Moss might have made some of the greatest catches in NFL history, but he isn't the greatest of all-time. |
ESPN.com -- One day after San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh took on President Barack Obama, receiver Randy Moss challenged Jerry Rice's status as the NFL's greatest receiver.
Wait, weren't the AFC champion Baltimore Ravens supposed to be the big talkers during Super Bowl week? They're multiple-syllable underdogs at this point.
Moss stole the show at Super Bowl media day by declaring himself the greatest receiver of all time.
"I think I'm the greatest receiver to ever do it," Moss said. "Because I think back when Jerry was playing -- and no disrespect to Jerry Rice, because he's arguably the greatest -- but for me to be able to go out here and change and revolutionize the game from a single safety to a Cover 2 safety and dropping three guys deep and dropping four guys deep and still be able to make it happen? That is why I really hold my hat on that, that I really feel in my heart and in my mind that I am the greatest receiver to ever play this game."
If Rice had the greatest career of any receiver in NFL history, which seems indisputable based on longevity and raw numbers, Moss at his best was arguably the most feared.
Wait, weren't the AFC champion Baltimore Ravens supposed to be the big talkers during Super Bowl week? They're multiple-syllable underdogs at this point.
Moss stole the show at Super Bowl media day by declaring himself the greatest receiver of all time.
"I think I'm the greatest receiver to ever do it," Moss said. "Because I think back when Jerry was playing -- and no disrespect to Jerry Rice, because he's arguably the greatest -- but for me to be able to go out here and change and revolutionize the game from a single safety to a Cover 2 safety and dropping three guys deep and dropping four guys deep and still be able to make it happen? That is why I really hold my hat on that, that I really feel in my heart and in my mind that I am the greatest receiver to ever play this game."
If Rice had the greatest career of any receiver in NFL history, which seems indisputable based on longevity and raw numbers, Moss at his best was arguably the most feared.
The "greatest of all-time" argument in any sport is difficult, even when it seemingly shouldn't be. I liken the Randy Moss-Jerry Rice argument to the LeBron James-Michael Jordan argument in this way; the generational difference should not be ignored. Like Jordan, Rice played in an era where the defender had the advantage and muggings both down the lane and over the middle were commonplace. If LeBron and Moss were sneezed during any point of their careers so far they'd get a foul or a 15-yard penalty.
I'm not taking away anything from Moss. He was certainly the most dominant wide receiver of the post-Rice era and his "throw it up and go get it" abilities were unparalleled in his day. The 23 TDs he caught in '07 were more a product of him embarassing defenses than Brady's excellence or Belichick's wisdom. But really it was his days in Minnesota that made him the living legend we think of today. Oh and don't for get this catch which started his career off exactly how it should be remembered (just ridiculous). He single-handedly built up Daunte Culpepper's career and then destroyed it in an instant. Then he sauntered around in Oakland and looked like he was going to retire like a whiny little child. Once again resurrecting his career in New England, only to go downhill another time. While he hasn't found his young legs here in San Francisco, he's played pretty well and kept his mouth shut...until today. If it wasn't for Terrell Owens bizarre career, Moss would have had the most bizarre career of any great NFL player.
Rice's numbers alone prove that Moss is his inferior, but I think even Moss's style of dominance and greatness could be surprised in the next decade. Calvin Johnson has already wowed us in the way Moss did and I think he's only improving. Megatron is the same type of "just throw it up to him" kind of guy that Moss was, but he's bigger stronger and might even have a higher leaping ability. The other thing that CJ has over Moss is his attitude. Megatron knows he's the best in the league, but he'll never tell you it. He let's his absurd play do the talking and that's what people will remember him for.
So while Moss did walk most of his talk over the years, he could quickly be surpassed in public opinion if his numbers are matched by Megatron. As for either of these guys catching up with Jerry Rice? I just don't know if the generation gap will let them.
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