Filed Under » Randy Moss

Randy Moss participated in OTA's with the San Francisco 49ers yesterday and his coaches and teammates couldn't be happier.

"Randy showed up on time and did what he was asked to do," said head coach Jim Harbaugh. "It was a real delight to see. He's really started to mature."

The 35 year-old receiver was out of football last season after jumping around between three teams during the 2010 season. The 49ers signed him to a one-year contract this winter to give Moss what is likely his best, last shot in the NFL.

"I wouldn't say he was overly friendly," said quarterback Alex Smith. "Or even nice. However, he didn't come up to me and tell me that I suck ass, which is what I expected him to. He didn't spit on me, or kick me in the nuts or take a piss in my locker or anything like that. It was really encouraging."

Former NFL receiver Randy Moss has announced that he plans to return to the NFL in 2012. Moss last played for three NFL teams two years ago and posted career lows in catches and reception yards. But after a year away from the game, Moss — now 35 years-old — said "the fire still burns" to "make millions and millions of dollars and be very wealthy."

"Being away from the game this past season was tough," he said. "I'd check my bank account and there wouldn't be any six-figure sums deposited into it. That's when I knew that I loved football."

The former Vikings, Raiders, Patriots, Vikings again and Titans receiver says he wants to make the most of his abilities while he still can.

"God gives you certain gifts and it's up to you to make the most money as possible off of them," said Moss. "I don't want to look back 10 years from now, broke and think: 'Damn, I could've made another $15 million had I stuck around.' Those are the kind of regrets that stick with a man. Especially because teams have always been willing to pay me a lot of money even though I barely even try out on the field. It was an easy choice. I do almost nothing and get rich. It's found money. Oh, and the love of football and stuff."

Tom Brady says Randy Moss is responsible. Hard-working. He has vouched for him in the press.

And Brady shows he means what he says by letting his star wide receiver babysit his newborn son.

Despite a play that called for him to run a hitch-and-go on Sunday, Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss instead decided before the ball was snapped to run a sigh pattern.

"Fhhhhhhhh," Moss sighed, as the play began, first walking off the line of scrimmage before almost getting up to a slow jog by the time Patriots quarteback Tom Brady threw the ball 30 yards over his head — where he was supposed to be. "I just don't feel like it today. We're 7-5. What's the point?"

Moss said he almost half-heartedly raised his hand over his head as the ball flew over him, but didn't think he was up to it.

"I was running a sigh pattern. That would have been a bitch-and-go," he said, shrugging his shoulders and lifting his hands on "go."

Oh the next play Moss changed a slant route into a sleep route and then, on the next play, instead of running a post just leaned against a post near the sidelines.

"Tom said 'post,' so I leaned on a f—king post," said Moss. "It's not my fault they're not more specific with their language. How was I supposed to know? These are the same problems I had with the Raiders. It's not me."

The Patriots' quarterback defended his receiver against charges of loafing.

"Whoever is saying that needs to shut their mouth," said Brady. "Randy Moss doesn't loaf. Loafing means you do what you're supposed to, just in a half-hearted manner. Randy doesn't do that. Randy doesn't quit half-hearted. He quits with everything he's got. He's a true professional."