Randall Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Score 1 Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 Shell had to cancel a practice, because the players were goofing off so bad. Then you've got Porter showing his butt. Maybe that's what Randy is referring to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isleseeya Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 i hope he just performs on field ...got him and need him for my team Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puddy Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 If it's true that Shell cancelled a practice because the players were goofing off, then I think that spells trouble for the Raiders. If the coach has lost control before the season even begins, it's going to be a long season. Oh and Moss sounds like a complete idiot, although I too need him to perform. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage Beatings Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 This quote speaks volumes: "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." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrTed46 Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 If it's true that Shell cancelled a practice because the players were goofing off, then I think that spells trouble for the Raiders. If the coach has lost control before the season even begins, it's going to be a long season. Oh and Moss sounds like a complete idiot, although I too need him to perform. +1 Raiders look like a mess again. I predicted Moss to go off this year I hope I am not wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rattsass Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 I heard that interview, and it looks a lot worse in print than it sounded. Moss was at the very least truthful with his answers, but it seemed he was holding back from saying exactly what was on his mind. But from his tone it sounded as though he was not happy at all with the current situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Holliday Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 Shell had to cancel a practice, because the players were goofing off so bad. Then you've got Porter showing his butt. Maybe that's what Randy is referring to? Yeah..I think there is just so much controversy going on he is afraid to get caught up in it. I imagine it is odd circumstances playing there if all that crazy chit is really going on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrTed46 Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 Winning solves alot of problems... They better win Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raider.Nation Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 If you were once the best WR in the NFL, had everything going for you and were now in this situation don't you think you'd have a similar reaction. Why does anyone seem surprised about this? And why do you all say the same thing, "Same ole' Raiders..." and "They've already lost control..." Shell cancelling practice is a good thing. He needs to make these guys accountable to him, the head coach! Porter ain't playing because Porter didn't want to get in line. It was the right move. The thing to remember, is that this will take a couple seasons before a real positive change can actually take place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puddy Posted September 10, 2006 Share Posted September 10, 2006 Shell cancelling practice is a good thing. He needs to make these guys accountable to him, the head coach! Cancelling practice because a coach is unhappy with the execution of the plays can be a good thing. Cancelling because the team is goofing off and not listening is another story IMO. Maybe that wasn't the reason, but if it was, I just think it's a bad sign. I hope not. I thought Art Shell got a bum deal several years ago and am rooting for him to succeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted September 10, 2006 Author Share Posted September 10, 2006 (edited) If it's true that Shell cancelled a practice because the players were goofing off, then I think that spells trouble for the Raiders. If the coach has lost control before the season even begins, it's going to be a long season. Oh and Moss sounds like a complete idiot, although I too need him to perform. He did. In the morning they were practicing well but later in the day he told them all to get out of his face. Sapp said it was a wakeup call for the team. That story- NAPA — In the morning, coach Art Shell gushed over his team's practice energy, intensity and said "they met the challenge." Five hours later, Shell was so disgusted by what he saw, he called the team together in the middle of the field and told them to get out of his sight. Thus did a scheduled two-hour practice end 50 minutes early. It was a sobering sight as the team traipsed off the field in subdued silence after the first and most damning chewing out of the year by its new coach. Although the practice didn't look particularly shoddy, Shell clearly saw something disturbing. "You've got to work out there," he told the media. Players still appeared chastised after showering and leaving the clubhouse. "I apologize for that (stuff) that happened today," quarterback Aaron Brooks said. Asked what Shell said during his diatribe, defensive tackle Warren Sapp said, "It was a statement that was pretty well felt throughout the whole team I would expect. And if it wasn't, then we're in trouble." Sapp said that to a man, player and coach, everybody "got the message." While Sapp said he had never seen a coach call practice to a halt because he didn't like what he was seeing, quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo said he had experienced it in high school. "We were messing around," he said. "A couple of guys got in a fight, and coach kicked us off the field. "I don't think it was a particular play (that led to Shell's blowup), probably just the overall tone of the practice. Guys weren't going hard. They were going through the motions. "It probably wasn't the best practice we've had. We have to practice better if we want to be better. Better (it happen) now than later, I guess." FIGHTING MAD? Whether the tone of Thursday's afternoon practice was up to snuff or not, one thing has definitely been missing from this year's drills — fights. There have been a few random scuffles, but no knock-down, drag out donnybrooks like the Raiders of Shell's day used to have. Shell may not have liked Thursday's practice, but he's pleased about the lack of fisticuffs. "That's wasted energy," Shell said. "Back then you never saw me fight, did you? There was no need to be fighting. You fight, you wrestle on the ground, and then you have to get back out there and go practice, and you're blowing like a doggone horse. "I used to tell (guard Gene) Upshaw, who used to get into fights all the time, 'You're crazy. Why are you wasting all that energy?' I don't believe in wasting energy." Linebacker Matt Millen, now general manager of the Detroit Lions, has owned up to actually arranging fights to get teammates fired up. Edited September 10, 2006 by Randall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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