Moss catches two touchdowns as push to make team continues

Sinorice Moss wanted answers. Instead, he provided them.

The Giants' fourth-year wide receiver, who publicly griped about not getting as much playing time as he expected last week against the Jets, was in the game early Thursday night against the Patriots. And he didn't waste any time in making his final plea for a roster spot.

Moss caught touchdowns on the Giants' first two drives to the end zone to lead the team's starters to a first-half blowout of New England. Rookie Hakeem Nicks followed those scores with a 64-yard touchdown, but the backups lost the second-half battle as the Patriots stormed back for a 38-27 victory in the preseason finale for both teams.
Still, the final score wasn't nearly as important as whether Moss established himself as a reliable receiving option worthy of being a Giant for one more season.

"I really wish I did prove that when my number's called, I'm able to go out there and make plays," Moss said. "My number was called tonight and I was able to make some plays for this team."

Yes, his touchdowns came against a defense comprised of mostly backups. And yes, he caught both touchdowns against a rookie safety. But for a guy who has yet to live up to his promise as a second-round pick from Miami and was believed to be in a battle for a job with Derek Hagan as final cuts approached, he'll take it -- even if he did have a bad drop on a short pass in the second half.

"Opportunity favors the prepared," Moss said. "And I came into this game very prepared for any situation I was put in to, go out there and do my best. I was blessed to have two opportunities to go out there and score touchdowns and I did."

Moss and the rest of the Giants' offense were also blessed that 10 members of the Patriots' starting defense were standing on the sideline or sitting on the bench.

But just like Moss, the Giants will take whatever success they can get throwing the ball. After a disappointing performance against the Jets that included several bad drops, they were perfect in this one.

Manning gave way to Carr for the second drive, but the rest of the starters stayed in the game. Carr, who completed all six of his passes for 153 yards, opened by hitting Hixon on a deep fade for 38 yards. Three plays later, he rolled right and found Moss in the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown.

This time, Moss had to fight off Chung, the 34th overall pick in April's draft, before breaking to the right across the back of the end zone.



(nj.com)