Xzibit23

We all know Rice has always been he unquestioned GOAT WR, the debate has always beenno about #2. It wasn't just because of his career numbers, Rice was also considered the GOAT because in any given season, he was the best WR we saw. That got me thinking about Randy Moss, and how he will be remembered if he stays in NE for the next 4-5 years, is healthy and wins, lets say, 2 SBs. I personally dont see him passing Rice's all time numbers, its not impossible, but its close. Rice has those numbers because he played healthy from ages 35-40, and played at a good rate, thats basically unheard as a WR.

I think when Moss' playing days are over, presuming he stays in NE...he has the potential to at least fuel a worthy debate on whether Rice is the GOAT WR. Its possible that Moss' would've had more GREAT seasons than Rice, considering he already has 2 17 TD seasons, and several other great ones in MN. It can be argued, that Moss at peak value is/was better than Rice...it can be argued. So I feel he could be remembered as the first guy you could say "At their best, I would take him over Rice for this season." Up until now, for one season or over a career, Rice's status as the GOAT has been unquestioned and so obvious that asking it would not even generate a serious response.

Nordy

I don't really care about compiled numbers. All I know is I would take Moss in his prime over any other WR in NFL history. Moss was one of my favorite players long before he became a Patriot. Defenses tremble because of Randy Moss.

Ice_Ice_Brady

Doesn't matter to me. I would pay more money to see Randy Moss than any other receiver in NFL history. The guys is a highlight reel and may be super human.

pwes

If the senario you present is the case Randy will be remembered as one of the greatest. Possible #1 or #2. But Oakland will kill him forever. People won't forget it. And these people who hold it against him will always have him at #2 or lower even if he did pass Jerry in stats.

sieglo

Jerry Rice had the beneft of playing with the greatest NFL quarterback of all time, whereas Moss is stuck with Tom Brady.

VJCPatriot

Yeah that is really KILLING his stats this year!

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Tip_Drill_81

I hope Moss does stay at least 4 years, and remains healthy.
If he can do that, then there may be a debate at the end of his career.

Rice is definitely the greatest WR ever. IMO, there's nothing Moss can do for the rest of career to change that, (outside of 5 consecutive 20+ TD seasons). Rice is also the most complete WR ever. He could do about everything great. I can't think about any weakness.

With that said, I am a Moss fan, and would pay more money to watch Moss than Rice, simply b/c he's more of a "freak."

In any given situation:
90% of the time, i'll take Rice.
10% i'll take Moss. This is because when Moss has a chip on his shoulder, no one's better.

MichaelL

Well Jerry Rice is great because at the time, he was considered very large for a receiver and athletic enough to jump over cornerbacks and make the play. So Rice is great at two things, route running and athleticism. Combining those two attributes with a long and productive career is why he is both considered the greatest and has stats that are out of reach for most.

Today, we have Marvin Harrison and Randy Moss. At the end of his career Harrison will have surpassed Cris Carter and should be #2 in everything. Moss has a good chance at the end of his career to surpass Harrison in receiving TDs.

I think Harrison is possibly a better route runner than Rice. Moss is certainly more athletic and a better deep threat than Rice. So we have two guys that are in their specialty better than Jerry Rice but Rice was the complete package with the long career.

That all being said, I think Moss is the most dangerous and game-changing receiver ever to play in the NFL. I don't know that even in his prime that Rice would cause a defense to devote 3 guys to cover him. Moss improves an entire offense by letting them play 10 on 9 or 10 on 8. So I would take Moss on my team as well, but I don't think Rice can be unseated.

And then old-timers will always bring up Don Hutson who had modern receiver stats in an era where they didn't throw the ball downfield and who had records that stood for 40 years. Some would say that Hutson is even better than Rice, but it's hard to say since Hutson played in the 30's.

PATRIOTSFANINPA

Anyone who was fortunate enough to see Raymond Berry play know he was one hell of a WR as well

letekro

For most of Moss's career, he was kind of a one trick pony. That one trick was devastating, but Rice also was tremendous in the air and on deep balls. But how many 5-yard slants did Rice take to the house? It seemed like every week. Short routes, medium routes, deep routes, over the middle, on the sidelines, Rice was unstoppable. Couple that with his quiet demeanor and legendary work ethic, and I think he is a worthy GOAT. Does Moss have more talent - probably, but I still think he's the second best receiver I've ever seen.