Moss Lands a $75-Million Deal

Randy Moss almost got his wish.

The Minnesota Viking receiver, who wanted to be the highest-paid player in the NFL, agreed Wednesday to an eight-year, $75-million deal that makes him the highest-paid nonquarterback in the league and third best-paid player overall. Only Drew Bledsoe of the New England Patriots and Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers make more.

“It was important for him to be recognized not only as the best wide receiver in the game, but as one of the best players in the league,” said Dante DiTrapano, Moss’ agent.

Moss, 24, has proven that in three seasons with 226 receptions for 4,163 yards and 43 touchdowns, the best for any receiver over that period in NFL history, including Jerry Rice.

Quarterback Jeff Garcia agreed to a six-year, $36-million contract with the San Francisco 49ers.

Garcia, 31, made the Pro Bowl last season after passing for 31 touchdowns and a team-record 4,278 yards. It was his only his second NFL season and his first as a full-time starter, but the 49ers were thrilled by his aggressive play and maturity.

Chris Weinke may not have to wait long to earn NFL riches.

The Carolina Panthers’ rookie quarterback could earn as much as $20 million in five years through an incentive-laden contract, according to documents released by the NFL Players Assn.

The Buffalo Bills placed linebacker Corey Moore on the physically-unable-to-perform list, saying he needs more time to recover after being shot in the leg seven weeks ago.

Moore has said he was shot in the early hours of June 1 in his hometown of Brownsville, Tenn., when someone walked up to his vehicle and shot him through the open driver’s window.

With No. 1 pick LaDainian Tomlinson’s impasse with the San Diego Chargers continuing, the team reached terms with running back Madre Hill of NFL Europe’s Berlin Thunder. . . . The New York Jets signed second-round pick Lamont Jordan, a running back, and third-round pick Kareem McKenzie, an offensive tackle. . . . Offensive guard Steve Hutchinson, a first-round pick from Michigan, agreed to terms with the Seattle Seahawks. . . . The New York Jets signed their second- and third-round draft picks, running back Lamont Jordan and offensive tackle Kareem McKenzie. . . . The Packers signed former Florida State defensive end Jamal Reynolds, their first-round draft choice, to a multiyear contract. . . . The Miami Dolphins signed first-round draft pick Jamar Fletcher, a cornerback from Wisconsin, to a five-year contract. . . . Defensive end Paul Toviessi, the Denver Broncos’ second-round draft pick, signed a four-year, $2.6-million contract. . . . The Bills agreed to terms with their two second-round draft picks, defensive end Aaron Schobel and running back Travis Henry.

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DEEP PURPLE

If Randy Moss continues at his current pace, he will have amassed career totals of 828 receptions for 15,265 yards and 157 touchdowns by the end of his new eight-year, $75-million contract. Below is a look at how Moss compares with NFL career leaders in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns.

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Receptions

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Player Seasons Career total Career season avg. x-Jerry Rice 16 1,281 80.1 x-Cris Carter 14 1,020 72.6 x-Andre Reed 16 950 59.4 x-Randy Moss 3 226 75.3

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Receiving yards

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Player Seasons Career total Career season avg. x-Jerry Rice 16 19,291 1,205.7 James Lofton 16 14,004 875.2 Henry Ellard 16 13,748 859.3 x-Randy Moss 3 4,163 1,387.7

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Touchdowns

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Player Seasons Career total Career season avg. x-Jerry Rice 16 187 11.7 x-Cris Carter 14 124 8.6 Steve Largent 14 100 7.1 x-Randy Moss 3 43 14.3

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