The Patriots’ league-shattering acquisition of Randy Moss was one year in the making, the Hall of Fame wideout reveals in the latest episode of Tom Brady’s new ESPN+ series, “Man in the Arena.”
Episode four chronicles the Patriots’ march to perfection in 2007 and devastating Super Bowl loss to the Giants. Moss played a central role in the historical season, catching 98 passes for 1,493 yards and a league-leading 23 touchdowns. Brady set the NFL record with 50 touchdown passes, meaning nearly half of them went to Moss.
As Moss describes himself, he was Brady’s most dangerous weapon. Good thing Doug Gabriel gave him a call.
Moss was languishing through his second year with the Raiders when Gabriel, whom Oakland dealt to New England, told him how much he enjoyed playing with Brady.
“He calls me and tells me, ‘Man, you would love it here.’ I said, ‘Man, what is Tom Brady really like?’ Is he all that they’e saying he is?,’” Moss said. “‘Oh man, you would love his preparation, Moss. You would love how he prepares, how he comes to practice.’”
Shortly thereafter, Moss was on a flight to Minneapolis, where the Patriots were playing the Vikings. Moss put on a disguise and snuck into the Patriots’ team hotel, so he could meet with Brady and make his pitch.
“I said, ‘Dude, things are not going right, and I want to play with you,’” Moss said. “That was it, and I left.”
At first, Brady admits he didn’t know what to make of Moss’ visit. Then it clicked. “I realized, he flew all the way out there to let me know he wanted to come play together,” Brady said.
That week, Brady tore up the Vikings for 372 yards and four touchdown passes. It was one of his best performances of the 2006 campaign.
Moss gave himself credit.
“Some part of me, from that little hug I gave Tom, I felt a part of those touchdowns. I felt a little bit of that,” Moss said.
From that moment, the partnership was inevitable. When Belichick called Brady before the 2007 NFL Draft to ask about Moss, Brady gave him a ringing endorsement. “I got a phone call from Coach Belichick. He said, ‘We’re thinking of trading for Randy. What do you think? I was like, ‘What do I think? Abso-f******—lutely,’” Brady recalled.
Brady and Moss wound up connecting for 39 touchdowns during his 3.5 years with the Patriots. Clandestine hotel room visits always lead to good things, right?