It had been all positive

January 17, 2008|Jackie MacMullan, Globe Columnist

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"I don't have a clue about this latest incident," Green said by telephone, "but I'll stick with Randy. I'll keep the same beliefs I've had about him all these years, that he's a guy who wants to win, who is a team player, who made some mistakes as a young man and learned from them."

The Kraft family remained mum yesterday, but there is no doubt he will suit up and play in Sunday's game. In fact, Moss revealed, he went to Belichick last Friday and informed him of his legal troubles a day before the Jacksonville game.

Moss caught just one pass for 14 yards in that outing, but, Green said, don't mistake that as a sign he was affected by the allegations.

"Randy Moss was a big reason they won that game," Green said. "I can't believe Jacksonville's [entire] strategy was to do anything they could to keep Randy from getting the ball. In all but two plays of that game, they were defending him in a Cover-2 zone defense.

"That made it a walk in the park for Tom Brady. It gave him inside throws all day long, because of the threat of Randy Moss outside.

"I'm sure New England will say they are standing by Randy Moss. Why wouldn't they? He's never let them down."

Is that still true? That won't likely be determined until after the season. Moss said he won't even address the allegations until then, adding, "I have a job to do."

Yes, he does. But he also has serious questions to answer, ones that could have ramifications regarding his future.

Jackie MacMullan is a Globe columnist. She can be reached at macmullan@globe.com.