Randy Moss: "I'm the greatest receiver to ever play this game"

Randy Moss #84 of the San Francisco 49ers answers questions from the media during Super Bowl XLVII Media Day ahead of Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 29, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. / Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Super Tuesday (aka Super Bowl media day) is a generally a time for players to speak in cliches, reflect on their careers and crack jokes.

Or, in the case of San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Randy Moss, it's a time to declare yourself the greatest ever at your position.

• The road to Super Bowl XLVII on CBSSports.com

"I don't really live on numbers, I live on impact, what you are able to do out on the field. I really do think that I'm the greatest receiver to ever play this game," he told reporters in the Superdome. "Now that I am older I do think I am the greatest receiver to ever do it. I don't think numbers stand because this year has been a down year for me statistically."

10 Photos

Super Bowl XLVII: 10 things to know

It's obvious that Moss doesn't rely heavily on numbers because they don't back up his claim. Statistics say another player who wore the 49er uniform - Hall of Famer Jerry Rice - is the greatest wide receiver of all time.

Rice finished his career with 1,549 receptions, 197 touchdown catches and 22,895 yards. The 35-year-old Moss has tallied 982 catches, 156 touchdowns and 15,292 yards in his career. Moss, who came out of retirement last year, had 28 receptions for 434 yards and three touchdowns in the regular season for San Francisco.

Super Bowls in New Orleans: A video history

"Moss is an otherworldly talent and one of the greatest wideouts the NFL has ever seen," writes CBSSports.com's Will Brinson from New Orleans. "But the greatest? Naw. That's Rice."

For the record, Rice is a guy who believes in statistics.

"Put my numbers up against his numbers," Rice told ESPN's Adam Schefter after hearing about Moss' bold declaration.

[michaelamsterdam]

Hmmmmm...Jerry Rice's four and a third MILES of career reception yardage against the egotistical ranting of a braggart like Randy Moss...

Which to choose...which to choose?

[fwupow]

That's a topic a player should simply never touch. It's up to everybody else to decide such a thing. Muhammad Ali called himself "The Greatest" all the time, but everybody chalked it up to self-aggrandizing showboating that boxers always do before fights. To say 'I'm the best' or 'the greatest ever' as a serious statement, will never be a winning thing to do.

[greennnnnn-2009]

Yep, I concur. If you're that great, no one needs to be told by you. They'll know themselves.

[hbullis]

I just noticed his hat is sized to fit the big head he has. Better tighten it up before your ears are as out of place as your thinking.

[hbullis]

He must be practicing for stand up..

[GnuLoCo]

Put your hat on straight you slob.

[posavea]

The boy got jokes! Jim & 49ers FTW

[hypnotoad72]

Go back to hitting cops with your car, you egocentric, antisocial noncontributor to society.

http://football.about.com/od/nationalfootballleague/a/mossantics.htm

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/news/2002/09/24/moss_arrested/