 Randy Moss at Super Bowl XXII
Moss signed a three - year, $27 million dollar deal with New England on Monday that will make him the highest paid receiver in the NFL, ahead of Terrell Owens of the Cowboys.
The contract guarantees Moss $15 million. $12 million in signing bonus money.
The word is the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles were among teams that showed interest or made bids.
When reached for comment by 1250 WSSP, Tim DiPiero, an agent for Moss, said he could not discuss specifics, but added “the new contract Randy has signed reflects a desire by him to return to play with his teammates. I can honestly say that no one should be critical of the Packers organization regarding Randy’s situation the last few days.”
Moss posted this message on his website: www.therealrandymoss.com
“I want to take time out to thank all of the fans for their support and for wishing me well in my return to New England. I’m ready to get back. We have some unfinished business to take care of.”
Rumors continue to circulate that Brett Favre was holding out again this weekend to see what the Packers might do in free agency before making his decision.
Still no word yet from the Packers or Favre on his decision whether or not he’ll return.
NO LOVE AT SUPER BOWL XXII
During our 1250 WSSP coverage from Super Bowl XXII in Phoenix, Randy Moss had plenty to say about efforts to trade him from the Raiders to the Packers in 2007.
On Tuesday at Media Day, Moss was asked several times to talk about how much did Green Bay want him. He instead chose to expand on why he wanted out of Oakland, and be with a team that understood what it took to be a winner.
The following day Moss had this to say about his dealings last season with Green Bay, and that he never actually spoke to Brett Favre personally, saying either Favre didn't call, or he didn't return the call....he couldn't remember:
"I think he (Favre) tried to reach me, but I was a little tied up and wasn't able to talk to him. Green Bay was in the picture, but the things told to me about maneuvering money around and making it a good fit...the Packers were really talking a lot about the wrong things, not the right things.
When they started talking about the wrong things I hung the phone up and didn't want to talk to them anymore. I thought about it. It was something that could work out just for the fact Brett Favre was there, but I think as the conversation continued throughout the day and the next day, I really didn't want to go to Green Bay.
It was like they were telling me that they're going to take a chance on me, but if you do come here these are the things you have to work out, 'Be on your best behavior. Donald Driver is the top receiver here so don't come in there trying to step on his toes,' things like that. I didn't think that was right because my whole career things have been taken out of context at times, but at the end of the day all I wanted to do was win games. It's hard to win games.
I don't feel they really wanted me. Brett wanted me, but I don't thing the Packers' organization wanted me."
Moss went to New England for a 4th round pick the weekend of the 2007 NFL Draft.
Asked by reporters at his annual golf outing for reaction, Brett Favre said he thought "it was a shame" that the Packers missed on Moss. Favre said a Packers wide receiver corp of Moss, Donald Driver, and Greg Jennings would be a quite a line-up. Considering Ahman Green had been allowed to sign on with the Texans, he was concerned what the Packers had for offensive weapons.
When the Patriots arrived in Phoenix for Super Bowl XXII, the first question I had for Bill Belichick was how important was New England's acquisition of players during free agency in 2007. They had picked up Moss, WR Dante Stallworth, RB Sammy Morris, and OLB Adalius Thomas.
Belichick said they try hard every offseason to improve their team, in free agency and the draft. Although it seemed as if New England had a more urgent approach in signing players, Belichick said it more just a matter of luck.
"Sometimes things work out, sometimes they don't. Sometimes it takes awhile, or like with Randy Moss, we got that deal done in a matter of ....oh....10 hours or so."
Mike McCarthy spoke to Randy Moss on the phone the Friday before the NFL Draft and outlined the Packers expectations if they brought him in to Green Bay. Moss would have to behave, fit into their locker room, and understand that Donald Driver was their lead guy.
Moss was turned off, and in the span of "10 hours" on Day One of the NFL Draft, the Patriots made Moss an offer, got the Raiders to trade him for a second day pick in the draft in the fourth round, and they managed to have their quarterback Tom Brady connect via telephone to Moss to encourage him to come to New England.
Last year, missing Randy Moss came down to the Packers not bidding higher than a 5th round draft pick..This year the Randy Moss sweepstakes came down to being short perhaps $1 to 2 million dollars per year, and the fact that Moss now considers himself a team player in New England. Or, he may have been playing the Packers all along to get what he wanted in New England..
- Mike Clemens
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