Tuesday, March 22, 2005
I'LL SEE YOU ON THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON
THE CROSSING GUARD COMES TO FOXBORO IN SILVER AND BLACK
What side of Randy "Moon" Moss will Patriot fans see on September 8th? I know one side that I hope we don't get to see again.
RANDY MOSS:THE RAP SHEET (2001 and 2002 were particularly busy) -NF
1994-95: Moss landed at Marshall after losing scholarships to Notre Dame (pleaded guilty to battery) and Florida State (positive marijuana test).
1997: Was consensus All-America pick for second consecutive season; finished fourth (behind cornerback Charles Woodson and quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf) in Heisman Trophy voting.
1998: Drafted in first round, 21st overall, by Minnesota. Was second receiver drafted, behind Kevin Dyson (16th by Tennessee). . . . Earned rookie of the year, All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors, setting the rookie record for TD catches with 17 -- including a three-TD game at Dallas on Thanksgiving.
1999: Fined $10,000 for verbally abusing official in Nov. 14 game. . . . Again selected to Pro Bowl and was game's MVP.
2000: Fined $40,000 for squirting official with water in Jan. 16 game (later reduced to $25,000). . . . Kicked off an airplane June 12 in Charleston, W.Va., after becoming argumentative; government, league chose not to fine him. . . Fined $25,000 for making contact with official in Oct. 29 game. . . . Named All-Pro and selected to Pro Bowl.
2001: Joined Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs of semi-pro United States Basketball League for one-game stint in May. . . . Agreed to eight-year deal worth up to $75 million, making him the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback. . . . NFL fined Moss $30,000 for four taunting incidents. . . In Dec. 5 teleconference, Moss said that he plays hard when he feels like it. ``If I want to go out here and play at my highest level, I'll do that,'' he said. Coach Dennis Green reprimanded him the next day; veteran receiver Cris Carter followed suit. . . . Vikings fined Moss $15,000 for abusing a corporate sponsor on the team bus after a loss at Philadelphia on Nov. 11.
2002: Arrested and jailed Sept. 24 in Minneapolis after allegedly pushing a traffic officer a half-block with his car. A third misdemeanor charge was added after police found marijuana in the vehicle (ESPN.com had reported that Moss tested positive for marijuana during 2001 season.) Moss pleaded guilty to the first two charges in a plea agreement; the marijuana charge was dropped and he was fined $1,200 and given a stay on a 30-day jail sentence. . . . Selected to fourth Pro Bowl.
2003: Fined $5,000 for taunting in Nov. 23 game. . . . Earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors.
2004: Moss' name came up in March trade rumors, with Miami and Arizona among possible suitors. . . . Fined $5,000 for role in a Sept. 26 scuffle. . . . Partially torn right hamstring caused Moss to miss first three games of career.
2005: Left field as Vikings attempted last-gasp onside kick in season-finale loss at Washington. . . . In first-round playoff win at Green Bay, Moss celebrated his second touchdown by pretending to moon crowd. The move drew a $10,000 fine, and plenty of criticism. Moss, unfazed, countered, ``Ain't nothing but 10 grand. What's 10 grand to me?'' . . . Rumors of a trade involving Moss surfaced after Vikings' Jan. 16 playoff loss to Philadelphia.
Source: Mercury News archives, NFL.com.
