California Sports Journal

Moss is not the first high-profile wideout to play in the Bay Area, but he said there’s no comparison between him and former 49er Terrell Owens.

"I know who’s the best, this organization knows who’s the best, and the NFL knows who’s the best," Moss said. "The numbers speak for themselves."

Moss has 90 touchdowns in his seven year career, just five less than Owens in two fewer years. His 9,142 receiving yards are an NFL record for a receiver in his first seven seasons. But Owens has already done what Moss hopes to do with Oakland – play in a Superbowl.

"All my career I’ve been preaching ‘Superbowl, Superbowl,’ and I want a championship," said Moss. "This organization has rings and I don’t have any."

The Raiders treated Moss’ arrival with Superbowl-esqe glamour, complete with a limousine and police motorcycle escort. Moss joked that he was nervous by the atmosphere, but repeatedly call the Raiders a "Class A" organization.

"All four of my children got a care package and that’s something I’ve never received in my life," said Moss. "That might seem small and petty, but to my family that’s something big. It could have had fruit for all I cared."

Head Coach Norv Turner said Moss would have a tremendous impact on the team’s offense. "This is a game of momentum; this is a game of excitement, energy and enthusiasm," he said. "When fans see an addition like (Moss) it adds energy."

In return for Moss the Raiders sent the Minnesota Vikings linebacker Napoleon Harris, as well as their first and seventh round draft picks for this year.

Turner said quarterback Kerry Collins was "in love" with having Moss on the team. "The quarterbacks (Moss) has played with have had their best year playing with him," Turner said. "The receivers have also benefited greatly from the attention (Moss) gets."

Moss officially joins the Raiders one week after the team resigned last year’s leading receiver, Jerry Porter, to a five year deal reported to be worth close to $20 million. Moss said he doesn’t expect controversy over the number of looks he gets – as long as the team is winning.

"The ball doesn’t have to go my way for us to win," he said. "As long as we’re winning, I’m happy."

Porter led all Oakland receivers last year with nine touchdowns; Moss caught 13.

As with several Raider acquisitions over the past few years, Moss is hardly squeaky-clean. The NFL fined Moss $10,000 for pretending to moon the crowd at the end of a playoff game between Minnesota and the Green Bay Packers, and the receiver has been fined several times by the league for other incidents of unsportsmanlike conduct.

Moss was also publicly scrutinized for walking off the field in the fourth quarter during a January 2 loss to the Washington Redskins – an action that drew criticism from teammates and coaches – which many said led to the Vikings’ desire to trade him.

"I don’t think he was a bad teammate three years ago," said guard Brad Badger, who played with Moss for two years before coming to Oakland in 2002. "I don’t know what it was like the last three years, but I’m looking forward to the experience of having him here."

Moss called his time in Minnesota "almost like marriage," and said all he got in return was "a slap in the face."

"I want to get back to being a dangerous football player," said Moss. "I’m ready to scream, that’s how excited I am."