Two former 49ers, Bill Romanowski and Dwight Clark, ripped receiver Randy Moss following the Super Bowl for an 'alligator-arm' effort on a second quarter pass that was intercepted by Ravens safety Ed Reed. The pass from Colin Kaepernick was high, and Moss made no effort on the ball.
Both men were on the set of Comcast's post-game show, and Romanowski was livid.
"Randy Moss -- he alligator armed it," Romanowski said, his voice rising and veins on his forehead popping. "He didn't go up for the ball! He said he was the best receiver in the damn world -- ok, you hear me? Oh God! That's what pisses me off! You're playing in the Super Bowl, guys! The Super Bowl!"
Moss, of course, drew a swarm of media attention five days before the game when he asserted that he was the greatest receiver to play the game. "He didn't alligator-arm it," Clark said. "He didn't even reach up for it! He watched it sail over his head. Yes, it was high. Kaepernick was a little nervous. ... But make some kind of movement for the ball."
Added Romanowski: "There's one thing you cannot have in the Super Bowl is lack of effort."
Moss had two catches for 41 yards in the second half, and Romanowski acknowledged that the veteran's effort was better after halftime.
At times during his career -- indeed, earlier this season -- it seemed as if self-preservation was Moss' biggest concern. After making catches, he tended to drop to the ground instead of taking on tacklers. The irony is that even though he never extended himself for Kaepernick's pass on Sunday, Moss still was drilled a moment later by linebacker Terrell Suggs after the ball was intercepted and the Ravens began paving the way for Reed's return.
The game's best-ever receiver remains Jerry Rice, who had some fun with Moss' comments during Super Bowl week.
"He could have been probably the greatest player to ever play the game," Rice said. "Gifted, 6-foot-5, could run a 4.3, could out-jump you. He struck fear into the opponent. But you got to have it here in your heart."
Rice pointed at his chest as he said that. Then he pointed to his Super Bowl ring.
"This is how I impacted the game -- with Super Bowl rings. I'm hoping he can go out there and win his first one on Sunday."
Moss' contract with the 49ers expires next month. He said he wants to return another season but stopped well short of saying he wanted to be back with the 49ers. Moss said he wanted more action, and while he said he understood his value as a decoy, didn't necessarily like it.
"I don't like my role," he said Tuesday. "I don't. I like to be out there playing football."
-- Matt Barrows
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