Moss Almost A Forgotten Man This Offseason

For most of his career, he’s been a leading man. But this offseason, he’s been a bit player, content to let others take center stage.

It’s been a busy offseason for the Patriots: GM Scott Pioli departed for Kansas City, Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel were traded, Tom Brady returned, Rodney Harrison retired and Vince Wilfork’s contract status looks like it will be a problem. All along, no one has really thought much about wide receiver Randy Moss. There have been no questions about his health, his contract or his state of mind. There have been a few stories about his NASCAR investments, as well as an interview with ESPN.com’s Tim Graham where he called himself “the best wide receiver of all-time, hands down.” But other than that, Moss has almost been a forgotten presence throughout the offseason.

Now, when the 70 or so players have headed off the field after each practice at this spring’s organized team activities (OTAs), the media follows Brady or Tedy Bruschi or Richard Seymour. Moss? He’s just another guy heading to the locker room alongside the rest of his teammates.

Wait a minute. Randy Moss: just another guy?

Of course, Moss is about as far from a JAG status as anyone in the NFL. He’s still one of the best in the league at his position, a premier pass-catcher who demands attention every time he steps on the field. And he is integral to New England’s continued success. But the 32-year-old has clearly decided to live his professional life under the radar, at least this spring. Has the former third-rail of the NFL mellowed with age? Or is it just the latest example if the Patriots’ way? That’s anyone’s guess. But it’s clear he’s enjoying the fact that since the end of the 2008 season, he’s been the last guy on everyone’s mind.

Much of the low-profile routine is Moss’ own doing. In an age where other wide receivers are tweeting their every thought -- including why they’re having a hard time finding a new house in Buffalo -- he has decided to remain fairly unobtrusive. (Incidentally, Moss does have a Twitter account. He’s only made one post, back on May 9: “Moss is now on Twitter,” it reads.) But he’s declined local interview requests after each one of the OTA sessions the media has had access to.

While Moss isn’t talking, his mates are. Brady spoke about the kind of impact Moss and Wes Welker should have on the offense this season, a year Moss said could be even better than 2007 for the New England offense.

“I expect them to be great this year and there isn’t any reason why they shouldn’t be. They work hard. They know the offense. They’re accountable and they’re great leaders,” Brady said. “They need to play well. If they don’t play well, then obviously, we’re not going to have a very good football team.

“When your best players are guys that are the hardest workers -- I know Coach Belichick loves that. I think all the players look up to those guys and their leadership ability.”

After watching Moss for three sessions, Brady’s assessment appears to be spot on. There’s no reason to think Moss won’t be able to play at the same level he has the last two years. He appears to be in good spirits. In workouts, he’s been fluid and smooth. He and Brady have looked more than compatible in their exchanges, and have hooked up on a number of occasions in full-squad workouts, drawing cheers from teammates. The only time he even really registered on the radar screen for much of the media came earlier this week when Brady caught a pass from Moss when the two were playing catch. Brady fell down for a second -- Whoa! What was that? -- but quickly laughed as he got back on his feet and playfully threw his hands up as if he had just caught a touchdown pass. Whew -- call off the emergency alert.

But even if Moss isn’t talking, his play amid the drudgery of OTAs is speaking volumes. It is during sessions where the real work takes place between quarterback and wide receiver, where the groundwork for the unspoken communication is laid between Brady and Moss. It’s not about learning the playbook. It’s about establishing the sort of trust that bears fruit in November when the Patriots are facing a 3rd and long in a key situation -- and with a single glance, one will know exactly what the other is thinking.

Such an exchange took place midway through last Tuesday’s session. With the Patriots working in smaller groups, Brady and Moss were part of a few quarterbacks and wide receivers working in tandem on what appeared to be the red-zone passing game. As the drill continued, Director of Player Personnel Nick Caserio stood in the end zone as a safety, and a slight hand motion here or a small signal there from Brady sent Moss in one direction or the other. It was an illuminating drill, one that ended when Brady gently lofted a pass into the arms of Moss, who had just executed a flawless slant-and-go route and was floating toward the corner of the end zone.

When the workout was done, Moss smiled, declining interviews and sprinted through a media gauntlet so quickly his teammates chided him, calling him “Secretariat” and “Seabiscuit.” He slipped off to the locker room, content to let the show go on without him.