San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh decided to back away Friday from a statement he made earlier this offseason that indicated Randy Moss was the team's No. 1 receiver.
Harbaugh said Friday that Moss is one of five players competing for that No. 1 mantle, along with Michael Crabtree, Mario Manningham, Kyle Williams, and Ted Ginn. (Noticeable absent from that list: first-round pick A.J. Jenkins.)
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Moss will have to earn his spot on the team. That's what he intends to do.
"I just love to play football. I've been playing football since I was six years old," said Moss in his first public comments since joining the 49ers. "The love that I have for the game of football is going to always be in me. I just want to play football."
We love hearing Moss talk. His intelligence and love for the game has shone through since he joined the Patriots, but he sounded more reflective than ever after being out of the game last year. He even channeled former President John F. Kennedy:
"The league has blessed me and my family. I like what I can do for the league, not what the league can do for me," Moss said. "Money comes and goes." (Even straight cash, homey.)
Moss appreciates that two-a-day practices are a thing of the past and said he has a "little pepper" in his step being around so many young receivers.
I have been skeptical that Moss will make a big impact this year, but I sincerely hope I'm wrong. The guy is one of the most dynamic players and personalities the league has ever seen. The NFL is a cooler place with Moss in it.
