Brady to Moss a Rare Combination

When you watch the Patriots play, one thing becomes incredibly obvious: Randy Moss is good. Real good. And you get the impression that the guy throwing him the football knows a thing or two about playing in the NFL. In fact, you probably get the impression that the rapport they have is pure chemistry. It’s better than Manning-Harrison of today. It’s better than Palmer-Johnson. It’s the only unstoppable combo in football and the Patriots are taking complete advantage of it.

Now, I’m not saying that Randy Moss is the best wide receiver in football. Nor do I think that Brady is the league’s best quarterback. Those are toss-ups. But put those two in the same lineup and great things happen.

Not that they do it alone, of course. Both benefit from each other and brilliant play-calls. But more than that, their teammates open things up. After all, how can you double Moss, the most physically gifted receiver in the NFL — sorry Calvin Johnson, you’ll have to wait a few years — when the Patriots also sport Wes Welker (23 catches this season), Ben Watson (11 catches), and, when healthy, Donte’ Stallworth (8 catches).

And it doesn’t hurt that the Patriots can throw anyone in the backfield and stay successful. After all, both Sammy Morris (5.0 ypc) and Laurence Maroney (4.7 ypc) have taken 54 reps this season and both are on pace for a 1000 yard campaign.

That said, the ultimate reason this is happening is because Tom Brady and Randy Moss have formed a relationship that’s just rare in the NFL. It’s the kind that is so perfect it’s scary. It’s like Montana-Rice, Young-Rice, Manning-Harrison, and every other great pitch-and-catch tandem there ever was. Brady trusts Moss to make highlight catches and he manages to squeeze the ball in tight spaces that other quarterbacks wouldn’t risk with a lesser receiver.

Remember that draft-day trade — Moss for a mid-round pick? “Steal” doesn’t begin to describe it.

(Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)