Thursday, December 27, 2001
NFL notebook: Carter takes Moss' words personally
'Is that what I taught him?'
The Associated Press
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Vikings receiver Cris Carter turned in his harshest rebuke yet of teammate Randy Moss.
During a conference call, Carter criticized Moss for saying he played hard only when he felt like it.
“For me, it's more personal. I ask myself the question, "Is that what you taught him? Or did you teach him something else?'” Carter said, referring to Moss.
“I take personal offense to it because that's not the way you approach the game. You play when they make the schedule. When the commissioner gives the schedule, that's when you play.”
Vikings coach Dennis Green downplayed Moss' remarks as being said in a joking way, but Moss himself hasn't backed down and has even reiterated them.
“So, I couldn't even cover up for it,” Carter said.
Moss has 78 receptions for 1,214 yards and 10 touchdowns this season.
“Probably 99 percent of the players in the league have less ability than Randy has,” Carter said. “That's just realistic. That kind of athlete, once-in-a-lifetime athlete? For the rest of us, we know we have to give our absolute best to even perform in the NFL, and we know it's not easy.”
Carter, a 15-year veteran, has served as Moss's mentor since he was a rookie in 1998, but they could be playing their final two games together.
Carter hasn't announced whether he'll retire, return for a 12th season in Minnesota or test free agency.
• Vikings quarterback Todd Bouman, who has a sprained ligament in his right hand, threw lightly at practice and will try to go full speed today.
Bouman hurt his thumb in the second quarter of a 27-24 loss to Detroit Dec.16, and he aggravated the injury on the team's first drive of Sunday's 33-3 loss to Jacksonville.
RAVENS:
Tony Siragusa missed practice Wednesday with a sore knee and is questionable for Saturday night's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Playing without the 340-pound Siragusa last Sunday, Baltimore allowed 127 yards rushing to Corey Dillon in a 16-0 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
The challenge against the Bucs is stopping Mike Alstott and the nimble Warrick Dunn.
“He (Siragusa) is a key cog in our defense. We would not want to go on the field without him,” said Sam Adams, the Ravens' other starting defensive tackle. “But we are 11 people strong.”
GIANTS:
Rookie cornerback Will Peterson spoiled coach Jim Fassel's attempt to keep Jason Sehorn's replacement at cornerback a secret by disclosing that he would start in Sunday's NFC East showdown in Philadelphia.
If the Giants (7-7) lose, they miss the playoffs and the Eagles (9-7) win the NFC East.
After Sehorn, who is out with a sprained ankle, and fellow rookie Will Allen, Peterson has had the most playing time among the cornerbacks. He has three starts and has played in all the nickel and dime packages.
“I'm excited just to get another opportunity,” Peterson said.
CHIEFS:
Wide receiver Reggie Jones has agreed to a three-year contract with Kansas City.
BROWNS:
Alvin Morrow, who has not played football since graduating from high school in 1996, signed as a tight end.
The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Morrow has been a minor-league outfielder the last five years.
He is the third player on the Browns roster with professional baseball experience, joining reserve quarterback Josh Booty and rookie wide receiver Andre King.
Morrow was going to play football at Florida State after playing tight end at Kirkwood (Mo.) High School, but signed with baseball's Milwaukee Brewers instead after being drafted in the second round in 1997.
Morrow was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in 2000. In 2001, he hit .235 with eight homers for Class A teams in Charleston and Dunedin.
JETS:
With his team one victory from a playoff berth, cornerback Aaron Glenn plans to play Sunday against Buffalo. Glenn, the team leader with five interceptions, sprained his right knee against New England Dec.2.
“I'm happy how the rehab has gone and the way it has healed so quickly,” Glenn said. “I feel I was having a pretty good season at the point I got hurt and I want to get back out there and help my team win and get to that dance.”
Glenn was having perhaps the best season of his eight-year career, a shutdown cornerback, able to handle many of the league's better receivers in man-to-man coverage. In fact, Jets defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell began using more man coverage last month to take advantage of Glenn's superiority in that area.
Then he was injured as he jumped to knock the ball away from Troy Brown and fell awkwardly.
“It always hurts to watch when the season is going so well,” he said. “It seemed like all my goals were falling in place. I said before the year I wanted seven interceptions — I guess I've got to rush to get two more.
“You think you could have been the difference in a game and that is a hard thing.”
While he is ready to play again, Glenn isn't sure how often he will be on the field Sunday. Neither is coach Herman Edwards.
“It will be good to get him back, no matter how many snaps he can play,” Edwards said. “It is always good to get a veteran like him back.”
Glenn won't push it as the Jets (9-5) make their playoff push.
“I can play, I know that, ” he said. “To what degree, I don't know. I've been cutting and planting and moving pretty good since last week.
“But I want to make sure I am there with the team as far as the playoffs are concerned. I'm not trying to force myself, and then I can get hurt again and be out for the rest of the season.
“But it's healed. It feels pretty darn good.”
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NFL notebook: Carter takes Moss' words personally
