SANTA CLARA – If the opposing crowd is booing, you must be doing something right.

That's Randy Moss' mindset when it comes to the jeers, catcalls and cascades of boos that have rained upon him in enemy territory throughout his career. One thing he has yet to experience, however, are boos aimed at him in the Metrodome in Minneapolis, the site of Sunday's 49ers-Vikings game.

Moss, 35, spent the first seven years of his career and part of 2010 there, but he's not set foot in the Metrodome wearing another team's uniform.

Moss spoke warmly Wednesday of his time with the Vikings. He praised his first coach, Dennis Green, for not listening to "all the nonsense and B.S. that was said during the draft" and for taking Moss in the first round, 21st overall, in 1998.

He said he had fun playing with former Vikings such as Randall McDaniel and John Randle, and that he enjoyed seeing them inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recent years.

And he admitted he didn't know exactly what kind of reception he will get Sunday.

"You hear the applause – of course you do – and you hear the boos," Moss said. "But I think the boos, just being negative, put more pressure on you to go out and hush that noise up. I look forward to hearing both. Like I said, I'm a 49er now, and hopefully we can go into the Metrodome and come out of there 3-0."

Moss said he wasn't surprised by the 49ers' fast start on offense. Through two games, quarterback Alex Smith trails only Atlanta's Matt Ryan in passer rating, and the 49ers' offense has been efficient and balanced and mostly mistake-free.

Moss said the success is because of all the work during the offseason.

"They worked the hell out of us," Moss said. "I didn't really have a day off in training camp. I didn't have a day off in the teaching school or minicamp. My focus was just to come in and work. Work, work, work and keep working. Like I said, hard work pays off. And being 2-0, it shows how hard we worked because we played two good teams."

Lest fans think that Moss has grown warm and fuzzy and media-friendly, there was one topic he avoided – playing time. The wide receiver was in on only 16 snaps against the Lions, and he caught just one pass for 14 yards.

Is he concerned about the number of snaps he saw?

"No, I'm not," he said curtly. "Next question."

Back to Bakhtiari – The 49ers signed outside linebacker Eric Bakhtiari, 27, to fill in while Clark Haggans serves his three-game suspension.

Bakhtiari, who is from nearby Burlingame, was with the 49ers throughout the offseason, and he led the team with 2 1/2 sacks during the preseason. Haggans can return to the active roster Oct. 8.

"I look at it from the perspective of getting into my playbook, getting more comfortable with the team, the coaches and players," Haggans said. "Work out, stay in shape and then just try to hit the ground running when I can."

Et cetera – Smith has a prominent scab on the bridge of his nose, a wound he got when Lions safety John Wendling threw his forearm at Smith's helmet as Smith was sliding. Offensive tackle Joe Staley, who suffered a similar wound this season and who may be the funniest 49er, is now referring to himself and Smith as "Nose Bros."

• Receiver Ted Ginn (ankle) returned to practice but removed himself from the session after running a few routes. He was listed as "limited" on the team's injury report. Running back Brandon Jacobs (knee) did not practice.

• After a review, the NFL split a disputed sack in Sunday's game between Aldon Smith and Ray McDonald. Smith now has 21/2 sacks this season.

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