Q&A with ... Giants WR Sinorice Moss

Given his height, 5-8 Sinorice Moss is accustomed to being questioned about his ability to play in the NFL. So when he hears people questioning whether the Giants can weather the loss of wide receivers Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer, he's not hearing anything he hasn't already heard, he tells Sporting News' Bill Eichenberger.

Q: What goes through your mind when people wonder whether you and the other receivers have what it takes to fill Burress' and Toomer's void?
A: I've been hearing that all my life. I've been hearing guys tell me I wasn't going to make it to the NFL. That is just something for me to look at and listen to and just go out there and perform every week. I can't worry about what those people say. But it does bother me when people tell me what I can't do.

Q: Do you think the other receivers feel the same way? Is there a collective "let's show them"-type attitude?
A: I feel like there is a big chip on all our shoulders. You hear a lot of things: "Oh, they don't have Plax, they don't have Amani. They don't have any deep threats." We have Domenik Hixon, Steve Smith, myself, Mario Manningham, and I can run down a list of guys that we have here who can contribute and make some plays for this team. So as a group, every day we look at each other and say, "Let's go. It's time to go. Let's do what we have to do to help this team."

Q: On the flip side, are there legitimate reasons to doubt this group?
A: We do have something to prove. We are a group of young guys who when given the opportunity stepped up and made some plays last year. ... Say what you want about us. But we work hard every day and will continue to work hard, so that when we get opportunities in the game we can make some plays and prove everybody wrong.

Q: Given that the Giants brought in two tall, physical rookie receivers in Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden, where do you see a smaller receiver like yourself fitting into the mix? What do you bring to the table?
A: Speed, aggressiveness, power, just having the opportunity to have the ball in my hands. I feel like I can do so many things with the ball in my hands.

Q: Is going deep one of those things?
A: It's something I've been itching to do since I've been here. I've had minor setbacks (with injuries) and haven't really had the opportunity to showcase that.

Q: Do you feel you still need to show the coaches that you can be a legitimate home-run threat?
A: We practice it every week. Since I've been here, we've always practiced deep balls. It's just a matter of that play being called in the game, so people can't sit around and say we don't have deep threats.

Q: Why will this year be different?
A: I feel like this year we have a lot of speed, young guys, fresh legs who can go up top. It's going to be good.

Q: So you think the receiving corps doesn't need a veteran guy?
A: We learned from two of the best. When I came in, I had Amani and Plaxico, and they pretty much showed me the ropes. They taught me things. They were always vocal in meetings, vocal in practice. So learning from those guys, it doesn't necessarily follow that we need a veteran wide receiver to be in here.

Q: What has kept you from complaining or demanding to be traded despite not getting much playing time since being a second-round draft pick in 2006?
A: I know how hard I work. I know what I put in. It was never for me to pout or complain or to argue or be mad at my coaches. Things happen for a reason. That's how I look at it. I just continue to perform and show these coaches why they drafted me. That's why I kept a positive attitude. I know what I am capable of doing when given the opportunity.



(sportingnews.com)