Fantasy News
There were times last year when I thought the Patriots might be forcing the ball to Randy Moss around the goal line – trying, I thought, to help him chase down Jerry Rice’s all-time record for receiving touchdowns in a season.
And maybe, to some degree, that did happen. But Moss also was New England’s best and most consistent receiver in that part of the field. A lot more effective than Wes Welker, Benjamin Watson, Donte Stallworth, and every other receiver on their roster.
Moss is tough to stop in that area, because he can outjump most defensive backs, uses good body leverage and has maybe the best hand-eye coordination east of Larry Fitzgerald. If you put that in combination with a good quarterback like Tom Brady, you get something special.
MOSS INSIDE THE 10-YARD LINE
20 attempts, 15 completions, 10 TDs.
(75 percent completions, 50 percent TDs)
REST OF PATRIOTS INSIDE THE 10
40 attempts, 22 completions, 14 TDs.
(55 percent completions, 35 percent TDs)
Also, look at Moss’ work inside the 5-yard line, to see what a difference working with a good quarterback makes. (And apologies here, but we didn’t start track inside-the-10 numbers until 2005, and we didn’t track inside-the-5 numbers prior to 2000).
MOSS INSIDE THE 5-YARD LINE (2007)
9 attempts, 7 completions, 6 TDs
(78 percent completions, 67 percent TDs)
MOSS INSIDE THE 5-YARD LINE (2000-2006)
40 attempts, 16 completions, 14 TDs + one 2-point conversion
(40 percent completions, 38 percent scores)
Moss’ proficiency in this area, I believe, makes him a candidate to account for 40-45 percent of his team’s receiving touchdowns. He was up at 43 percent last season – 24 of 56 TD passes including the playoffs. And if you believe that New England is going to finish with about 35 TD passes (which is about what our survey is showing), that puts Moss in line for about 14-16 TDs.
It’s too early for me to say where he’ll wind up on my board. Top 4? Top 8? Maybe down around No. 10. He might wind up significantly higher in leagues based solely on touchdowns. I need to get the initial look at more teams completed before the overall draft board starts coming together.
--Ian Allan
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Posted by ANDY RICHARDSON | Mar. 29 at 10:53 AM
I have to wonder if the success teams had shutting down Moss in the postseason will translate into similar success in the 2008 season. Jacksonville, San Diego, and the Giants all were able to contain Moss, and in the case of San Diego and the Giants, the Patriots offense as a whole. Most opponents won't be that good defensively, but you have to think that will be the gameplan next year. Maybe it will be Welker whose numbers are closer to what they were a year ago than Moss.