MOSS APPEAL TEAM, FANS GIVING HIS BLACK CLOUD SILVER LINING.

Byline: Billy Witz Staff Writer

NAPA - As Randy Moss headed off the practice field after another session of two-a-days, he began to blow past a couple of dozen Raiders fans calling out to him from behind a traffic barricade.

Then, as if he were breaking off a pass pattern, Moss pivoted and flashed a mischievous smile at the men, women and children in black. Having drawn the desired reaction - gotcha! - Moss walked over and spent the next few minutes chit-chatting and signing autographs.

Moss might be in a new uniform, but one thing hasn't changed about the mercurial receiver: You never know what to expect.

The drama that dogged him for seven years in Minnesota figures to follow him west. How it plays out will be one of the NFL's more intriguing storylines.

For now, everyone here is in on the act.

Moss' new teammates praise his work ethic, enthusiasm and sense of humor. Even those who aren't willing to dismiss some of his past indiscretions as media creations allow him the benefit of the doubt.

``My big thing is let me get in here and see who Randy Moss is,'' newly acquired tailback LaMont Jordan said. ``Walking off the field (as Moss did in the final seconds of a loss last year), I wouldn't want that as my teammate. But knowing how the media can make or break your reputation, I said I'm going to wait and see. What I've seen is he's a fun guy all the time.''

The Raiders are no less enthusiastic about Moss' ability to reverse their fortunes. They have won just nine games over the past two seasons - their worst back-to-back seasons in 43 years.

``Randy Moss is the Shaquille O'Neal of the NFL,'' tight end Teyo Johnson said. ``He has that kind of impact on a team.''

Moss, himself, has mostly been quiet.

He has spoken just twice with the media since training camp began, and he declined an interview request after practice Tuesday. When he has spoken - in an extensive session Aug. 1 and after the exhibition opener at San Francisco - he has been expansive and engaging.

Asked Saturday night about the Terrell Owens saga, Moss joked that he wasn't one to criticize Owens, referring to himself as ``Mr. Distraction.''

On his definition of a good teammate: ``It's more about being accountable, doing what you're supposed to do on the field. I really don't know what guys do off the field.''

On the difference between the Vikings' and Raiders' playbooks: ``The playbook in Minnesota was like one- plus-one. Here is more like Algebra II.''

On his antics: ``There's no telling what you are going to see. I love what I do. I love having fun. ... If the antics come, I'm here to apologize first before they happen.''

On fines by the league: ``If we're winning, I'll pay the fines. I got enough money. I could spit out a little change.''

Although Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper said after last season that it was time for Moss to leave Minnesota, Moss said he doesn't view his trade as an opportunity for a fresh start.

But that seems to be very much what he has gotten with a set of teammates, coaches and fans who have yet to be exposed to an indifferent attitude - ``I play when I want to play,'' he once said - or his off-the-field scrapes.

Moss seems to be challenging his teammates daily, whether it's punter Shane Lechler to a punting contest or his offensive linemen to a fight (a joke, presumably). During film sessions with the receivers, Moss began the routine of dropping to do push-ups when they are shown dropping a ball.

``I'm glad to be a Raider,'' Moss said.

So, too, are the league's marketers.

The NFL tapped Moss' debut as a Raider for the season-opening Thursday night game against New England - one of four times Oakland will be featured in a prime-time telecast this season. Even before he suited up for the Raiders, Moss' No. 18 uniform became the NFL's best-selling jersey.

Moss also figures to be particularly popular with the denizens of the Black Hole.

``They'll love it. I don't know why they wouldn't,'' said guard Brad Badger, who played with Moss in Minnesota. ``The media makes Randy out to be the bad boy and the villain, and the Raider fans love that. That's what they try to do every game. They dress up with costumes every day. They think it's Halloween. He'll fit in very nicely.''

The Raiders, of course, have a long history of making misfits fit. From John Matuszak to Sebastian Janikowski, Moss is simply the latest.

``It's easier to fit in here,'' said former Raiders quarterback Jim Plunkett. ``The attitude has always been one of tolerance. Play for me on Sunday, and I don't care what you do the rest of the week.''

Moss also follows another Raiders legacy - the deep threat. It is something they have lacked in recent years, even during their Super Bowl season of 2002. Now, along with the Jerry Porter, they have a deep threat in the speedy footsteps of Warren Wells, Cliff Branch and James Lofton.

In seven seasons, Moss has 9,142 receiving yards - more than Jerry Rice had at the same point in his career. Since 1998, Moss has scored 90 touchdowns, more than anyone except St. Louis running back Marshall Faulk, who has 92.

Even last season, when he missed virtually all of five games with a hamstring injury, Moss caught 13 touchdown passes, fourth in the NFL. Favoring his injured leg, Moss caught two touchdown passes in a playoff upset of Green Bay.

``That's one of the things we're all interested to see - how defenses will play him differently,'' quarterback Kerry Collins said. ``We've watched film (with Minnesota). Teams will put a safety over the top of him because they're so worried about him getting deep. If they're accounting for him with two guys, they're obviously giving up something else.''

The addition of Jordan at tailback, along with Moss, Porter and emerging third receiver Ronald Curry, gives the Raiders a very dangerous offense on paper. But coach Norv Turner says it all starts with Collins and Moss.

``Randy and Kerry need to be on the same page, and there's a real confidence level that's developed between the two of them,'' Turner said before adding something that won't be restricted to X's and O's.

``I don't think there's any question that when Randy's out there, people are aware of him.''

Billy Witz, [phone]

billy.witz(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

3 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) New Raiders receiver Randy Moss has raised the hopes of Oakland fans and teammates looking for a turnaround this season.

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

(2) Oakland receiver Randy Moss, right, gives the Raiders a needed deep threat on offense.

(3 -- color) no caption (Randy Moss)

Photo: Jeff Chiu/Associated Press

Box:

AN EXTRA PAIR OF HANDS