Randy Moss Is Not the Greatest Wide Receiver of All-Time
By Rui Thomas
Jan 29, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Randy Moss during media day in preparation for Super Bowl XLVII against the Baltimore Ravens at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Charles Manson has been upstaged as the craziest celebrity in America. The title now belongs to Randy Moss, who had this to say on January 29th, 5 days before Super Bowl XLVII:
“Now that I’m older, I do think I’m the greatest receiver to ever do it…I don’t really live on numbers, I really live on impact and what you’re able to do on that field.”
Moss has a history of making odd comments, but the marijuana hits may be finally getting to his head. The former All-Pro dismissed Jerry Rice, Marvin Harrison, Tim Brown, Terrell Owens and Isaac Bruce’s accomplishments, which was unnecessary.
Rice responded to Moss, “You’d never hear me say I’m the greatest football player to ever play the game. I let my body of work speak for itself…”
Moss stood by his words, but couldn’t back it up in the big game. He was targeted five times and recorded 2 catches for 41 yards. San Francisco media blasted Moss for his nonchalant effort, particularly on an interception overthrown to the middle the athlete didn’t attempt to play.
Which leads us back to the reason Moss isn’t the greatest NFL wide receiver of all time. The man, despite his extraterrestrial physical traits, has known to mentally surrender in tough times. Whether it was the Oakland hellhole, Brett Favre’s ugly Vikings encore or the Kerry Collins reunion, Moss found a reason to disengage from the action.
The Super Bowl appeared to be no different. Perhaps Baltimore’s defense stifled Moss, but would the greatest wide receiver ever need an excuse? The seven-time Pro Bowler was held without a catch until the third quarter, when press coverage was hardly needed. In a comeback scenario, a player like Moss in his prime should be a valuable asset, but not so.
A 40-year-old Rice was Second Team All-Pro. Moss’ production at 35 is significantly slowing down, so it would be unfair to blame his vanishing act entirely on effort.
But maybe we are underestimating Moss. Is it possible the veteran made brash claims merely for publicity? The man Bill Belichick claimed was the smartest receiver he has ever coached must recognize he is over the hill. Maybe Moss insulted the NFL greats simply to get viewers to fire up his old highlight films. After all, this could be his last Super Bowl media shine.
Twisted conspiracy or not, Moss was wrong and correspondingly stunk up the Superdome. Let’s be clear; the future Hall-of-Famer is not the greatest wide receiver of all time. The most gifted or least motivated wide receiver is a better-fitting name.