Coming into Sunday's opener against the Green Bay Packers, wide receiver Randy Moss is a relative unknown. That's a statement rarely reserved for players who are 35 years old and entering their 14th season in the NFL. Folks aren't asking what's left in the tank, they're asking whether or not there's anything there at all. Opinions on Moss rage wildly. Some think he was a great signing and has a lot to offer the San Francisco 49ers at this point, while others believe he'll quit the moment he steps onto the field.
And that uncertainty should be a strong benefit to the 49ers on Sunday.
Green Bay really only has one starting corner at this point in Tramon Williams, with the other cornerback spot still somewhat contested. Moss has the pedigree to be covered by Williams, but then that leaves Michael Crabtree and Mario Manningham on lesser corners. Who is the No. 1 on this team? Nobody knows, but there's two possible positive outcomes for the 49ers.
On one hand, the Packers could afford Moss some serious respect, cover him with someone like Williams right out of the gate, and San Francisco could then run the plays they've always intended — with Crabtree as the primary target. On the other hand, the Packers could leave Moss to a lesser corner, and the future Hall of Famer could go out there and grab a couple of big touchdown receptions.
It's all in what the Packers think of Moss heading into the game. By the time they've really seen him and can make halftime adjustments, it could be too late. He's got the same jersey number and he looks like the same dude. That's all the Packers know at this point, so it should be interesting, to say the least.
Unfortunately, 49ers fans aren't sure which Moss will show up either. It's a little scary, isn't it?
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