The Fifth Down: Randy Moss and a Possible Return to the Patriots

The Fifth Down: Randy Moss and a Possible Return to the Patriots

The possibility that Randy Moss will behave means that at least some team will take a chance on him.

But now that he has announced his return, don’t assume that the Patriots, the seemingly logical choice, will be that team.

Mike Reiss, ESPN Boston:

My feeling is that the team has moved on.

Part of the reason the Patriots moved on from Moss in the first place was a halftime blowup with play-caller Bill O’Brien in Moss’ final game with the team in Week 4 of 2010. It highlighted a shift in which Moss had transitioned from a team-first player in 2007 to someone more interested in his own production.

It is also my belief that quarterback Tom Brady became increasingly drained with keeping Moss on board, to the point that it became a concern of the coaching staff.

Tedy Bruschi disagrees.

What about the Jets?

From The Jets Blog: “I think I speak for a majority of Jets fans, when I say PLEASE NO. Randy Moss is everything the Jets don’t need at the WR position.”

Three links for your consideration:

1) Gary Shelton of The Tampa Bay Times on Freddie Solomon, the former 49ers and Dolphins receiver, who became known for his community service. Solomon died on Monday of cancer at 59:

Do not remember Freddie Solomon for the catches he made. Remember him for the lives he changed.

2) Mike Sullivan, who is leaving his post as Giants quarterbacks coach to become Greg Schiano’s offensive coordinator at Tampa Bay, leaves this thought about Eli Manning, via Giants.com:

“Working with Eli, it was wonderful to see the hard work, the commitment, and the focus on all the little details. He’s such a true professional. I think there was a definite determination and attitude he brought to the table this year to focus on being the best he could possibly be, whether it was small mechanical things, or footwork, or different things in practice. Or taking it a step further into greater detail in terms of game plan preparation, the dialogue, the communication, cracking the code for various opponents.”

3) ProFootballFocus.com rates the top 50 free agents, with Mario Williams at No. 1. The only Jet or Giant to make the list is Jets defensive tackle Sione Pouha at No. 18.

Also from ProFootballFocus.com: Nnamdi Asomugha is an unusually poor tackler.

Extra point Whether the Patriots will want him or not, Moss seems to have strong feelings for the Patriots. As The Boston Globe pointed out: “He showed up to owner Robert Kraft’s house as he sat shiva following the death of Myra Kraft” and “was in Kevin Faulk’s driveway a week ago when the running back returned from Indianapolis.”