Moss’ growth minimal: First camp looks like slow-motion replay
By Michael Felger/ Patriots Insider
Boston Herald Patriots Beat Columnist
Tuesday, June 12, 2007 - Updated: 06:29 AM EST
FOXBORO - If you want to get excited about Randy Moss and what he’ll bring to the Patriots in 2007, here’s a bit of advice:
Don’t watch him practice.
That was the impression made during the four days of non-contact workouts the media was allowed to watch last week at Gillette Stadium.
Perhaps Moss will ramp it up when training camp opens July 27, but if minicamp was any indication, fans probably shouldn’t expect any fireworks.
Nearly every regional and national media outlet was there to record Moss’ Patriots introduction, and most reports focused on the promise he brings to Tom Brady and the offense. Many dispatches also made sure to point out the three or four nice catches he made during those four days. In addition, Moss spoke to the media for about nine minutes Wednesday, which might have distracted the fourth estate from reporting what Moss actually did on the practice field.
Which, in short, wasn’t much.
While newcomers Wes Welker, Donte’ Stallworth and Kyle Brady hustled through their first days on the job, and veterans such as Tom Brady, Rodney Harrison and Tedy Bruschi continued to exemplify the Patriots Way, Moss moved at his own pace. He rarely dug in. More often than not, he glided. On balance, the most talented receiver of this generation was just another guy.
You’d have thought Moss would have taken the opportunity to make an early statement, maybe run from drill to drill across the field, lead the sprints at the end of practice, blow by the slower and smaller players trying to cover him, whatever. Show a little hustle. Little things.
But it pretty much was the opposite. Moss was content to remain in the pack. He never was first in line. He certainly didn’t make defensive backs look foolish. Aside from climbing the ladder once or twice on high throws, he didn’t give any hints of his prodigious physical gifts. It’s true the entire proceedings were run at about three-quarters speed, but that didn’t stop Brady, Welker and Harrison from giving full effort. Moss’speedometer seemed stuck at around 60 percent.
. . . rest of article . . .
By Michael Felger/ Patriots Insider
Boston Herald Patriots Beat Columnist
Tuesday, June 12, 2007 - Updated: 06:29 AM EST
FOXBORO - If you want to get excited about Randy Moss and what he’ll bring to the Patriots in 2007, here’s a bit of advice:
Don’t watch him practice.
That was the impression made during the four days of non-contact workouts the media was allowed to watch last week at Gillette Stadium.
Perhaps Moss will ramp it up when training camp opens July 27, but if minicamp was any indication, fans probably shouldn’t expect any fireworks.
Nearly every regional and national media outlet was there to record Moss’ Patriots introduction, and most reports focused on the promise he brings to Tom Brady and the offense. Many dispatches also made sure to point out the three or four nice catches he made during those four days. In addition, Moss spoke to the media for about nine minutes Wednesday, which might have distracted the fourth estate from reporting what Moss actually did on the practice field.
Which, in short, wasn’t much.
While newcomers Wes Welker, Donte’ Stallworth and Kyle Brady hustled through their first days on the job, and veterans such as Tom Brady, Rodney Harrison and Tedy Bruschi continued to exemplify the Patriots Way, Moss moved at his own pace. He rarely dug in. More often than not, he glided. On balance, the most talented receiver of this generation was just another guy.
You’d have thought Moss would have taken the opportunity to make an early statement, maybe run from drill to drill across the field, lead the sprints at the end of practice, blow by the slower and smaller players trying to cover him, whatever. Show a little hustle. Little things.
But it pretty much was the opposite. Moss was content to remain in the pack. He never was first in line. He certainly didn’t make defensive backs look foolish. Aside from climbing the ladder once or twice on high throws, he didn’t give any hints of his prodigious physical gifts. It’s true the entire proceedings were run at about three-quarters speed, but that didn’t stop Brady, Welker and Harrison from giving full effort. Moss’speedometer seemed stuck at around 60 percent.
. . . rest of article . . .
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