How Should Pats Fans Handle Randy Moss? Simple!
Friday, October 29, 2010
In every NFL city throughout the country, when the Minnesota Vikings come calling it’s all about Brett Favre. Love him or hate him, Favre puts fanny’s in the seats. Fans usually have strong opinions about him one way or the other and they either root for or against him with passion.
But here in New England, Brett Favre will not be the center of attention when the Vikings roll into town for a 4:15pm kickoff at the Razor this Sunday. That dubious distinction will belong to the man wearing #84 for Minnesota. His name is Randy Moss.
It was only a few weeks ago that the Patriots decided to trade the talented receiver to Minnesota. They also sent a future 7th round pick the Vikings way in exchange for a third round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.
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While we still don’t know exactly why Bill Belichick decided to make such a move, we surmise that it had to do with any combination of the following:
1. Moss had become disgruntled and wanted out.
2. Belichick feared that his sour attitude might infect his young football team.
3. At age 33, Moss’ production was starting to deteriorate.
4. Bob Kraft didn’t like the way Moss was handling himself absent a new contract.
5. Belichick thought that the trade represented outstanding value he couldn’t refuse.
Okay, maybe that last one wasn’t necessarily a factor, but you get the picture.
So now Moss comes strolling back into town for a nationally televised game this weekend and the big question in these parts is: how will Moss be greeted by Patriots fans?
I am assuming that some will boo the mercurial receiver because, as Jerry Seinfeld once said, “we root for laundry.” And the fact of the matter is that Moss is no longer wearing our laundry, he’s wearing someone other team’s.
There will also be those who boo Moss because they feel that he essentially forced the Patriots to trade him with his actions. Whether it was saying, “the Patriots don’t pay,” at a charity golf tournament this summer or not sitting at his assigned table at the team’s kickoff dinner and talking with season ticket holders. Maybe it was his “all about me” press conference following the season-opening win over Cincinnati that irritated Patriot Nation or him allegedly telling Belichick during training camp that it wasn’t the right time to talk about a new contract. Whatever the reason, many will hold these indiscretions against him.
I say, forget about those things. Would it have been better if Moss had played the good soldier and kept his mouth shut while here? Sure. But all players handle contract negotiations differently.
I say, we should cheer the man when he is introduced coming out of the tunnel at Gillette Stadium. In fact, a nice, loud standing ovation is in order given what he contributed to this franchise while here.
Let’s not forget that this guy was supposedly “washed up” according to his former team the Oakland Raiders. He was also someone who had a questionable reputation coming in.
Moss turned out to be anything but washed up as he was arguably the league’s most productive receiver in his 3+ seasons here. In 52 regular season game he caught 259 passes for 3,904 yards and a whopping 50 touchdowns! He made the Pro Bowl twice in 2007 and 2009 and set an NFL record with 23 touchdown receptions in a single season.
On top of that, Moss was a model teammate and citizen until the very end here in New England. Belichick and Brady constantly praised his work ethic and football IQ. And he didn't runover a single meter maid while here either!
So my advice to Patriots fans attending the game this Sunday is simple: give Moss the loud, standing ovation he deserves at the beginning of the game to show him that his spectacular work here not only did not go unnoticed, but was greatly appreciated.
After that, all bets are off. Moss and all of the other Viking players are fair game for all of the venom and vitriol you can muster up for them.
This is how real Patriots fans would handle the situation.
