Interview: Q the Question

Wide Receiver Sinorice Moss joins QtheQuestion.com to speak on the focus plan for the G-Men this season and what makes the Giants prepared for the upcoming season.

Author: Chris Kredible

CK: What’s going on with you? How you feeling?

I’m in New Jersey, just got finish working out about a few hours ago, so I’m just home kicking back.

CK:People forget football players are regular people too.

Yeah most definitely, I consider myself the same as everyone else, just blessed with the opportunity to play football.

CK: That’s what’s up, well I hope you been training hard for this Superbowl run we (Chris is a die hard Giants fan from Harlem) about to have this year.

Man there’s no need for hoping, all I do is train hard.

CK: Alright man, I’m just saying I lost some money last year and I was upset. But you know things happen, we went 12-4 so I can’t complain.

Yeah things definitely do happen (laughs).

CK: So my first question, its always been amazing to me how a family could produce professionals athletes, not once, but twice. So how is that for you? What was football like growing up for you?

It’s good you ask that question. I went home last week and was given a picture of myself, my brother Santana and my dad. I was like 3 years old in the picture, just real small. We had suits on, looking nice. It mad me laugh, because the picture reminds me of my son and my son saw the picture thinking it was him. It just made me say wow. Who would have thought the two of us would go so far. Just one of those moments. Growing up, lots of competition around the house, Santana, myself and my younger brother Lloyd who also played football, he was by far the most athletic outta both us. Santana was always into football, wanting to play catch, and it was always an inspiration watching him do great things and knowing I had the same abilities. It worked out for both of us.

Catch must’ve been crazy between ya’ll.

Funny thing is, I used to stand Santana up all the time. I just wanted to chill sometimes and be in the house. But when we did, it was fun, played lots of throw up tackle in the house even though we got in trouble.

CK: That’s comedy, did your dad play football.

Nah, actually my mom was the athlete and played sports. He kinda gets mad at it at times, but its the truth (laughs).

CK: What’s your relationship like with your brothers?

We real close, I love them to death. But we’re so different. They like to go out to the parties, I like to stay in and kick it. I don’t drink or anything so its just not my thing. But we chill sometimes, but you all do separate things.

CK: That makes sense, you guys do seem to have different demeanors. There must be shit talking at home being that you and Santana play in the same division.

You’d be surprise we really don’t do that. Its more for us to say, “Yo bro, I hope you have a good game, I wish you the best.” Its not about who wins, we just care about each other performing at our best. The year we won the Superbowl, they beat us at home and Santana said to me “Yeah I got one!” And I wanted to say “Man that’ll be the only one you get”, but its all love I just said he got it.

I guess that’s cool, If I had a brother that was on the Redskins I would talk mad shit and tell him we gonna bust their ass.

We don’t play directly against each other though. There would probably be more trash talk if we didn’t play the same position. Like if he was on defense then I guess we would talk trash to each other. But its different, because we both play the same position so we just want the best for each other.

Do you ever get brotherly advice from Santana?

Yeah of course, that’s why I feel like I had a big advantage especially in college. I was able to see him, see how he worked, his passion, things he did right and wrong, he could watch my game and tell me what I did right and what I did wrong. I’m really hard on myself so I study what I do wrong and even when I don’t get advice from my brother, I just think about what he would do.

Santana is a great player and I think the Jets made a stupid move letting him go, but that’s neither here or there.

(Laughs) Yeah.

CK: Florida breeds football talent the way Joe Jackson breeds stars. What is it about being from Florida that translates into good football players?

That’s a great question. I feel like Florida is just blessed man. Just so many tremendous players, the same way Texas and California produces great athletes, they just do.

CK: Is in the water? (Laughs)

(Laughs) I don’t know man, I can’t touch on what it is, but I guess there’s so many guys who want to be successful and that play sports, there’s so much competition so it just makes you better. Whether its schools or your local neighborhood, you got people who are good enough to be in the NFL and whatever professional sport who just never made it for whatever reason. You play against these people all the time so when you go to practice, its nothing major. You get so good playing against all the competition

CK: How is it growing up in Florida?

You have your hard times like growing up anywhere else. You have your hoods, things you think you would never see, I had an opportunity to witness, its just apart of growing up. I grew up in Liberty City, one of the toughest cities in Miami, then moved to Carol City, around the time when it was middle class, but there was still violence all through out Miami. Fortunately I was blessed with two parents who kept us on track, kept in school and stood on us, worked 2-3 jobs to support us and stuff like that inspired me too do good.

CK: Yeah its a harsh reality many people of ethnicity have to face. You’ve been hit with the injury bug a few times. Do you feel any pressure to do good this season?

I don’t feel pressured at all. I look at it like this. You can read whatever you want to read, people write whatever on the internet. I got injured my first year and I’ve been healthy since, few nips and bruises, but I been good. People like to say oh I’m injured prone, but it hasn’t even been serious. I only got injured my rookie year. Everything else might be a sore bruise here or there, it comes with playing football. But I haven’t been injured just to clear that up (laughs)

CK: I remember that.

That’s what being a professional athlete is about. Unfortunately it was my rookie year so that was a set back for me, but I’ve been straight since then.

CK: Ok so you good? My man Q the Question ( Q is a die-hard Eagles fan from Philly) seems to think the Eagles have a shot and I’m trying to tell him we going to bust that ass.

Its good to have your own opinion about different things. If that’s how you feel the Eagles are going to do, you have the right to your own opinion. I can tell you one thing though, the New York Giants and this organization is a team that’s dedicated to winning and being successful and definitely looking for another Superbowl.

CK: Right. So you’re 5′9 right?

Yeah.

CK: So in high school you were probably even smaller?

Yeah I was small man, 5′6 maybe.

CK: That to be a challenge and obviously you got through that making it to the NFL. How did you work around that challenge?

I used my speed and talent. Me being smaller doesn’t mean anything. I have jumping ability and speed. So when I was younger, I would practice at perfecting that. I don’t think size matters.

CK: You got young players who may feel discourage to pursue football, because of their size. For younger upcoming players who are shorter, what advice would you give to them.

I’ve been doubted all my life so I just show people my capabilities. Can’t let people tell you what you can’t do. For people to make judgement on what people can’t do, or I can’t play in the NFL, you’re wrong. To the young guys growing up, you got to realize whatever you wan to do, you must put your heart into it, and do it.

CK: How do you like playing for the Giants? How do you like it?

I love NY period. If I had my choice I’d stay here my whole career. Love NY, teammates, the organization, I just love it here and I feel at home. I love the fans and it just feels good here.

CK: How is it playing for Tom Coughlin?

Man when I first started I heard different things like he’s real strict and wants you to wear certain things going to the game and away. Very hard nose. Hearing that, I was like aww man, something I got to deal with. I remember if he was walking towards me in the hall and I would turn the other way (laughs), because just that aura he has and he might of said something to you that ruined your day (laughs). So it was something I had to get used too my rookie year, but the next year he really opened up and changed. He listened to the players, joked around, and just really became a really great coach and it translated into a Superbowl that same year.

CK: Coughlin gets criticized a lot for his decision making, but I don’t get it because we’ve been successful since he’s been here, we got a Superbowl and went 12-4 last year.

I feel like its unfair to blame coach Coughlin for everything. It comes with the territory, because he’s the head coach, and even Eli. But its on us. Its our job to make plays, its unfair to blame the coaches when very seldomly its their fault.

CK: What’s playing with Eli Manning like?

Me and him are similiar. Both have older brothers who are successful. I remember when Eli was getting bashed and he’s not a leader and this and that. He leads by example, he’s one of the best QB’s in this league, but doesn’t get much recognition. He will never be Peyton, and vice versa. He works really hard. When we won the Superbowl and he was the greatest. Its just unfair how people bashed him and he needs his recognition he deserves.

CK: What are some of the challenges Giants face this season?

Its really hard to say, because we haven’t even started training yet. Once we train I’ll be able to answer that question better.

CK: What are some things you think the Giants could work on, including yourself?

Coming together as a team and staying consistent. Staying on top of our craft, making sure we perform and staying with the same motivation we have when we win games and just making sure that stays with us week in and week out.

CK: Alright I’m not trying to lose money this season.

(Laughs).

CK: The NFC East is not a cornball division, probably if not the best, one of the best divisions in the NFL. All the teams in the division could be potential playoff contenders. How is it playing in that division?

Its a tough division. Every one of those teams could potentially make it to the Superbowl. The Eagles have a great team, the Cowboys can be a really dominant team and if the Redskins get their shit together, lord knows what they can do, their very capable of winning. I really love playing in this division, I get to play against my bro twice and just overall just such a good division.

CK: What can you tell people about the NFL that we wouldn’t know?

Its not just what you see on Sundays. A lot of people look at it as you play football. Its our job, our life. We work Monday through Sunday. I put my heart into this. We work so we can perform. We also do lots of charity outside of football, its not all about playing football.

CK: How do you feel about the whole Plexico situation?

Its a tough situation. He’s a great friend, great competitor, great football player. Wherever he lands he will fit right in, he just that type of guy. He has that “it” factor. Can’t stop him. Now with the whole situation, things happen that we can’t explain, and I wish him all the best. He working out, he’s healthy so he should be straight.

CK: Do you think it is fair the way they treated Plexico?

Man people never realize that playing in the NFL you have a bull’s eye on you, no matter where you go. A lot of guys feel very unsafe because they travel back to their cities and hoods. When you go back, you may think you still have friends there, but there’s lots of jealous people who want what you have and willing to do a lot to get it. Not all your friends are really your friends. There’s lots of people who don’t see that because they don’t have to go through with that. One of the reasons why the whole situation with Plexico went down was, our teammate Steve Smith was robbed at gunpoint a few days before. I think it was Amani “Who said until you had a gun pointed at your head and a light flash in front of you in the matter of seconds you would think you were dead, you would never understand.” I think its sad that professional athletes need to carry around weapons, because I’m regular just like everyone else, but that’s not the reality we live in. As a professional athlete, we’re targets.

CK: What do you like to do outside of football?

I love to sing. Actually own my own independent record label, me and my best friend Jesse Boykins run it, he had an album out on Itunes now. I’m an aspiring actor, I want to do small films and sitcoms. I just got sent a script to look over, and I’m getting ready to knock out a role I got for a small film right before training camp. I’m a home body, love to go to the movies, broadway shows, love being with my family and being with my two year old son. If I could spend all my free time with him, I would, he’s my heart. I would give him the world if I could.

How long you’ve been singing?

All my life, probably really started around 3rd grade.

CK: Did you sing in the choir?

Nah, but I was always singing in church with my cousins. My mom could sing too, she would sing around the house. I wouldn’t go as far as getting signed or anything, I would rather play the background or something.

CK: So its just for the love?

I just love music man. All types of music, alternative, rock, pop, country, r&b, neo-soul, rap. I don’t knock any genre, because it takes so much to do music, so I just really respect it, its hard work to put out an album so I try to listen to anything.

CK: What’s some of your favorite albums? What’s do you listen to consistently?

Aww man, I have so much music. I put my Ipod on shuffle a lot and just jam to whatever comes out the speakers. From Jay-Z to Nas, Common to Mos Def, MC Lyte to Queen Latifah, I got it all, Jodeci to Chris Brown to Ne-Yo. Right now I got Chrisette Michelle playing in the background.

CK: What’s your favorite sport outside of football.

Track and Field, but I also like baseball too. I didn’t have the opportunity to play it when I was younger because down in Miami, Track and Field was always during the baseball season. So I just stuck with track.

CK: What do you watch?

I watch basketball the most, I tend to catch the playoffs more than anything else, but yeah I watch baseball, and sometimes hockey.

CK: You watch sitcoms?

Yeah of course I’m a homebody (laughs).

CK: What’s your favorite shows?

Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, TLC.

CK: That’s definitely a homebody answer.

(Laughs) yeah man, of course ESPN. I love “King of Queens”, “House of Payne”, “Meet the Browns”, I watch “CSI Miami”, “Law & Order”, I was a Criminology major when I went to school so I like to try to figure out cases before the show does (laughs).

CK: Lots of athletes don’t talk about their college experiences, so you went to school for Criminology?

Yeah graduated from University of Miami, December ‘05.

So that’s something you wanted to do if you wasn’t playing football?

Yeah, something I will look into if I wasn’t playing football. I wanted to go to school for architecture but that was too much. But yeah Miami is filled with crime and crooked cops so it was just important for me to get into that. I wouldn’t want to be a police officer but more of a detective or person behind the scenes.

CK: Is it fair to say you would be doing that if you weren’t playing football?

Yeah, well I would really want to be in a sitcom (laughs), but if it came down to that, then yeah.

Q&A courtesy of qthequestion

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