Two weeks is too long before the Super Bowl. All it provides is too much opportunity for players to make a fool of themselves in front of a microphone. For reporters, it’s like Christmas as players take the bait over and over and feed us with boneheaded statements. Here are some of the bytes we got in Media Week leading up to the Super Bowl.
1. Randy Moss, when asked about his place in football history:
“I really think I’m the greatest receiver to ever play this game.”
Yeah, he said that. We are pleased with his confidence but let’s be real: Randy Moss is far from the best. Compare the career of Jerry Rice and it’s obvious that Moss isn’t in his league. Rice finished with 1,549 receptions, 22,895 yards and 197 touchdowns. All distant records. Lest you think that those records were just a matter of longevity, note that Rice had 14 seasons with over 1,000 yards receiving, including 10 straight seasons of 1,000+ yards and 9+ touchdowns, 12 All-Pro selections, and three Super Bowl championships. Randy Moss, meanwhile, has 982 career receptions, 15,292 yards and 156 touchdowns. To catch Jerry, Randy would have to duplicate his amazing 2007 Patriots season stats five more times. Moss had 10 seasons of 1,000 yards receiving and never more than four straight with 9+ touchdowns. He is a 5-time All-Pro is still looking for his first Super Bowl ring.
Even besides the numbers, remember that in the middle of his career Randy Moss was traded for a 4th round draft pick, packaged with a 7th rounder for a 3rd round draft pick, cut midseason after that trade, and at age 34, retired because nobody wanted him. During the half season he spent in Tennessee, the Titans had practically no other significant receiver and they still hardly used Moss (just 6 catches in 8 games). He quit on one team and four teams quit on him.
Now as he gets his second shot in a Super Bowl he is hardly even relevant in the 49ers offense, failing to tally even four catches or 50 yards in the last 12 games. Just shut up and be glad you’re along for the ride, Randy.
2. Chris Culliver, on whether gay players would be welcome on the team:
“No, we don’t got no gay people on the team. They gotta get up out of here if they do. Can’t be with that sweet stuff. Nah, can’t be in the locker room man. Nah.”
I wonder what you expect me to say. How about this from the 49ers organization:
“The San Francisco 49ers reject the comments that were made yesterday and have addressed the matter with Chris. There is no place for discrimination within our organization at any level. We have and always will proudly support the LGBT community.”
From his head coach: “I reject what he said. That’s not something that reflects the way the organization feels [or] the way the rest of the players feel.”
Ravens’ Dennis Pitta: “We have a great locker room, we have a tight-knit group, we’re all friends, and that doesn’t matter about race, religion, [sexual orientation,] any of that.”
Ravens’ Brendon Ayanbadejo: “That’s something that we really try to preach, love and acceptance of everybody.”
This may have been one of the dumbest things any athlete has said this year. It will probably cost Culliver his job. Sexual orientation has no impact on on-field performance or how good a teammate is. Hopefully all the reaction has triggered more attention towards love, tolerance, and acceptance.
3. Ed Reed, on the league office and Commissioner Roger Goodell’s handling of fines for head hits:
“There’s so much that needs to be done, but they’d rather police certain things… You’re just somebody upstairs wearing a suit, fining people and stuff like that for the wrong things.”
This comes a day after Reed admits he deals with problems caused by head injuries from football hits and is worried about serious problems down the road.”I [fear] for my family, for my family to have to go through that if it happens.” Head injuries and safety are the number one concern in the NFL right now, and the league is dealing with lawsuits as well as ideas on making the game safer. Ed Reed is a multi-time offender, one of the highest penalized player for blows to the head. If he is having a hard time with confusion and memory problems, and is concerned about his family down the road, he should think about all the defenseless receivers that he’s been penalized for knocking out with an illegal hit.
4. More Ed Reed, when asked if he could see himself playing for the Patriots next season:
“Yeah, oh yeah, man, I could definitely play for Coach Belichick. He is a great coach. I’m sure he can help me to expand my football knowledge even more as a player and as a coach.”
Dude, you are in the Super Bowl as a member of the Baltimore Ravens and the Patriots are one of your team’s biggest rivals! Say this next week after the Super Bowl. Say this when free agency period opens. Say it after you become a soldier in Belichick’s army. Right now focus on the Super Bowl, stopping Colin Kaepernick, and winning for the Baltimore Ravens.
5. Joe Flacco, about next year’s Super Bowl at Metlife Stadium (an outdoor arena in the cold Northeast):
“I think it’s retarded… I think it’s stupid. If you want a Super Bowl, put a retractable dome on your stadium. Then you can get one. Other than that I don’t really like the idea.”
Don’t worry Joe. You won’t be invited next year.
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