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Moss voices displeasure with Raiders
'It's crazy around here,' the receiver tells Fox Sports in a radio interview
By Steve Corkran
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
ALAMEDA - Well, that didn't take long. The season was still more than 72 hours away from starting when Raiders wide receiver Randy Moss criticized the organization.
Moss hasn't spoken with local media since he conducted a group interview after the Raiders' exhibition game against the Minnesota Vikings on Aug. 14. His remarks Friday came in a radio interview with Fox Sports.
"It's crazy around here, man," Moss said. "It's something that we're trying to hold on to, man, and, hopefully, Coach Art (Shell) can move us in the right direction, man, so I'm just trying to stay away from all of that stuff this year, like I did last year and, hopefully, we can win some games."
Moss didn't get into specifics, so it's unclear as to the basis of his discontent. None of his remarks was critical of Shell or quarterback Aaron Brooks.
Shell said Friday afternoon that he hadn't heard the interview but that he doesn't have a problem with Moss voicing his opinion.
"One thing about this organization, everybody has a chance and opportunity to speak their mind," Shell said. "Every individual, every player. So, what he's talking about? I have no idea."
Shell said he will address the issue if he thinks it's warranted, though he added, "Most things I don't have to address."
When asked about Brooks, Moss said, "I'm just not thrilled with the way things are going on around here. I'm thrilled, I'm glad, to have Aaron Brooks as my quarterback. It's fishy around here, man, so, actually, we're walking on eggshells around here, man."
He did make it clear that he isn't pleased with the team's handling of its receiving corps.
"I'm really kind of disappointed that they let Doug Gabriel go," Moss said of a trade last Saturday that sent Gabriel to the New England Patriots.
Gabriel was the projected starter opposite Moss for the regular-season opener Monday night against the San Diego Chargers. Instead, journeyman receiver Alvis Whitted got the nod over Jerry Porter and Ronald Curry.
"This is not my team, I'm only playing here," Moss said, "so whoever they put out opposite of me, either I'll play with them or I won't play with them."
Moss said he isn't privy to the Raiders' motives behind relegating Porter to a backup role, despite Porter's leading the Raiders with 76 receptions last season.
Porter drew the ire of Shell after an offseason meeting ended with Shell's booting Porter from his office. Shell since has said that there isn't an issue between him and Porter.
"There are a lot of people that are unhappy," Shell said. "I can't be concerned with that. I have a whole football team to be concerned about. We're trying to move forward with our team and win football games. I don't think I have to talk to (Porter). About what?"
However, Porter has not practiced or played any exhibition games with the first-team offense, even after he recovered from a calf injury that he sustained the first day of training camp.
"There's a lot of funny things going on around here in this organization, and I try and keep my distance," Moss said. "Whatever's going on between Jerry Porter and the Raiders organization is between them, and I do not want to get into it, because I know what can happen if I put a little bit of my input into it. But, anyway, I'll just let them deal with it."
Moss didn't speak with local media after a postgame interview in Oakland's regular-season opener against the New England Patriots on Sept. 8, 2005. However, in an interview with ESPN on Nov. 15, he issued a tepid endorsement of then-coach Norv Turner.
He showed outward displeasure with Turner's play-calling several times throughout the season. Moss exited the field ahead of his teammates and left the locker room before Turner addressed his team after the regular-season finale against the New York Giants on Dec. 31.
Notes: Center Jake Grove (shoulder) worked with the starters once again. However, he remains doubtful for Monday's game. ... The Raiders arranged for the 144th Fighter Wing of the California Air National Guard to do a fly-over as part of pregame ceremonies Monday night and to commemorate the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/sports/football/nfl/oakland_raiders/15478937.htm
'It's crazy around here,' the receiver tells Fox Sports in a radio interview
By Steve Corkran
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
ALAMEDA - Well, that didn't take long. The season was still more than 72 hours away from starting when Raiders wide receiver Randy Moss criticized the organization.
Moss hasn't spoken with local media since he conducted a group interview after the Raiders' exhibition game against the Minnesota Vikings on Aug. 14. His remarks Friday came in a radio interview with Fox Sports.
"It's crazy around here, man," Moss said. "It's something that we're trying to hold on to, man, and, hopefully, Coach Art (Shell) can move us in the right direction, man, so I'm just trying to stay away from all of that stuff this year, like I did last year and, hopefully, we can win some games."
Moss didn't get into specifics, so it's unclear as to the basis of his discontent. None of his remarks was critical of Shell or quarterback Aaron Brooks.
Shell said Friday afternoon that he hadn't heard the interview but that he doesn't have a problem with Moss voicing his opinion.
"One thing about this organization, everybody has a chance and opportunity to speak their mind," Shell said. "Every individual, every player. So, what he's talking about? I have no idea."
Shell said he will address the issue if he thinks it's warranted, though he added, "Most things I don't have to address."
When asked about Brooks, Moss said, "I'm just not thrilled with the way things are going on around here. I'm thrilled, I'm glad, to have Aaron Brooks as my quarterback. It's fishy around here, man, so, actually, we're walking on eggshells around here, man."
He did make it clear that he isn't pleased with the team's handling of its receiving corps.
"I'm really kind of disappointed that they let Doug Gabriel go," Moss said of a trade last Saturday that sent Gabriel to the New England Patriots.
Gabriel was the projected starter opposite Moss for the regular-season opener Monday night against the San Diego Chargers. Instead, journeyman receiver Alvis Whitted got the nod over Jerry Porter and Ronald Curry.
"This is not my team, I'm only playing here," Moss said, "so whoever they put out opposite of me, either I'll play with them or I won't play with them."
Moss said he isn't privy to the Raiders' motives behind relegating Porter to a backup role, despite Porter's leading the Raiders with 76 receptions last season.
Porter drew the ire of Shell after an offseason meeting ended with Shell's booting Porter from his office. Shell since has said that there isn't an issue between him and Porter.
"There are a lot of people that are unhappy," Shell said. "I can't be concerned with that. I have a whole football team to be concerned about. We're trying to move forward with our team and win football games. I don't think I have to talk to (Porter). About what?"
However, Porter has not practiced or played any exhibition games with the first-team offense, even after he recovered from a calf injury that he sustained the first day of training camp.
"There's a lot of funny things going on around here in this organization, and I try and keep my distance," Moss said. "Whatever's going on between Jerry Porter and the Raiders organization is between them, and I do not want to get into it, because I know what can happen if I put a little bit of my input into it. But, anyway, I'll just let them deal with it."
Moss didn't speak with local media after a postgame interview in Oakland's regular-season opener against the New England Patriots on Sept. 8, 2005. However, in an interview with ESPN on Nov. 15, he issued a tepid endorsement of then-coach Norv Turner.
He showed outward displeasure with Turner's play-calling several times throughout the season. Moss exited the field ahead of his teammates and left the locker room before Turner addressed his team after the regular-season finale against the New York Giants on Dec. 31.
Notes: Center Jake Grove (shoulder) worked with the starters once again. However, he remains doubtful for Monday's game. ... The Raiders arranged for the 144th Fighter Wing of the California Air National Guard to do a fly-over as part of pregame ceremonies Monday night and to commemorate the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/sports/football/nfl/oakland_raiders/15478937.htm