National Football League

Teammates say Randy Moss' halftime speech helped spark Vikings' comeback

Published Oct. 19, 2010 10:12 p.m. ET

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When wide receiver Randy Moss began addressing the team at halftime of Sunday's 24-21 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, everyone stopped what they were doing.

As wide receiver Percy Harvin puts it, there was "complete silence."

Moss has that much respect from his teammates, even though it has been less than two weeks since he joined the team.

"There are only a couple of players out there who can do that," Harvin said. "His name speaks for itself."

Moss surprised the team with his move, and he also sparked a come-from-behind win after the Vikings were down 14-7 at the half. Moss, who finished with five catches for 55 yards, encouraged the offense to be more productive.

The Vikings finished with 188 total yards, and converted 6 of 12 third downs.

Childress first delivered a locker-room message, and Moss jumped in during what's usually a break period before the second half begins.

"It always rings when you don't know somebody has that side," Childress said. "There's a bunch of guys that haven't played with him before. It's kind of like a, 'Hmmm.' Kind of an epiphany for them. He's speaking from the heart, and when you're speaking from the heart, it's always taken very well."

Moss and Brett Favre almost connected for a 22-yard touchdown on third down late in the fourth quarter, but the ball slipped out of Moss' hands. Moss faced double coverage most of the game.

"They're knowing where he's at and knowing how he can beat you and not wanting that to happen," Childress said.

Cooper gets a shot: After using three different centers through the first five games, the Vikings finally could have a starter -- for now, at least.

Jon Cooper passed the test in his first career start at center on Sunday, Childress said, managing the line of scrimmage and trying to contain Cowboys nose tackle Jay Ratliff, who finished with a sack and two quarterback hurries.

John Sullivan, who entered the season first on the depth chart, has battled calf injuries since the exhibition season. Ryan Cook started against the New York Jets before being supplanted by Cooper.

Childress said Ratliff caused some havoc, but that's to be expected.

"(Cooper) did a great job with the line calls and (it's) extremely competitive in there," Childress said. "I like what he did getting the promotion with that starting job."

Sullivan was inactive against the Cowboys but could return Sunday night against Green Bay, which could create quite the practice battle for positioning at center.

Abdullah recovering: The Vikings will send safety Husain Abdullah's concussion case to the league office while following their own strict protocol for his recovery, Childress said.

Abdullah told the Pioneer Press that he "went blank" on a play during the first half, after which Jamarca Sanford filled in for the rest of the game.

The Vikings couldn't detect which play caused the concussion during game film sessions, Childress said.

Abdullah is fifth on the team with 25 tackles.

Will slow starts end? Through five games, the Vikings have been outscored 47-30 in the first half this season, something tight end Visanthe Shiancoe says must stop.

"You can't give them hope," Shiancoe said. "You have to try to halt that momentum."

The Vikings opened up the passing game in the second half of a 29-20 loss to the Jets on Oct. 11 that included three Favre touchdown passes. Harvin says the Vikings must play with urgency all the time, not just in the second half.

"Hopefully, we can start coming out like that to make the second halves a little easier," Harvin said.

Quote of note: "I would put that more on the running back closing the pocket. I don't think that's a feature of the quarterback there."

-- Childress, on the fumbled handoff attempt between Favre and running back Adrian Peterson in the first quarter. Favre was credited with the turnover, his 11th of the season.