Photo: BostonHerald.com
- Adam ParkerThe San Francisco 49ers and recently un-retired wide receiver Randy Moss have agreed to terms on a one-year deal, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
Moss worked out for the 49ers on Monday, catching passes from 49ers head coach and former All-Pro quarterback for the Colts - Jim Harbaugh for about 15 minutes, CSN Bay Area reported. Moss, 35, is attempting a comeback after sitting out last season.
Harbaugh stood in because a current 49ers quarterback can't throw in a workout for the team until the league year officially begins Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.
49ers CEO Jed York acknowledged Monday the team was trying to find a receiver with big-play ability, most likely to stretch the field and take coverage away from stud tight end Vernon Davis.
Moss, who worked out last Tuesday with the New Orleans Saints, played for New England, Minnesota and Tennessee in a rocky 2010 season.
Overall, I think it's a good marriage for both parties involved. Moss was looking to revive his career while also simultaneously joining a potential Super Bowl contender.
As for San Francisco, it's probably the biggest understatement of their season to say that their wide receiving corps didn't play a big part in their passing offense. This was most evident when 49ers receivers managed just one catch for three yards in a 20-17 overtime loss in the NFC Championship Game to the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants.
San Francisco's low-risk investment in Braylon Edwards did not work out last season. Edwards suffered knee and shoulder injuries and appeared to become frustrated. The 49ers cut him late in the season even though they were already playing a skeleton squad at the position. Moss is the new Edwards, a big-name receiver trying to revive his career on the cheap.
Edwards was a strong vertical threat before joining the 49ers, but that aspect of his game never materialized in San Francisco. The 49ers' yard-per-catch were down across the board until Davis turned it on in the playoffs. Can Moss provide something similar, even in small doses?
Regardless, it was worth the risk in this situation to see what the future Hall of Famer has left in the tank. A one year contract gives Harbaugh and the organization all the leverage. The 49ers can release Moss at any time for any reason, whether that be for lack of production or being a locker room cancer.
That makes this signing a low-risk proposition. Skepticism should be at an all time high until Moss proves he can be more effective than he was while bouncing from team to team to team like an overused, high-priced escort in need of an attitude adjustment.
Not to mention that the nature of the 49ers' offense wouldn't seem to facilitate down field strikes. The only question is, will San Fran be getting the Moss of old or just a plain old Moss?
Good luck, San Francisco.
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