Published: Friday, March 30, 2001

Moss softens his Super slant

Pioneer Press

---------------------------------------------------------------------- -- MIKE WELLS STAFF WRITER ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -- For the first time since the NFC championship game, Vikings receiver Randy Moss spoke about his future with the organization, the team's defense, the retirement of running back Robert Smith and comments by former teammate Todd Steussie. Following the Vikings' 41-0 loss to the New York Giants in January, Moss said he doubted he would win a Super Bowl with Minnesota. More than two months later, Moss, who will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2001 season, slightly softened his stance. ``Do I think the Vikings can win a Super Bowl? I don't know,'' he said after judging the college basketball slam-dunk competition, a sideshow to the NCAA Final Four, Thursday night at Concordia University-St. Paul. ``I think if they have a chance of winning, it's going to be hard regardless of whether they have me or they don't have me. They drafted me, they took a chance on me. I don't really feel that I can go anywhere else and feel comfortable and have another 84 jersey on if it's not a Minnesota Viking (jersey). ``As far as me staying here, I would love to play with a guy like Daunte Culpepper and to be coached by a guy like Denny (Green). But at the same time, you have to do what's right because this is a business. If they keep me a Minnesota Viking, I'm going to do whatever is in my power to get a Super Bowl. If I'm not here, I'm going to have to try to take the Super Bowl away from them.'' Moss said that if the Vikings are to win a Super Bowl, all the pressure can't be put on the defense, which finished 28th in the league last season and has lost linebacker Dwayne Rudd and defensive tackle Tony Williams through free agency, and defensive tackle John Randle, who was released. ``Of course, we're going to need a defense,'' Moss said. ``But at the same time, it's going to have to do with a guy like myself and Culpepper. We have big shoes to fill with Robert Smith gone. So it's not all with the defense. It still has to do with the offense and the weapons we still have.'' With the sudden retirement of Smith in February, Moss believes the Vikings can pass the ball more. ``Robert Smith has had 1,000 yards (every season) since I've been here, so I can't complain about his effort and what he's done on Sunday,'' Moss said. ``But I am a receiver, I like the pass. Run blocking, I'm not too fond of that. But if it springs the running back for a touchdown, I'm happy with it. I don't mind. I just want to win. So I'm not downing Robert Smith for retiring, but I guess we can see a little bit more passing. So I guess I'm a little satisfied with that.'' Moss said he had no comment on the remarks that Steussie, a left tackle who agreed to a contract with Carolina on Thursday, and other anonymous teammates made about the three-time Pro Bowl receiver taking plays off. ``I read it on the computer,'' Moss said. ``But like I said, I'm Randy Moss, he's Todd Steussie. I don't think I can really stoop myself down to his level to really talk about what he's done or what I've done. I don't want to get into a trash-talking incident because he's in Carolina, I'm here in Minnesota. ``I'm not about conflict, I don't like to start t

-- Mark (Karch 222@aol.com), March 30, 2001

Answers

I don't know if the Vikes will ever win the Super Bowl either? SO WHAT!!! I do think he wants to stay but who knows? GO VIKES!!!!!

-- Tom (BMatheus@aol.com), March 31, 2001.

Yea, we know Randy's not too fond of run blocking.

-- Deb Cross (debcross2000@earthlink.net), April 02, 2001.

Hey Deb, good to see you're still around even if you're not on the other board anymore. Moss---not about conflict, now there is a strange quote if I've ever seen one. And even though he might not be too fond of run-blocking, he made several good blocks last year that sprang Smith for quite a few extra yards. Sad too see him getting only halfway into a pissing match with Steussie----go all out, or don't go at all! :-)

-- Dan (hookti1@aol.com), April 02, 2001.