Morning Sports Update
“We had been trying to trade for Randy Moss for probably two months,” Belichick explained, sharing an entertaining anecdote as part of Thursday’s draft coverage.
Randy Moss in his first game with the Patriots in 2007 after his trade to New England, orchestrated by Bill Belichick. Jim Davis/Globe team
Bill Belichick reflects on his exchanges with Randy Moss in 2007: Former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick joined “The Pat McAfee Show” for their live coverage of the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday night, highlighting, as expected, his vast knowledge of football.
In addition to offering (sometimes brutal) analysis of each draft pick, Belichick shared some stories from his time with the Patriots. Concretely, the future Hall of Fame, aged 72, recalled: “probably the most interesting» draft trade he made during his 24 years in New England.
“We had been trying to trade for Randy Moss for probably two months,” Belichick recalled of the circumstances that led to the 2007 deal. New England was coming off a 12-4 season, but needed the help from a wide receiver. Moss, then 29, was coming off the worst statistical season of his career on a struggling Raiders team.
“After the first day of the draft, I talked to (Al) Davis and said, ‘Well, are we going to make this deal or not?’ He said, “Yeah, we’ll do it for your fourth (round selection).”
New England sent a fourth-rounder (110th overall) to the Davis Raiders for Moss, then a five-time Pro Bowler. The problem was that the Patriots had to move quickly to complete the trade.
“I said we need to get the guy in for a physical. We can’t accept his contract, we’re going to have to renegotiate his contract,” Belichick explained. “Mr. Davis said, ‘Well, that’s your problem. You want to trade for him? So trade for him, you get it done.’
“I hung up the phone. It’s about 11:30 p.m. on the first day of the draft. I called Randy and said, ‘Randy, this is Coach Belichick. Boom, (he hung up) the phone.
Moss, as he humorously explained from his perspective, thought he was being played a prank. He didn’t believe it was actually Belichick calling him.
Finally, on the third try, Belichick was able to communicate the message to Moss.
“Randy, this is Coach Belichick, we traded for you,” the longtime New England coach recalled, eventually explaining the details of the trade.
“I said yes, but look, we have to finish this by noon tomorrow,” Belichick told Moss. “He said, ‘All right, what should I do?’ I said you need to come in for a physical and we need to renegotiate your contract.
Moss was in Houston at the time and was initially shocked by the rapid timing.
“But I have a plane,” Moss told Belichick. “I will be there.”
“He’s flying (in),” Belichick added. “He’s there at eight in the morning, comes and takes the medical, we renegotiate the contract and we’re done by 10.” The first thing he said to me was, “Where’s the playbook?” »
Moss, refuting accusations that he was not a team player, immediately committed to preparing for the following season.
“He said, ‘OK, because when I show up with the first team with Brady, I have to know all the plays, I can’t make mental mistakes and miss.’ I have to know this offense,” Belichick recalled what Moss told him.
“He was smart, man,” Belichick said. The two men watched film together and Moss’ new head coach was quickly impressed with his knowledge of the game.
“It’s awesome,” Belichick offered before explaining the details of coverages that Moss knew would be played against him. The two football minds quickly connected, with record results.
Moss went on to throw 23 touchdowns in his first season alongside Brady, setting an NFL single-season record that still stands.
Anecdote: Randy Moss ranks fourth in all-time receiving yards. Can you name the three players above him?
(Answer at bottom).
Hint: two were drafted by the 49ers, one by the Cardinals.
Scores and schedules:
The Patriots selected quarterback Drake Maye third overall in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday night. New England will have the second pick in the second round (34th overall) tonight when the draft resumes at 7 p.m.
The Red Sox lost to the Guardians 6-4 on Thursday. Boston begins a three-game series at Fenway Park against the Cubs tonight at 7:10 p.m.
Tomorrow:
- The Celtics take on the Heat in Miami in Game 3 of the first-round playoff series (currently tied 1-1) starting at 6 p.m.
- The Bruins face the Maple Leafs in Toronto in Game 4 of the first round series. Boston holds a 2-1 lead with the puck expected to drop at 8 p.m.
- The Revolution host Inter Miami, as all eyes turn to the possibility of Lionel Messi playing at Gillette Stadium in front of what is expected to be a crowd of more than 60,000.
- PWHL Boston will be on the road for a matinee game against Minnesota at 1 p.m.
On Sunday, the Free Jacks will face RFC Los Angeles in Carson, California at 6:30 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
Devin McCourty’s take on Bill Belichick analysis: The former Patriots defensive end loved his ex-coach’s media debut, even though it may have hit a little close to home.
A story by Brad Marchand from The Great One: Wayne Gretzky shared a story about Marchand’s leadership with the Bruins.
That day: In 1964, the Celtics won a sixth consecutive championship by defeating the San Francisco Warriors 105-99. Despite Wilt Chamberlain’s record totals in points (30) and rebounds (27), Bill Russell (14 points, 26 rebounds) managed to limit his rival. And with five other Celtics reaching double figures, Boston produced a team-best performance to defeat the Hall of Fame center.
Highlight of the day: Eric Cole with an ace on a 207-yard par three at the Zurich Classic.
Quiz answer: Jerry Rice, Larry Fitzgerald, Terrell Owens
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