Receivers’ reverse

It now looks like the deal of the century. The New England Patriots got Randy Moss from Oakland last spring for a fourth-round draft pick.

But at the time it seemed like a fair trade. Moss was a malcontent who gave every indication his career was on a downward slide.

This season, he’s not only happy but productive -- and has to be considered an early leading candidate for the league’s most-valuable-player award.

Moss isn’t the only star receiver whose career has done a buttonhook. In Dallas, Terrell Owens is out from former coach Bill Parcells’ thumb and is playing some of the best football of his career.

Times staff writer Sam Farmer looks at the one-season turnarounds of Owens and Moss:

*--* REC YDS TDS RECORD TERRELL OWENS 19 362 3 4-0 THROUGH WEEK 4 IN 2006 17 232 1 2-2 *--*

* Owens after a Week 4 loss to Philadelphia last season: “It’s frustrating. Opportunities were there and we didn’t make them. I’m a competitor. I do not like to lose. Maybe I need to work harder.”

* Owens after Sunday’s victory over St. Louis: “The coaches are utilizing me and putting me in situations to win. That’s all I ever wanted last year.”

*--* Rec Yds TDs Record RANDY MOSS 31 505 7 4-0 THROUGH WEEK 4 IN 2006 12 136 2 0-4 *--*

* Moss after a Week 4 loss to San Francisco last season: “If they’re not going to use me right or if I’m not, depending upon what they want as far as what they’re paying me, then trade me or get rid of me at the end of season or during the season. It might be good for me to go elsewhere.”

* Patriots fullback Heath Evans, speaking about Moss after Monday’s victory over Cincinnati: “What he’s done here, I couldn’t have a better teammate.”