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The San Francisco 49ers are once again having press conferences again, and on Friday, July 27th, Randy Moss came to the podium.
After Jim Harbaugh had concluded his presser, the 49ers newly acquired receiver and future Hall of Famer spoke with the media. Though there has been plenty of news about him, Moss had deflected any opportunities to personally speak out since he signed a 1-year deal with the 49ers.
On a day where Jim Harbaugh and Alex Smith also took the podium, Moss was definitely the headliner and most capturing figure. Follow me after the jump for some direct quotes from Moss in his first press conference as a San Francisco 49er.
Moss talked about the team in the beginning, and the role he is trying to provide within it. "We have a young team here and me being a veteran, and like I said, I've been around the block a few times, so just trying to bring something positive as far as my leadership on the field here and hopefully it's been a good thing," said Moss.
On his workout with Jim Harbaugh:
"I just worked out for the New Orleans Saints and they brought in, I think, Brian Brohm from Louisville, so when I came here, I didn't really know who was going to be throwing me the ball. So, coach Johnnie Mo, and coach Harbaugh said, 'No, we're not bringing nobody in, I'm throwing the ball.' It was kind of shocking to me to see that the head coach could still wing the ball, and he could still throw it. And that was something that was impressive to me"
Moss seems to have taken a liking and instant respect to Harbaugh. At the workout, which was their first-ever meeting, they seemed to have struck an accord and realized they could both benefit from one another. All in all, they seemed to be on the same wavelength. "Coach Harbaugh just likes to have fun, he still loves the game too. Being a player coach that he is, you can really see that he really loves the game," said the Niners receiver.
On the offense with quarterback Alex Smith:
"We've got a nice group of receivers here, and I think with Alex [Smith] being the quarterback, we've all got to get our timing down, to know what routes we can run and when we're open, so it's a work in progress. And like I said, just being here, I look forward to going out and competing."
On the 49ers in 2012:
"Offense, defense and special teams, we set our bar high and the good thing about it, like I said, we come to work. Everybody's attentive, everybody's taking notes, were asking questions. So, just seeing how everybody approaches being a professional athlete here, knowing that this is a young group, the sky is the limit."
Judging by his body language and choice of words, Moss seems to strongly believe in this team's ability but would prefer to not count his chickens before they hatch.
He elaborated, "I don't know how it's going to happen but i think with our preparation, and going out day-to-day, working in the classroom, working in the weight room, and then coming and putting our results on the field, I don't really know, to be honest with you. We have our own expectations here, I think that as far as a team, we don't want to let each other down and that really shows."
On his philosophy this year:
"When I first came into this league, I didn't really understand really everything that goes on with the NFL. And now that I'm mature, physically and mentally, my philosophy is, 'I do not like what the NFL does for me, I want to know what I can do to make the NFL better.' And if that coming out here, teaching the young guys and showing my professionalism and being a leader on and off the field, that's what I want to do because I think that if we get that type of mindset, it'd make it a better league."
What should be taken away from the conclusion of Moss' presser was when he said, "I do love the game of football, and hopefully we just get better each day...it's a work in progress, and I'm up for the challenge." He seems revitalized and as engaged as ever.
After Moss finished, his presser carried over into Alex Smith's where the media led off with some questions about the prolific wide out. When asked if it was intimidating to be throwing to Randy Moss, Smith did not hesitate.
"It definitely can be [intimidating] -- the great thing about being around Randy is that he keeps it light, he makes it fun to play out there, so that vanished pretty quick. He's a great communicator out there, he sees things really well, communicates well, so it's really been great working with him, honestly, I've learned a lot."
Overall, there seemed to be a lot of positive to take away. Moss seems more motivated and focused than in recent memory, while Smith seems to be improving at all angles. And while a wild concept, it's official, Alex Smith and Randy Moss are teammates, so 2012 should make for an entertaining and exciting year.