Giants' Sinorice Moss expects big year in 2008

4/29/2008 4:17 PM

By TOM CANAVAN
AP Sports Writer

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -It's time for Sinorice Moss to start producing for the New York Giants, and he knows it.

In two seasons, the receiver from Miami has caught 26 passes for 230 yards and no touchdowns.

It's not what either he or the Giants expected when he was taken in the second round of the NFL Draft in 2006, and the lack of production might have been the reason the Super Bowl champions grabbed Mario Manningham of Michigan in the third round on Sunday.

It was a choice that made Moss pause for a second on Sunday while watching the draft. He understands other numbers, too.

With Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer, 2007-second-rounder Steve Smith, Super Bowl hero David Tyree and Moss all back along with Manningham, earning a roster spot will be tough this season.

``I am just looking forward to coming out here and getting the opportunity to make some plays and come out here and shock the world,'' Moss said after taking part in a voluntary offseason workout on Tuesday. ``That's my thing.''

Moss insists that the addition of Manningham has not changed his approach. In fact, he's happy that Eli Manning and the offense will have another weapon this season.

Moss said he has been working hard since players returned to Giants Stadium in March, about a month after their 17-14 Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots.

``I come to work every day and work hard, they see me,'' said the younger brother of Redskins' receiver Santana Moss. ``I don't cause any problems. I do what I have to do. I take care of business. It's up to them to give me the ball to do what I have to do to help this team.''

Moss is the first to acknowledge he has not lived up to expectations.

A leg injury in his rookie season caused him to miss almost all of training camp and limited him to six regular-season games. While he played in 13 games last season, he suffered a hip injury in the penultimate game and did not play again, making him a spectator for the Super Bowl run.

``Some people come into the league expecting to be this big star,'' Moss said. ``You have to know when you come in the league it is going to take time and you have to be patient.''

Moss thinks his time is now. He has continued to work despite his injuries and he feels he knows comfortable with the offense. He also feels the coaching staff knows he is capable of making plays. He just needs the chance.

``I need to wake some people up,'' he said. ``That's what I really need to do. A lot of people know they drafted Sinorice Moss. But it's like I've been on the shelf. I am ready to come out here and shock the world. That's what I am going to do.''

After drafting Manningham, general manager Jerry Reese said he expects Moss to have a big season, noting that last season was really Moss' rookie year.

``They can say it was a rookie year, but it wasn't a rookie year to me,'' Moss said. ``It was another year under my belt. It was my second year. I am just looking forward to coming out here and making plays, holding nothing back, catching the ball and doing what I have to do to help this team win.''

Moss expects to do more than catch passes. He hopes to earn spots returning punts and kickoffs, something he did well in college.

``I know what I bring to this team and I know what I can do for the organization,'' Moss said. ``I am not worried about another draft pick or another guy. I am happy that we drafted that guy.''