Many movie moments could symbolize Wes Welker‘s decision to sign his $9.5 million franchise tender Tuesday and return to the Patriots for the 2012-13 season. Perhaps the Hulk destroying enemy ships in The Avengers. Or Dean Portman showing up at halftime of the JV-Varsity game at the end of Mighty Ducks 3. Really, any clip of someone returning from somewhere and then going on a rampage would do.

But none could do it better than Randy Quaid in Independence Day:

Just pretend the spaceship is an opposing defense and the metaphor works perfectly. Kinda like Welker and Tom Brady.

Welker Played His Best, Made Everyone Better in 2011

Despite whatever grief Patriots fans gave Welker following his drop towards the end of Super Bowl XLVI, Welker still had a career year last season. He set career-highs in nearly every possible receiving category: 1,569 receiving yards, 12.9 yards per reception, nine touchdowns, and 77 first downs. He caught an NFL-best 122 passes (22 ahead of second-place Roddy White of Atlanta), coming within one of his career-best.

As great as Welker’s Pro Bowl-qualifying individual accomplishments were, he also greatly improved the rest of the Patriots’ receivers. Rob Gronkowski posted the best season by a tight end in NFL history because secondaries couldn’t focus on him and leave Welker open in the slot. Such decisions too often proved disastrous (just ask the Dolphins in Game 1), and teams willingly risked a second-year player dominating for even the possibility of containing an eight-year vet like Welker.

Seemingly completely recovered from his knee injury two years ago, Welker’s agility and vision made him a lethal receiver across the middle: too speedy for linebackers, too crafty for most cornerbacks. And as Welker wreaked havoc in the middle of the field, receivers like Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez and Deion Branch benefited from the chaos.

Welker Setting Up for Bigger Payday

Kudos to Welker for not dragging his contract situation through the mud. He wanted a better deal, the Patriots didn’t want to give it to him, and they franchised him. Welker knew what they would do and, rather than piss and moan, just accepted it. An emphatic statement of support, an enthusiastic tweet, and the issue is over and done with.

But no one should misconstrue Welker’s tolerance for altruism. If Welker has another career year like 2011, he can show every team out there (Patriots or not) that he’s playing the best football of his life. Higher signing bonuses, more “guaranteed” (a phony word in NFL bargaining) cash, more years – a 2012 that matches or exceeds 2011 makes everything possible.

On top of his numbers, Welker’s approach shows professionalism and responsibility. Both of those qualities translate to profitability, because teams are way more likely to work with a player if they think he’ll keep the process to himself. Randy Moss‘ options have dwindled considerably over the last few seasons as more and more teams realize just how much of a prima donna he is. Despite Hall-of-Fame numbers, few teams want to go after a player who’ll air every petty grievance to the press.

And when it comes to the fans, every contract issue seems petty. When you’re making $30,000 a year, you don’t care if a guy gets $8 million over one year or $13 million over two. Fighting over so much money can only alienate fans towards both the player and the franchise.

Welker has shown none of the egotism athletes typically develop when they become on-the-field superstars. His humility is a bankable attribute, same as his speed.

The Patriots didn’t give Welker a longer deal because they’re still unsure his knee has fully healed (and because they’re the Patriots). Had Welker signed for longer elsewhere and struggled, the team might have cut him or asked him to renegotiate. Then he’d be exactly where he is now, except he’d be older and coming off a worse year.

But a second fantastic year and a rational approach to bargaining make Welker the ideal free-agent package, no matter who goes after him. How Welker handled the franchise tag sets him up for the big-money, long-term deal he’s wanted all along. And it gives Patriots fans one more year to enjoy one of the greatest receivers in franchise history.

That, as they say, is a win-win.

© Matt Goisman for Sports of Boston, 2012. | Permalink | One comment
Filed under: Featured, Patriots, Top Story.

Well we knew all thought it was going to be a big week and it certainly did not disappoint. Usually, the first week of the NCAA tournament dominates the national headlines because of the thousands of bracket and office pools across the country. This week was different. Beyond the spectacle that is “March Madness” was NFL free agency, which is becoming the new March Madness, and of course there was the NBA trade deadline (my thoughts on basketball are to come in future columns this week).

NFL Free Agency Thoughts

NFL free agency kicked into high gear at right about 4:05 PM EST last Tuesday. You have to love how the NFL sprinkles in hypocrisy with excitement. Free agency used to begin at 12:00 AM EST, but was moved up to a 4:00 PM EST to increase interest. Of course, there is to be no tampering by teams or agents before free agency starts.

However, we saw signings an hour after the clock started, and players getting on airplanes headed to their future homes. With a salary cap (and yes Mike Felger, a real cap), the players feel pressure to take the first good deal and sign. The most sought after players seldom even visit more than one city.

Clearly a lot of this negotiation goes on with agents, players and teams prior to the official start of free agency. This is a landscape that Scott Boras would find most displeasing.

Patriots in Free Agency

On Tuesday, I tweeted that the Patriots not making any moves on the first day of free agency was “shameful.” This tweet was sent after most of the available free agent wide receivers had been signed up and Brandon Lloyd, long linked to the Patriots, was on a flight to San Francisco. I will concede that the tweet was reactionary and sensational, but some of my Twitter posts are.

It was published by Mike Reiss of ESPNBOSTON.com on his daily blog and I took some heat from the “posters” on some of the local websites. Its fine, to quote Chris Rock, “I said it, that’s right I said it!” I stand by the comment in this way; Lloyd is now a member of the Patriots and he or a player similar, whether it be Reggie Wayne or Mike Wallace, was a must signing.

Brandon Lloyd

Without Lloyd, the Patriots were still capable of 11 wins and 5,000 yards of passing offense because they did it last year. But, critical observation of the Patriots playoff run showed the lack of a downfield threat. A receiver who can get open “outside the numbers” is necessary in this offense. Baltimore and New York didn’t shut down the Patriots offense, but they kept the big plays to a minimum and kept Tom Brady from dominating the game by playing up tight on the receivers knowing the Patriots had no one to get deep.

That was why Brady throwing a downfield interception to Matthew Slater of all people ALMOST cost them the AFC championship. Two weeks later, Brady’s downfield throw to Rob Gronkowski (and subsequent INT) was a contributing factor to their Super Bowl loss. The fact remains the Patriots did not have any downfield options last year.

On paper, Lloyd gives the offense a perfect design. It now has an adequate running game, a lethal short-to-intermediate passing attack that with Gronkowski is deadly in the red zone and finally a downfield attack. It’s not unlike what Josh McDaniels had in 2007 when he previously was offensive coordinator of the Patriots. Except now, McDaniels has two tight ends that are matchup problems for every team in the league.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Patriots’ patience worked as they were able to sign Lloyd to a cap friendly deal. Now Lloyd needs to deliver in a way that Ochocinco never did. The Patriots needed to upgrade this position for them to return to the Super Bowl next season, on that I will not concede.

Defense

On the defensive side of the ball, the Patriots made some minor moves with potential upside. They chose not to go after pass rushing defensive ends John Abraham or Jeremy Mincey and instead signed Bengals defensive end Jonathan Fanene, Chargers safety Steven Gregory and Raiders defensive lineman Trevor Scott. None of the three players were in the top 75 on anyone’s free agent list, but fill holes in a defense that still needs to be rebuilt. With a lot of the big names off the board, the Patriots can still bring in some impactful players on defense.

Defensive end Mark Andersen had 10 sacks for the Patriots last season, but he might receive a big-money offer elsewhere. Andre Carter, who also yielded double digit sacks prior to being injured, can probably be signed for short money. The Patriots might also want to offer deals to outside linebacker Manny Lawson and recently released San Diego Charger’s defensive end Luis Castillo (safety LaRon Landry would have been nice too…but he signed with the Jets).

These depth moves will allow the Patriots to target their true needs in the 2012 draft: pass rushers and defensive playmakers.

Peyton Manning

It has finally ended, and Bert Breer can finally go home. The Peyton Manning-to-Denver news was announced Monday after weeks and months of speculation. This all started with Manning apparently headed to Miami with Reggie Wayne a little over a week ago. This prompted days of discussion regarding Manning in the AFC East facing Tom Brady twice a season.

Then, as quickly as Miami was in i,t they were out and Arizona and Denver emerged as contenders for Manning’s services. Arizona seemed like a logical landing spot. They are a quiet media market, play in a climate controlled dome stadium in a weaker division and have one of the best receivers on the planet in Larry Fitzgerald.

Denver was a surprise, at first, but considering John Elway’s burning desire to get out from under Tebowmania, it made perfect sense. It seemed to be a hard sell (outdoor stadium, erratic weather although not as cold as many people think and a football team that is upcoming but not great).

Tennessee joined the hunt late when aging owner Bud Adams declared to his staff to go get Peyton! Manning played college football in Tennessee, he would be able to stay in the same division and like Denver, Tennessee is an up coming team with a good young defense.

Then, out of nowhere the mystery team appeared. That team was the San Francisco 49ers, who were a special teams fumble from playing in Super Bowl 46. In the second half of the NFC Championship, Alex Smith could not complete a pass to a wide receiver. We all know at 50% of Manning can do that. The 49ers have the best defense in the NFL and are returning all their starters on defense. Their coach, Jim Harbaugh was a former quarterback and preceded Peyton in Indianapolis. They signed wide receivers Randy Moss and Mario Manningham in free agency and have the second best receiving tight end in the league in Vernon Davis. Throw in Frank Gore, one of the best running backs in the league, and it’s a slam dunk right?

Apparently not, as Manning shocked many football insiders when he decided that Denver was in fact the best location to end his career. Why did he decide this? Well, that will fill up the airwaves of the NFL Network for the next 3 months. Maybe it was his father Joe Kennedy Archie Manning yearning for an all-Manning Super Bowl. With the depth of great quarterbacks and teams in the NFC, maybe the belief was that Denver offered the easiest road. Although I hope Manning watched Tom Brady carve up that defense not once, but twice last year.

If Manning can return to health, Tom Brady is the only quarterback in the conference in his league. Manning’s decision will play a key role in his final legacy as an NFL quarterback. Will he be able to win that second ring with another team and accomplish what even the great Joe Montana could not do? Regardless, it should be fun and let’s not forget the Patriots host the Broncos in Foxboro this season. Will that be the opening game of Sunday Night Football? Let’s hope so.

Other NFL Free Agents

As for the rest of free agency, the most aggressive teams were teams who did not qualify for the playoffs last year. A lot of bad teams last year had extra cap space from the lockout and “uncapped year.” If you look at the signings of Mario Williams (Bills), Vincent Jackson (Buccaneers), Cortland Finnegan (Rams), Robert Meachem (Chargers) and Brandon Carr (Chiefs), they were all to teams who needed to make splashes for their fan base and to remain competitive and difficult divisions. Teams like the Patriots, Giants, Ravens, Steelers, and Packers are usually not “big splash” teams in free agency.

The NFL’s popularity is extending to all aspects of the sport. No longer is it about the season itself. Last year the NFL Draft went primetime and this year with Twitter and the expanding 24 hour coverage of the NFL Network free agency is becoming appointment viewing.

Note: In a previous column discussing the media battle between 98.5 and WEEI, I mentioned that Entercom, the parent company of WEEI, had lost half a billion dollars last year. That number was an error. While it was correct that Entercom’s stock price was below $7 a share and they had experienced financial difficulties, Entercom actually had a profit of $68 million. Their revenues are still far short of CBS radio and that will have an impact on any bidding war for broadcast rights.

© gcain for Sports of Boston, 2012. | Permalink | 6 comments
Filed under: Featured, Opinion, Patriots, Top Story.

But here’s a photo of former Patriots WR Randy Moss with an actual dolphin:

(Photo from Moss's Twitter account: @DaRealOtisMoss)

© KC Downey for Sports of Boston, 2012. | Permalink | No comment
Filed under: Now!, Patriots.

The oft-maligned and rarely used Chad Ochocinco told the Boston Herald Saturday that he’s often spoken with former Patriot Randy Moss and former Bengal Terrell Owens during this transition year to the Patriot way of life.

The move seemingly makes sense: all three players are what Ochocinco called “diva receivers;” Moss is a former Patriot who played a huge roll in their record-setting 2007-08 offense; Owens knows Ochocinco from their year together in Cincinnati. And considering Moss and Owens have played for a combined 10 different teams in 28 seasons, you’d have to figure they’d know a thing or two about learning new schemes, coaches and teammates.

But what specifically did those “diva receivers” tell Ochocinco? Here are Sports of Boston’s Top 10 pieces of advice from Moss and Owens to Ochocinco.

10) “Let Drew Rosenhaus be as douchy as possible.” Ochocinco’s agent is Drew Rosenhaus, who also represents Owens. But so far, Ochocinco really hasn’t let Rosenhaus off the leash the way Owens did. Everyone just loved watching Rosenhaus act like he’s the most important person in the universe, but he’s disappeared with Owens’ departure to the IFL. It’s time to let Drew be Drew. The public demands it.

9) “Complain about the food early and often.” Nothing gets you in better with new teammates than complaining about the food they’ve been eating for years.

“Everyone loves obscenities.” Moon fans. Spit on opponents. Make sexually suggestive TV promos. Really, go crazy with this one.

7) “Completely downplay the history of your team.” Whether its a horrific plane crash or a future-Hall of Fame ex-coach, make it look like you really could care less about anything that happened in previous seasons. After all, you weren’t on those teams.

6) “Always play up the quality of your former team, especially right after playing them.” This might be hard for Ochocinco, since the Bengals are probably the worst-run team in the NFL. But Owens wore a jersey of former Cowboy Michael Irvin on the plane following a Dallas game, and Moss saluted Bill Belichick following a Vikings loss to the Patriots (see the clip in No. 3). Both decisions seemed to have worked out pretty well.

5) “Don’t be afraid of distracting the team with off-the-field antics, killing team morale or disrupting the locker room.” Remember, you can’t spell “clubhouse cancer” without “beacon,” so be a shining example to your team by always making as a big scene as you can. (By the way, that phrase also contains “anus.”)

4) “Drugs are a great way to handle stress.” With just one touchdown reception this season, plus a receptions-per-game average below one, Ochocinco must certainly be feeling some pressure. Rather than talking with people, exercising or trying meditation, he should follow the Moss-Owens plan and get himself some illicit substances. Ochocinco can choose between marijuana and hydrocodone.

3) “Second-guess your coach, ideally during a nationally televised press conference.” Didn’t like your team’s play-calling? Publicly call your coach out for it. The team will totally respect your courage.

2) “If you don’t like your current team, you can always stop trying.” Your next team will absolutely assume you won’t pull the same crap with them.

1) “When all else fails, just talk about yourself. Again.”

In conclusion, Patriots fans can agree that while Ochocinco hasn’t lived up to they hype, he also hasn’t pulled any of the crap listed above. And for that, everyone can be thankful.

© Matt Goisman for Sports of Boston, 2012. | Permalink | No comment
Filed under: Featured, Opinion, Patriots.

Could it be?

Prior to the Patriots 38-20 beat down against the Philadelphia Eagles, Drew Rosenhaus was seen on the Patriots sideline. Earlier Sunday, Rosenhaus said that one team is very interested in his client — Terrell Owens.

Is it a coincidence that Rosenhaus roamed the New England sideline? Or could Owens join the Patriots?

Last season Owens played in 14 games for the Cincinnati Bengals where he caught 72 passes and nine touchdowns. If the 37-year-old outside threat wasn’t coming off a big knee injury then the Patriots would be stupid to not give him a look.

But, the problem remains: he’s coming off a knee injury.

Owens would bring more to the table than what Chad Ochocinco (11 catches) has done so far this season, but it’s still too risky of a move in my eyes.

The Patriots are really lacking the big play receiver and T.O. would bring that element to this team. With Ochocinco still on the team, I think he will still get another shot to be the deep threat. But, I ask, if there’s any truth to this rumor why not take another look at Randy Moss?

Moss hasn’t had a serious knee injury and he’s only 34. He is a freak athlete that knows the system and wants to win a Super Bowl.

If the Patriots want to make a serious run at a Super Bowl then they will need to fix this problem. If Ochocinco doesn’t step up against the leagues worst team this Sunday don’t be surprised if T.O. gets a call from Bill Belichick.

© Bobby Doherty for Sports of Boston, 2011. | Permalink | No comment
Filed under: Featured, Opinion, Patriots, Rumors.

Chad Ochocinco has nine catches, 136 receiving yards and no touchdowns in six games this season. These numbers are far and away the worst they’ve ever been for Ochocinco, who averaged five catches and 74 yards per game in his first 10 seasons. Ochocinco has given the Patriots virtually nothing as he takes his sweet time learning their offense.

I could not care less. I have absolutely no problem with Ochocinco, and I’m getting increasingly tired of all the Chad-bashing.

Ochocinco: Just the Fifth Receiving Option

Every team has a receiver who contributes less than the others. There has to be a fifth receiver. In years past, a tight end usually filled that role. Tom Brady knew this, so he either lived along the sidelines or used slot receivers to cover the middle of the field.

Now, with the the Patriots’ Dynamic Duo of Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski, Brady has two huge targets to throw to in the flat. Gronkowski is too big and strong, and Hernandez is too quick. No defense has figured out how to shut one down without springing the other, and Hernandez’s speed let’s him double as a deep-threat.

Ochocinco doesn’t need to run the flat routes that older Patriots’ wide receivers had to because the Patriots’ tight ends match up better against opposing linebackers than Ochocinco ever could. Just remember: Hernandez is as tall as Ochocinco with 50 extra pounds of muscle; Gronkowski is five inches taller and 70 pounds stronger.

And even when the tight ends can’t get it done, the Patriots have the best wide receiver in the NFL in Wes Welker (740 receiving yards – 131 more than second-place Steve Smith). Welker was already one of the best slot-receivers in New England history before this season, but he’s added a sideline presence that’s made him almost un-coverable.

Does anyone actually want to see Ochocinco taking passing plays away from Welker? Even at his best, Ochocinco couldn’t do what Welker does (Welker’s averaged 7.2 receptions and 81.2 yards per game with Patriots).

Ochocinco hasn’t produced much because the Patriots don’t want him to produce much. Perhaps Ochocinco could duke it out with Deion Branch for the final starting job, but Branch had a 54-game head start entering this season. Branch knows Brady inside and out, making him the far smarter fourth-option for the Patriots. Ochocinco in the past showed more flash than Branch, but Ochocinco will only be able to show that once he learns the system.

Ochocinco Came Cheap

When Randy Moss half-assed his way through the 2010 season despite a contract worth about $5 million (part of a three-year, $27-million deal), Patriots fans rightly chewed him out. And because of Ochocinco’s on-field antics (most of which I’ve found harmless and hilarious, by the way), many see Ochocinco as the heir-apparent to Moss, both as the deep threat and a “problem athlete.”

The physical differences between the two players aside, Patriots fans must understand that Moss’ contract isn’t Ochocinco’s. The Patriots gave up just a fifth- and sixth-round draft pick for Ochocinco, then restructured the deal so that he would make $1 million in base pay with a $4.5-million signing bonus. The idea that Ochocinco isn’t living up to some giant contract is just plan misguided.

Ochocinco was a cheap pickup for the Patriots. Everyone needs to lower their demands on a player who is a) coming to a completely different team, b) didn’t break the bank, and c) isn’t doing anything in the clubhouse to damage chemistry.

No Other Options

The Patriots have just two more wide receivers on their roster: Second-year Taylor Price, and fourth-year Matthew Slater. Price has exactly three career catches under his belt, and Slater is primarily a special teams player. So which receiver exactly can replace Ochocinco? Neither has done anything to show he can be better than Ochocinco, and Ochocinco’s upside when he finally does learn the system is far greater.

When Ochocinco syncs with Brady, the two will combine for more yardage than Brady could with either Price or Slater. Until that happens, the Patriots seem content to bring Ochocinco along slowly, getting the not-overpaid receiver a couple of passes each game without hindering their far superior tight ends and starting wideouts.

So far, the strategy’s worked out fine. And if the Patriots are o.k. with Ochocinco’s developmental pace, so am I.

© Matt Goisman for Sports of Boston, 2011. | Permalink | 2 comments
Filed under: Featured, Opinion, Patriots.

It worked with Corey Dillon. It worked with Randy Moss.

Throughout his head coaching tenure with the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick has had a great track record in bringing in other teams trash and making them Patriots treasure.

This offseason Belichick was at it again.

The Patriots brought in colorful Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco at the end of July. On paper the relationship looked like one that was made from the start. For years Ochocinco marveled at the Patriots, and for years Belichick spoke positively about the wide receiver.

But as we know, you have to look past what is seen on the surface (see 2011 Philadelphia Eagles). Ochocinco’s stint in New England has been uneventful, unproductive and uninspired.

In five games with the Patriots, Ochocinco has caught nine passes for 136 yards and no touchdowns. Consider this: Wes Welker had 13 catches for 192 yards and a touchdown after three-quarters in a 34-31 loss against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 25.

It goes beyond production. Ochocinco has struggled to grasp the Patriots playbook, which has been a cardinal sin for players in Belichick’s system. Just ask Guss Scott, Chad Jackson and Terrence Wheatley.

It doesn’t get much better when Ochocinco is in the game, either. Even on his receptions, the chemistry between the wide receiver and Tom Brady doesn’t appear to be there.

Ochocinco was never asked to come in and be the No. 1 receiver on this team. But, you have to wonder that the Patriots wanted a wee bit more – especially considering that Belichick traded two drafts picks for the guy.

Rewind to 2007.

When Randy Moss joined the Patriots nobody knew what to expect. We were talking about the same player that openly gave up in Oakland. But, all Moss did was produce.

A record-setting season later and Moss was heralded as one of the greatest acquisitions in team history. Moss set the precedent, but because of that Ochocinco never stood a chance.

Never.

People and fans alike expected No. 85 to be the current version of No. 81. But, there was a major difference in the two players.

Moss put in the time and effort to prove to the entire league that he could still play. For what we have seen so far, Ochocinco hasn’t put in the same will.

How do I know that? Because if he did, he would be on the field (he played in 39.5 percent of the offensive snaps against the Jets). Not sitting on the sideline while Brady and Co. maneuver the No. 1 offense in the NFL down the field – without him.

The past usually has a weird way of repeating itself. But, not here.

It hasn’t worked with Chad Ochocinco.

–

Follow Matthew Marcantonio on Twitter: @M_Marcantonio

© Matthew Marcantonio for Sports of Boston, 2011. | Permalink | One comment
Filed under: Featured, Opinion, Patriots, Top Story.

According to Pro Football Talk, (retired?) wide receiver Randy Moss wants to return to the Patriots. That’s a little surprising. Considering that Moss presumably called it quits due to lack of interest, Randy probably doesn’t have all that much leverage in choosing where (and if) he wants to play at all.

And in case anyone forgot, the Patriots actually made Moss a one-year offer earlier in the offseason. To say Moss is a confusing guy would be an understatement.

Would I want the Pats to sign Randy Moss? Absolutely. Yeah he’s a cancer, but then again, I’m a sucker for washed up all-stars with impressive past performances. Nevertheless, he dropped off fast. And beyond whatever happened with his behavioral issues, for arguably one of the greatest wide receivers to be dumped by three different teams (two of which were the Vikings and Titans) has to say something.

But then I think about a receiving core of Welker, Branch, Ochocinco and Moss. Hot damn.

So Moss wants to play for the Patriots, who most likely have little to no interest him. But I thought Randy Moss retired. Retired (adj.): Having left one’s job and ceased to work. Why is someone allegedly finished with playing sports talking about playing sports? Retirement means it’s the end. A player retires when they stop playing sports and move back to their ranch (I automatically assume all athletes do this upon retirement). But, in today’s world of professional sports, retirement no longer means anything.

It’s All About the Story Lines

At the end of 2010, Mike Lowell announced it was his last season in Major League Baseball. The Red Sox honored the third baseman with a ceremony on the last game of the season. What was so bizarre about that? It wasn’t that Lowell had only played for Boston for five years. It wasn’t that the Red Sox unsuccessfully tried to dump him and were awkwardly stuck with him for a whole season. It was that Lowell said he was going to retire and he meant it. That just doesn’t happen anymore.

I said I’m a sucker for washed up all-stars. Well I’m also a sucker for story lines. And there’s something inexplicably enjoyable about an athlete making a last hurrah, a highlight reel, and ceremony to honor retirement.

He plays his last game, tips his hat, and rides off into the sunset to his ranch. You know what makes terrible storyline? A “will he/won’t he” drama that plays out for months too long. You know what makes an even worse story line? A player doesn’t retire when he can no longer compete, plays for a few random teams to end his career, and fades into oblivion. Some time after that, they apparently become retired. From what I’ve gathered, these are the three routes for a player can take upon retirement.

The Favre Route

Method: Threaten retirement with no intention of actually doing so. Create a soap opera-esque drama in a pathetic attempt to gain attention. Realize no one actually wants you and sink into irrelevance and a life of shame.

Recent Examples: Brett Favre, Roger Clemens, Michael Jordan, Randy Moss?

Office Equivalent (If someone with a generic office job took this route with their profession): Clear out desk on Friday afternoon. Tell boss you haven’t decided if you feel like coming back on Monday. Presumably ends in unemployment.

The Man-Ram Routes

Method: Instead of retiring with the team you will be remembered for, act like an SOB and demand an absurd amount of money. Spend your last years on random and irrelevant teams, and slowly fade into an abyss of nothingness. (Getting suspended for breaking league drug policy is optional, but not required.)

Recent Examples: Manny Ramirez, Shaq, Frank Thomas, Randy Moss?

Office Equivalent: Retire from your job and take several increasingly less appealing jobs before leaving the workforce. Accountant -> Dog Sitter -> Horse Pleaser. Yikes.

The Mike Lowell Route

Method: Announce retirement and actually retire. Pretty cool.

Recent Examples: Mike Lowell, Troy Brown, Bobby Cox

Office Equivalent: Announce retirement. Maybe the office has cake or something to celebrate.

Where Does Randy Moss Fit In?

Arguably, Moss falls somewhere in between the Favre/Ramirez Route. Either way it’s still obnoxious. When players flirt with retirements and comebacks, it merely comes off as a cry for attention.

I get it, it must be hard to be removed from the spotlight in however many years. But it’s boring off field drama. People want to talk about the action — the players in their prime displaying ridiculous acts of athleticism, or doing crazy touchdown dances, or fighting each other. If you’re going to retire, then do it.

The attention should be on the people actually playing the game. The time for Moss to sign with the Patriots or another team was six weeks ago. Now Randy should run a deep route into the sunset toward his ranch.

© Josh Segal for Sports of Boston, 2011. | Permalink | No comment
Filed under: Featured, Patriots.

Today on the SoB podcast, I had Anna Clark on. Clark is a writer for Grantland, who wrote a piece on Randy Moss this week. In the podcast we talk journalism, the blogosphere backlash against Grantland, her experiences in Kenya & the Prison Creative Arts Project, and – of course – thoughts on Randy Moss’ legacy.

Using a cell phone? We got you covered, click here.

Want to skip around? Below is a breakdown of our conversation.

o:oo – 8:00 : Advice in journalism (Putting yourself in a piece, taking risks, etc.)

8:00 – 15:00 : Grantland backlash: What is good about the site vs. What should be improved. Is criticism valid or crass?

15:00 – 18:00 – Finding your voice as a writer

18:00 – 25:00 : Experiences in Prison Creative Arts Project & Kenya

25 – End : Sports! We talk about the Lions playing on Thanksgiving & Everything Moss (Does his candid demeanor deserve as much critique as it gets or is it refreshing? Is Moss’ career a disappointment? And much more!)

Comments, Suggestions, Insults — Follow Ryan on Twitter!

© Ryan Hadfield for Sports of Boston, 2011. | Permalink | No comment
Filed under: Featured, Now!, Opinion.

The More Things Change, The More They Stay the Same

On July 14, Joel Segal, Randy Moss’ agent, claimed the mercurial wide receiver is in great shape, motivated, and ready to contribute to a Super Bowl contending team.

“He is determined, motivated and quite frankly has a huge chip on his shoulder. Whatever team ends up getting Randy, they’re going to know they’re getting the old Randy Moss,” Segal told NFL.com. “He’s not just coming in to be on the team, he’s going to be Randy Moss — a difference maker.”

Apparently that desire waned. Moss, after “weighing” his options in free agency, ordered his agent to publicly announce his retirement. A complete 180. A shock.

But is it really “unexpected” that Randy Moss did the, uh, “unexpected”?

Since 1998, Moss has reminded me of the stoic portrayal of Achilles by Brad Pitt in the movie, Troy. He never seemed to care about the greater good, just his own personal agenda. And, in having that selfish motive, Moss doing the unexpected is like Lady Gaga wearing relish for eye shadow.

In other words, with Moss the “unexpected” – by nature – is actually the expected.

A Beautiful Fickle Mind

How will we remember Randy Moss?

The ’07 season was magical. From the opening game (or the Spy-Gate game) all the way to the last moments of the Super Bowl when the Patriots were throwing up last-second heaves in desperation — you never knew what would happen when 81 was on the other end of a Tom Brady pass.

Looking beyond that, the question with Moss was never his physical ability, it’s always been between the ears. With that said, a newly discovered motivation never would have mattered when his issues have never pertained to ability.

And I don’t know if we ever understood Moss. His relationship quarrels seem to be with himself, rather than with the team employing him.

The fickle nature displayed in this last month is nothing new. Moss has always been the personification of the Katy Perry song, “Hot N Cold.”

One year he wants to win a championship. He does everything right - takes a pay cut, is amenable with his new teammates, and finally becomes the force we all know he can be. The next year he is bitching about being underpaid, holding press conferences about his selfish monetary-driven intentions after a huge team win, and feuding with the coaching staff.

In New England, he shot himself out-of-town seemingly on purpose. Then he wanted back in? He has and always will be an enigma.

It’s more than that, though. Moss embodied everything I hate about sports, and everything I love about sports at the same time. He was a diva, but apparently a great leader. Moss can be very savvy with media. He had ability to articulate himself much better than many other athletes. That same self-awareness can be superseded by his tendency to be an a-hole.

Moss was creative in the likeable way, not over-the-top creative like Chad Ochocinco. Instead Moss had an instinctive creativeness that is restricted. This is by design; he only lets us see this side of him in spurts.

When players were first given the opportunity to introduce themselves and their alma-mater in primetime games, Moss coined Rand University. As creative as he could be outside of the game, Moss’ game in between the lines was as original as an episode of Entourage.

Moss refused to go over the middle. His best pattern was the fly pattern. He was a front-runner at heart, which means he doesn’t have heart.  Moss was infamous for giving up on plays, and known as a player who didn’t try all the time.

That really sucked.

In fact, when dissecting Moss’ career, that’s the toughest aspect to circumvent. I mean has anyone had a Hall of Fame career, and left as many accolades and greatness on the table as Moss?

Mostly, I’ll remember Moss for re-affirming two truisms about sports.

1) Every now and then an athlete comes along and can produce a “Holy Sh!T” moment on the reg. It’s a gift. Even when it’s not happening, the potential for it to happen keeps you on the edge of your seat. It’s completely arbitrary, and it’s part of the fabric which makes sports the greatest “reality television” show of all time. Anything can happen. Moss – along with Jordan, Derek Jeter, Barry Sanders, Doug Flutie (not just BC, even with the Bills), Brett Favre (in both the good way AND the bad) – harnessed that ability.

2) You root for the laundry. You just do.

Believing In Santa Claus

So is it really over for Moss?

Both Michael Holley and Tom E. Curran were skeptical on CSNNE Monday night. And justifiably so.

Moss still has fuel in the tank. His a viable first-option on 60% of the teams in the league right now. I mean, come on! It was less than a year ago Moss erupted the volcano on Revis Island.

© Ryan Hadfield for Sports of Boston, 2011. | Permalink | 2 comments
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