Moss sticks with Pats

Receiver cites Brady in inking $27M deal

By Karen Guregian Tuesday, March 4, 2008 http://www.bostonherald.com N.E. Patriots

In the final analysis, it was a marriage that made no sense ending in divorce. The Patriots [team stats] knew it. So did Randy Moss, who turned down a more lucrative offer from the Philadelphia Eagles.
That’s why after an unsettling few days, time spent by Moss looking at the open market, both sides hammered out a deal yesterday that made both sides happy.
For the Pats, they didn’t have to break the bank to keep the man who brought their offense to a different, often other-worldly level. The Pats kept the wide receiver in the fold with a 3-year, $27 million contract - $15 million guaranteed, with a $12 million signing bonus - that made Moss one of the highest paid receivers in the league.
For Moss, he didn’t have to leave the team he’s had the most success with, or the atmosphere he craves, or the quarterback he loves, not to mention surrender another legitimate chance to finally win that elusive championship ring. These elements were so important to him, especially the chance to continue playing alongside Tom Brady [stats], that he left money at the table.
According to a source, the Eagles had spoken with Moss at length yesterday, and also had his ear over the weekend, attempting to lure him to Philadelphia by offering him more money than the Pats. Word out of Philly was the Eagles thought they had Moss signed and sealed, that they secured the two best free agents on the market, with Moss joining Asante Samuel [stats], who already bolted for six years at $57 million with $20 million guaranteed. The Eagles didn’t think Moss could possibly turn them down.
Only Moss walked away.
When he told the Eagles no thanks, he brought up Brady as the primary reason he was rejoining the Pats. That bond, that union with Brady, is what kept Moss a Patriot.
That news provides the best indication that Moss wasn’t merely delivering lip service last season when he took a paycut following his draft day trade from Oakland in hopes of winning a championship. He’s more than backed up what he said, once again taking less money.
Moss achieved a comfort level with the Patriots and Brady, and didn’t want to leave. He saw what was out there, what was offered and decided he had it best right where he was last season.
The Pats nearly pulled off a perfect season, coming up one game short, losing in the Super Bowl. Moss wants more of the same, but with a different ending.
“I want to take time out to thank all of the fans for their support and for wishing me well in my return to New England,” Moss wrote yesterday on his Web site. “I’m ready to get back. We have some unfinished business to take care of.”
The 31-year-old, who set the NFL single-season record with 23 touchdown receptions while catching 98 passes for 1,493 yards, talked about how well he was received by teammates, and how well he fit into the program.
Tim DiPiero, the agent for Moss, detailed both the contract numbers and what his client turned down last night.
“Randy was serious about wanting to stay,” DiPiero wrote in an e-mail. “Because of Randy’s record-breaking year, the interest in him was very high. Randy took less than he could have to rejoin his teammates.”
By the sound of it, the players are also glad to have him back.
“It’s good news. We welcome him with open arms,” defensive end Ty Warren [stats] said. “He definitely added a different feature to our offense this season. He was a deep threat. He required double teams. He kept us off the field.”
When told of Moss’ leaving a better offer behind to stay with the Patriots, Warren didn’t sound surprised.
“Randy’s a smart guy. He’s been around,” Warren said. “He’s been on both sides of the spectrum, as one of the most loved guys and one of the most hated guys in the league. He knows what he has in that offense, what he has in the Patriots, what he has in the locker room. When you’ve got a good thing, you keep it.”
Patriots coach Bill Belichick offered his thoughts in a press release.
“What Randy did for our team last year was outstanding,” Belichick said. “He is one of our most consistent, competitive and team-oriented players and it is undoubtedly a relationship we are excited to continue.”
Moss stated he’d like to retire a Patriot. He’ll be 34 when the contract expires. Judging by how this deal went down, if Brady is still throwing footballs in Foxboro then, Moss will want to catch them.Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/football/patriots/view.bg?articleid=1077608