NFL Rumors: Randy Moss Will Prove Detractors Wrong by Earning 49ers Roster Spot

The San Francisco 49ers have a serious training camp battle brewing at the wide receiver position.    

Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com posted a column in which he details the real possibility that Randy Moss could be one of the odd men out when the final cuts are made before the 2012 NFL season begins.

Moss showed up for the team's first on-field coaching sessions and was blown away by the speed and intensity of the pace set by head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Per the 49ers Twitter account:

"

Moss: "It was eye opening. Today was the first day & we were moving so fast. Today felt like we'd been out here for a week or two."

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) April 30, 2012"

He better realize that things are only going to get faster once the real action begins. 

Moss is a seasoned veteran who has played with Bill Belichick and Tom Brady of the New England Patriots. He will realize the prime opportunity in front of him to go out with a bang and solidify his career with a championship.

He has tanked in the past with the Oakland Raiders, but he did so because he felt they weren't doing anything to make the team better and became disinterested. He alluded to this in an interview, per ESPN.com:

"

I'm a football player. That's what I do. Things really weren't going like I expected them to go. Not as an individual, but as a team. We had Derrick Burgess, Warren Sapp, a lot of guys that have names throughout this league. Expectations were high. Football wasn't a main priority around there.

"

He wants to win, and he finds himself now in the best situation of his career to do just that.

Per the Mercury News: 

"

I want to get back to what I do, and that's playing football and stretching the field...I can still play at a high level. I look forward to learning the offense. I'm ready to bring the fans out of their seats. It was a no-brainer for me to come and play for the 49ers. I look forward to the challenge to make things happen.

"

Moss will rise to the challenge and prove to himself and to the rest of the league that he's not washed up. He is ready to play ball and I expect him to take this opportunity seriously.

He faces a tall task in front of him, competing against a stable of young, hungry receivers, but Moss will come through with flying colors and perform at the same high level we saw from him during his stay in New England.

Let's take a look at the competition he faces going into the summer and how I see each man's chances in 2012:

• Michael Crabtree: He's a lock to make the roster and a likely starter.
• Mario Manningham: As crazy as it sounds, Manningham may not start, given the next man on this list.
• A.J. Jenkins: He's going to make the roster and stands a good chance to start opposite Crabtree. At the very least, he's going to see a ton of action in the slot in three-wide receiver sets.
• Ted Ginn, Jr.: I could see the team releasing him before the season begins due to the addition of LaMichael James. James is an electric kick/punt returner that could render Ginn expendable.
• Kyle Williams: I don't see him making the roster, and it has nothing to do with his two muffed punts in the NFC Championship game.
• Brett Swain: camp fodder
• Chris Owusu: practice squad member by the start of the season and possible starter in the years to come.

This means that Moss will really have to prove he's the same player that dominated the league when he was with the Patriots. 

Harbaugh won't tolerate any plays off, and he will demand Moss' full attention at all times. There is no room for error.

I see this as the best possible situation for Moss, rather than a setback.

Moss needs firm leadership and a clear sense of purpose. He thrives under these circumstances. He will earn a roster spot with the 49ers in 2012 and I see him becoming a major factor in their offense.

Let me know what you think about Moss' chances in the comments section below. 

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