Tuesday is technically an “off day” for most NFL players, while coaches are busy whittling away at their playbook in preparation for that week’s gameplan.
This Tuesday, the Vikings coaching staff got an assist with their preparation for the New England Patriots from Randy Moss.
“He’s very articulate,” coach Brad Childress said Wednesday via Jeremy Fowler of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “He spent time with our coaches yesterday and did a great job with both our offense and defensive coaches.”
Moss obviously knows the Patriots well, but Childress said Moss can break down scheme tendencies of any opponent better than most players. Still, all of Moss’ smarts haven’t led to huge production as a Viking.
He has 12 catches for 166 yards in three games. The Vikings say he’s facing double teams, but I watched Antonio Cromartie of the Jets largely handle Moss without a ton of help.
Fowler suggests that Moss’ knowledge of the Patriots could lead to a breakout game this week. That’s certainly possible because New England’s secondary is vulnerable.
Then again, Patriots coach Bill Belichick knows more about Moss than any opposing coach. And I suspect Belichick would hate nothing more Sunday than to see Moss score in Foxborough.