Raiders’ Moss Says He Has Used Marijuana

Oakland Raider receiver Randy Moss acknowledges that he has used marijuana since entering the NFL seven years ago and still smokes it “every blue moon.”

“I have used, you know, marijuana ... since I’ve been in the league,” Moss said in an interview for HBO’s “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” scheduled to air Tuesday night. “But as far as abusing it and, you know, letting it take control over me, I don’t do that, no.”

When pressed whether he still smokes marijuana, Moss said: “I might. I might have fun. And, you know, hopefully I won’t get into any trouble by the NFL by saying that, you know. I have had fun throughout my years and, you know, predominantly in the offseason.

“But, you know, I don’t want any kids, you know, watching this taking a lesson from me as far as ‘Well, Randy Moss used it, so I’m going to use it.’ I don’t want that to get across.

“Like I say ... I have used [marijuana] in the past. And every blue moon or every once in a while I might.”

Moss addressed the interview Thursday night after practice in Houston, saying his statements were about the past. He didn’t answer questions.

“A lot of people are jumping to conclusions because they really don’t know the real story or haven’t even heard the real story yet,” he said.

“That was really me talking in the past tense of way back in the beginning of my career and my childhood -- especially in high school and college.”

Moss has never been suspended for violating the league’s drug policy, and NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said it is confidential whether the receiver is in the drug program or not.

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The San Diego Chargers told All-Pro tight end Antonio Gates that he will be suspended for three games, including the season opener against Dallas, if he doesn’t end his holdout by Saturday afternoon.

In an attempt to break an impasse in negotiations for a multiyear deal, the Chargers sent Gates’ agent, Andre Colona, a letter last Friday informing him of the ultimatum.

If Gates isn’t at camp by 12:30 p.m. Saturday, he will be suspended for the last two exhibition games and the Sept. 11 game against the Cowboys.

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After throwing an interception on his first play of the exhibition season, Tom Brady led the New England Patriots on two consecutive scoring drives. Doug Flutie led two more scoring drives before the New Orleans Saints rallied for a 37-27 victory at Foxborough, Mass.

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Florida prosecutors asked a judge to revoke bail for former Oakland Raider Barret Robbins after his arrest in Texas on a marijuana possession charge.

Robbins, a former Pro Bowl center, is free on $51,000 bond on attempted murder charges stemming from a fight with Miami Beach police officers in January.

Robbins was arrested Saturday in San Antonio after a police officer smelled marijuana coming from his car and saw a pipe inside the vehicle.

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Raider starting outside linebacker Sam Williams tore a knee ligament during a practice with the Houston Texans. He was injured while trying to make a block.

Raider Coach Norv Turner said Williams tore an anterior cruciate ligament but was unsure which knee was injured.

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Released this month by the New York Jets, cornerback Ray Mickens signed a one-year contract with the Cleveland Browns. Mickens, 32, played in New York from 1997 to ’99 with Brown Coach Romeo Crennel, then the Jets’ defensive line coach.... Former Pro Bowl linebacker Peter Boulware re-signed with the Baltimore Ravens after passing his physical.