| Randolph Charlotin. 18th January, 2008 - 3:44 pm
 The season started with safety Rodney Harrison being suspended for acquiring HGH. But since he wasn’t around the team during the four-game suspension, there wasn’t a distraction.
Spygate? The way Head Coach Bill Belichick handled it, the issue was over before the media could address it.
There’s been trash talk, asterisks, and repeated television appearances by former Miami Dolphins' running back Mercury Morris.
Nothing has distracted the New England Patriots from their singular goal of reaching the Super Bowl. Now there’s a new test of their focus, and it might be the toughest yet.
On Wednesday, Rachelle Washington was granted a temporary restraining order against wide receiver Randy Moss, the biggest weapon in the offense’s arsenal. Moss denied the accusations and claimed it is a case of extortion. He talked to Belichick about the situation already, and it looks like he will play in the AFC Championship.
It’s too early to know who is telling the truth or the reasons why. That can wait. What really would be telling is the reaction of the franchise.
Owner Bob Kraft runs a class organization, and he will do whatever to keep it that way. If that means parting ways with a player of questionable character, he will do so.
In 1996, the Pats drafted University of Nebraska defensive tackle Christian Peter in the fifth round. He was a first round talent, but his history of domestic violence, a third degree sexual assault conviction, and a rape accusation led teams to pass on him despite Peter’s talent on the field. A week later, the team relinquished the pick.
Keeping Peter would had been completely against the charitable and philanthropic groups the Kraft Group supports, including numerous women’s groups. It was Kraft’s wife Myra who demanded the team cut ties with Peter. Bob didn’t hesitate.
Moss has a history of bad behavior. Included on his list of transgressions is a 1996 domestic incident with the mother of his child. Allegedly Moss repeatedly pushed her down as she tried to get up and threw “steaming” hot water on her. Both accused the other of assault, and both were arrested. The charges against them were dropped after they agreed to counseling. It should be noted that Moss doesn’t have a pattern of domestic problems.
Would Moss’ history combined with the restraining order be enough for the Krafts to step in? Randy wouldn’t be on the team if Robert Kraft didn’t approve the trade that brought Moss to New England. Kraft trusts Belichick and the screening process. When the Patriots traded for running back Corey Dillon, they reviewed his history and interviewed Dillon as well as people close to Dillon to make sure he was a good person and teammate. The same investigative process likely was used with Moss.
But the investigation couldn’t predict the restraining order. While Moss and the team have been told to focus on football, this new dark cloud will stay with the team until the issue is resolved.
For now there is new ammunition to fire at the Patriots. Moss is perceived as guilty because fans have been lied to during this steroid era and by former Atlanta Falcons' quarterback Michael Vick. Besides being labeled as cheaters, now the Patriots will be accused of winning at all costs by putting ability ahead of character. Jane Doe Inc., a anti-domestic violence group, is asking the Patriots to bench Moss until his January 28 court date.
Kraft doesn’t want his team to have any bad characters. He won’t rush to judgment nor is he likely to cave in under the pressure. Kraft will wait for the law to take its course. Then we’ll see if Kraft takes action, if needed.
Randolph Charlotin can be contacted at lordrc@netzero.net |
