Randy Moss pointed to the back of his jersey on both touchdowns yesterday during the New England Patriots 49-26 thrashing of the dreary Oakland Raiders.
As he needed any more attention drawn to him.
The crowd knew who it was and he enjoyed rubbing it in; as the former Raider had a victorious return to the Bay area with his 5 receptions for 67 yards and 2 scores. Heck, he even went up against the pride and joy of the Raider Nation – Nnamdi Asomugha – and drew a couple of flags on the steady cornerback while making a few receptions on the one player the Silver & Black have that is in the stratosphere with him. Ok…maybe not.
Moss showed the fans in Oakland how he plays when he wants to play. And he showed them how he can perform when he cares about football, or when he has an agenda against the opponent.
“That’s just Randy being Randy,” said LaMont Jordan, another ex-Raider who made a successful return to the Black Hole. “I was definitely happy for him, especially the way the Oakland media had no good things to say about him. … We came here together to wear the Oakland uniform and to try to turn that program around. It didn’t work out and we both left on bad terms.”
The team jettisoned Moss when he wanted no part of an organization that was floundering. They traded him for a fourth round draft selection (John Bowie) and ridded themselves of a malcontent that could’ve caused way more damage than he did in his two seasons.
Moss’ vindication didn’t come when he romped through the Raiders secondary. Yeah, he wanted to show Raider Nation what type of player he really is per Wes Welker. “I think it meant a lot to him,” said his fellow receiver. “There was a lot of focus on Randy this week, just like every week. But you could tell he wanted this game and really wanted to show what kind of player he is.”
His vindication came when he was moved to a team that demanded respect from him that could corral his volatility and channel that talent onto what matters – winning on the field.
Moss’ return to limelight last season and the statistical epic regular season and playoff run he had with Tom Brady were enough of ‘I told you so…’, for those that casted him off. And Moss’ march towards the Hall of Fame is what ultimately people will remember, not his exiled time in Oakland.
THE COMMISH IN OAKLAND
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was in attendance yesterday. He met with the media at halftime and spoke on a few topics:
WHY COME HERE NOW, COMMISSIONER?
“I try to get around to every stadium every couple of years. I haven’t been out here yet so…this is a game that we had picked a couple of months ago. I’m glad I’m here.”
YOUR IMPRESSIONS OF THIS STADIUM FACILITY AND THE AREA? ONE OF THE OLDEST IN THE NFL?
“It is. And it’s something that we’ve been meeting with a lot of people today about how to address that from a long-term standpoint. It’s clear, and I think everyone accepts it, that something has to get done here with a new stadium at some point. And I’ve had a chance to talk to some of the leadership here about how we can help in that process.
“There are a lot of passionate fans here, as you know, from talking to fans here.”
THE RAIDERS HAVE NOT BEEN COMPETITIVE FOR SOME TIME. DOES IT FALL WITHIN YOUR REALM AS COMMISSIONER TO ADDRESS?
“Not individually, no. Competitiveness…I think we’ve got a very competitive league. The Dolphins showed how fast you can turn a franchise around. The Atlanta Falcons have showed how fast you can turn a franchise around.
“This franchise has been competitive for decades. I’m sure Mr. Davis and the Raiders are going to turn that around.”
HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR THE RAIDERS TO REMAIN HERE IN OAKLAND ? THEIR LEASE IS UP IN A COUPLE OF YEARS.
“I think it’s important for all of our teams to stay in their communities. This is something we’ve focused on a n awful lot over the last 10 or 15 years, in trying to make sure we create an environment where the team can be successful, the community can be successful and together they can create a partnership that’s going to do great things for the fans and the community.”
CAN YOU SHARE WITH US ANY OF YOUR MEETING WITH AL DAVIS?
“No. Nothing that is significant. We talked about a variety of different issues. I don’t mean it was that secretive.”
SO, YOU CAN’T DIVULGE ANY DETAILS?
“No, we had a good dialogue about a variety of things that are happening in the league. And that’s part of what I do when I go to markets is want to hear from owners, I want to hear from club people, I want to hear from fans, I want to hear from the media.”
BURGESS A NON FACTOR
Derrick Burgess has no sacks since his return to the line-up after missing six games due to injury. He has 1.5 sacks all season and none in the Raiders last four games. And with the lack of pressure they’ve applied in recent weeks, it’s becoming more obvious the glaring need to generate more of a pass rush.
Burgess had hopes for a big season after injuries slowed him early last year. He ended 2007 strong and the Raiders felt he would get back to his dominant 2005 and 2006 form when he compiled 27 sacks and had back-to-back pro bowl appearances.
With one year remaining left on his 5-year deal, Burgess has to show in 2009 that he will be deserving of the raise he felt he should’ve got before the start of last season.
Contact Author: Victor Cotto — SB Report Columnist
Shane Lechler and Richard Seymour were the only current members of the Oakland Raiders to be named on the National Football League’s All-Decade team.
