Once more, greetings from the Valley of the Sun, where it's about 60 degrees today and sunny, though more rain is in the forecast.

A couple of observations before we get into what was said at the New England Patriots interview session on Wednesday.

1. The sun rises later here than in Maine. It was 7:15 a.m. before it peaked over the horizon today. It also sets a little later, but I'm never outside to see that.

2. It's not as warm as you'd think. Temperatures were in the low 40s this morning as we left for the interview session. Locals say this is the coldest it's been all year. Figures. Just like in Houston and Jacksonville, the last two Patriots Super Bowl sites.

3. Most houses here are one-story, have small yards and many have orange trees growing in their backyard.

4. Palm trees and cacti, some as tall as 15 feet, line every street and highway.

Okay, on to what was said and seen:

Wide receiver Randy Moss, a free agent once the season ends, said he wants to stay with the Patriots. What else would he say?

"I still love doing what I do,'' he said. "And being here with the New England Patriots is where I want to be. I would love to retire a Patriot.''

Head Coach Bill Belichick, wearing his son's No. 23 Rutgers lacrosse windbreaker, has his players running on Mountain Time. He likes the fact that the starting time out here is at 4 p.m., not 6 p.m., as it is back home. "It shortens the time leading up to the game,'' he said.

Moss, talking about Giants' receiver Plaxico Burress' prediction of a 23-17 New York victory, said, "Those are tough words to back up. We'll see when the clock shows 00:00 on Sunday.''

Dante Scarnecchia, the offensive line coach, on how well his unit played this year: "I became a better coach, and they became better players, when No. 12 became the quarterback.''

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