Randy Moss is blowing the San Francisco 49ers away.
Written by Adrian Gregory Glover // May 11, 2012 // Feature, News, NFL // No comments
SAN FRANCISCO – 49ers QB Alex Smith is obviously happy with what veteran WR Randy Moss has brought to the table thus far.
“It’s tough to tell that he missed a year of football,” Smith said. “I certainly don’t see any rust. He’s running well, catching well. No surprise, he’s a pro and already has a good understanding of the playbook.”
Were you expecting any less? If you did, you should not have.
Moss despite his age has kept himself in premium shape and his mental mastery of the game of is strong enough that he has the tools to be an offensive coordinator.
His one and only problem has always been whether or not he felt as if he was being treated right.
He obviously feels that he is being treated right so he will go in and make the most of this opportunity until the day comes that he feels that he is not being treated right.
The idea of what pushes his buttons in regards to playing well or not is another piece for another time.
What matters to the 49ers is that they have built up an arsenal of wide outs that will create a lot of highlights for their team.
When it comes to chasing down deep fly routes there is no better gauge of who has the juice than a safety. San Fran’s safety Donte Whitner told the Associated Press that Moss is still no joke.
“He still looks the same,” Whitner said after Thursday’s pads-and-helmets-free practice. “He never, ever since he’s been playing football has looked like he’s been running fast. But he’s a long strider, and when you actually run against him, he’s really running really fast. He’s running the same as he’s always run. His body looks like a younger Randy Moss, so I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do on the football field.”
For Moss fans, these expressions preview what should be an exciting final stage to a Hall-of-Fame career. That excitement should be tempered somewhat.
Super Bowl hero Mario Manningham is now a 49er. The team has a long-term investment in Michael Crabtree. Vernon Davis will not suddenly transform into a blocking tight end.
Let’s for the moment, forget that 49ers drafted a receiver until the pre-season starts to shake out.
If his mind is right, Moss can and most likely will come out and create some home runs by stretching the field and taking the top off the defense.
The idea that he will catch upwards of 80 balls with fourteen –plus touchdowns is farfetched.
Still, even if he manages 40 balls for 10 scores, that additional production should get the 49ers over the hump again and maybe even into the big dance.
