(This is a continuation and conclusion to the post, I Guess Washing Dishes Comes First...)
(And if you're wondering where the links have gone, just go back to the previous post. Any new names will come with posts, of course)
Does Randy Moss have it in him to go after Jerry Rice? If he wants that Super Bowl, he will. I, personally, think his time in Boston (New England Patriots, for those not in the know) is done. Plus, the dynasty died sometime between these events: Tom Brady's injury and every defensive player after the age of 28 no longer being on the team, culminating with the retirement at the beginning of the 2009 season of defensive leader and team captain Tedy Bruschi.
So there's no real reason to stay with the team when his contract is up, except maybe to repay them for giving him a second chance at a pro football. Because, seriously, before that trade happened (in which NE gave up a much needed 5th round pick to OAK for him, oh noes!) most football experts deemed him washed up and without motivation. Enter the 2007 Patriots. OTHER THAN ALL THAT, there's more motivation to go to a team where he can be a bit more than a role player on a contending team who could make it to the playoffs with ease.
The question becomes, if and when he leaves NE, is there a market for a 33+ year old receiver (his contract lasts until the 2011 off season)? Well, lets compare him to a few players who were just as good as he is at a similar age, based on Pro-Football-Reference.com's by-year comparison of him and Jerry Rice at certain stages of their careers.
OK, the two most prevalent names are Marvin Harrison and Terrell Owens. The only two names that could match or eclipse Moss during the last decade (Harrison for being the most consistent receiver for Peyton Manning, T.O. for grabbing media attention for being T.O.). Again, lets compare some numbers *first being why they even compare statistically*:
Randy Moss (current totals at three year intervals)
Rec.
226
525
676
926
Rec. Yards
4163
8375
10700
14465
Rec. TD
43
77
101
143
And now on to the competition (again, the same format of 12 years, 3 year intervals):
Marvin Harrison
Rec.
196
522
845
1042
Rec. Yards
2468
7068
11175
13961
Rec. TD
21
62
98
123
Terrell Owens
Rec.
162
412
669
882
Rec. Yards
2553
6170
9772
13070
Rec. TD
26
59
95
129
While it is true Harrison had a bit of a late start because he didn't have Manning for his first two years then needed their first year together to gain that famous chemistry they had together; and T.O. actually had to fight for touches with Jerry Rice himself on the same team in his first four years before he became a perennial #1 WR, it's what these stats tell you in longevity.
Marvin has more receptions after 12 years, which makes sense with Manning there. Other than that, Randy Moss' curve peaked early and often. And whats more amazing is that Harrison and Owens came into the league 2 years before Moss did, plus had at least 2 years over him when they were rookies. Next is the comparison between each receivers 32 year old season:
Randy Moss: 83 Rec., 1264 Yards, 13 TD
Marvin Harrison: 82 Rec., 1146 Yards, 12 TD
Terrell Owens: 47 Rec., 763 Yards, 6 TD
Oh yeah, TO was suspended halfway into that season for trash talking his organization. That comparison doesn't completely count. Lets try the 12 year in the league:
Randy Moss: (same as above)
Marvin Harrison: 20 Rec., 247 Yards, 1 TD
Terrell Owens: 81 Rec., 1355 Yards, 15 TD
And Marvin had an injury in 2007. Great, this isn't working out as well as I planned.
Are the three comparable? Kinda, but the difference is in the pudding. Randy is a tremendously fast athlete while Harrison is a workaholic known for his hands and route running. TO just wants the ball. He's a jack of all trades; great at everything, not the best at any key attribute you need to be a top notch receiver (speed, agility, acceleration off the line of scrimmage, hands, leaping ability, route running intelligence, toughness).
I guess since this is about Randy catching Jerry, lets compare their 32 year old/12th season in the league:
32 year old season:
Randy Moss: (same as before)
Jerry Rice: 112 Rec., 1499 Yards, 13 TD
l2th season:
Randy Moss: (do you even care anymore? check up top again)
Jerry Rice: 108 Rec., 1254 Yards, 8 TD
Jerry's 32 season was two years before his 12th season, so he hadn't had the workload on his legs at that point, but his 12th season was still exceptionally good. What isn't so good (per se) is that after his 12th season, he was injured for his next season, only starting in one game, played in two, for only 7 receptions and a touchdown. Just on that alone, Randy Moss could bend the curve in his favor, but you still gotta worry that it could happen to him as well.
I've danced this pole for as long as I can. It's starting to chafe.
To answer the question "Can anyone touch Jerry Rice's records?"; well, yeah, its possible. Randy Moss just has to persevere for at least 8 years more on his career average of 77 rec. 1205 yards and 12 TD and he'd beat him in yards and TDs alone. And he'd only be behind him in receptions by 7. I'll root for Randy as long as I can and welcome him with open arms if he comes to Dallas in a year, cause we could certainly use him.
Just saying.
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