The Randy Moss who will face the Patriots Sunday night at Gillette Stadium isn’t the same guy who left New England two-plus years ago. The 35-year-old wide receiver, in his 14th season in the league, is a step slower, and often has to rely on the fact that opposing defenses neglect him while focusing on the younger and more high-impact members of the Niners’ offense. But he can still take advantage of an opposing defenses’ mistakes if given the opportunity, and has become a complementary part of one of the best offenses in the league.

At his peak, he was undefendable, a funhouse combination of speed, size and attitude that kept defensive coordinators (and his own coaches, at times) awake at night. He was a lot of things, but he was never boring. But now, in the autumn of his sporting years, he’s transitioned it the role of dependable veteran. He’s still reticent to go over the middle, but he can occasionally beat you deep. Through 13 games, Moss has 21 catches (on 37 targets) for 326 yards -- an average of 15.5 yards per catch -- and two touchdowns. On the Niners, he’s fourth on the team in receptions and yardage, and second on the team in yards per catch. His best all-around outing of the year came in the season opener against the Packers, when he had four catches (on four targets) for 47 yards and a touchdown.

Rewatching coaches film of his first few months with the Niners, it’s clear the 6-foot-4, 210-pounder can still get good separation from time to time, and when he does have a pass come his way, chances are mostly good he’s going to come away with the ball. (His catch rate of 21 receptions on 37 targets -- 57 percent -- is considered above average for a deep threat.) But most of the time, instead of using his physical skills to blow by people, it’s more about taking advantage of opponents’ mistakes. His touchdown against the Packers was a 14-yarder where he lined up in the slot and just took off downfield. There was confusion in Green Bay’s coverage scheme -- it appeared to be a miscommunication between a nickel back and safety -- and Moss was wide open, hauling in the pass from Alex Smith. 

Of course, there are still times where he can wake up the echoes and remind us all of just how great he really was. In a loss to the Giants earlier this season in San Francisco, he caught a season-high 55-yard pass from Smith: Midway through the third quarter, the Niners were facing a 2nd and nine from their own 16-yard line. Moss was lined up wide left, and had young corner Prince Amukamara playing about 5-6 yards off him. No matter. He ran across the middle of the field -- taking advantage of the Giants’ safeties taking a huge bite on the play-action fake while flying right through the secondary -- eventually passing Amukamara near midfield. Smith alertly spotted him behind the defense, and delivered a strike to Moss on a nicely thrown deep ball. (For what it’s worth, it looked a lot like the touchdown catch he made in the 2007 season opener for New England against the Jets)

However, while Moss can still turn on the jets from time to time, whether it’s Smith or Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco does not possess a quick-strike offense, at least when it comes to passing the ball. (And when it does pass the ball, the Niners would be foolish not to utilize the talents of receiver Michael Crabtree -- 66 catches, 761 yards, five TDs -- and tight end Vernon Davis -- 38 catches, 506 yards, five TDs -- who are their two best pass catchers.) They are 19th in the league with 38 pass plays of 20 yards or more, and are tied for 11th in the NFL with seven pass plays of 40 or more yards.

Instead, the Niners run the ball just about better than anyone in the league -- their 161.5 yards per game is second-best in the league, and they average an amazing 5.3 yards per carry, tied for second-best in the league. San Francisco is at its best when it’s grinding down an opponent with a punishing, physical offense. In all, that means fewer chances in the passing game, and by association, fewer chances for Moss. (The Niners 346 pass attempts are second-lowest in the league.)

To give you some idea of where Moss is at at this stage of his career, the last few games, the Patriots have decided to stick their best corner (Aqib Talib) on the opponents’ best receiver. He’s gone up against the likes of Reggie Wayne and Andre Johnson. But on Sunday night (as long as he’s healthy after suffering a hip injury in the first half of last Monday’s game against the Texans), Talib will likely be asked to go head-to-head with Crabtree, the most dependable of the Niners’ receivers. Moss may not even see Alfonzo Dennard, considered to be the Patriots second best corner. Instead, it could be a combo of coverages that include Kyle Arrington.

(Moss could have a bigger role that initially anticipated Sunday, as the status of wide receiver Mario Manningham -- you might remember him from this -- remains in question. Manningham didn’t practice on Wednesday, as he is dealing with a right shoulder issue. Manningham is considered the second wide receiver in the San Francisco offense with 41 catches on 53 targets for 449 yards and a touchdown through 13 games.)

Could he be doing bigger and better things if he was in a pass-first offense with a strong-armed quarterback? Even at the age of 35, probably. Moss has always been a smart receiver, and by watching him on his routes this season, it’s clear he still has the ability to make a young corner swing and miss. And the fact that he’s on pace to catch 26 passes this season at the age of 35 after spending a whole year out of the league is nothing short of awesome. (In fact, it could very well be the last time Patriots’ fans get a chance to see him play in person. If that’s the case, make sure you get a good look at No. 84 Sunday night, because whatever happens, it’s unlikely we’ll ever see a receiver like him around these parts for a long time.)

It’s unlikely there will be any classic Moss moments when the Niners meet New England Monday night -- the Patriots are far more concerned about the possibility of getting beaten by the likes of Frank Gore, Davis, Crabtree or Kaepernick. But as we’ve seen over the years, even with his diminished role, don’t figure on Moss being boring. Who knows -- if we’re lucky, we might even get an old-school Moss celebration move. Just don’t expect an old-school level of production from No. 84.