That's because Moss has not been a big part of the offense after being highly-regarded as the team's best receiver throughout training camp. His paltry numbers -- eight catches for 88 yards and one touchdown -- and limited snap count through four games suggest that he's not a major part of the team's plans. Moss has played just 80 snaps in regular season action with the 49ers.
According to NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal, Niners' head coach Jim Harbaugh is not limiting Moss' snaps in order to keep his legs fresh for later in the season, so there goes that theory out the window.
What then, is his purpose in San Francisco, and how does he fit in with this particular team? Is he supposed to be an inspirational leader? Hardly. If the coaching staff isn't planning to 'unleash' Moss at any point this season, then perhaps they would be better served to work their No. 1 pick, A.J. Jenkins, into the mix and get him some reps if he's going to be a part of the future.
Despite Moss' willingness to take on a reduced role, it's only a matter of time before he does something to undermine the team or that could become a distraction. For a team as focused as the 49ers, that can only prove to be detrimental to the progress of a group that has moved steadily forward since the start of last season.
If it's security the team is looking for in the event of an injury at wide receiver, then Moss is a great contingency plan. The trouble is that no one knows how long he'll be satisfied as a mere role player.
The 49ers struggled mightily with the vertical passing game in 2011, and in 2012, they haven't improved in that department, ranking 30th in passing yards per game with an average of 179.2. Moss was thought to add to that dynamic and give the team a legitimate downfield threat. But at this point, he's only been a decoy. What are the 49ers waiting for?
Apparently, nothing -- absolutely nothing.
I admit , I guess I was one of the fans that was complaining about Moss not getting passes thrown his way , but then I realized ..we are a "run first team" , and VD and Crabtree also aren't putting up fantasy numbers either , but the most important thing is , WE ARE WINNING !!!
I'm going to shut my trap ,and have complete trust in our coaching staff
but it's articles like this, that stirs up the pot , Moss has not been openly complaining about his reduced role , not yet anyway ...but I hope the coaching staff at least throws him a bone soon , maybe a deep strike down the sideline will settle down all the talk about Moss not having a huge role with the offense, and satisfy the fans that are yearning for a long bomb to Moss
GO NINERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[ Edited by NeeJ49er on Oct 5, 2012 at 8:00 AM ]
