Word: mosses
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1990-1999
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...days not much can shock a state that recently elected as its Governor bald-headed former pro wrestler Jesse ("the Body") Ventura, but the Vikings are sure trying. New team owner Red McCombs, coach Green and a squad of bad boys and second-chancers are defying expectations. Start with Moss. Despite his tainted image, he has emerged as perhaps the league's most exciting wide receiver. And Cris Carter, who admitted to abusing cocaine and alcohol early in his career, is bolstering his standing as the all-time best receiver in Viking history...
...wear cleats, that Super Bowl rings and contract extensions are unlikely priorities in his divine order. Yet earlier this year, during the NFL draft, Minnesota Vikings head coach Dennis Green found himself dialing up his minister and praying that his controversial decision to draft a kid named Randy Moss would not be in vain...
...doubted that Moss, a wide receiver from Marshall University in Huntington, W.Va., was supremely talented: at 6 ft. 4 in. he was speedy and sure-handed. But 19 NFL teams had passed over Moss in the draft because of a record that included a couple of arrests, a probation violation and a one-month stint in jail...
...Green the small blessings came first. A stunning catch here, a terrific block there. And no off-field antics. Then last week, on Thanksgiving Day, as the Vikings squared off against the Dallas Cowboys (which, having had enough player troubles of their own, snubbed Moss in the draft), the coach stood on the sidelines and witnessed a miracle. There was Moss, the NFL's persona non grata, catching one, two, three touchdown passes to lead the Vikes to a 46-36 victory. Hallelujah...
...Vikings' recent success has heightened public scrutiny of the character of the team and provoked questions about Green's judgment. In the NFL draft earlier this year, he shocked the league when he picked Moss in the first round. Fans of Green's retort that he has pushed hard this season to reform his bad boys. By recruiting a young and charismatic team chaplain, the Rev. Keith Johnson, and being available as a father figure, Green is promoting faith and self-discipline among his wayward flock. Result: a season thus far without incident. Carter, whose drug problems got him waived...