National Football League

NFL NOTES;BRADY'S PASSING GURU: MOSS A HUGE LOSS

Published Oct. 10, 2010 10:13 p.m. ET

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Tom Brady and Randy Moss formed one of the best quarterback/receiving duos in NFL history. The dream pairing came together in 2007, with Brady setting up Moss for a record-setting 23 touchdown catches en route to a record 50 TD passes himself. Overall, Brady and Moss connected for an average of one TD per game, posting 40 touchdowns in the 40 games they played together.

So it's reasonable to wonder how Brady will manage without his deep threat receiver and one of his favorite targets.

Tom Martinez, who has served as Brady's personal coach and quarterback guru since No. 12 first started throwing a football, provided his thoughts on the topic when reached by the Herald at his California home Thursday night.

Martinez said the Brady-Moss union was special in that it brought together two incredibly gifted football players who were looking to mesh with an equivalent talent.

''When you're together with somebody like that, you understand the uniqueness and specialty of it,'' Martinez said, ''and then when you take one of them away ... Tom will handle it publicly very well, because that's the kind of man he is, but inside, it's got to bother him.''

It will bother Brady, because moving the football on gameday just became more difficult. It will bother him, because Brady doesn't trust every receiver as deeply as he trusted Moss.

''I think he'll be fine. He's a perfectionist in what he demands of himself and the people around him,'' Martinez said of Brady. ''So whatever it is they do with the offense, he's going to master it. But to me, if you want to get in a car race, it helps to have a Porsche, not a Volkswagen.''

When asked about the notion Brady may have relied a little too much on that Porsche at times, forcing balls in to Moss, perhaps ill-advisedly, when other receivers were open, Martinez agreed that may have been the case on some occasions.

''I've talked to Tom about it,'' Martinez said. ''His comment was he's never played with a guy who understood the game like Randy. He said, 'I can theoretically go to Randy every down if I had to because he'll read the coverage. He knows what to do, no matter what the other team does. He knows where to go to fight the coverage.' So I think he had confidence in Randy from that standpoint.''

Nevertheless, Brady failed to win a Super Bowl with the Porsche while he won three with little, old VW Bugs. That the Brady era Patriots haven't been a better team since they acquired Moss is a fact that Herald contributor Kerry Byrne of Cold Hard Football expounded upon last week, in a piece on SI.com that showed Brady's passing statistics actually got worse.

Martinez argued that there were other factors at play.

''When they were winning Super Bowls, it wasn't necessarily because of the offense,'' Martinez said of the Patriots. ''When they won all of their Super Bowls, just take a look at their guys on defense. Randy is just an easy guy to pick on. Say what you want. That year they went 18-0 (before losing in Super Bowl XLII to the New York Giants), Randy Moss caught two balls at the end of games that no one else could have done.

''Look, Randy is Randy. Every team has a RandyThey're high maintenance. They all want the ball. They're all thoroughbreds. When they don't get it, they pout. You just don't do that in New England. Maybe it was time for Randy to go, but I'll tell you what, you're not going to draft another Randy Moss. Not in the third round.''

In watching and studying the Brady/Moss dynamic, Martinez, has observed No. 81 taking some plays off. But everyone -- including Brady -- knew that was part of the package.

''He's done that since college. But you know that when you get him,'' Martinez said. ''But you live with it because the threat of him scoring on one play from anywhere is scary. And that threat of going over the top to Moss keeps teams in double coverage, which then opens up (Wes) Welker and the tight ends -- and Kevin Faulk when he was healthy -- and (Brandon) Tate. Now, I don't really know if they have anyone who can take anybody vertical.''

There's been some talk about Deion Branch making a return via trade from Seattle. He was part of two Super Bowl championships with Brady, and won an MVP in Super Bowl XXXIX vs. Philadelphia.

''Deion Branch is not what he used to be, but he can step in, he knows the offense, and he and Tom have a very good relationship,'' Martinez said. ''Sometimes when players come back, or make a move, they get rejuvenated. Maybe Deion would get rejuvenated reuniting with Tom.''

Martinez, who has helped Brady hone and maintain his throwing mechanics since Brady was 12, worked with the Patriots quarterback for several sessions prior to training camp. The coach couldn't have been more pleased with his protege.

''Before he went to camp, I have never seen him better,'' Martinez said. ''Physically, mentally, (the) mechanics; there were things we worked on all spring, and by the end of it, it was incredible. He's better now than he's been at any point.

''Does that translate to wins for the team? It's beyond him. If he has bad performances, I don't think they can win. But when they don't win, there's other issues. It's not just him. Because to me, from a mental standpoint and a physical standpoint, it was incredible to stand there and watch him throw. It was better than I've seen him before. Head and shoulders better.''

As for how it's all going to turn out for Brady and the Patriots without Moss, Martinez had a very sound perspective.

''The big thing I would say, is I don't think this is a one- or two-game judgment,'' he said. ''They may make this work one time. The question is going to be, what happens four weeks from now, when people realize what they're doing?''

Martinez suspects that with the bye week affording the Patriots two weeks to prepare for the Ravens, they may come up with some creative ways to make up for the loss of Moss, just as they did Faulk.

''They're liable to do real well (against the Ravens), but then they're on tape, and the next three teams see what they do without Randy Moss, and they'll shut that down,'' Martinez said. ''So I think the tall tale is about a month from now. It's not this first game. Three weeks from now, you'll see a pattern. Either they're going to continue to score 30 points a game, or they're going to struggle to score 20. That's going to be the tall tale. They got rid of Moss, but can they still produce in the same way without him?''

Rodney offers support

In August, we chatted with former Patriots Pro Bowl safety Rodney Harrison about the current safety duo of Brandon Meriweather and Patrick Chung. At the time, he called them ''two young studs.''

At the quarter pole of the season, we checked back with Harrison to get his take, given that Chung has soared, while Meriweather has had his share of lumps. Naturally, the NBC analyst jumped right in.

''You know why Chung's blossomed? Because he's hungry,'' Harrison said. ''He's a football player and he's hungry. He has the ability to be special.''

Harrison, though, offered a word of caution for Chung, who blocked a punt, a field goal and returned an interception for a touchdown against Miami in Monday night's 41-14 win.

''Moving forward, the one thing Chung has to learn, the more success you have, the more people are going to pat you on the back,'' Harrison said. ''That means you have to work harder, and stay focused even more. Don't get caught up in reading headlines. Once you get beat, those pats in the back will turn into stabs in the back. So keep everything in perspective.''

As for Meriweather, who has seen his starting job taken away, Harrison believes the fourth-year man must forget his trip to the Pro Bowl last year.

''No matter what success you've had in the past, no one cares about that,'' Harrison said. ''Bill (Belichick) always emphasizes (that) -- it doesn't matter what you've done in the past, it matters what you're doing now. So for Brandon to get back, he has to put the past success behind him, and focus on what's going on now, and pay attention to detail, and taking the right angles and being in the proper position. Tha'ts what makes players really good, not freelancing and doing what you want to do.

''He's not Troy Polamalu. If you do your job, and you do it right, and you do it consistently, you'll always be in position to make plays. It's amazing the plays that will come to you. That's what he always preaches. Everyone doing their job, and it doesn't matter who gets the credit.''

McGinest content

Willie McGinest, who was at ESPN's Chalk Talk Luncheon in Miami on Monday, said he was in the process of completing his retirement paperwork. He said it hasn't been particularly hard to turn away from the game and all of the routines he enjoyed for 15 years.

''For the first time, I get to drop my daughters off, and take them to school in the morning,'' said McGinest, who lives in Long Beach, Calif. ''I wasn't always able to do that when I was playing. I never had a chance to be home on certain holidays and sit back on certain days because I was in a hotel room and playing on Sundays. I was satisfied with my tenure and the time I played. Most guys don't get to play five years, never mind 15.''

McGinest, as always, looks great. Even at age 38, he looks as though he could still play. The physical demands for a linebacker, however, make it difficult once you get up in age.

''It's a lot of maintenence. I didn't play safety, or quarterback,'' McGinest said. ''But it's a lot of maintenance. You're in the trenches, getting hit every play. To not have to go through that is good. You miss the game, of course you miss the game. You miss the players, you miss the camraderie, certain things you did with the guys. On the upside, you get to do a lot of things you weren't able to do the past 15 years. They're in training camp, and I'm at Lake Isabelle on Jet Skis with the family, camping. So it's a tradeoff.'' ...

It seems as though everyone had some kind of Moss-type piece last week. Jeff Darlington of the Miami Herald got the perspective of Dolphins cornerback Vontae Davis, who covered the former Pats wide receiver during Monday night's no-catch outing.

Davis, now in his second year, considered his time spent covering Moss as valuable help toward his development as a professional.

''My biggest thing from last year, I'd make a good play, then I'd relax and here (Moss) would come,'' Davis said. ''He'd go over the top and make the one-handed catch, and I'm like, 'Man!' Now, because of him, I understand every game is 60 minutes. If you want to be good, you've got to go (all out for) 60 minutes.''

While Jets All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis accused Moss of ''hitting the brakes'' during their Week 2 matchup, Davis didn't sense any such drop-off with Moss Monday night.

''The Randy Moss I know, if he goes deep and you're not covering him, he'll put you on ESPN,'' Davis said. ...

Speaking of Revis, former Patriots cornerback Ty Law had some nice things to say about the Jets star Monday prior to the Chalk Talk Luncheon.

''He's probably the best young guy I've ever seen in my career, as a young guy coming through not only because of his athleticism, but because of the way he approaches the game,'' said Law, who has worked as a mentor to Revis. ''He wants to win, he wants to study. You can't teach that. Darrelle just wants to be outstanding at everything.'' ...

Remember how former Pats running back Laurence Maroney all of a sudden had fumble-itis last year, especially around the goal line? Well, the bug has caught Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw. The Giants have missed out on 14 points in the last two games because of Bradshaw's untimely drops.

Last week, when Bradshaw was about to gallop in for a 36-yard touchdown run against the Bears, he was stripped from behind by Zack Bowman.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin sounds as though he's had enough.

''Every week, I'm assured, `Don't worry, Coach,' '' Coughlin told the New York media last week. ''But the thing that happens is you get in games, you become more instinctive, and occasionally, the bad habits come roaring out. If it was something where the player has absolutely had enough, when that takes place, then I think we'll get what we want.''

Maroney, by the way, fumbled in Denver's win over Tennessee last week.

-kguregian@bostonherald.com

1 Jets (3-1)

Blasephemy to go with Rex Ryan's crew, I know. But gotta live with it for now. No clearcut top gun.

2 Ravens (3-1)

Starting to look more like the contender everyone imagined.

3 Steelers (3-1)

OK. Maybe they really can use Ben Roethlisberger.

4 Saints (3-1)

Super Bowl hangovers can make you look rather ordinary.

5 Packers (3-1)

Not the best sign if the star quarterback is questioning the play calling.

6 Falcons (3-1)

Roddy White has the all-hustle play of the year award locked up.

7 Texans (3-1)

Now presenting the unenhanced version of Brian Cushing.

8 Colts (2-2)

Defense not holding up its end of the bargain.

9 Patriots (3-1)

How did they spend the bye week? They got (un)Mossed.

10 Chiefs (3-0)

Great story. But Indy blows up the final unbeaten today.

11 Chargers (2-2)

Think they'll do the Pats a favor and ship over Vincent Jackson? Wishful thinking.

12 Bears (3-1)

Someone better read the memo about the importance of protecting the quarterback.

13 Dolphins (2-2)

Is it possible they have the wrong Chad playing quarterback?

14 Redskins (2-2)

Donovan McNabb can't rest on his Hallmark moment in Philly.

15 Cowboys (1-2)

Nary a peep from Jerry Jones during the bye week. What's up with that?

16 Vikings (1-2)

Was that Brett Favre doing cartwheels across the Twin Cities on Wednesday?

17 Eagles (2-2)

Kevin Kolb better lose that deer-in-the-headlights look.

18 Titans (2-2)

This defense never met a big play it didn't like.

19 Giants (2-2)

Pass rush is alive and well. Can't say the same about the rest of the team.

20 Bengals (2-2)

Forget about Carson Palmer. What's happened to Cedric Benson?

21 Broncos (2-2)

How bad is their running game? QB Kyle Orton led the team with 11 yards last week.

22 Rams (2-2)

No one seems to remember the last time they cracked .500.

23 Jaguars (2-2)

Think Josh Scobee's 59-yard game-winning field goal may have saved a few jobs?

24 Seahawks (2-2)

They have a bye week to ponder why they're everyone's roadkill.

25 Bucs (2-1)

Back at it, after a week to wash away slapdown by Steelers.

26 Cardinals (2-2)

They're hoping Max Hall isn't the second coming of Monte Hall.

27 Browns (1-3)

Right now, Peyton Hillis-for-Brady Quinn looks like the steal of the century.

28 Raiders (1-3)

Some people must be feeling pretty silly about picking them to win division.

29 49ers (0-4)

How bad is it? Coach Mike Singletary even fumbled the postgame handshake.

30 Lions (0-4)

If this were baseball, they'd get a new closer. They just can't finish out games.

31 Panthers (0-4)

Jerry Richardson might have to start paying people to watch that offense.

32 Bills (0-4)

Trading away parts at the quarter pole? That's sure to rally the troops, don't you think?

STAFF GRAPHIC

GRAPHIC: STEP RIGHT UP!! EVERBODY'S A LOSER!

If the undeafeted Chiefs lose in Indianapolis today, as oddsmakers predict, it will mark the earliest time in 40 years in which the league's last unbeaten team has suffered its first setback. And, yes, the insufferable Mercury Morris and his 1972 Dolphins teammates will be able to toast to their unbeaten season earlier than ever before.

The Chiefs come into today's game at 3-0. You have to back to the first year of the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to find the last time the league's best start was 3-0. That season, the Broncos, Rams and Lions all had 3-0 marks, only to lose in Week 4.

Here is a look at the teams with the longest unbeaten start in each season since then:

Year Team Rec.

2009 Colts 14-0

2008 Titans 10-0

2007 Patriots 16-0

2006 Colts 9-0

2005 Colts 13-0

2004 Eagles 7-0

2003 Chiefs 9-0

2002 Raiders 4-0

2001 Rams 6-0

2000 Vikings 7-0