from MacDonalds to my dog.

So far I don't see anyone saying that this is flattering to Moss.
Most comments are regarding the reporting and the refreshing angle(ie new information) of the story. The jury is still out for me on Moss until he actually pulls on a Pats uni. In the meantime I appreciate reports of this nature so I can make a more informed opinion, don't you?

 

[SeanBruschi54]

Re: Thomasse on Moss - background story

John Tomase is an excellent writer, who continually goes the extra mile, makes the extra phone call and adds the extra dimension. He gets a HUGELY undeserved bad rap here. That is a terrific article.

 

[Dragda]

Re: Thomasse on Moss - background story

"Moss has taken his share of hits in the media, which has made him distrustful of the fourth estate."

Keep Borges, Felger and Shaughnessy (among others) as far away from Moss as possible.

The Pats are the best place for that. I imagine some players resent their stifled voice. Randy won't.

I just hope we can get him the ball.

I'm buying his jersey. Then I am going to the Oakland Raiders v. Colts game in Oakland this December.

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

Thomase wrote - "He passed the SAT on his first try"

Maybe I'm getting along in years here, but since when did the SAT become a pass/fail test?

SAT's are not pass/fail, they're just raw number results, however each institution (and the NCAA too) can (and do) set specific admission requirments. So in a way it is pass/fail. Simply put, If you wanna go to Notre Dame, you'll need to reach a specific number on the SAT. It might be different then the number for Bumfuk CC, but you still gotta achieve it to get in.

I thinks that's what was meant.

 

[aabtec]

You're really being a homer if you view this story as flattering to Moss despite Tomase's pitiful efforts to make it so.


Stomping on an unconscious person is pretty disgusting. Moss is lucky he only got 30 days in jail. Even if that person had written the racist/threatening statements, which, although Tomase tries to imply that Johnson did, wasn't shown to be the case anywhere in the article, still doesn't make it right or excusable what Moss and his pal did. Then Tomase claims that Moss being rightfully punished for his actions made him mistrustful of the public/strangers This makes absolutely no sense particularly if Moss was supposedly raised in a "strict household" (belied by the stomping incident). It is also contradicted by Moss' public behaviour as someone who has been negatively affected (and "changed") by the media/strangers wouldn't be bluntly honest with the media/strangers (i.e. "straight cash homie").

Tomase's article is informative but it would have been better had he left out the first page and not claimed a ludicrous connection between Moss' punishment for stomping on an unconscious fellow student and his later immature behaviour. Only thing the first page demonstrates is that Moss has been impulsive and immature from an early age (not surprising). It would also have been better if he had not tried to whitewash Moss' immature behaviours.

P.S. Randy cannot be a "finicky" eater if he eats from MacDonalds - I wouldn't give food from MacDonalds to my dog.

yes, I am sure you are an expert on what it is like to grow in West Virginia and deal with Red Necks that think slavery was a good idea. There are times when some people need a good ***** whipping.

Looks like the red neck got one. Violence does work sometimes. There are times when bullies need a good beat down.

But the real question is what were the teachers and administrators doing to breakup the red neck alley. Seems to me that they should have all been fired for not taking action to break up this crap.