The San Francisco 49ers went 13-3 last year, falling just short of their first Super Bowl appearance since the 1994 season. So, to get them over the hump in 2012 they signed ... Randy Moss?
Apparently the 49ers and coach Jim Harbaugh, who was throwing passes to Moss in his workout, were so impressed by the veteran that they inked him to a one-year, $2.5 million deal with $1.5 million in incentives. That at least adds credibility to reports that Moss has been shining in his workouts for various teams. Perhaps there's some fantasy value left even after sitting out the entire 2011 season.
However, there's plenty of reason to doubt this will be a happy marriage. First of all, the 49ers are a run-first team; Moss is a me-first receiver. That might cause friction. (By "might" I mean "will" considering Moss has a long history of quitting on teams when things aren't going well.) There's also the potentially negative influence a selfish player like Moss can have on a young, up-and-coming diva like Michael Crabtree, but I'll leave the psychological evaluations to the professionals.
Second, the 49ers' quarterback situation is up in the air with Alex Smith heading for free agency. Even if they re-sign Smith, he doesn't have the arm strength to bring out the best in Moss as a deep threat. Of course, if Moss is "bait" to help the 49ers lure a top free-agent QB, then that changes things. For now, San Francisco isn't an ideal spot for Moss to regain his fantasy value.
As for Moss on an individual level, he's 35 and will be three years removed from his last 1,000-yard season by the 2012 opener. His main weapon, speed, has likely diminished enough that he's no longer elite, although his 6-4 frame and soft hands could still make him tough to defend. If the 49ers are able to upgrade at quarterback, Moss will be worth a late-round pick, but it would be dangerous to draft him as a fantasy starter in hopes of one last hurrah as an elite receiver -- or that he'll even be around for all 16 games.
FROM SPORTING NEWS: http://fantasysource.sportingnews.com/football/experts/freeview/brad-pinkerton/2012-03-13/stock-watch-randy-moss-returns
