Randy Moss Returning to NFL: Where Does He Rank All-Time?
Randy Moss Is Coming Out of Retirement (boston.com)
This is no rumor. Randy Moss is returning to play football next season. He is “ready to rock ‘n’ roll.” And he’ll “have no trouble finding a team to play for in 2012.” (rotoworld.com)
Well, that’s kind of exciting. There’s been a drop off – 2010 was a waste – and he is 35 (today’s his birthday, in fact), but as late as 2009, Moss had 1,200+ yards and led the league in receiving touchdowns. So, it will be good to have him back.
Where will he play, though? That’s anyone’s guess, though most are saying it will not be with the New England Patriots.
Here’s a look at where Randy Moss ranks all time amongst the best receivers to play the game, of which he is of course one…
He’s just 46 catches away from becoming the ninth receiver in history with 1,000 receptions. By season’s end he possibly will be seventh all time.
| RECEPTIONS | ||
| 1. | Jerry Rice | 1,549 |
| 2. | Tony Gonzalez | 1,149 |
| 3. | Marvin Harrison | 1,102 |
| 4. | Cris Carter | 1,101 |
| 5. | Tim Brown | 1,094 |
| 6. | Terrell Owens | 1,078 |
| 7. | Isaac Bruce | 1,024 |
| 8. | Hines Ward | 1,000 |
| 9. | Randy Moss | 954 |
| 10. | Andre Reed | 951 |
| 11. | Derrick Mason | 943 |
| 12. | Art Monk | 940 |
It is likely that Moss will wind up with the second most receiving yards in NFL history. He needs less than 1,100 yards.
| RECEIVING YDS | ||
| 1. | Jerry Rice | 22,895 |
| 2. | Terrell Owens | 15,934 |
| 3. | Isaac Bruce | 15,208 |
| 4. | Tim Brown | 14,934 |
| 5. | Randy Moss | 14,858 |
| 6. | Marvin Harrison | 14,580 |
| 7. | James Lofton | 14,004 |
| 8. | Cris Carter | 13,899 |
Moss will pass Terrell Owens this season to become sole possessor of second all-time in receiving touchdowns, behind Jerry Rice again.
| RECEIVING TD | ||
| 1. | Jerry Rice | 197 |
| 2. | Terrell Owens | 153 |
| Randy Moss | 153 | |
| 4. | Cris Carter | 130 |
| 5. | Marvin Harrison | 128 |
| 6. | Steve Largent | 100 |
| Tim Brown | 100 | |
It’s a recent group of receivers who lead the receiving yards per game list, but Moss clings to the top 10.
| RECEIVING YDS PER GAME | ||
| 1. | Andre Johnson | 79.1 |
| 2. | Larry Fitzgerald | 77.5 |
| 3. | Torry Holt | 77.4 |
| 4. | Calvin Johnson | 77.3 |
| 5. | Marvin Harrison | 76.7 |
| 6. | Jerry Rice | 75.6 |
| 7. | Lance Alworth | 75.5 |
| 8. | Michael Irvin | 74.9 |
| 9. | Anquan Boldin | 74.0 |
| 10. | Randy Moss | 73.6 |
| 11. | Terrell Owens | 72.8 |
| 12. | Sterling Sharpe | 72.6 |
| Marques Colston | 72.6 | |
Here’s an anomaly. And it’s a surprising one. Moss is 199th in yards per reception, in the company of the likes of Jeff Chadwick.
| YDS PER RECEPTION | ||
| 199. | Joey Galloway | 15.6 |
| Art Graham | 15.6 | |
| Miles Austin | 15.6 | |
| Braylon Edwards | 15.6 | |
| Dave Parks | 15.6 | |
| Don Beebe | 15.6 | |
| Elbie Nickel | 15.6 | |
| Jeff Chadwick | 15.6 | |
| Randy Moss | 15.6 | |
| J.D. Hill | 15.6 | |
| Corey Bradford | 15.6 | |
| Jake Reed | 15.6 | |
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Posted on February 13, 2012, in NFL and tagged all time, football, list of the day, nfl, randy moss, ranking, receiving, return, Sports, TD, yards. Bookmark the permalink. 3 Comments.
Thanks for the comments. Think Moss has an above average (for a WR) season or two still in him. Hopefully he will be paired with a strong QB. Been hearing Eagles and Jets, but it’s early.
I still believe Moss has the physical tools to succeed however his lackluster attitude may come back to haunt him. Awesome post. check out my blog at walloffamesports.wordpress.com Keep in touch
Someone has to agree to use him first. We saw how he fared as a back up.