Patriots Links 7/07/09 - The Real Randy Moss

Erik Scalavino writes a terrific piece about Randy Moss.

Yet, despite being on display for the world to see, Moss seems to have managed to hide himself in plain sight. He is always in the media, though rarely talks to reporters. He seems not to care what anyone thinks about him; it is because he cares so much, however, that many believe he has put up barriers to prevent most people from getting too close.

"I think some people's perception of Randy," said college teammate and current Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington, "is a little off.

"I've known Randy for a while and I've seen the true Randy. As far as Randy and his heart and what he wants to do and accomplish, he's right on the money with it. It's all good."

“He’ll give you the shirt off his back if he believes you’re a good friend,” stated Kevin Faulk, one of Moss’ closest friends on the Patriots. “That’s the kind of guy he is.”

“The biggest myth is that he's some kind of jerk, when he's really passionate about football,” insisted Michael Lombardi, the former personnel boss in Oakland who orchestrated the trade that made Moss a Raider for two seasons.

LOCAL SHOTS

• Jeff Howe notes the competition for starting cornerback will be fierce this year, but it's a great problem to have.
• Mark Farinella discusses the possibilities of Junior Seau and Willie McGinest returning to the Patriots.  Who would wear number 55?
• Christopher Price offers his thoughts on Seau being open to a return to New England.
• Jeff Howe notes wide receiver Joey Galloway brings speed and experience to the Patriots.
• David Heck questions whether Eli Manning deserves to be the highest-paid NFL player ever.  Eli, not Peyton.

LONG SHOTS

• Tim Graham (ESPN) Why the Patriots are truly 'America's Team'.  The annoying video attached to the article has ESPN's Mark Schlereth saying the Cowboys still have that honor (Honor? They coined it for themselves!) and James Hasty giving it to the Steelers, "The Steelers continue to win and they do it the right way."  (ummm...okaaaaaay, that's NFL -analyst-logic for you: Rampant, blatant steroid-use is the "right way".)
• Erin McLaughlin (Bleacher Report) There is just something about the New England Patriots' system.
• Bucky Brooks (NFL.com) As more teams split carries, these five backs stand above the rest.
• Don Banks (SI) Athlete's image isn't always reality.
• Alex Marvez (Fox Sports) Ten teams with missing parts and how to fill them.  New England:  Missing at OLB, with Willie McGinest as the solution.
• John Gruden (ESPN) Return from USO tour.
• Mike Florio (Sporting News) Integration of the African American QB.
• Shutdown Corner (Yahoo! Sports) The five-step plan to make the NFL offseason tolerable:  Step 1, step 2, step 3, step 4 and step 5.
• Andrew Jordan (Bleacher Report) Ten reasons the NFL wouldn't work in England.