Randy Moss had an impressive workout with the New Orleans Saints this week, with Fox Sports reporting that he “lit it up” and ran about 45 routes, looking “like the old Randy.” Now Moss is drawing some interest from another NFC team that went deep into the playoffs, and it looks more and more like he will be suited up on opening day, and potentially with a Super Bowl contender.
When asked about the possibility of Moss coming to the 49ers, general manager Trent Baalke said, “Everything’s in play. I mean, we’re going to take a look at all our options.”
Apparently, not ALL their options, as he was a little more definitive on four-time NFL MVP Peyton Manning, who became a free agent on Tuesday when he was released by the Colts. “We haven’t had Peyton in here nor are we even talking about those things internally right now,” Baalke said.
The 49ers reportedly have made a contract offer to Alex Smith, and the close relationship between Smith and head coach Jim Harbaugh makes it likely that Smith will be the starter going into next season. But getting another weapon for Smith to throw to is high on the priority list, and Moss would fill the bill nicely.
Moss just turned 35 years old, but has always been a great physical specimen. At 6-foot-4 with incredible leaping ability, 4.3 speed (in his prime) and hands like fly paper, when he was on his A-game, nobody was better. They key for his successful return is finding a place that he can resonate with and get excited about, like he did his first two years in New England.
San Francisco could be that place. Harbaugh is a players’ coach and the team loves him and plays their guts out for him. They have one of the best defenses in the league, and a dominating offensive line.
They also have a great running game with Frank Gore, and Smith showed last season that he can play mistake free football and can even win a shootout with Drew Brees, as the 49ers took down the Saints in the playoffs in one of the wildest finishes in NFL history. Their biggest hole has been at wide receiver, as Smith has been forced to primarily target tight end Vernon Davis and his running backs. In the NFC Championship, the wide receivers only had one catch in the entire game.
It’s far from a done deal, but San Francisco needs one (or two) talented wide receivers to move the team up to a Super Bowl favorite for next season, and Moss could fill the bill. If he looks as good as reported, there will be multiple suitors calling.
