FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots:
1. A.J.'s motivation: A.J. Brown's news conference walk-off last week sparked memories of something similar with a different Patriots receiver nearly two decades ago. The Patriots surely hope similar results follow.
On the final day of the 2007 NFL draft, reporters were huddled around a speaker phone in the press box at Gillette Stadium and talking to veteran Randy Moss, who had just been traded to the Patriots as he sought a fresh start.
"The Moss of old is back," he said, his voice trailing off to end the call before reporters expected.
It was trademark Moss flair.
Fast-forward 19 years to Tuesday in the New Balance Athletics Center media workroom. Brown had just concluded his first Patriots practice and was near the end of a news conference when asked how much he believes he has left in the tank.
"How much?" he said, tapping both hands on the dais in front of him and flashing a smile. "You'll see."
He then walked off in a drop-the-mic type of moment.
Back in 2007, then Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and receiver Randy Moss await the start of training camp in Foxborough, Mass. AP Photo/Winslow Townson Moss was a one-of-one receiver, and no one is comparing Brown to him in that regard. But the link between them motivation-wise and the prospect of being rejuvenated in a PhD-level offense that values them as a central cog at a similar point in their careers -- Moss was entering his 10th season; Brown is in his eighth -- is real.
In 2007, some were asking whether Moss was still the same player after averaging 13.2 yards per catch, the second-lowest total of his career. He also had some nagging injuries, including one to his groin.
Likewise in 2026, some are asking whether Brown is on the decline after averaging 12.9 YPC, the lowest mark of his career. The long-term health of his knee has also been a hot-button topic.
Both arrived in New England with something to prove, and for Moss, it helped fuel him to an epic first season that included 98 receptions for 1,493 yards and an NFL-record 23 touchdown catches.
What Brown now delivers in 2026 is one of the Patriots' more compelling storylines, considering he's also playing for the same offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels.
On Tuesday, McDaniels referenced Moss when asked about acclimating Brown into the system. He reminisced about poor initial practices -- "I don't know if we could complete a pass at the time" -- and how much work it took for things to click.