Owens-Moss showdown coming
By Mike Prisuta
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Chad Johnson may be headed for Canton, Ohio (Future H.O.F, 20??), but Randy Moss and Terrell Owens are headed for a showdown.
That'll take place Oct. 14, when Moss and the New England Patriots visit Owens and the Dallas Cowboys.
Let the hype begin for the type of showdown that generates headlines, drives ratings and sells tickets.
There are, of course, other wide receivers.
Cincinnati's Johnson led the NFL in receiving yards last season (1,369). Houston's Andre Johnson led the league in receptions (103). Marvin Harrison leads all active players in touchdown receptions (122) and catches passes for the defending-Super Bowl champion Colts. The Redskins' Antwaan Randle El (remember him?) averaged 32.4 yards per catch while amassing 162 receiving yards on the opening weekend. The Giants' Plaxico Burress (remember him?) accounted for 144 yards and three TDs.
Those are just a few of the game-breakers stretching defenses these days.
Still, Moss and Owens have separated themselves in that no two receivers in the league combine combustibility with a contemptibility that compels organizations to wonder if their unquestioned talent is worth the accompanying trouble.
Owens is in is 12th season and Moss his 10th. Both are with their third NFL team.
Moss particularly has something to prove after giving up millions via the restructuring of his contract to land in New England. He'll either be the missing link for Tom Brady or the undoing of the Patriots; there is no in-between.
He appears comfortable with doing things Bill Belichick's way after amassing nine catches for 183 yards and a touchdown against the Jets.
Owens, too, has been a human distraction/discipline problem repeatedly over the years and seemed to particularly clash with former Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells.
In his first game playing for Wade Phillips, Owens was shut out in the first half, but grabbed three passes for 87 yards and a spectacular score in the final two quarters of a win over the Giants.
The best from both is something to behold.
Owens caught 93 passes for 1,412 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2001, the only season in which he's started 16 games.
Moss grabbed 111 balls for 1,632 yards and 17 TDs in 2003.
Anything approaching that this season promises to be nothing short of captivating.
Tale of the tape
Moss T.O.
6-4 Height 6-3
197 Weight 217
102 TD catches 116
11.2 Avg. TDs per season 10.4
5 Pro Bowls 5
3 All-Pro seasons 5
685 Receptions 804
10,883 Receiving yards 11,802
15.9 Average per catch 14.7
5th in receiving TDs All-time achievement 4th in receiving TDs
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Chad Johnson may be headed for Canton, Ohio (Future H.O.F, 20??), but Randy Moss and Terrell Owens are headed for a showdown.
That'll take place Oct. 14, when Moss and the New England Patriots visit Owens and the Dallas Cowboys.
Let the hype begin for the type of showdown that generates headlines, drives ratings and sells tickets.
There are, of course, other wide receivers.
Cincinnati's Johnson led the NFL in receiving yards last season (1,369). Houston's Andre Johnson led the league in receptions (103). Marvin Harrison leads all active players in touchdown receptions (122) and catches passes for the defending-Super Bowl champion Colts. The Redskins' Antwaan Randle El (remember him?) averaged 32.4 yards per catch while amassing 162 receiving yards on the opening weekend. The Giants' Plaxico Burress (remember him?) accounted for 144 yards and three TDs.
Those are just a few of the game-breakers stretching defenses these days.
Still, Moss and Owens have separated themselves in that no two receivers in the league combine combustibility with a contemptibility that compels organizations to wonder if their unquestioned talent is worth the accompanying trouble.
Owens is in is 12th season and Moss his 10th. Both are with their third NFL team.
Moss particularly has something to prove after giving up millions via the restructuring of his contract to land in New England. He'll either be the missing link for Tom Brady or the undoing of the Patriots; there is no in-between.
He appears comfortable with doing things Bill Belichick's way after amassing nine catches for 183 yards and a touchdown against the Jets.
Owens, too, has been a human distraction/discipline problem repeatedly over the years and seemed to particularly clash with former Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells.
In his first game playing for Wade Phillips, Owens was shut out in the first half, but grabbed three passes for 87 yards and a spectacular score in the final two quarters of a win over the Giants.
The best from both is something to behold.
Owens caught 93 passes for 1,412 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2001, the only season in which he's started 16 games.
Moss grabbed 111 balls for 1,632 yards and 17 TDs in 2003.
Anything approaching that this season promises to be nothing short of captivating.
Tale of the tape
Moss T.O.
6-4 Height 6-3
197 Weight 217
102 TD catches 116
11.2 Avg. TDs per season 10.4
5 Pro Bowls 5
3 All-Pro seasons 5
685 Receptions 804
10,883 Receiving yards 11,802
15.9 Average per catch 14.7
5th in receiving TDs All-time achievement 4th in receiving TDs
posted by The Gryphon at 7:01 AM
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