RANDY MOSS SIGNS WITH THE 49ERS - The San Francisco 49ers made a very wise move and signed future Hall Of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss this past week. Anyone that thinks that Moss is washed up or not worth the "risk" is crazy, and here's why...
Did the Niners upgrade at the position? Clearly. Randy Moss' worst year is better than Josh Morgan's best year. That's not just big talk, either. Well, actually it is. Morgan's best year is, in fact, better than Moss' worst year, but it's pretty damn close! Moss' "worst" season (in terms of sheer statistics) was 2006, his final year in Oakland. He posted 42 receptions, 553 yards, and 3 TD in 13 games. Josh Morgan's best season was 2010, when he posted 44, 698, and 2. So Morgan's stats are slightly better, but than again, if you extrapolate Moss' 13 games out to a full 16, Moss's numbers are 52, 680, and 4. The bottom line is, even if you get only 75% of the Moss of old, he's still better than most of the receivers in the NFL.
Jim Harbaugh is no dummy. He worked out with Moss and immediately decided, "We've gotta sign this guy. Now." Harbaugh probably thinks the Saints are crazy for hesitating on Moss, after he reportedly had a great workout for their team. Can you imagine Moss teamed up with Drew Brees in that offense, playing at least half their games in the favorable conditions of a dome? Brees to Moss would have been incredible, and the 49ers would have had to potentially face that connection in the playoffs. So not only did the Niners add a valuable piece to their own team, they kept one away from a rival. The Saints messed up, and the the 49ers will reap the benefits.
So what do I expect from Randy Moss this season? I expect a great year, nothing less. Now that the Peyton Manning is off the 49ers radar (Manning to Moss, how awesome would that have been?), it appears Alex Smith will once again be the starting quarterback in San Fran. Obviously, Moss would have better numbers with an elite QB slinging it to him, but I guarantee at least 10 TD catches this season. If I had to pick an exact number, I'd say 12. Even if he doesn't catch as many long bombs as we're used to seeing from him, he's still 6'4" with a 40-inch vertical. Most of the cornerbacks in this league are like 5'10", so if you throw it up to Moss in the end zone, he's coming down with it. Double-digit TD catches are a lock. Book it.
PROJECTIONS FOR MOSS IN 2012 ... 64 receptions, 960 yards, 12 TD. Assuming he plays all 16 games (I think he will, Moss has been very durable throughout his career), that's four catches a game, 15 yards per catch. Very doable, especially when you're talking about a future Hall Of Famer here. The 49ers also have other above average pass-catchers on their roster -- Vernon Davis, Michael Crabtree, and newly-signed Mario Manningham -- but that means teams won't be able to key solely on Moss like they have in the past. In Moss' prime, defenses routinely put two men on him at all times. It will be interesting to see if teams still do that, and if they don't... look out!
I'm very excited that Moss is back in the NFL, and I'll be watching more than my usual share of 49ers games this season. Games are more interesting to watch when Randy Moss is on the field, he's must-see TV. He's tall, he runs like a deer, he catches the impossible... there's no one else like him. I'll actually be rooting for Alex Smith to succeed, which I've never done before, and likely will never do again. We get to witness Moss' greatness for at least one more year, and I'm just gonna kick back and enjoy the ride. Welcome back, Randy. Welcome back!
Did the Niners upgrade at the position? Clearly. Randy Moss' worst year is better than Josh Morgan's best year. That's not just big talk, either. Well, actually it is. Morgan's best year is, in fact, better than Moss' worst year, but it's pretty damn close! Moss' "worst" season (in terms of sheer statistics) was 2006, his final year in Oakland. He posted 42 receptions, 553 yards, and 3 TD in 13 games. Josh Morgan's best season was 2010, when he posted 44, 698, and 2. So Morgan's stats are slightly better, but than again, if you extrapolate Moss' 13 games out to a full 16, Moss's numbers are 52, 680, and 4. The bottom line is, even if you get only 75% of the Moss of old, he's still better than most of the receivers in the NFL.
Jim Harbaugh is no dummy. He worked out with Moss and immediately decided, "We've gotta sign this guy. Now." Harbaugh probably thinks the Saints are crazy for hesitating on Moss, after he reportedly had a great workout for their team. Can you imagine Moss teamed up with Drew Brees in that offense, playing at least half their games in the favorable conditions of a dome? Brees to Moss would have been incredible, and the 49ers would have had to potentially face that connection in the playoffs. So not only did the Niners add a valuable piece to their own team, they kept one away from a rival. The Saints messed up, and the the 49ers will reap the benefits.
So what do I expect from Randy Moss this season? I expect a great year, nothing less. Now that the Peyton Manning is off the 49ers radar (Manning to Moss, how awesome would that have been?), it appears Alex Smith will once again be the starting quarterback in San Fran. Obviously, Moss would have better numbers with an elite QB slinging it to him, but I guarantee at least 10 TD catches this season. If I had to pick an exact number, I'd say 12. Even if he doesn't catch as many long bombs as we're used to seeing from him, he's still 6'4" with a 40-inch vertical. Most of the cornerbacks in this league are like 5'10", so if you throw it up to Moss in the end zone, he's coming down with it. Double-digit TD catches are a lock. Book it.
PROJECTIONS FOR MOSS IN 2012 ... 64 receptions, 960 yards, 12 TD. Assuming he plays all 16 games (I think he will, Moss has been very durable throughout his career), that's four catches a game, 15 yards per catch. Very doable, especially when you're talking about a future Hall Of Famer here. The 49ers also have other above average pass-catchers on their roster -- Vernon Davis, Michael Crabtree, and newly-signed Mario Manningham -- but that means teams won't be able to key solely on Moss like they have in the past. In Moss' prime, defenses routinely put two men on him at all times. It will be interesting to see if teams still do that, and if they don't... look out!
I'm very excited that Moss is back in the NFL, and I'll be watching more than my usual share of 49ers games this season. Games are more interesting to watch when Randy Moss is on the field, he's must-see TV. He's tall, he runs like a deer, he catches the impossible... there's no one else like him. I'll actually be rooting for Alex Smith to succeed, which I've never done before, and likely will never do again. We get to witness Moss' greatness for at least one more year, and I'm just gonna kick back and enjoy the ride. Welcome back, Randy. Welcome back!
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