When Moss plays for the Patriots, they are 3-0.
In yesterday's 38-7 thrashing of the Buffalo Bills, after Moss hauled in five catches for 115 yards and two touchdowns, he became the first player in NFL history to record 100 yards or more in his first three games with a new team. It was his 49th career game of 100 or more yards, and he now has 106 receiving touchdowns during his long and often tumultuous career.
Who knew? Should any of us have expected this kind of spectacular impact?
This is where cooler heads would offer a reminder to exhibit restraint. Moss is 31 years old and it could be unrealistic to expect him to continue to perform at his current breakneck speed, particularly because of the ever-present reality of injuries. Still, one has to wonder what the heck former Raiders coach Art Shell was talking about when he insisted Moss's legs were shot and his career was in decline.
We should all be so spent. Moss appears otherworldly; he doesn't run, he glides. He doesn't jump, he propels. And is it me, or does this guy float?
When Moss is locked in and engaged and playing this kind of team football, he is the scariest receiver in Patriots history, because he can catch almost anything. He is a gifted player doing a dance with a cerebral quarterback who must go home to any one of his multiple Man-About-Town properties and thank the football gods. How good is it to be Tom Brady? He's got Gisele, a photo portfolio that would put the Paco Rabanne model out of business, and now he's got the Freak plucking footballs out of the sky as easily as popping grapes into his mouth.
"You've got to give Randy credit," said Bills defensive back Jabari Greer, whom Moss torched on a 45-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. "It doesn't matter how big you are, how tall you are, how fast you are, it's, 'Can you finish the play?'
"Randy makes plays. And Tom put the ball in a good spot on that throw. There's a million things I could have done to improve my odds, but in the end, all you can do is give the man credit for catching it."
