2012-GameRelease-Divisional

"Randy can still stretch the defense," said linebacker Patrick Willis, who should know. "He can still create
a mindset with a defense where it's 'OK, where's Randy? We have to know where Randy is at all times.'
And that's going to allow other guys to be able to be free."
That's the idea, and it worked in New England, where Moss set a single-season league record with 23
touchdown catches. But that was five seasons ago, and Moss not only has been out of the game one
year; he finished the 2010 season on the bench in Tennessee.
Nevertheless, there's a feeling that he can make an impact with the 49ers, become a red-zone threat and
beat secondaries deep when the matchups are right. Moreover, there's a feeling that he can mentor
young receivers like Crabtree. While that remains to be seen, I do remember what that wide receiver told
me: If you're winning, it's nothing but good with Randy Moss.
The 49ers are insistent that he can and will fit, and maybe they're right. All I know is that when you watch
Moss repeatedly split defensive backs at practice to make receptions you understand what they're talking
about.
"He's going to be an asset," said quarterback Alex Smith. "For a guy his size to play the ball in the air the
way he does and to run like he does is a unique ability. Anytime you get in the red zone, if you want to
load the box and play one-on-one with him that's a gamble -- and that makes him a real threat.
"Second, I just think the attitude and the professionalism he's brought to the receiving corps is going to do
nothing but contribute to us. The guy's been in a lot of offenses and won a lot of games. I've learned a lot
from him. He's a great communicator as a receiver, and that's good for our receivers to see."
Any improvement is good for San Francisco's wide receivers. No one on the club with more than 15
catches last year averaged more than 12.1 yards per catch, and no wide receiver scored more than four
times. You would like to see that change, and with Moss, maybe it does.
"He's definitely going to make a difference," said Davis