Now that Randy Moss is safely ensconced 1,200 miles away in Minnesota, the New England Patriots are willing to admit what had been reported during his tenure with the Patriots -- Moss had engaged in tumultuous locker room disputes that disrupted team chemistry.
Patriots quarterbacks coach Bill O'Brien, a reported target of Moss' tantrums, opened up to the Boston Globe's Monique Walker about coaching players who are about as manageable as Kanye West at an awards show.
"That was three weeks ago," O'Brien told the Globe. "I’d say I’ve been coaching for upwards of 20 years, and that’s what we do. We coach, and the players have input into what we’re coaching. Things like that are going to happen."
O'Brien stuck with the phrase "things like that." He did not use the terms "fight," "conflict," "Moss-stilities," or "worse than a Lohan family reunion."
"Randy and I had a great relationship," O'Brien continued. "I really enjoyed coaching him, and obviously, he’s moved on to Minnesota and we’re moving on to San Diego, but I wish him the best. But coaching, something like that happens, that’s coaching football. It’s a tough sport, and that’s the way it is."
While the trade is generally considered addition by subtraction, there may be no real subtraction taking place here.
Moss' replacement, Deion Branch, had nine catches in the win over the Ravens. In four games this season prior to the Patriots trading him, Moss had caught only nine passes.
Sports
Joe Kukura is a freelance writer who is very much enjoying this American League Championship Series.
