Bye Bye Beantown

BY GABE SOUZA
EDITORIAL. PHOTOS BY AP NEWS.

It hurts. It stings deep down in my blue-and-white-wearing, musket-carrying, super bowl ring-brandishing, chip-on-my-shoulder Patriot heart.

Randy Moss’ departure from New England is an open wound that won’t heal for a long time. It pains more than long time leading tackler Mike Vrabel’s departure to the Kansas City Chiefs a few years ago. It throbs worse than pro-bowler Richard Seymour’s departure for the bottomless pit of Al Davis-guarded black and silver.

Like the true Boston sports fan I am, I could mourn this loss for days, be vulgar to Patriots management and swear to never support them again. (Only to relent and watch next Sunday when the take on the Ravens.)

And while it took much self-persuasion to not do the above, I will not. I will not repeatedly bash Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick for their thick-headedness in letting a Hall of Famer leave to inevitably suffer with attention-whoring quarterback Brett Favre. I’m better than that. (Or at least I’m going to try to be for this piece, although I think trading Moss is probably the most bone-headed decision they’ve ever made. My In-Belichick-We-Trust is wearing thin.)

But instead of harping on that issue, here’s to you, Mr. Moss. Here’s to one of the greatest wide receivers the National Football League has ever seen.

Moss just quietly passed Marvin Harrison for fifth on the all-time yards receiving list with 14,604. Second on that list is Bengal Terrell Owens who, with just over 15,000, a mark that Moss will no doubt obtain. Next stop is Jerry Rice at 22,895, which, well, let’s face it, if Moss makes number two on the all time receiving list, that’s damn good.

He’s in his 13^th year in the league and has posed a terror to opposing defensive backs each year. In his rookie year, he had 17 touchdown catches. Who does that? Randy Moss, that’s who.

His years in Minnesota (the first round, not the upcoming one) were prolific for the most part. He played 16 games in every year except one, in which he suited up 13 times. Say what you want about the guy, he’s reliable, and in more ways than one.

Each time over the years that Randall Cunningham, Dante Culpepper, JaMarcus Russell or Tom Brady threw the ball in Moss’ direction, they knew they were hurling at a relatively safe bet, one that would most likely find the end zone. Moss is the only receiver I know of who can catch just five balls in a game but put 18 points on the game because three of the catches were for TDs.

Only three times in his career – including the dark years in Oakland – has Moss been held to fewer than ten touchdowns in a single season. His dart usually lands in the 12-17 range.

Except in 2007, the single greatest regular season that any quarterback and wide receiver have ever had. That season Moss caught 98 balls from Brady for 1,493 yards and 23 touchdowns. That’s an NFL record for touchdowns on both ends. (Brady had 50. Take that Peyton.) Oh, and by the way, Moss is second on the all time receiving list behind only Rice for most seasons over 1,000 receiving yards. Number 81 has 10, four behind the former 49er.

In the 2007 season, Moss found the end zone nearly one out of four times he touched the ball.

He’s got the most dynamic first step in the league and strides that will beat any defensive back – including Darrelle Revis.

In fact, Rex Ryan’s favorite new toy is out with a hamstring he pulled trying to catch the 33-year old Moss as he streaked by the gang-green minion.

The naysayers always questioned Moss’ devotion to any team he’s been on. His post-game tirade after a feel-good opening day win against the Bengals had reporters scribbling furiously, citing “unnamed league sources” left and right.

Much like other dynamic players of his ilk – Terrell Owens, Chad Ochocinco et. all – Moss’ name has name has always been associated with the latest trade rumors.

But this one is finally true. And unlike the last dreadlocked star to leave Beantown, this one will be missed.

Here’s to you, Randy.