| Moss is impressing people this offseason. (US Presswire) |
As we pointed out last month when it was reported that Randy Moss and Michael Crabtree were atop the 49ers depth chart, it’s still the pre-pre-season, and just because a 35-year-old receiver who didn’t play last year and burned bridges at multiple stops in 2010 is listed as one of the top receivers, that doesn’t mean it’ll be true in two months.
That said, it’s interesting that San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh has pumped up Moss so much since the team signed him as a free agent. He was at it again recently telling Sirius XM NFL radio host Rich Gannon (via the San Jose Mercury News) that Moss has been the best 49ers receiver.
“This offseason,” Harbaugh told Gannon, “he’s been incredible.”
While that seems to be a promising statement for 49ers fans, in reality, that probably isn't great news (if it’s news at all, really). If Moss is better than Crabtree -- the former first-round pick who still disappoints -- and Mario Manningham or 2012 first-round pick A.J. Jenkins, that doesn’t bode well for the future of the organization's receiver corps. Of course, in two months, Moss might be a backup who’s looking to disrupt team chemistry anyway.
And in case you’ve forgotten, here’s a word to the wise: Harbaugh is prone to a little bit of hyperbole (witness the whole Peyton Manning denial and the fact he said Michael Crabtree has the best receiver hands he’s ever seen). This whole issue might not be quite reality.
“Randy is trying to do the right thing,” Gannon said, pointing out that Moss has been sitting in the front row of receivers meetings. “Randy is trying to be a leader. He’s trying to set a good example for these young players. It gets back to what the expectations are. Jim Harbaugh doesn’t have a ton of rules, but what the expectations are for Randy. ‘We can get you back to where you were a couple years ago. You can be a huge addition for our offense. You can help us in the vertical passing game. But here’s what you have to do.’
“So far Randy Moss has bought in.”
Check back in a few months, though. The conclusion might be something completely different.
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