PREPARING FOR his first appearance in Oakland since leaving town under a cloud of suspicious underperformance, Randy Moss sprinted to the practice field, running faster than he ever did as a Raider.

And almost as fast as he fled upon being freed from a job he hated.

One of the first New England Patriots to enter the locker room at San Jose State on Wednesday, Moss, emerging several minutes after the air horn signaled the start of practice, was one of the last to leave.

He chose not to acknowledge the 20 or so media types lingering outside the locker room. While the wide receiver's return to face his former team is of interest, Moss is not obligated to address the subject. Besides, I suspect he had more important things on his mind specifically the game within the game Sunday, when the Raiders play host to the Patriots.

That would be Moss vs. Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, a classic confrontation, featuring the NFL's most lethal wideout and its premier cover man.

Finally, those with plans to come to the Coliseum for NFL Football can anticipate getting their money's worth for much of the afternoon.

Raiders-Patriots had the makings of a terrific rivalry, heated up by the infamous 2001 AFC divisional playoff game in which Oakland was robbed by officials in what shall forever be known as the "Tuck Rule" game.

The fortunes of the organizations have since gone opposite ways, with New England averaging more than 12 wins per season, to Oakland's five.

Which explains why objective observers expect a lopsided win. Such is the variance in commitment and quality between the teams that they might as well be from different planets.

But if you ignore that and focus on the battle between Asomugha and Moss, former teammates in Oakland, you're in for a treat. These former teammates, who for two years went after each other in practice, are playing at a Pro Bowl level.

"I'm looking forward to it," Asomugha said on a conference call with New England media.

Yet this subplot may not get the amount of screen time it warrants. Asomugha indicated he likely would cover Moss only in crucial situations, as if defending Moss isn't crucial on every down. Nnamdi wouldn't mislead, would he? Why would the Raiders even consider letting anyone else deal with Moss?

Asomugha should be assigned to Moss from the moment Randy steps off the bus. Accompany him through the parking lot, into the locker room, onto the field and on every single play.

It's a natural matchup, insofar as Asomugha, at almost 6-foot-3, is Oakland's tall corner, and Moss, at 6-4, is New England's tall receiver.

And, yes, I realize Patriots wideout Wes Welker has caught more passes than any receiver in the league. Welker, at 5-9, is the tougher matchup for taller corners simply because his game is based on quick, darting moves in tight spaces. He's a jaguar.

Moss and Asomugha, however, are thoroughbreds, with long strides and arms that extend to through the clouds. That Nnamdi would defend Randy is so obvious that it's practically presumed by the Patriots.

Asked about Moss' emotions upon returning to the place where he experienced the lowest points of his career, New England coach Bill Belichick told reporters he wasn't concerned about that.

"But I have talked to Randy about specific players, about their skills, about their strengths and weaknesses and that kind of thing," the coach said. "We've had those discussions, relative to preparing for the Raiders."

We can safely assume Wily Bill wasn't giving a scouting report on Chris Johnson or Stanford Routt, Oakland's other cornerbacks. Johnson became a starter at midseason, and Routt, the third corner, plays according to the formations faced by the defense. To allow either to line up against Moss is like providing an escort to the end zone.

So let's assume the best, that Asomugha will see plenty of the man Al Davis says he traded only at the insistence of his coaching staff.

Moss will be trying to send a message to the Raiders. Force him to have to go through Asomugha to deliver it.

Nnamdi deserves to make the Pro Bowl. Give him a chance to prove it.

Give the Raider Nation, which holds Moss in contempt, something to cheer. Or, should Randy dominate, another reason to rail against what might have been.

Contact Monte Poole at mpoole@bayareanewsgroup.com