Dear 49ers: Moss Isn't The Answer (3 Reasons Why)

The 49ers made a huge splash in free agency this off-season going after receivers.They brought in former NY Giant WR Mario Manningham, re-signed Ted Ginn Jr., and of course the 'big' name receiver in Randy Moss. On paper and maybe in Madden this looks pretty good if not great for a Super Bowl run. There are enough reasons why in reality it's not though.

Is Randy Moss the answer to lock the division? Wrap up the one seed? Or even get the 49ers over the hump and go to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1995? I'll have to settle down the hype and tell you why he is NOT the answer.

First a little history lesson. Randy Moss was possibly the most feared receiver in the professional football averaging almost 13 touchdowns a season in his first tenure with the Vikings. Questions about his work ethic arose and he was becoming a problem in and out of the locker room. He was traded to the Oakland Raiders who were hoping to jump start the passing game the Raiders had just a few years before. With injuries nagging him and the team just not performing on a high level, Moss has openly stated (later on) he had lost interest in really trying for the Raiders due to their lack of winning. In his two seasons with the Raiders he barely combined for double digit touchdowns (11). After two average seasons he is traded to the Patriots.

3765 yards, 47 tds, 250 catches. A three year stat line that included the record breaking 2007 season in which the Pats went 16-0. Randy Moss definitely rejuvenated his career. All was well in New England....but wait. Moss was on the last year of a four year contract, supposed meetings occured discussing the future of the offense and what Moss' new 'role' would be..This is all speculation of course until a week one post game game press conference in 2010 confirmed this. Moss has 5 receptions for 59 yards in a week one victory and publicly admits about being 'unhappy' and 'unappreciated'. This is Randy's best chance for a Super Bowl ring and he still downs the media and his playing situation even after a victory.This results in being traded to two other teams in the same season! (Patriots to Vikings to Titans)

1. Now why won't he work in San Francisco? You can not take his promise of change seriously. You assumed after going to New England where you know Belichick wasn't going to accept quitting on plays or a bad attitude that he changed. After a few great statistical seasons and even after a victory he still had to have things his way. He needs his boss to tell him he was doing a 'good job'. This is a grown man that needs to be coddled in such a way?! I figured Pro Bowl selections and wins were showing you were doing a good job. I'm pretty sure, especially when it's going to count, that Harbaugh isn't an A for effort kind of guy. There are too many WRs on this team and Alex Smith isn't going to force passes to please him. The ball is going to be spread out to the quick open man.That's how the offense is designed. The real Moss attitude will be out sooner than later which brings me to point two.

2. Alex Smith. Alex Smith is a decent quarterback, more of a clock manager though. He has a fantastic defense and a great running game. He, like March Sanchez, just has to not screw up. Complete a few passes, no turnovers, drive the field, let the run game lead you and everything's ok. Harbaugh knows how to work with what he has. Alex made some great throws in the season, I won't say he's terrible, but we all know he still has problems with overthrows when he's jittery or just plain throws it to the dirt. After so many of these again Randy Moss will easily lose it and go after the the young qb. If Harbaugh does plan to open up the offense Smith isn't the guy to do it with. There are a few more options for him but Smith isn't that type of qb and Moss isn't that type of receiver anymore.

3. 35 years old. He'll pretty much be 36 when the playoffs come around. In his last season of play (2010) he played in all 16 games and started 11. He had 28 receptions, 393 yards, and 5 touchdowns. Yes he had three different teams, coordinators, and playbooks but isn't this the man who basically ran fly routes? He has taken an entire season off which contributes to me believing he will not have that over the top speed anymore. Is he football conditioned? A year off you can lose that game speed easily. If you watched the 2010 season it's pretty evident that he doesn't have much if anything left in the tank. He didn't bring anything to Minnesota or to the Titans. He gives up on blocks, gives up on routes, just stands on the sideline, and walks away from coaches while be talked to. Watch games and videos of him and you see this from his first stint with the Vikings to the Titans. If things aren't Moss' way he doesn't play. If he barely contributed in 2010 in football shape, what's he going to do two years later?