Dolphins rookie Davis has tough time covering Patriots' Moss

By MIKE BERARDINO

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Their conversation was brief but memorable.

It came near the end of Sunday's 27-17 loss to the New England Patriots, a loss that turned on a breakdown by Dolphins rookie cornerback Vontae Davis as he attempted to single cover one of the greatest receivers in NFL history.

The 71-yard touchdown that resulted from that simple crossing pattern should have surprised no one who has watched Tom Brady and Randy Moss these past three seasons or who has watched Moss pile up 140 touchdowns (tied for second all-time) and nearly 14,000 yards (seventh) in his controversial career.

The kindness Moss (six catches for 147 yards) later showed toward his inexperienced victim was a different story.

As the Patriots (6-2, 2-1 in the AFC East) ran out the clock and opened up a three-game lead on the defending division champions (3-5, 3-1), Moss turned to the wide-eyed kid making his second career start and gave the first-round draft pick a meaningful endorsement.

"I'm heading out of this league, and you're coming in," Moss, the 12-year veteran, told Davis. "You're going to be a good player. Keep working."

Davis smiled as he related that story in the visiting locker room at Gillette Stadium, but the pain in his eyes told the story of a bittersweet afternoon.

There was his leaping, juggling interception on a deep ball to Moss (5 inches taller) on the game's third play. Dolphins coach Tony Sparano called that "a veteran play in a big game against a big-time receiver."

There was the one-handed, 36-yard reception Moss made on Davis to set up the Patriots' first touchdown on their next possession. Moss clearly pushed off with his left hand.

"That's his move," Davis said. "I'm not expecting to get that call. I told the ref. I can't control that. We're away from home."

On the Patriots' next possession, Davis and fellow rookie Chris Clemons went up with Moss in the end zone to break up a 49-yard bomb from Tom Brady (332 passing yards). Davis spun in midair and landed hard on his right side.

Trainers helped him to the sideline with a right quadriceps injury, and his return was announced as questionable. Three series later, thanks to a pain-killing injection, Davis replaced veteran backup Jason Allen and resumed his battle with Moss.

Down 16-10 at the half, the Dolphins came out with a 16-play, 66-yard scoring drive that featured either the Wildcat or the Pat White package half the time. However, after that 10-minute march put the Dolphins in front and had them thinking upset, the Patriots went back to Moss three plays later.

Drilled all week to keep Moss from hurting them downfield, the Dolphins' defensive backs weren't expecting something underneath.

"That just makes no sense," said Sean Smith, the Dolphins' other rookie corner. "This guy has been doing it for years going deep."

This time, on third-and-1, Moss started with a 5-yard cushion on Davis and dragged him from right to left. With safety Yeremiah Bell showing blitz, slot receiver Wes Welker took Nate Jones in the opposite direction.

"Bad positioning," Davis said of his effort.

Brady made the easy flip to Moss over the middle. Moss turned back briefly at midfield to throw a stiff-arm into Davis' facemask, high-stepped out of Davis' diving tackle attempt at the Dolphins' 42 and ran untouched the rest of the way.

"When you cover Randy Moss, you have to make play after play after play," Davis said, smacking the back of his right hand into his left for emphasis. "Welcome to the National Football League."