FOXBOROUGH -- It was the type of moment that only a player such as Randy Moss creates.
In the middle of the table was a black speakerphone, piled with tape recorders and television cameras, a crowd of 40-plus media members gathered around. The anticipation hung in the air and then . . . beep, beep! The voice on the other end of the line boomed through.
It was Moss, the newest member of the New England Patriots, cutting off an initial questioner, taking control of the surreal scene.
"I don't think you all understand," he said, "how excited I am to be a part of this organization."
The words kicked off a 15-minute question-and-answer session that was both edgy and entertaining, putting a capper on the news that reverberated across the NFL yesterday -- the Patriots trading a fourth-round draft choice to the Raiders to acquire the controversial Moss.
As part of the deal, the 6-foot-4-inch, 210-pound Moss took a massive pay cut, tearing up the contract that called for him to earn $9.75 million in 2007 and $11.25 next season. In its place, he signed a one-year deal for $3 million, which also includes $2 million in incentives.
"Having a chance to play with an organization [like the Patriots] with the coaching staff, with Mr. Kraft as the owner, and the players they have in position, I didn't think that money was a big factor to me," Moss said.
Yet many things had to fall into place for the deal to happen, with coach Bill Belichick noting the wheels were put in motion at 11 p.m. Saturday, following the first three rounds of the draft. At that point, the Patriots received per mission from Raiders owner Al Davis to speak with Moss, as well as his representatives, regarding a restructured contract.
When it became clear the sides were committed to making it happen, there were still several loose ends to tie. Moss needed to pass a physical, so plans were made for him to travel to New England yesterday morning. There was also an important meeting with Patriots chairman and CEO Robert Kraft and president Jonathan Kraft, as well as other salary cap maneuvering.
All the while, the Patriots were pushing the clock, because the draft choice traded to the Raiders was the 110th overall selection, set to be picked shortly after the second day of the draft began yesterday at 11 a.m.
The Patriots weren't planning for an all-nighter, but much like their successful two-minute offense on the field, they managed to beat the clock and score.
"He's a very explosive player [and] dynamic receiver who has a lot of skills," said Belichick, who never had spoken with Moss before the weekend but received solid reviews from those who have coached him and played with him (former Patriot Doug Gabriel among them).