Randy Moss

ON RANDY MOSS GOING TO THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS WHATS'S THE OVER-UNDER ON GAMES BEFORE MOSS WHINES HE IS NOT GETTING THE BALL ENOUGH? I think Moss wants a ring, plain and simple, and that is why he was willing to restructure his contract and get paid less in order to get the chance. My compliments to New England for its outstanding offseason, but no one is going to lay down and die for them.

Tonight KANSAS CITY AT OAKLAND CHIEFS -- Out: T Kyle Turley (shoulder); RB Michael Bennett (ankle); DE Jimmy Wilkerson (hamstring); LB Rich Scanlon (neck). Probable: T John Welbourn (ankle). RAIDERS -- Out: RB LaMont Jordan (knee). Doubtful: WR Jerry Porter (hip). Questionable: G Corey Hulsey (knee); WR Randy Moss (ankle); RB Zack Crockett (heel); CB Fabian Washington (shoulder); T Robert Gallery (elbow). Probable: QB Aaron Brooks (neck); G Kevin Boothe (elbow).

Ravens cornerback Samari Rolle has been around long enough to know that great receivers such as the Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith are going to make their share of catches and big plays. So when Smith had eight receptions for 189 yards against the Ravens on Oct. 15, Rolle wasn't embarrassed. He was more troubled by the long touchdown pass he gave up to Panthers receiver Drew Carter, and the one he gave up to the San Diego Chargers' Malcom Floyd. He also gave up a long touchdown pass to the Cleveland Browns' Braylon Edwards.

Good morning --Randy Moss -- Even your agent can't stay out of trouble.

(Last week's ranking in parentheses): 1. Colts (1) Week off before big showdown with Patriots. 2. Steelers (5) No more Tommy Maddox moments. 3. Eagles (6) Eagles block out their problems. 4. Broncos (2) Shameful last-second loss to Giants. 5. Falcons (9) Michael Vick's up to his old tricks. 6. Patriots (8) Purely based on past performance. 7. Bengals (3) One step at a time, fellas. 8. Buccaneers (7) It's time for Chris Simms to show his stuff. 9. Giants (16) Who will Archie Manning root for on Super Sunday?

Before every game, Derrick Mason picks out a Bible verse and writes it on his shoes. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, Mason jotted down earlier this preseason, a reminder to never take anything for granted. "A lot of people get caught up in me, me, me," Mason said. In a career grounded by patience and endurance, Mason doesn't seem to fit in this generation's group of star receivers. Mild-mannered and soft-spoken, he doesn't have the stereotypical big body or the big ego. He is the anti-Randy Moss, one who goes all-out on every play.

In the wildest Super Bowl in history, the Indianapolis Colts stunned the Minnesota Vikings with a four-touchdown, fourth-quarter barrage and won the NFL championship on Peyton Manning's Hail Mary pass with time expired, 37-36, in Detroit. OK, we're a little ahead of the game here. Almost 10 months ahead, in fact. But it's never too early to dream. The NFL loves offense and exciting Super Bowls and an Indianapolis-Minnesota matchup of high-wire passing games is the stuff record TV ratings are made of. How can we project two dome teams squaring off under the Ford Field roof in frigid Detroit next Feb. 5?

Sun columnist answers readers' questions David Steele joined The Sun as a columnist in September 2004. A 1985 University of Maryland graduate, Steele has worked at several newspapers including the San Francisco Chronicle, where he was for the past nine years as a columnist and NBA writer. Vinnie, Danbury, Conn.: Why would you use the Billick quote about leadership re: Moss when despite good play [Terrell] Owens is none of those things either and had a troubled history extraordinarily similar to Moss?

After years of failed pursuits - from David Boston to Terrell Owens to Randy Moss - the Ravens believe they finally landed their big catch. The Ravens agreed in principle on a five-year deal yesterday with Derrick Mason, plugging their long-standing void in the passing game with a receiver many regarded as the top free-agent wide-out this offseason. So long, dropped passes. Hello, consistency. Mason has averaged 86 catches and 1,153 yards over the past four seasons, leading the Tennessee Titans in each of those years.

ONCE AGAIN, the NFL's serious offseason activity begins with wide receivers the hot commodity. Once again, the Ravens are strapping on their boots and wading in. And once again, the best of the lot is out of their reach. Good news, all of it. That may not have been the case this time last year; even though Terrell Owens apparently will go to his grave swearing that Baltimore was the next-to-last place he'd ever have wanted to play (just above San Francisco), the Ravens were worse off for not getting him. This year, though, no tears need be shed over the departure of Randy Moss to a different location.