Moss wants his straight cash, homey

Randy Moss, in his postgame press conference after the Patriots 38-24, season-opening victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, said he feels unappreciated by some in the New England area.

And he's right.

Since coming here to start the 2007 season, Moss has been nothing but productive. In his first season with the team, he set a single-season record with 23 touchdown catches. When Brady went down for the entire 2008 season, he caught 11 TDs from Matt Cassel and had 13 last year. All while drawing little attention to himself.

Until Sunday, when he talked for 16 minutes about his contract issues. He didn't wait to take a question before saying what he had to say.

While most feel that Moss was justified in his claims, they questioned the timing of it. So when is a good time to say such things? He certainly got everyone's attention. No, Randy Moss isn't like Tom Brady, who keeps talk about money and contracts behind closed doors.

But Moss has sat idly by while Tom Brady, Leigh Bodden, Stephen Gostkowski and others have received big pay days. Put yourself in the same situation. Imagine you're one of the top employees at your company, and a co-worker, who has been no less productive the last three years, received a huge pay raise, making him the highest paid person on staff. Wouldn't that be stuck in your craw?

ESPN.com writer Adam Schefter reported on Sunday that Logan Makins, who had some choice words for the Patriots ownership back in June, likely won't play another game for the team. It appeared the two sides finally had a deal worked out before team brass asked Mankins to issue a public apology, which the offensive lineman refused to do.

Mankins, a restricted free agent, has been a hold out while Moss has been in camp and working hard. Moss, who unjustly has been accused of "dogging it" on the field in recent years, said he'll play out the remainder of the season. And there's little doubt he'll put up big numbers. We have no reason to believe he won't.

And I sure hope Bob Kraft and the suits realize what they have. Moss said he likes New England, he likes playing here and wants to continue doing so. But he added that if an extension isn't reached by the end of the season, it'll be "a smack in the face."

Everything Moss said, all of which caught the media in attendance by surprise, is right. And I have little issue about the timing. His intention was to be heard, and his words carried plenty of weight after a nice victory.

Don't hate the player, hate the game. In this case, the business end of the game. And if you have to point fingers, maybe they should be pointed toward the luxury suites, and not in the direction of No. 81.