Moss, Media potrayal of Moss, and how it affected you

[NYCPatsFan]

Considering that some the fans on this board and most of the media labeled Moss and his acquisition something that the Pats could/should have avoided, I am curious to know what the fans currently think in terms of the following:

(1) Based on Moss' performance - both on and off field - have you changed your opinion of him as a player and person?

(2) If your prior impression of Moss was a negative one, how much was it influenced by the media's potrayal of Moss?

(3) Assuming you got put off by most of the media and the football experts on their coverage of us and spygate, would you still go by what they report on other non-Pats players - such as Manning or Mr. Tomlinson - and other coaches?

Related FYI : I didn't have a negative opinion of Moss and trusted our BB and FO. But last season, my opinion of Asante changed to a strong dislike after reading the Globe's 'report' on him and his 'Get Paid' tatoo. I changed my thoughts thanks to this forum and later reports that pointed out the errors in the Globe's story. But during that period, I didn't hesitate to mock him and am not proud that I caused two of my friends to cancel their plans of getting his jersey.

 

[onegameatatime]

Considering that some the fans on this board and most of the media labeled Moss and his acquisition something that the Pats could/should have avoided, I am curious to know what the fans currently think in terms of the following:

(1) Based on Moss' performance - both on and off field - have you changed your opinion of him as a player and person?

(2) If your prior impression of Moss was a negative one, how much was it influenced by the media's potrayal of Moss?

(3) Assuming you got put off by most of the media and the football experts on their coverage of us and spygate, would you still go by what they report on other non-Pats players - such as Manning or Mr. Tomlinson - and other coaches?

Related FYI : I didn't have a negative opinion of Moss and trusted our BB and FO. But last season, my opinion of Asante changed to a strong dislike after reading the Globe's 'report' on him and his 'Get Paid' tatoo. I changed my thoughts thanks to this forum and later reports that pointed out the errors in the Globe's story. But during that period, I didn't hesitate to mock him and am not proud that I caused two of my friends to cancel their plans of getting his jersey.

I was all for the Pats getting Moss -- I saw big upside, and a one-year $3m downside. However, I had no idea what to expect, and certainly did not know he was THIS GOOD.

So, YES, my opinion of him as a player has changed for the better.

On the personal side, it's easy to be gracious when you're winning, so I am reserving judgment. He's shown a bit of an edge and is still a more quotable player, but he has always been on top.

ON Samuel, I do not have a negative view, because he is a very good player in a violent sport and has one chance to "get paid." Why should he not get paid, while other Pats like Woody have gotten big contracts and we said "good for him." The media's mis-reporting of the atttoo is a shame.

 

[nukin]

I have always liked him as a PLAYER but while he was in oakland I must admit I fell into the media trap. I thought he turned into an @$$hole... and when the pats got him I knew we had a good player. I was scheptical (like most) as to how his personality would change.

I can say now that he not only is a great receiver but he is also a humble (GASP!) guy!

PS -
I talked my girlfriend into telling me one of my christmas presents... A MOSS JERSEY!!!


Sig says it all.

 

[PatsfanGlo]

To be honest, I had big question about his character and maturity issue. It wasn't long ago he 'mooned' fans at Greenbay and squirted water at a ref. Not to mention few traffic incidents and his constant pouting at Oakland. I knew he was a great player when he wanted to be but he also had this rep for taking plays off when he didn't feel like it. Also, I don't think I ever seen this guy laugh or smile along with his teammates when playing so I was curious to see how he'll get along with Patriots player who are known for being very professional. Media probably had a lot to do with my perception but I believe some of this image problem was of his fault.

Of course, winning season will cure a lot of things. I've been very impressed with his production, which is really beyond what I've expected, and how professional he sounds when giving interviews. What really surprised me was how fellow Patriots players constantly praise him for being a leader of all the things. That was a big shocker. I think this is perhaps very first time in year I don't hear about Randy Moss' 'character' problem. Every single year, media will praise him about his ability as a player but always knock him down with 'well only if he was mature and act professionaly'. I don't know how coming to Pats just changes players completely(I have a theory that BB implants chips into people's head....-_-) but so far, I got nothing but love for Moss.

As for media this year, their coverage of Patriots have been nothing short of complete disgrace. I have never seen media try to kill off one team's reputation in this manner while the team is on historic run for perfection. Instead of focusing on the goods, they chose to talk about exact same topic, spygate, week after week after week which leads me to believe they really don't want to view this as perhaps one of the greatest teams of all time. I really do question media's credibility when they protray Manning as 'squeaky clean, lovable best QB' or LT as 'classy, best RB in the league right now.' I never really warmed up to Manning before but I lost all my respect for him after watching his 30th commercial.

 

[onegameatatime]

To be honest, I had big question about his character and maturity issue. It wasn't long ago he 'mooned' fans at Greenbay ....

As I understand it, the mooning incident was way overblown and was an inside joke. One thing I read said that the GB fans like the moon the opposing players' buses when they leave (or arrive). So this was more like an inside joke with the fans. Also, he did not do it, only mimed it.

Maybe it's still not something Mr. Classy would do, but I think this brings a different context.

 

[makoute]

I didn't have to change my mind on him, always been a fan of the guy. I almost died of happiness when the rumor that had been circulating the past few years finally came true.

:rocker:

 

[makoute]

As I understand it, the mooning incident was way overblown and was an inside joke. One thing I read said that the GB fans like the moon the opposing players' buses when they leave (or arrive). So this was more like an inside joke with the fans. Also, he did not do it, only mimed it.

Maybe it's still not something Mr. Classy would do, but I think this brings a different context.

The "mooning" incident that never happened is a perfect example on the media's bias on R. Moss. The guy PRETENDED pulling down his football pants, listening to the media afterwards, and the reaction from the league, you would've thought he actually pulled his pants down on National TV.

 

[PatsfanGlo]

As I understand it, the mooning incident was way overblown and was an inside joke. One thing I read said that the GB fans like the moon the opposing players' buses when they leave (or arrive). So this was more like an inside joke with the fans. Also, he did not do it, only mimed it.

Maybe it's still not something Mr. Classy would do, but I think this brings a different context.

Well it did piss off a lot of those cheese head and that's all fine by me. What concerned me was I didn't want to see that kind of antics from a Pats player.

But like mackoute, I was just astonished and giddy when Pats managed to get Moss for 4th round pick. That really made my day.

 

[Truck]

The "mooning" incident that never happened is a perfect example on the media's bias on R. Moss. The guy PRETENDED pulling down his football pants, listening to the media afterwards, and the reaction from the league, you would've thought he actually pulled his pants down on National TV.

I completely agree with this. The media when this incident is mentioned, act as if he actually mooned the fans, and that he did so for no reason.

 

[Lampshade]

Great post.

The only area in which my opinion has changed is in his playing ability; he is far and away a better player than I expected.

Long ago I realised it's pointless judging people through the media. I had always put down the "I play when I want to play" quote as twisted nonsense, so I never disliked him. My distrust of the media has been strengthened by Randy's time here; the Felger nonsense that Moss was going at half speed in training camp being an obvious example of negative spin.

Has my judgement of "classy" guys changed? I hope not. I'd like to believe I'm able to filter out the media bias.

 

[Lampshade]

The "mooning" incident that never happened is a perfect example on the media's bias on R. Moss. The guy PRETENDED pulling down his football pants, listening to the media afterwards, and the reaction from the league, you would've thought he actually pulled his pants down on National TV.

Great example. My opinion of Moss didn't go down when he fake mooned, but my opinion of Joe Buck certainly did.

 

[NYCPatsFan]

As I understand it, the mooning incident was way overblown and was an inside joke. One thing I read said that the GB fans like the moon the opposing players' buses when they leave (or arrive). So this was more like an inside joke with the fans. Also, he did not do it, only mimed it.

The slamming over his mooning mime made me wonder to what extent many of the NFL experts actually make an effort to know the situation before deciding to tarnish someone.

I remember seeing that mime during the game and laughed it off when I heard the commentator at the game point out that many fans actually did it to the Vikings on their way to the stadium and hence Moss was miming it on behalf of his team. But none of that was mentioned later that night and the following days when expert after expert slammed Moss for such a disgraceful behaviour.

So, inspite of the few negative stories on Moss' personal character that I read during his Viking days, I refrained from labeling Moss negatively purely based on the analysis and judgement of the experts on ESPN and other sports channels.

 

[NYCPatsFan]

... I really do question media's credibility when they protray Manning as 'squeaky clean, lovable best QB' or LT as 'classy, best RB in the league right now.' ....

Frank and great reply. Thanks.

To the point reproduced above: you forgot to add Dungy.

 

[PatsfanGlo]

Frank and great reply. Thanks.

To the point reproduced above: you forgot to add Dungy.

Haha....don't even get me started on Dungy. One thing I'm really curious about is how such well known homophobic is triumphed as a saint by liberal media.

 

[Buchanty]

I never really warmed up to Manning before but I lost all my respect for him after watching his 30th commercial.

So I guess that was in the earlier part of this decade!

 

[WTE]

I knew Moss would suceed here over a year when a reporter told BB that Randy Moss would not "fit in" here and Belichick quickly retorted "Why not?"

In Bill We Trust

 

[tuckeverlasting]

Great example. My opinion of Moss didn't go down when he fake mooned, but my opinion of Joe Buck certainly did.

what rhymes with buck ? that's what i think of him.

i was stoked when we got moss and i never let the media morons form my opinions.

 

[NYCPatsFan]

...
i was stoked when we got moss and i never let the media morons form my opinions.

I tend to give respect to the thoughts and opinions of the former players and coaches but was left scratching my head when Jaws accused Moss - in his 'opinion' BTW - of dogging plays after just ONE game in which Moss was completely double teamed and dragged on every play. His comments were enough to have others wonder if Moss is back to his 'problamatic' days.

Why the h*** couldn't he give his opinion after two or three games?

 

[ClevTrev]

Good thread!

I had preconceived notions formed by hearsay prior to Moss' arrival. It's a lesson that people need to be given the benefit of the doubt until a fact-based opinion can be formed. I was never down on Moss for the fake mooning incident. It was more due to the game where the Vikings attempted to have him stay by the sidelines just before a play was called, and have Moss get out of the game quickly before the play was called with 11 men in addition to Moss already on the field. The objective was to draw a defender over to Moss, and then have Moss get off the field leaving the defender way out of position. Anyway, the play was botched, and the vitriol was directed at Moss due to an assumed "bad attitude." It wasn't until later that I and the announcers realized that he was really following the game plan.

That being said, this guy has exceeded my expectations, and though I was happy to hear the team had acquired Moss, I never expected him to be so skilled and be one of the more intelligent players I've seen play WR. True, players on winning teams are usually happy, but this guy is at the top of his game and is a pleasure to watch.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

When I posted a poll in October '06 asking "Do the Pats need WR help? Do you want Moss?", the breakdown was evenly split 50-50 on if people wanted Moss. I admit I was part of the "NO" crowd.

But I admit that by April, I had come around--in large part, I think, because the Pats had also signed Welker and Stallworth. It's interesting to wonder, though, what would have happened if Moss had been the Pats' only WR pickup--though I sure am glad he wasn't.