Randy Moss of the San Francisco 49ers has a supposed reputation of giving up on his quarterbacks and his teams. Most notably, other players have said that if Moss gets frustrated, he goes into shutdown mode. However, one thing that can’t be argued is that Moss is still an exceptional athlete. I don’t think anything proved that as much as when the media got their first chance to watch the 49ers work out.

According to other players such as Donte Whitner and Alex Smith they couldn’t believe that Randy Moss is in such good shape after missing a year of football. He apparently has stayed in impeccable shape and leads the players when sprinting and doing other workouts. Most importantly however, he seems to have taken Michael Crabtree under his wing and the two have been inseparable.

My one concern would be Moss guiding Crabtree in the wrong direction. But all indications point to the opposite being true. Moss and Crabtree are always working out together when partners are needed and apparently they both find joy in working with one another. Which brings me to the question, “Will San Francisco 49ers’ Randy Moss mentor Michael Crabtree in the right direction?”

Honestly, I’m just hoping that the motivation is actually mutually beneficial more so than just Moss guiding Crabtree in a positive direction. I don’t think Moss is a bad player, but his reputation does precede him. If Crabtree can somehow “breathe new life” into Moss, allowing him to find the motivation to be a positive influence while playing for the 49ers, then it would be a welcome surprise.

Also if Moss can find the motivation from the 49ers’ youth to be a positive role model it would certainly help Crabtree immensely. Crabtree has been accused of being a diva and prima donna while playing here in San Francisco. Some fans have a negative perception of him and his lack of hard work make him an easy target. Perhaps Randy Moss will realize that his greatest contribution to this team is more than just spreading the defense with his route running. He could end up being a veteran who leads our young receivers in the right direction.

Since I’ve obviously done a good job talking up Randy Moss and what he brings to the 49ers, do you think that his work ethic will last throughout the season? Or will one overthrown ball from Alex Smith force Moss to go into “shutdown mode”?

David is co-founder of wrapupp sports blog where fresh content is posted daily and present sports blogs and sports opinions – all with a West Coast bias. Growing up in the Bay Area, David is a huge supporter of all the local sports teams; the Giants, Athletics, Warriors, Sharks, 49ers, and Raiders. His one fault, admittedly, as many of his friends and family would say, is his love for the Los Angeles Lakers. Growing up, Magic Johnson was his favorite basketball player and he fell in love with the team. He chalks it up to, “Not knowing any better”. Now his love for sports has turned just as academic as it is intuitive and he follows most all sports all over the nation.

You can follow David on Twitter: @officialwrapupp

Sources:

49ers.com. Whitner Remembers Facing Moss. NFL 2012.

More from David Mehrwein and the Yahoo! Contributor Network:

San Francisco 49ers’ Undrafted Free Agent Chris Owusu Ready to Prove Doubters Wrong: Fan Breakdown

Andrew Bynum Lacks Intensity as Los Angeles Lakers Fall to Denver Nuggets: Fan Reaction

Los Angeles Lakers’ Playoff History: Why the Lakers Will Beat the Denver Nuggets in Game 5 – Fan Breakdown

Top Undrafted Free Agents to Make it Big in the NFL: Fan Breakdown

San Francisco 49ers Sign Oft-Injured Undrafted Free Agents: Fan Reaction

WebMD states that a concussion is “a traumatic brain injury that is caused by a blow to the head or body, a fall, or another injury that jars or shakes the brain inside the skull.”

The causes sound like they could easily be caused by the game of football if you ask me. And to be honest, that is the risk that players are taking and have always taken. Even with the new helmets and added protection against concussions, the only sure way not to sustain a concussion would be to never touch anybody while on the field or to not play the game of football.

While that solution is impossible for anyone who wishes to play in the NFL, those who have had concussions and continue to play are upping the ante. Step into frame Chris Owusu, wide receiver from Stanford, formerly coached by Jim Harbaugh, and now a member of the San Francisco 49ers – as an undrafted free agent.

Owusu is a highly talented wide receiver – possibly one of the most physically talented players in the draft – but he didn’t get drafted. Was his 40-yard dash time too slow? Nope. He ran a 4.36 40-yard dash – third best at the combine. What about his vertical jump, that had to have been low? 40.5 inches – fourth best at the combine. It must have been the broad jump then? Try again. 129-inch broad jump – good enough for second among wide receivers, just behind Stephen Hill.

So why wasn’t Chris Owusu picked by a team during seven rounds of a draft that saw 253 players selected over three days? One word: concussion.

Actually, it was more than one. Owusu suffered three concussions over a 13-month period while playing at Stanford. One of which was so severe he was taken off the field by an ambulance. No one drafted him because of his concussive history and he fell all the way to the 49ers in undrafted free agency. Of all the 49ers’ undrafted free agency signings, Owusu may be one of the few that makes it in the NFL. He is challenging what everyone else thought of his injuries by agreeing to join the 49ers and I admire that. I’m just not too certain he understands the implications of playing with such a history of concussions.

Sure the risk for re-injury is there and greater than ever, mostly because of his injury history, but also due in part to the fact that the NFL is played much faster and harder than the college game. While some see him as a liability, I don’t think he sees himself that way. I know that I see him as a potentially talented player who could end up being a key part of the 49ers’ offense. But does the risk of re-injury outweigh the potential reward? And remember, he hasn’t even officially made the team yet. What if he gets injured during the preseason or during an OTA or minicamp?

Only time will tell what kind of risk Owusu is taking and how it could affect him long term. Do you think Chris Owusu is a liability with his injuries or will he prove to be a talented NFL wide receiver?

David is co-founder of wrapupp sports blog where fresh content is posted daily and present sports blogs and sports opinions – all with a West Coast bias. Growing up in the Bay Area, David is a huge supporter of all the local sports teams; the Giants, Athletics, Warriors, Sharks, 49ers, and Raiders. His one fault, admittedly, as many of his friends and family would say, is his love for the Los Angeles Lakers. Growing up, Magic Johnson was his favorite basketball player and he fell in love with the team. He chalks it up to, “Not knowing any better”. Now his love for sports has turned just as academic as it is intuitive and he follows most all sports all over the nation.

You can follow David on Twitter: @officialwrapupp

Sources:

NFL.com. Did T.O. Curse the Number 81 for the 49ers?. NFL 2012.

More from David Mehrwein and the Yahoo! Contributor Network:

Andrew Bynum Lacks Intensity as Los Angeles Lakers Fall to Denver Nuggets: Fan Reaction

Los Angeles Lakers’ Playoff History: Why the Lakers Will Beat the Denver Nuggets in Game 5 – Fan Breakdown

Top Undrafted Free Agents to Make it Big in the NFL: Fan Breakdown

San Francisco Giants’ Guillermo Mota Suspended 100 Games: Fan Reaction

San Francisco 49ers Sign Oft-Injured Undrafted Free Agents: Fan Reaction

The 2012 NFL draft was an opportunity for the San Francisco 49ers to grow deeper at several positions. In the first round they took A.J. Jenkins, a wide receiver from the University of Illinois and in the second round they took Oregon running back LaMichael James. They certainly surprised some fans by taking those two players in the first two rounds when it was common knowledge that the 49ers needed to strengthen their offensive line. However, despite the need, the 49ers took the opportunity to get deeper at two positions that have lacked depth in recent years.

In addition to the draft the 49ers have signed 17 undrafted free agents, some of which have real possibility of making the 53 man roster – despite having a rich injury history. In fact, if it weren’t for their injuries, they could have potentially had more complete college careers and been drafted. Let’s take a look at some of the formerly injured undrafted free agents who have the potential to make the 49ers’ roster.

Jewel Hampton, RB, Southern Illinois

Hampton signs with a 49ers team that has a lot of depth now at the running back position. Here is a list of potential running backs the 49ers have on their roster: Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter, Anthony Dixon, LaMichael James, and Brandon Jacobs. Hampton could make the 49ers’ roster and bump off players such as Dixon and Jacobs. I remember Hampton being on track to become a big star before tearing both of his ACLs while playing at Iowa. Another 49er suffered two major knee injuries and turned out just fine – his name is Frank Gore. It will be a challenge for Hampton to make the roster, but I have no doubts that fans will enjoy this player during the preseason and root for him to do so.

Chris Owusu, Stanford, WR

Owusu is another player who could have gone in the draft if it weren’t for three concussions in his last two years at Stanford. At the combine Owusu ran a 4.36 40-yard dash and although he was limited in his junior and senior seasons with Stanford, in 33 career games he caught 102 passes for 1534 yards and 10 touchdowns. Like Hampton, Owusu is facing a 49ers roster that is significantly deeper at the wide receiver position. However, since the need for wide receivers is greater than that for multiple running backs Owusu could easily make the 49ers’ roster and potentially bump a player like Kyle Williams to the practice squad.

Kourtnei Brown, Clemson, LB

Brown was a player who never put up a lot of numbers during his college career, but was another player to struggle through injuries. Brown is a long, athletic pass rusher who was slowed by groin, ankle and knee injuries – limiting his opportunities to produce. Brown was able to put himself on the map with standout performance against North Carolina in the 2011 season. He and Aldon Smith are almost identical in size and having seen what Smith was able to bring to the table in 2011, I’m excited to see Brown join the 49ers as an evolving pass rusher.

The 49ers have built a deep, talented football team that really has put San Francisco back on the map. These players mentioned, including the other undrafted free agents and those taken in the later rounds will only help make the 49ers a more complete football team. What other undrafted free agent signing are you excited about? Do you think others have a better shot at making the team than those I mentioned?

David is co-founder of wrapupp sports blog where fresh content is posted daily and present sports blogs and sports opinions – all with a West Coast bias. Growing up in the Bay Area, David is a huge supporter of all the local sports teams; the Giants, Athletics, Warriors, Sharks, 49ers, and Raiders. His one fault, admittedly, as many of his friends and family would say, is his love for the Los Angeles Lakers. Growing up, Magic Johnson was his favorite basketball player and he fell in love with the team. He chalks it up to, “Not knowing any better”. Now his love for sports has turned just as academic as it is intuitive and he follows most all sports all over the nation.

You can follow David on Twitter: @officialwrapupp

Sources:

49ers.com. 49ers Announce Undrafted Free Agents. NFL 2012.

More from David Mehrwein and the Yahoo! Contributor Network:

San Francisco Giants Look to Rebound Against Milwaukee Brewers: Fan Preview

San Francisco Giants’ Manager Bruce Bochy: A Look Inside His Logic – Fan Breakdown

San Francisco 49ers’ Jim Harbaugh “Coach’s Notebook: April 28″ – Fan Reaction

San Francisco 49ers’ LaMichael James Ready to Contribute: Fan Reaction

San Francisco 49ers Select LaMichael James in Second Round of 2012 NFL Draft: Fan Reaction

While it feels like just yesterday that the NFL season ended with Super Bowl XLVI, it’s already been nearly three months since the season has ended. I remember thinking that the 2012 NFL Draft and season seemed so far away, but now we’re staring them right in the face.

While I’ve already previewed some of the players the 49ers could take with their 30th overall pick, I thought about other ways we could see what kind of talent could fall to the 49ers. Given that this year’s draft isn’t for another three days (on April 26), the next best thing to do was to look at previous drafts. The 49ers will draft 30th in the first round, so let’s take a look at some notable players who have been drafted with the 30th overall pick since the 2000 NFL Draft.

Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts, WR (2001)

Wayne is probably the best player to be taken 30th overall so far in the 2000s. While he was drafted to compliment star receiver Marvin Harrison, he carved out his own star in Indianapolis. Wayne is a Super Bowl champion (XLI), a three-time All-Pro selection (2007, 2009, 2010), and a five-time Pro Bowl selection (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010). Despite missing Peyton Manning in 2011, Wayne still caught 75 passes for 960 yards and four touchdowns. If the 49ers can get the longevity out of their 30th overall pick like the Colts have with Wayne, I’d be more than happy.

Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers, TE (2005)

Miller is a tight end who contributed right out of the gates for the Pittsburgh Steelers. In his rookie season, the 6’5” 256 lb. tight end caught 39 passes for 459 yards and six touchdowns. Since then, Miller has been a consistent target for Ben Roethlisberger and has helped the Steelers to two Super Bowl titles. If the 49ers grab a player as consistent and healthy as Miller has been for the Steelers, Super Bowl title number six might not be far away for San Francisco.

Dustin Keller, New York Jets, TE (2008)

Keller is another tight end who has brought some consistency to the NFL. Since joining the league in 2008 he has caught at least 45 passes and over 500 yards each season. His best year came in 2011 when he caught 65 passes for 815 yards and five touchdowns – all while starting just 12 games. Keller is a solid tight end who shows why a player like Coby Fleener – a name connected with the 49ers – could make a big impact as the 30th overall pick.

Kenny Britt, Tennessee Titans, WR (2009)

Out of the gates, Britt showed exactly why the Titans drafted him when they did. His rookie season was solid, amassing 701 yards on 42 receptions and three touchdowns. However, it was his sophomore campaign that opened up the eyes of the Titans. He started just seven games – played 12 games total – while on his way to a 42 reception, 775 yard season with nine touchdowns. In his NFL career to date, he has averaged 17.5 yards per catch and if it weren’t for a torn MCL and ACL in the third game of 2011, it could have been his breakout season as a full-time starter. Should the 49er draft a receiver with Britt’s work ethic and progression, it would be a welcome sight after what has been a disappointment with Michael Crabtree.

Overall, the 49ers are setup for success with their roster in its current state. However, that doesn’t mean the draft won’t be a good way for the team to add depth and acquire talent that could only help them in the long run. While all signs point to the 49ers drafting an offensive lineman, wide receiver or tight end with their first pick, no one will really know until we hear Roger Goodell say, “With the 30th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers select…”

Let’s just hope it’s a good one.

David is co-founder of wrapupp sports blog where fresh content is posted daily and present sports blogs and sports opinions – all with a West Coast bias. Growing up in the Bay Area, David is a huge supporter of all the local sports teams; the Giants, Athletics, Warriors, Sharks, 49ers, and Raiders. His one fault, admittedly, as many of his friends and family would say, is his love for the Los Angeles Lakers. Growing up, Magic Johnson was his favorite basketball player and he fell in love with the team. He chalks it up to, “Not knowing any better”. Now his love for sports has turned just as academic as it is intuitive and he follows most all sports all over the nation.

You can follow David on Twitter: @officialwrapupp

Sources:

NFL.com. NFL Draft History. NFL 2012.

More from David Mehrwein and the Yahoo! Contributor Network:

Who Will the San Francisco 49ers Take in the First Round of the 2012 NFL Draft? Fan Question

The San Francisco 49ers Broke Ground in Santa Clara, What’s Next? Fan Question

San Francisco 49ers’ Worst Draft Picks Since 2000: Fan Breakdown

San Francisco 49ers’ Most Anticipated Matchups of 2012: Fan Reaction

Best San Francisco 49ers’ Draft Picks Since 2000: Fan Opinion

The San Francisco 49ers emerged as a contender in the NFC during the 2011 NFL season as a result of their personnel – both coaches and players. The 49ers had one of the league’s best defensive units and had an offense that controlled the ball and did just enough to win games. While new GM Trent Baalke did a lot of work to sign players to help the 49ers, many of the key players were brought in via the NFL Draft.

With the 2012 NFL Draft just ten days away on April 26, I thought it might be nice to look back see some of the best players the 49ers have drafted since 2000. So, without further ado, here are the best 49ers’ draft picks since the 2000 NFL Draft (in chronological order):

Julian Peterson (2000)

Peterson was one of my favorite players with the 49ers in the early 2000s. He was a quick, athletic linebacker who could do it all. In his career with the 49ers (2000-2005) he recorded 394 tackles, 21.5 sacks, and five interceptions in 79 games – all while being elected to two Pro Bowls.

Ahmed Plummer (2000)

Plummer was a promising cornerback who was drafted by the 49ers in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft. If it hadn’t been for his neck, shoulder, and ankle injuries, Plummer could have quickly ascended the NFL ranks as an elite corner. During his career with the 49ers (2000-2006) he recorded 241 tackles, 49 passes defensed, 12 interceptions and one touchdown in 70 games.

Andre Carter (2001)

Carter was a great defensive lineman in college who converted to an outside linebacker with the 49ers due to their 3-4 defensive scheme later in 2005 under Mike Nolan. Prior to that however, Carter was a very effective defensive end with the 49ers that accumulated 154 tackles, 32 sacks, 14 passes defense, and seven forced fumbles in 69 games.

Andy Lee (2004)

While it may be hard to say a punter is a great draft pick, I know I can say that about Andy Lee. He is a Pro Bowl punter who will probably make his was into the Hall of Fame one day for his ridiculous skills. He was a large part of the 49ers’ success in 2011 with his uncanny ability to pin opposing teams deep in their own territory, thus allowing the 49ers to win the field position battle.

Frank Gore (2005)

Coming off of two knee surgeries in college, no one wanted to take a chance on this running back from the University of Miami. He fell to the third round where the 49ers picked him up and now six years, three Pro Bowls, and 7,625 yards later he is the driving force behind the 49ers’ offense.

Vernon Davis (2006)

Davis came out of Maryland and began with his selfish attitude the minute he stepped into the NFL. After a strict encounter with Mike Singletary where Davis was thrown out of a game by his own coach, Davis was a changed man. He is still athletic, fast, and talented, but now, he plays for his teammates and has been critical to the 49ers’ offense since he was drafted.

Patrick Willis (2007)

Willis is the center of the 49ers’ defense and will be for years to come. His presence at middle linebacker rivals that of Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens. In his five years with the 49ers he has been a Pro Bowl nominee each year, he is a four-time first-team All-Pro selection, and was the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2007. Willis is the most athletic, fast, and versatile linebacker I’ve seen play in a long time.

Honorable Mentions: Jeff Ulbrich (2000), Dashon Goldson (2007), and Aldon Smith (2011)

David is co-founder of wrapupp sports blog where fresh content is posted daily and present sports blogs and sports opinions – all with a West Coast bias. Growing up in the Bay Area, David is a huge supporter of all the local sports teams; the Giants, Athletics, Warriors, Sharks, 49ers, and Raiders. His one fault, admittedly, as many of his friends and family would say, is his love for the Los Angeles Lakers. Growing up, Magic Johnson was his favorite basketball player and he fell in love with the team. He chalks it up to, “Not knowing any better”. Now his love for sports has turned just as academic as it is intuitive and he follows most all sports all over the nation.

You can follow David on Twitter: @officialwrapupp

Sources:

Pro Football Reference. 49ers’ Franchise History and Player Profiles. NFL 2012.

More from David Mehrwein and the Yahoo! Contributor Network:

San Francisco Giants’ Closer Brian Wilson Face Possible Elbow Surgery; Who Will Replace Him? Fan Question

San Francisco Giants’ Emotional Home Opener: Fan Reaction

Los Angeles Lakers’ Win Over San Antonio Spurs Without Kobe Bryant is Impressive: Fan Reaction

San Francisco Giants’ Madison Bumgarner’s Turn for Redemption: Fan Preview

Best things about being a San Francisco Giants’ Fan: Fan Breakdown