CSN Washington's Rich Tandler expects both Santana Moss and Chris Cooley to make the Redskins' 53-man roster.

Tandler lists both on the bubble, but thinks their veteran presence will be key in Robert Griffin III's development. Moss is owed $2.65 million and is fourth on the receiver depth chart. Cooley is due $3.8 million and has lost his starting job to Fred Davis. Moss is the best bet to stick, but Washington's cap situation is very tight, so it wouldn't be shocking to see both players move on.


(rotoworld.com)

The Washington Redskins believe Robert Griffin III represents the answer to a longstanding question at quarterback.

Here's the next question: Who will he throw to?

Rosenthal explored this topic Monday, citing the somewhat awkward makeup of a receiving group in Washington that lacks a clear star, but offers depth.

The top four wideouts read as follows, in no official order: Pierre Garçon, Josh Morgan, Leonard Hankerson and Santana Moss.

Coach Mike Shanahan hinted Sunday that Moss might be the odd man out in three-receiver sets.

"We'll let that play out," Shanahan told The Washington Post, "but when you go after a guy like (Garçon) and you go after a guy like (Morgan), you've got a guy like Leonard Hankerson, you know there are three guys right at the top of the list that are playmakers, and that's what we're looking for."

Last season was a mess for Moss. His 46 catches for 584 yards and four scores were partly the result of a broken hand that sidelined him for four games. Shanahan indicated Moss never really hit his groove after the injury, but complemented the wideout's ability to get back into shape.

Moss turns 34 this season. His starting days appear over, but we're having this conversation in May. His experience is an asset and, besides, in today's NFL, a fourth receiver has an ample chance to show he belongs higher up the list.


(nfl.com)

WR Santana Moss did not play with the same speed or explosiveness in 2011 that he had in the past. One reason: He wasn't in top shape. That's not the case anymore, though as coach Mike Shanahan said the slot WR has lost 15 pounds since the season ended. At 33, Moss needs to have a strong offseason to avoid getting cut after June 1. The Redskins have other options in the slot (Josh Morgan, Leonard Hankerson), but a resurgent Moss would help too.


(cbssports.com)

Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said Santana Moss is in "excellent shape" and 15 pounds lighter than he finished last season.

Moss' roster spot was expected to be in jeopardy after the additions of Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan. Things are looking up now, however, after Moss reported in good shape in addition to the team cutting Jabar Gaffney. Moss is expected to compete for reps with Leonard Hankerson and Morgan behind Garcon.


(rotoworld.com)

John Keim of the Washington Examiner suspects that Santana Moss' role and roster spot may depend on his conditioning entering camp.

"The key for Moss is to have a really good offseason," Keim said. "They weren't pleased with him last year. ... He wasn't in the best shape of his career, I'll say that." Moss is expected to be no more than the Redskins' No. 3/slot receiver, leaving him off the 2012 fantasy draft radar behind Pierre Garcon and Leonard Hankerson. Moss could also be released in late August.


(rotoworld.com)

A big name in sports was scheduled to hold a fundraiser for Miami-Dade Commissioner Barbara Jordan this weekend: pro football star Santana Moss.

Moss, a wide receiver for the Washington Redskins, grew up in Carol City, which is in Jordan’s commission district.

Jordan is one of four commissioners up for reelection who are being targeted for defeat by wealthy auto magnate Norman Braman. She has already drawn an opponent, Wade Jones.

“Santana believes that children deserve the opportunity for academic achievement that enables them to realize their potential,” a press release for the event said. “So does Barbara Jordan.”

The cocktail reception was scheduled for Saturday night at the Kyma Lounge at the posh Epic Hotel in downtown Miami. Tickets cost $100.


(miamiherald.com)

In the past calendar year, the Redskins have drafted three wide receivers in Leonard Hankerson (third round), Niles Paul (fifth), and Aldrick Robinson (sixth) and added two young wide receivers in free agency, Pierre Garçon and Joshua Morgan.

Last summer, in moves that were delayed by the NFL lockout, the Redskins also secured the services of two older receivers in Jabar Gaffney (trade with Denver) and holdover Santana Moss, who had become an unrestricted free agent.

The addition of the five younger players plus the presence of holdovers Anthony Armstrong, Terrence Austin and Brandon Banks and a possible 2012 draft pick set up a chance for a battle between elder statesmen Moss and Gaffney for a roster spot.

Who would have the best chance of winning such a battle? Let’s look at the tale of the tape.

Age: Since this is about a youth movement, let’s get age out of the way first. Moss will be 33 when the season starts. Gaffney will be 31 on opening day and will turn 32 on Dec. 1. Moss is exactly a year and a half older than Gaffney. That’s not a huge difference but still significant.

2011 production: Moss had 46 receptions for 584 yards and four touchdowns last season. He did miss four games with a broken hand, but even if your project his numbers out over 16 games, you get 61/778/5, and even that would represent his worst season since 2002, his second year in the league. Gaffney had career highs in receptions with 68 and yards with 947. He also tied a career high with five touchdown receptions.

Last three years production: Was 2011 just an off year for Moss? Let’s go back a few seasons and see who has been more productive. Gaffney 2009-10 with Denver and 2011 in Washington had 187/2,254/9 (12.1 yards/catch) and Moss 2009-2011 with Washington 209/2,601/13 (12.4 yards/catch). Clearly Moss has had better production in recent seasons.

Run blocking: Everybody knows that this is important in Mike Shanahan’s offense, and if two players are close, it could be the deciding factor in who stays and who goes. The guys at Pro Football Focus rated Moss as about average when run blocking, while Gaffney was scored at -3.7, a couple of notches below average.

Salary cap: Yes, this is as much of a factor as any on-field measurables are. Gaffney counts $2.65 million against the cap, while Moss counts $4.816 million. There would be no dead cap to account for if Gaffney were traded or released. Moss would save $1.484 million if he were traded or released before June 1 and $3.15 million if released after June 1.

The salary cap is important. One of them might not make it to training camp because of that. And, certainly, both players could make it, although we’ll know more about that after the draft.


(csnwashigton.com)

Santana Moss, who was known for evading defenders on the way to the endzone at the University of Miami    , and who is now as a receiver with the Washington Redskins    , has dodged a foreclosure over his Lighthouse Point home.

Moss and his wife sold the house at 3201 N.E. 27 Ave. for $2.1 million to Richard G. Zahn and Michele W. Zahn on March 22. The apparent short sale resolves a foreclosure lawsuit that Duetsche Bank, representing a mortgage-backed securities (MBS) trust, filed in December agains Moss over a mortgage issued for $3.64 million in 2006.

Moss also got a federal tax lien released recently.

Moss bought the 9,304-square-foot home for $5.2 million in 2006, so he sold it for 60 percent less than the purchase price.

Still, Moss has a pretty good income stream. In 2011, he signed a three-year, $15 million contract with the Redskins that included a $5 million signing bonus. The Redskins are expected to draft a quarterback with their number two overall pick in April's NFL draft, so his receiving stats might improve.


(bizjournals.com)

The Redskins desperately wanted more competition at receiver, which led to multiple signings at the position. But they could still release Santana Moss after June 1, which would give an additional salary-cap easement. If Moss can restructure his deal, he still could be back in the mix. But in no way is his place on the team assured.


(profootballweekly.com)

The Washington Times suggests Santana Moss will have a "difficult" time fitting onto the Redskins after Wednesday's acquisitions of Josh Morgan and Pierre Garcon, and flirtations with free agent Eddie Royal.
Beat writer Rich Campbell also notes that the Redskins would save $2.83 million under the salary cap if they released Moss and designated him as a post-June 1 cut. Moss no longer appears to have a spot in Washington's three-receiver sets, and he doesn't contribute on special teams. (Same goes for Jabar Gaffney.) Don't look for Moss to be on the Redskins' roster in 2012.


(rotoworld.com)

Tuesday’s signings of Josh Morgan and Pierre Garcon are intended to upgrade the Redskins’ receiver corps, but they are inevitably going to cost other wideouts roster spots.

As the Washington Times‘ Rich Campbell hints, longtime leading receiver Santana Moss could be on the chopping block.

Moss, who turns 33 in June, is due a $2.65 million salary. Per Campbell, the Redskins would save $1.3 million if they released Moss before June 1, and $2.83 million if they released Moss with the post-June 1 designation.

Cutting Moss is all but a no-brainer for Washington. The club is flirting with free agent Eddie Royal to take his slot position in three-receiver sets, and Moss already lost his job in the base offense to Garcon.


(profootballtalk.com)

The Redskins begin the first full day of the new league year with a revamped receiving corps. Pierre Garcon is their new No. 1 receiver. Josh Morgan is expected to push Leonard Hankerson for the other starting spot, with Hankerson coming off hip labrum surgery.

Signing Garcon and Morgan and pursuing Eddie Royal is a scathing indictment of the 2011 receiving corps. Not that that's surprising. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan lamented the team's lack of playmakers at the end of last season, so the Redskins bought some players they believe will fill the void.

Thursday's moves, however, make it somewhat difficult to see how Santana Moss fits into this new group. He signed a three-year, $15 million deal with Washington last summer, but whether he lasts through the end of it is in doubt.

In the three seasons from 2008 through 2010, Moss averaged 5.42, 5.46 and 5.37 yards after the catch, respectively. In 2011, at age 32, he averaged only 3.8 in 12 games. That's a significant drop off. Consider that Garcon - who is positioned to take Moss's starting X receiver spot - averaged 5.2 in 2011.

Moss must report to the Redskins' offseason program determined to get in superb physical condition and prove he has the legs to be the explosive after-the-catch player he once was. Otherwise, the Redskins must consider these numbers:

Moss approached the new league year accounting for $4.6 million against the Redskins' 2012 cap. Washington would save $1.3 million by releasing him before June 1 and $2.83 million after June 1.

At the very least, Tuesday's moves marked the end of Moss' celebrated seven-year run as Washington's top receiver. He ranks fourth on the franchise's all-time receiving yards (6,726) and catches (488) lists behind only Art Monk, Charley Taylor and Gary Clark. We'll see if he'll earn the chance to add to those totals.


(washingtontimes.com)

Did you buy a house in 2006 at the top of the housing bubble? You still living in that house? You paying on a house that’s $3mm underwater? Would you blame Santana Moss if he quit paying on his house near Ft. Lauderdale? Not us. Dude has to be careful with his cash. Losing that house doesn’t mean much. But, it’s another thing that the IRS wants money Moss seems to owe them. That’s a double whammy for a dude who got a $5mm signing bonus last summer. As for the pad that he bought in 2006, he’s been trying to sell it since May 2011. Now, the South Florida Business Journal says the bank is coming to get paid. So it is surprising that Duetsche Bank, representing a mortgage-backed securities (MBS) trust, would allege that Moss has gone into default on a mortgage issued for $3.64 million in 2006. Further compounding his trouble, the IRS filed a $258,017 tax lien in November in Broward County Circuit Court against Moss. It concerned his taxes from 2006. ...


(yardbarker.com)

What is up with Santana Moss? The wide receiver has a three-year, $15 million contract with the Redskins — so why is his Florida mansion facing possible foreclosure? The South Florida Business Journal reported that his lender alleges Moss has defaulted on his $5.2 million waterfront place near Ft. Lauderdale. Our own public record search indicates he got a similar notice last fall for a much smaller home in Ocala, Fl. — one of several properties he owns in the state. Plus, the feds filed a quarter-million-dollar lien against him in connection with his taxes. Neither Moss nor his agent returned our messages.


(washingtonpost.com)

Comments

Duetsche Bank has flagged Washington Redskins receiver Santana Moss for not paying the mortgage on his Lighthouse Point home.

The former University of Miami    Hurricane great was signed to a three-year, $15 million contract with the Redskins in July that also included a $5 million signing bonus. So it is surprising that Duetsche Bank, representing a mortgage-backed securities (MBS) trust, would allege that Moss has gone into default on a mortgage issued for $3.64 million in 2006.

Further compounding his trouble, the IRS filed a $258,017 tax lien in November in Broward County Circuit Court against Moss. It concerned his taxes from 2006.

A call to Drew Rosenhaus, Moss’ Miami-based agent, wasn’t immediately returned.

It has been a rough year on the field for the former Pro Bowl player. Not only did his Redskins miss the playoffs, but Moss missed four games with a broken hand. However, he was coming off a 2010 campaign where he caught a career-high 93 passes for 1,115 yards and six touchdowns.

With the proceeds of his successful career, Moss bought the 9,304-square-foot home for $5.2 million in 2006. County records show that he maintains his homestead on the property, indicating that it is his primary residence.

Now the speedy Moss will be challenged with the task of slipping by his lender and maintaining possession of his house.


(bizjournals.com)

Ever wonder what an NFL player wants for Christmas? How about what some of the Redskins receiving corps wanted when they were kids?
“I used to get Micro Machines all the time, so those were always good,” Anthony Armstrong. “And there was one time where I got my brother’s gift. I asked for the other gift, but he got it.”

Santana Moss didn’t get the gift he really wanted to give himself.

“I remember one gift that I wanted that I couldn’t get,” he said. “I wanted some gold teeth one time. I saved my money up to get ‘em, I’m about to go get ‘em, and I didn‘t tell my parents, and just something told me just let ‘em know I’m fittin’ to get some golds, and Mom was like, ‘Go ahead, because when you come your stuff will be outside.’ … So I spent the money on something else.”

Instead, he told News4, he used tinfoil to pretend he had gold teeth for a while.


(nbcwashington.com)

It’s a good thing Redskins receiver Santana Moss signed a three-year, $15 million contract at the beginning of this year that guaranteed him $6 million. The Internal Revenue Service has made it known that it wants some of that money.

That’s because, according to the Detroit News, the IRS claims Moss owes the agency more than $258,000. The bad news for Moss (besides the fact you don’t EVER want to be on the bad side of the IRS), is that there’s been a tax lien for $258,017 taken out on his property from taxes not paid in 2006 (he also owns this mansion in Lighthouse Point, Fla., apparently bought for $5.2 million).

While Moss has been simply OK this year (37 catches, 453 yards, three touchdowns), he hasn’t always been wise with his money. In June, we told you about a bingo and entertainment operation in Dothan, Ala.,  that ensnared a number of NFL players, including Moss, who invested money into the project. The plans for the center had been shuttled because the developer pleaded guilty to 10 counts of corruption.

As Yahoo’s Jason Cole reported at the time: “I know four players with $7 million in this thing,” said a source closely connected to some of the athletes. “They keep getting told, ‘It’s going to re-open,’ then it gets pushed back again and again. This is a bad situation for a lot of these players.”

Yet, it sounds like Moss has other things to which he must attend first. Like getting the IRS (and the lien it’s placed on his property) off his back as soon as possible.



(cbssports.com)

The Redskins are eliminated from playoff contention and ensured of yet another losing season. They still have something to play for, says receiver Santana Moss.

“We still out here fighting,” Moss said. “We still out here trying to do what we do — not trying to just pack it up and say it’s all over.”

And they could still impact the playoff race. The Giants and Cowboys are both 7-6 in the NFC East. The Giants have won the lone meeting between the two teams, and they’ll close the season facing each other at New York. A Redskins win this Sunday could certainly damper New York’s hopes, especially considering the Cowboys play at Tampa Bay.

“I’m not a guy to worry about trying to ruin it. But I would love to ruin it,” Moss said. “I’m not going to the game wanting to spoil it for them. I’m going out to the game saying, ‘I want to win regardless, whether they have something to fight for or not.’ But when you’re left where that’s all you can do, why not do it?”

Moss returned to the Washington lineup three weeks ago and posted his third touchdown of the year and a season-high 81 receiving yards last Sunday against New England — 49 of which came on a single pass play. He says he’s seen a lot of growth from the Redskins’ offense in recent weeks and it “gives you hope knowing that we’re doing some of the things and we’re right there.

“Probably a play here or there could make a difference,” he said.

Instead, the Redskins have dropped two straight and eight of the last nine. Still, Moss figures the team can continue to grow and that will carry over into next season.

“We just got to go out there and do what we do to keep what we’re doing for the last four weeks — you know, something that we can really hang our hats on when the season’s over with,” he said.

Moss was outspoken about the officiating following the team’s loss to the Patriots. He was called for pass interference on a crucial play in the closing minutes of the game. Moss disagreed with the call, though Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan later said he agreed with the officials.
Moss said after reviewing the play on film, he still thought it was a bad call.

“It’s over with, though,” he said. “What happened Sunday happened Sunday. I’m a firm believer in leaving everything behind me that I can’t control, and I can’t control that. Now it’s about the Giants.”



(washingtonpost.com)

RICHMOND, VA (WTVR) - Redskins' wide receiver Santana Moss stopped by Thomas Jefferson High School with Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling Tuesday morning.

The visit was part of an effort to help educate teens about money.

In fact, Bolling and Moss introduced Visa's new online game that tests teens about good financial decisions.

Moss and the Redskins are coming off another loss. The latest defeat to the Patriots guaranteed the team a third straight losing season.



(wtvr.com)

Reggie Wayne started a new streak last week by scoring 56-yard TD (his 1st TD since Week 1) finishing the game with 5 receptions for 122 yards and Jimmy Graham added 2 TDs to go along with his team leading 84 yards on 5 receptions for the New Orleans Saints in their victory over the NY Giants in Week 13 of the 2011 NFL Season.

This Week there were FIVE proCane TDs. The day was started off buy Vince Wilfork who scored his first career NFL TD by recovering a fumble in the end zone and was capped by a Frank Gore TD.

To see the old full 149 week streak click here.

Week 14 2011:
Vince Wilfork - 1 TD - New England Patriots
Jeremy Shockey - 1 TD - Carolina Panthers
Greg Olsen - 1 TD - Carolina Panthers
Santana Moss - 1 TD - Washington Redksins
Frank Gore - 1 TD - San Francisco


Week 13 2011:
Willis McGahee - 1 TD - Denver Broncos

Week 12 2011:
Reggie Wayne - 1 TD - Indianapolis Colts
Jimmy Graham - 2 TDs - New Orleans Saints

The Redskins’ 34-27 loss to the New England Patriots came down to the final possession of the game and two key plays to wide receiver Santana Moss. The first resulted in a pass interference call on Moss; the second an interception that bounced out of Moss’s hands.

Afterward, Moss – the Redskins’ offensive captain who went over 9,000 yards receiving for his career Sunday – was adamant that the pass interference call was incorrect. On second and goal from the New England 5, Moss lined up in the right slot across from defensive back Julian Edelman. Moss ran at Edelman. There was contact, and Moss cut to the right pylon at the goal line. He caught what could have been game-tying touchdown. Instead, he was whistled for pass interference.

Here’s what Moss said after the game:

“I’ve been playing this game for a long time, and I still find it hard to believe that it’s all right for somebody to mug us at five yards, but we can’t get the guy off us or they call pass interference on me. How can I get open when a guy puts his hands on me, unless I’m putting my hands back on him. You feel me? It’s stuff that’s been going on for years, but we wrong when we do it, but they’re OK. That’s the rule, I guess.”

On the interception that essentially ended the game: “I didn’t make the play. Plain sight. Didn’t make the play. But that’s football.”

How did the offense respond without suspended players Fred Davis and Trent Williams, who were suspended for the remainder of the season this week?: “We just did what we do, man. There ain’t no moral victories. We lost. It don’t really matter.”

Are they consistent with the pass interference calls?:

“Honestly, to tell you the truth, all day the guy been mugging me. Every time I tried to go around him, I’m getting pulled. So I said, ‘Okay, I’m not going to go around him. I’m going to go at him.’ And if you’re standing still and I’m coming at you, of course we gonna collide. That’s what happened. We collided. He didn’t move, and we collided, and I broke off when we collided.

“Pass interference on me, but if it’s vice versa, it’s a good coverage by them. You could see it all through the game. Every time I just went around him and let him grab me, oh, I’m covered, because he’s going to grab me and they’re not going to call anything because he can do it, and then he’s going to hold on for 10 yards. They’re going to go, ‘Well, you’re not getting the ball, so he’s not holding you.’ But I am. So I mean, it’s just one of those situations.

“I’m [ticked] off right now. I guess you can see that, but it’s been going on. I guess that’s something I should’ve been used to.”

Surprised when you saw the flag?:

“I was surprised, but I was like, I thought they were going to call it on him. I didn’t know what was going on. But man, we don’t get no calls around here. You guys have been covering us for a long time. Y’all see what goes on out there. We blow our breath on one of the doggone guys over there, and it’s a penalty. Our quarterback’s getting killed, and we just almost hit somebody else’s quarterback, and we get flag. So there’s a lot of stuff that goes on, but you know, I guess, hey, we got to play against the team and the refs.”



(washingtonpost.com)

Santana Moss in his second game back since injuring his hand had 5 catches 42 yards which moved him up to number 4 all-time in receiving yards in the Washington Redskins record books. Congrats to Santana!

It didn’t take tight end Fred Davis long to notice the Santana Moss affect at all. While running routes on the first series of the game against Seattle last Sunday, Davis – the Redskins’ leading pass-catcher this season – noticed that he had more room to work with.

Davis had three catches for 53 yards and a touchdown on that opening series. He believes a lot of it has to do with Moss being back on the field for the first time in five weeks because of a broken hand.

“They double-teamed me a lot recently,” Davis said. “But having ’Tana back definitely helps. Hell yeah.”

Moss had four catches for 29 yards. Meanwhile, fellow wide receiver Jabar Gaffney had five catches for 72 yards, running back Roy Helu had seven catches for 54 yards and Anthony Armstrong had a catch for 50 yards and a touchdown to lead the Redskins.

Moss said last week that he hoped to have an impact either by making catches for creating for his teammates, so he accomplished both to a degree.

“I hear from other guys that they get other coverages or looks, but I can never really tell my affect,” Moss said. “All I’m doing is running, trying to beat my guy. If I get two or three guys watching me, then that’s a plus for us, I can say.”

Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said that he didn’t notice defenders necessarily double-teaming Moss, but said, “It’s just good to have him out there, Tana’s our captain, one of the best players on our team, a guy we trust a lot and go to a lot, so it’s good to have him out there. It gives everybody more confidence.”

Moss said although he had a decent showing, he still has areas to improve upon so he can gain effectiveness.

“I’m going to be building every day on being more polished in everything I do. … One thing about this game, is you can miss one game and not be as sharp as you were before,” Moss said. “So missing four, I’m going to have to pay attention to detail a little more. And make sure everything I do, I know how to do it.”

Moss said he can afford to patiently work his way back into form because of the other weapons that the Redskins have on the roster.

“I’m cool with knowing I have other guys that can make plays,” Moss said. “I’ve been the guy for so many years that it made it hard for me to do anything. Everyone was depending on me and I had guys just making sure I didn’t have a chance to get open. So now, it’s kinda cool to have guys like Gaffney and Stallworth and all those guys can just come in and make plays any time they come in.”


(washingtonpost.com)

After missing the previous four games due to injury, receiver Santana Moss admitted to some pregame jitters Sunday.

“Once I got out there and got a couple hits here and there and caught a couple balls, it was like normal,” Moss said.

Making his return to the starting lineup, Moss had 29 yards on four catches in Sunday’s win at Seattle. He was targeted seven times, tied for the team lead with Jabar Gaffney and Roy Helu.

Moss broke a bone in his hand Oct. 23 at Carolina and didn’t return to practice until last week. He said his hand caused no problems Sunday.

“I’m glad we got a win,” he said. “My main focus was just to give us the much needed help that I can. I took some of the looks that I know have been missing all week and just tried to do all that I had in my might to give us a chance, give us some hope. As a team, we went out there together, fought hard and came up with one.”

Moss had only one catch in the second half, but the Redskins spread the ball around. Rex Grossman hooked up with eight different pass-catchers on the day. Moss has been among the most outspoken players when it comes to Grossman.

“I think earlier in the season, Rex did the same thing for us: He gave us hope,” Moss said. “As long as we go out there and run our routes the right way and get open, he’ll give us a chance to get the ball.

“His presence alone has kind of lifted a lot of guys’ spirits. Offensively, we had a rhythm with him earlier, and just to have him back, that was one of our keys.”


(washingtonpost.com)

SEATTLE — Santana Moss didn’t exactly arrive with a bang, but he arrived. And for a Redskins team in the throes of a losing streak, the return of their best receiver Sunday was a rare bit of good news.

Moss, playing for the first time since breaking his left hand against Carolina on Oct. 23, caught four passes for 29 yards as the Redskins snapped a six-game losing streak with a 23-17 win over the Seahawks.

“I was just glad for the win, whatever role I could play,” Moss said. “Once I got hit a couple of times here and there, it started to feel good.”

With rain and wind in play for most of the game, and two of the NFL’s least productive offenses on the field, the stage wasn’t exactly set for a breakout receiving performance. But just having No. 89 lined up in his familiar spot was a bright spot for a team that hadn’t won a game in his absence.

The Redskins got Moss involved at the outset, Rex Grossman hitting him for a short gain on the game’s second play and then throwing deep down the left side on the ensuing play. Cornerback Brandon Browner denied Moss 38 yards downfield, but notice had been served that Washington’s big-play threat was back.

The ball didn’t go to Moss much — he had three catches in the first half for 16 yards — but he appeared to be the first read on several other plays that turned into short gains for others as Grossman completed 16 of 19 in the half.

“It feels good to be able to take some of the looks that have been missing,” Moss said. “Just being out there, I knew I was contributing however I could.”

Grossman attempted another deep ball for Moss early in the third quarter, throwing 46 yards down the middle. Unfortunately, Moss had run about 50 yards, and the underthrown ball found the hands of Seattle’s Richard Sherman as the Redskins wasted good field position.

“At the start of the second half, the only thing I was unhappy with Rex was that Santana was wide open on a play,” Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said. “He has got to make that throw every time. You have to make that throw; it’s your read.”

Grossman overthrew Moss on a 20-yard sideline route later in the quarter.

Moss, in his seventh season in Washington, had 301 yards on 25 catches and two touchdowns before his injury, which occurred when he fell on the hand while making a low catch against the Panthers. He underwent surgery and missed four games, having pins removed from the hand Nov. 14. He returned to practice Wednesday.

“Early in the season, we had a good rhythm with Rex and had some things working,” he said. “It’s good to sort of get back toward getting that back. Today was a positive step.”


(washingtontimes.com)

The Washington Redskins‘ depleted offense is about to get one of its key players back.

Receiver Santana Moss returned to practice Wednesday after missing the past four weeks with a broken left hand. He fully participated in the session and is expected to play Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.

“I feel like my hand is ready,” Moss said on his way off the practice field Wednesday.

Moss had pins removed from his hand last Monday and soon started catching passes as part of his recovery.

“I’m big on not trying to get everybody too crazy and getting their hopes up too high,” he said. “I just want to go out there and take today to see where I’m at and then tomorrow progress even more. But from the standpoint of just catching and running around, everything was pretty normal.”

Moss broke his hand when he fell on it while trying to catch a low pass against Carolina on Oct. 23. He had surgery and missed four games. His absence contributed to a major offensive slump that serves as the main cause of the Redskins‘ six-game losing streak.

Moss has 301 yards and two touchdowns on 25 catches this season.

“It feels great to have him back,” coach Mike Shanahan said. “The hand didn’t seem to bother him. He was catching the ball well coming in and out of the breaks. He looked pretty good.”

Click here to order Santana Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.


(washingtontimes.com)

Receiver Santana Moss plans to join his teammates on the practice field this week to test the injured hand that has sidelined him the past four games.

“I’m just gonna go out there and practice and hope it feels the way I want it to feel,” Moss said. “And if it’s good to go, I’ll keep practicing for the week. I don’t know how it’s going to go. I’m not trying to get too crazy about it. I’m just gonna take it day by day.”

Moss shattered a bone near his index finger at Carolina on Oct. 23. He had surgery on his hand and team officials initially said he could miss as many as seven weeks. Moss always aimed to return sooner and last week Coach Mike Shanahan said it was possible that Moss would be available for this Sunday’s game at Seattle.

Moss has been a regular presence at practice and around the facility. He says he’s focused on rehabbing his hand.

“I’m going to give it a go and give it a try. Ain’t much to say, ain’t much to really get all excited about,” he said. “Just got to go out there and give it a try. Whatever happens, happens.”

Before he broke the bone, Moss had 301 yards on 25 catches. He’s had to watch the past five losses from the sidelines.

“It ain’t fun watching us lose,” he said. “But at the end of the day, it’s something we’re going through. Even not being out there, but being a part of it, it still hurts. That’s why I’m taking care of my business so I can get out there and help those guys.”

Click here to order Santana Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.


(washingtonpost.com)

Out the last four games with a broken left hand, Redskins receiver Santana Moss hopes to resume practicing Wednesday.

“Go out there and do it and see how it feels,” he said Monday morning at Redskin Park. “I’ve been rehabbing and doing little stuff by myself. Wednesday, I’m going to give it a go. There isn’t much to get excited about.”

Moss said he has no expectations for how he will respond to football-related activities. He has not played since the Week 7 loss at Carolina.

“I’m just going to go out there, practice and hope it feels the way I want it to feel,” he said. “I don’t know how it’s going to go. I’m trying not to get too crazy about it.”

At the time of his injury, Moss had 25 catches for 301 yards and two touchdowns.

Coach Mike Shanahan said Moss will test out the hand Tuesday.

“We’ll get a better feel for how his hand feels,” Shanahan said. “We’ll put him through drill work to see how his hand reacts to the football.”

Click here to order Santana Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.


(csnwashington.com)

Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said receiver Santana Moss remained sidelined Thursday as he recovers from a broken hand. But Shanahan said there’s a chance Moss could play at Seattle Nov. 27.



Click here to order Santana Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.


(washingtonpost.com)

Santana Moss (hand) has been ruled out for Week 11, but could possibly return for Week 12.

Moss was forecasted to miss 5-7 weeks after going down in Week 7, but the Redskins appear to have a renewed urgency to get him back on the field after losing rookie wideout Leonard Hankerson for the season. A better idea of when Moss will return should emerge early next week, but for now consider him unlikely to play in Week 12.

Click here to order Santana Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.


(rotoworld.com)

Washington Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss is reportedly expected to miss an additional three weeks due to a hand injury.

Moss hasn't played since suffering a fractured hand in a Week 7 game against the Carolina Panthers. He underwent surgery on Oct. 24 and the Redskins declared at the time he would miss 5-7 weeks.

The present timetable would see Moss return in time for the Redskins' Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets.

Moss, 32, has 25 catches for 301 yards and two touchdowns so far this season.

Click here to order Santana Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.


(wgal.com)

Injured Washington Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss said Wednesday that he could return to the field sooner than the five to seven weeks that Coach Mike Shanahan said he expected.

Moss said doctors “gave me anywhere from three to six weeks. You never know. You never know what can happen.” Moss said that he is supposed to have the three pins removed from his broken left hand in roughly two weeks.

An even-keeled player, Moss said he didn’t become overly upset when he broke his hand and finger in Sunday’s game, and that he’ll let his recovery take its course while working to ensure that he can play effectively whenever he receives clearance to return to action.

“It happens,” Moss said. “I hate to be the guy that it happened to. I hate to not be out there. You feel like you let somebody down when you can’t be out there with the guys that depend on you. But like I said before, I just try to think positive about the situation and know that the time I take off, I’m getting a little mini-vacation, but I’m not going to treat it like a vacation, though. I’m going ot stay on my grind and do some of the things I can do.”

Moss, who during the offseason signed a new three-year, $15 million contract, led Washington’s wide receivers in catches and yards receiving before he was injured. Through six games, Moss has posted 25 catches for 301 yards and two touchdowns.

Click here to order Santana Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.


(washingtonpost.com)

Wide receiver Santana Moss who broke a bone in his left hand in the first half of the Redskins 33-20 loss to the Panthers has already been ruled out for next week's game at Buffalo by coach Mike Shanahan according to the Associated Press.


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(gridironfans.com)

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — From healthy, first-place surprise to battered and struggling, the Washington Redskins had their fortunes take another dive Monday when running back Tim Hightower was declared out for the season with a torn knee ligament and receiver Santana Moss underwent hand surgery that is expected to sideline him for 5-7 weeks.

Hightower is the team's leading rusher. Moss is the top wideout.

Hightower and Moss were hurt in Sunday's 33-20 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Hightower's left knee buckled when he tried to make a cut during a 4-yard carry in the third quarter, ending his season with 321 yards on 84 carries.

Moss has 25 catches for 301 yards, second in receptions on the team behind tight end Davis. Moss broke his left hand in the first half against Carolina and had three pins inserted into the area around his index finger on Monday.

That leaves Gaffney, who has a team-high 361 yards, and either Anthony Armstrong or fifth-round rookie Niles Paul as the starting tandem for this week's game against the Buffalo Bills (4-2) at Toronto.

Click here to order Santana Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.


(ap.com)

WASHINGTON -- The Marlins scored 18 runs in their first two games at Nationals Park without their No. 3 hitter, and they had to go without first baseman Gaby Sanchez again in the series finale Thursday.

Manager Jack McKeon kept Sanchez out of the lineup for the third consecutive game against Washington as the All-Star nurses a sore left hamstring.

"We'll evaluate him and see how he is, "McKeon said. "But if we keep winning, we'll keep him out.

"Let's be cautious, because I'd rather have him out for three or four days than two weeks."

Sanchez took swings in the batting cage before the game as he continues to head in the right direction. Greg Dobbs started the first two games in his stead, and Wes Helms got the start in the series finale against Nationals left-hander John Lannan.


(mlb.com)

Washington Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss spoke out Monday as the team’s strongest supporter of quarterback Rex Grossman, who was benched Sunday after throwing four interceptions in the team’s 20-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Moss believed that Grossman, the team’s starter for the last eight games (three in 2010 and five this season) deserved a chance to redeem himself. Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan obviously felt differently and instead named backup John Beck the starter for Sunday’s game at Carolina.

Moss said Wednesday afternoon that he respects Shanahan’s decision and hopes Beck makes the best of his opportunity. He said the quarterback can expect Moss and the rest of his teammates to rally around him.

“It’s nothing we can do about it,” said Moss, who ranks first on the team in catches (23) and touchdowns (two) and second in receiving yards (284). “Whatever coach decides that we’re going to do, we’re going to go with it. We have two quarterbacks that we are very confident in and we knew when the decision was made on who was going to start or who was going to play, we were going to have to go with it.

“I just stated my opinion,” Moss explained about his comments Monday. “Everybody has an opinion, whether it gets heard or not. I felt like [Shanahan] felt the same way, but when it comes down to the decisions about the team, he has to make the right decisions for the team. Therefore, whatever decision he makes, it’s going to be the right decision for the team.”

Moss has a limited on-field rapport with Beck, who joined the Redskins last season and spent all of 2010 as the third-string quarterback, throwing to scout-team receivers. Although they worked together during training camp and preseason practices, Beck and Moss have seen limited action together in games. Beck completed one of only two pass attempts to Moss in the preseason, and the two connected for two completions during the fourth quarter of the Eagles game.

But Moss said he has observed Beck’s hunger to succeed.

“He’s a very talented quarterback who hasn’t really had his shot yet to prove who he can be in this league. I think he had a shot and hasn’t really done anything since that shot, hasn’t really had a chance since then,” Moss said of Beck, who before last week hadn’t played since his rookie year in Miami in 2007. “He’s a guy who wants to prove himself every day.”

When asked how long it would take Moss and Beck to develop the chemistry needed for Washington to succeed, Moss said, “You never know. It’s just the more and more we’re out there together, the more confidence we build together. It doesn’t just happen over night, but there are times that it does happen over night. I remember Mark Brunell being thrown in at the beginning of the [2005] season, and he hadn’t had any reps.”

Beck will be the seventh starting quarterback to play with Moss during Moss’s seven seasons in Washington. The receiver has said it would be nice to have some stability at that position, but said Wednesday he won’t dwell on the revolving door at quarterback.

“You can’t look back at all that stuff. All you can do is try to build on what we’ve got going on now,” Moss said. “I feel like this year, we have two quarterbacks. We have Rex or we have John, and now it’s John’s chance.”

Click here to order Santana Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.


(washingtonpost.com)

Santana Moss caught just two passes for 38 yards in Sunday's loss to the Eagles.

Moss was as frustrated as anyone by Rex Grossman's inaccuracy. He was unable to even catch any of his trademark drag routes over the middle as the starting quarterback was inept. The situation doesn't figure to get much better as the Redskins turn to John Beck, leaving Moss as a mere WR3 that hasn't topped 76 yards in a game this season.

Click here to order Santana Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.


(rotoworld.com)

Washington Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss said this week’s game is obviously big because it is against the hated Cowboys. But most importantly it’s a chance for his team to pick up another victory in the NFC East.

“Dallas is Dallas. We see them twice a year,” Moss said. “You get up for them the first time and get up for them a little more the second time. That’s how this division is, regardless of if it’s Dallas or whoever it is, it’s a big game.”

Moss knows that fans view the Cowboys differently than the Eagles or Giants, however. And he acknowledges that the success that Dallas has achieved over the years has caused people to look at the Cowboys in a different light. But that further stokes Moss’ competitive juices.

“We know what Dallas means to everybody else in the world, because without that star, it’s almost like it ain’t football,” Moss said. “But Dallas has been one of those teams I watched as a kid. I’ve always been a fan of them, so when it’s time to play them and share that stage with them, something a little more extra comes out of you. You don’t really know what it is, but it is.”

Moss had one of the finest performances by a Redskins receiver against the Cowboys in 2005, when, with his team down 13-0 and 4-1/2 minutes left, he and then-quarterback Mark Brunell connected on two touchdowns for a stunning 14-13 victory.

The first was a 39-yard touchdown catch and the second was a 70-yard bomb with 2-1/2 minutes left on the clock.

But rather than reflect on that performance, Moss tries to focus on his upcoming matchup with the Cowboys.

“I think about it when people bring it up,” Moss said. “I like to stay ahead and leave the past in the past. It’s always brought up so you can’t totally leave it behind, but every year is a different year. The last five years, we haven’t had the best years, so we just try to have a better outing every time we play them.”

(washingtonpost.com)

When Santana Moss arrived to Redskins Park in 2005, most experts where underwhelmed to say the least. The fact that Joe Gibbs would let go of a big promising WR like Laverneous Coles for the 5’10 Moss left most experts scratching their head, wondering if Gibbs knew what it took to build a competitive modern football team.

It did not take Moss long to make his mark in DC, scorching the Cowboys for TD’s of 39 and 74 yards in a week two game that is referred to by Redskins faithful as the “Monday Night Miracle”. Over the last six years Santana has been arguably the Skins biggest playmaker, and is easily the best WR the Skins have had since Art Monk left the Capital.

Though Moss has been the down field threat that this team has needed, over the years his success has been limited by the lack of talent surrounding him.

For years WR’s have been trotted in and out of Redskins Park that were all touted as the guy who would take the pressure off Moss and to give him some room to breathe in coverage.

Brandon Lloyd, disaster. Antawaan Randel El, don’t even get me started. Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly both drafted to rejuvenate the receiving core, absolute busts.

After multiple draft pics and millions of dollars, there has not been anyone that has been able to legitimately take any pressure off Moss, who at times has showed the frustration with the lack of depth at the WR position.

Last year Anthony Armstrong emerged as a guy who could finally be the compliment Moss has waited for.

The former arena league player that once practiced in super market parking lots racked up 871 yards receiving in 2010. Armstrong’s emergence as a threat to stretch the field finally gave Moss some breathing room in coverage.

The result was Moss having a career year in catches with 93, and his second best year for yards with 1,115 (Moss had over 1,400 yards receiving in 2005).

Prior to the 2010 season the only threats this team has had to catch the ball have been Moss and Chris Cooley, this season it looks like that is going to change.

The WR battle in camp has been well documented. Shanahan drafted guys in Leonard Hankerson and Niles Paul who both made the team and through camp and preseason have shown the potential to become legitimate targets. The free agent signing of Donte Stallworth and the trade for Jabar Gaffney (who by the way played college football with Rex Grossman at Florida) added two veterans to help teach the young guys the right way to play the game.

In our exclusive interview with Leonard Hankerson a few weeks ago Hank Time spoke very highly of the WR depth of the 2011 Redskins. “It’s huge to have veterans like that to teach you how to play the right way” Hankerson said, “You look at Santana, Jabar, and Donte; these guys have been in the league for over ten years, so its big to have guys with that experience to help you learn”

It’s one thing to hear a rookie WR sing the praises of the guys he is competing with in camp. It is another thing all together to have your starting QB do the same.

Rex Grossman absolutely gushed on Sirius XM’s NFL Blitz yesterday with Adam Schein and Rich Gannon. “I love it, I love our Receiving core” said Grossman. “…We have a little bit of everything…”. He referenced having guys with speed like Anthony Armstrong who is said to be the fastest guy on the team. He also said how important it is to have a “savvy” receiver like Santana who knows how to manipulate his routes to find holes in the defensive coverage.

If there is anything that stood out from Sunday’s win over the Giants it is that the receivers are on the same page with Rex. Both the touchdown pass to Anthony Armstrong in the back corner of the end zone and Jabar Gaffeney’s on the slant where pure timing routes.
Rex fit the ball right where the receivers were going through tight coverage for the scores.

Rex also referenced the genius of Kyle Shanahan’s offensive scheme in regards to the wideouts versus the defense.

“Kyle Shanahan has, in my opinion the best scheme across the league, there is always a guy open no matter the coverage”. The combination of receivers and scheme definately benefitted Rex on Sunday, as he threw for 305 yards and 2 TD’s.

It didn’t hurt Moss either who had 6 catches (all of which for first downs) totaling 76 yards for the day.

Moss admitted after the game that even though he “loves getting the ball”, it was nice to finally have some other guys help with the heavy lifting. Throw in Fred Davis who looks primed for a break out year, and Chris Cooley who is always a threat in the passing game, and the passing attack could be dynamic to say the least.

For the first time since he arrived in DC, Santana might just get what he has been asking for.

Click here to order Santana Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.


(sonofwashington.com)

Santana Moss was surrounded.

Music thumped in the locker room at Redskins Park. But the lyrics couldn’t drown Moss‘ words. So the television cameras and microphones swarmed, something that seems to happen each time the veteran wide receiver opens his mouth.

The phalanx of media almost buried the face of the Washington Redskins‘ offense.

Most of big names are gone — Donovan McNabb dispatched to the Minnesota Vikings, Clinton Portis looking for work — leaving Moss and fan-favorite tight end Chris Cooley as leaders of a largely anonymous group. With question marks at quarterback, an influx of young receivers and a reshuffled offensive line, Moss is the certainty in a unit buffeted by change.

“I’ve been here [six] years, and I never had the chance to grasp the offense,” Moss said. “There’s always been a change here or something there. It’s one of those moments where we have the advantage.”

Turnover has been Moss‘ companion since the Redskins acquired him from the New York Jets for Laveranues Coles in 2005.

Mike Shanahan is his third coach. Five men have called offensive plays. Six quarterbacks — remember Patrick Ramsey? - lobbed passes to him.

“I’ve played with so many quarterbacks, man,” Moss said. “Every year that goes by, it’s something new. But I never really think about it.”

The turnover hasn’t helped the Redskins‘ offense, ranked in the NFL’s bottom third in total offense over the past three seasons.

Last season’s total — 5,374 yards — ranked No. 18 in the league. It was the best in Moss‘ six seasons in Washington. Each time, he’s led the team in receiving.

But after Moss voided his contract in February, the onetime University of Miami walk-on re-signed with the Redskins in July. Other teams called. He didn’t talk to them.

The past shuffling on the roster, among the coaching staff and in the front office at Redskins Park couldn’t keep him away.

“If I’m going to still play, why go somewhere and start all over?” Moss said. “If we put the right people in the right places … we can really do some good things.”

That starts with feeling more at ease in his second year under offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. Last season, Moss caught a career-best 93 passes for 1,115 yards and six touchdowns. Kyle Shanahan used Moss more in the slot than he ever played there before while Anthony Armstrong ran deep patterns.

The relative familiarity of the offense, regardless of the quarterback, seems a luxury to Moss.

Mention Kyle Shanahan’s offense and Moss drops superlatives like a late-night infomercial: “dynamic,” “wide-open,” “opportunity to be great,” “able to prosper.” But some parts of the offense aren’t exactly as seen on television. A grab-bag of veterans such as Armstrong, Jabar Gaffney, Donte Stallworth, Terrence Austin and two rookies, Leonard Hankerson and Niles Paul, are battling for playing time alongside Moss at receiver.

“We have a lot to work on still,” Stallworth said. “But we’re moving in the right direction. That’s the most important thing.”

Added Kyle Shanahan: “I think everyone is more comfortable with what we’re doing, and I think it’s showing.”

Trent Williams, the hulking offensive tackle, echoed the sentiment. In his second year in the league, Williams felt obligated to assume a leadership role on the offensive line after the turnover.

Moss is where he looks for an example. For stability. Even a mentor.

And as the music blasted in the locker room and the cameras cloaked Moss, Williams grinned and revealed perhaps the lone weakness of the offense’s face.

“There’s not much,” Williams said, “he can tell me about blocking somebody.”

Click here to order Santana Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.


(washingtontimes.com)

ASHBURN, Va.—As WR Santana Moss has aged, he’s become a better route-runner. Moss learned from former Jets teammate Wayne Chrebet at an early age in the NFL that he needed more than speed to survive a long time. Moss listened and improved his route-running and also learned when to use his speed and when not to. Because of that, Moss has a knack for being able to slow down going into a catch, then exploding afterward. He’s become a trusted receiver for both John Beck and Rex Grossman and a terrific fit in the slot for Kyle Shanahan’s offense. Moss might not catch 93 passes again—with better receiving depth, he shouldn’t need to—but he will be productive again.

Click here to order Santana Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.


(sportingnews.com)

If there’s one thing that Santana Moss has experienced very little of during his six season with the Washington Redskins, it’s stability.

Moss has been the team’s leading receiver in each of those six seasons. But during that time, he has played for three different head coaches, in four different offensive systems with seven different quarterbacks and 17 other receivers.

John Beck would make it eight quarterbacks, but Moss believes that the continuity the Redskins are otherwise experiencing in their second straight year under Coach Mike Shanahan will make a big difference.

The Redskins’ offense has been able to move up and down the field in its first two preseason games, and Moss and fellow holdover receivers Anthony Armstrong and Terrence Austin say they all feel more natural having played a full season under offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. That comfort makes a big difference, Moss ays.

“This is my seventh year, and we’ve never had the chance to grasp an offense,” said Moss, who last season had 93 catches for 1,115 yards and six touchdowns last season. “It was always change here, change coordinators, change this and that. This is one of those moments when we actually feel like we have an advantage now because we really have this offense in our hands for a second year now and have a chance to do something with it.”

Another aspect that Moss expects to make a difference is the maturation of Armstrong and Austin (both in their second seasons in the NFL), and the addition of veterans Jabar Gaffney and Donte Stallworth.

Mossreceived little help from the rest of the receiving corps last season. Besides Armstrong (44 catches, 871 yards, three touchdowns) the rest of the wide receivers combined for just 25 catches for 339 yards and no touchdowns. Moss still managed to produce despite drawing frequent double teams, but he expects that bolstering the receiving unit this year will take pressure off him and help the Redskins execute more effectively.

“It should help. But at the end of the day, teams are going to take out of the game whoever they want to take out,” Moss said. “If it’s me, it’s me. If it’s someone else, it’s someone else. But it should help more on critical downs. Now you can’t just look at that one person. Now you have different weapons and I think our offense as a whole, the personnel as a total, we have guys everywhere they line up on offense.”

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(washingtonpost.com)

Redskins inside linebacker Rocky McIntosh declined to discuss a Yahoo! Sports report that he and at least 71 other current and former University of Miami athletes violated NCAA rules by accepting improper benefits from booster Nevin Shapiro.

The report, published Tuesday, alleged that during his time as a student-athlete at Miami, McIntosh received $500 in bounty cash, drinks and entertainment at night clubs and on Shapiro’s yacht.

When asked about his involvement, McIntosh said: “I’m focused on Indy right now. We’ve got this game in two days. I’m in the NFL and I’ve got to be professional and worry about what we’ve got right now.”

McIntosh and the late Sean Taylor, a former Redskins safety, were the only two Washington players named in the report.

Receiver Santana Moss left the school before the period that Shapiro allegedly began giving the gifts to players.

Asked about the report, Moss said, “I don’t know nothing about that. Let’s talk about the team in this week. I wasn’t even there.”

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(washingtonpost.com)

Washington Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman on Friday praised the play of Santana Moss, calling the veteran receiver “a quarterback’s best friend.”

On Monday, Grossman said that the success he had against the Steelers came thanks largely to the bond he has with both Moss – Grossman’s favorite target during the three games he started last season – and the team’s other veteran receiver, Jabar Gaffney – Grossman’s former University of Florida teammate.

“I trust them both, a lot,” Grossman said. “Santana has a way of separating from defenders and knowing when to sit down on an option route. … Jabar is a savvy vet. As soon as he started as a freshman at Florida, you could tell he had that ‘it’ factor. He still has it and is a great receiver.”

Moss on Friday caught seven of the nine passes Grossman threw his way (the two non-catches being an overthrow and an underthrow from the quarterback) for 64 yards and a touchdown. Gaffney, meanwhile, caught all five passes that came his way while accumulating 38 receiving yards.

All told, 14 Grossman passes went to either Moss or Gaffney. He spread his other 12 pass attempts around to six receivers. Four of those leftover 12 went to Anthony Armstrong, whom Grossman praised as an explosive, big-play threat.

The quarterback admitted he has something special with Moss and Gaffney, however.

“I can trust that they will separate from defenders,” Grossman said. “It allows me to anticipate some throws. You don’t have to see them get open. You can trust that they’re going to do what they have to do and beat the defender. It creates a passing lane. In the NFL, it’s about anticipating your throws. Those two guys, and our entire receiving corps, are doing a great job.”

The big question: Is the connection Grossman has with Moss and Gaffney is enough to give him an edge over John Beck in the starting quarterback competition, or can Beck develop a similar bond?

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(washingtonpost.com)

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — With all the offensive focus on the drafting of Cam Newton, the return of disgruntled receiver Steve Smith, the re-signing of DeAngelo Williams and the upgrade at the tight end position, the Panthers' No. 2 receiver position has been overlooked at their training camp in Wofford.

Not by the team's front office, however.

he Panthers agreed to terms Thursday with free agent wideout Legedu Naanee, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.

Naanee, 27, caught 23 passes for 371 yards and a touchdown in 10 games last year with the Chargers. The 6-2, 220-pound Naanee is another player with ties to former San Diego assistant Rob Chudzinski, the Panthers' offensive coordinator.

Naanee will compete at the No. 2 spot with three second-year receivers – Brandon LaFell, David Gettis and Armanti Edwards. LaFell and Gettis combined for 75 catches and 976 receiving yards in 2010, but both are currently sidelined with hamstring injuries. Naanee's arrival could speed the healing process.

Gettis is faster than LaFell and could be a better fit in Chudzinski's West Coast offense, which will feature a lot of vertical stretch routes.
Edwards, the former Appalachian State quarterback who struggled mightily as a rookie, has been of the biggest camp surprises. But coaches want to see how Edwards performs in preseason games.

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(sportingnews.com)

Wide receiver Santana Moss said that he believes the Washington Redskins are on the verge of finally turning the corner and transforming into a winning organization. That was the reason that he never thought about leaving the team that he has led in receiving in each of the last six seasons.

Moss agreed on Tuesday to a three-year, $15 million deal, but Saturday was the first day that NFL rules allowed him to Redskins Park. Moss won’t be able to practice until Thursday – after the new collective bargaining agreement has been ratified – but the 11th-year veteran said it felt good just watching practice.

“It’s just been one of them long offseasons,” said Moss, who recorded a career-high 93 catches for 1,115 yards and six touchdowns last season. “When you don’t have a job, and you don’t have a team to say that you’re going to go to when this thing lifts, it was nerve-racking a little bit. But I guess being the guy that I am, I just always kept my faith, kept mentally prepared and physically prepared myself, and that helped me get through the offseason and to have enough faith to say that they want me back.

“It’s just one of those situations where you don’t want to leave at the time where you’re almost there,” continued Moss, maintained throughout the season that his desire was to return to the Redskins. “I love the offense, I love the guy that runs the offense, I love the guy that runs the team. I feel like all I have to do is my part, go to work.”

Despite being 32, Moss remains confident that he can remain a consistent threat for the Redskins although the quarterback position is anything but stable. If John Beck wins the starting quarterback job, Moss will have played with seven starting quarterbacks while a Redskin. (The list currently features Patrick Ramsey, Mark Brunell, Jason Campbell, Todd Collins, Donovan McNabb and Rex Grossman).

Moss believes, however, that the Redskins have a chance to succeed regardless of whether Beck or Grossman is under center.

A revolving door at quarterback “has always an issue,” Moss admitted. “It’s something that I hope we can put behind us. Whoever’s up, I hope they just take advantage of the opportunity and us go out and do what we can do. Since I’ve been here, it’s been one of those issues, but I’m hoping we can put it to rest now.”

Click here to order Santana Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.


(washingtonpost.com)

Santana Moss received a three-year, $15 million contract extending his stay in Washington. It’s a good move on multiple levels for Moss and the Redskins.

Moss has been the team’s most reliable and productive wide receiver, not to mention a leader in the meeting room, locker room and on the field.
It makes sense to bring back Moss; without him, the Redskins would have had a big hole at wide receiver. So the team addressed a pressing need, and also brought back a player who is familiar with the team’s offensive playbook.

I expect the Redskins to try and further bolster the position and go after another wide receiver, but for this season Moss’s familiarity will be the wild card coming out of the work stoppage. Washington has a very talented draft pick in Leonard Hankerson, who happens to share a college (Miami) with Moss. I think that will also go a long way as I’m sure these two have already worked out together and are very familiar with each other, as it is tradition for former Miami players to go back and work out together once they’ve moved on to the NFL.

It’s a win-win if you ask me.


(washingtonpost.com)

The Washington Redskins and wide reciever Santana Moss have reached an agreement on a three-year deal worth $15 million, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

According to the source, Moss will receive a $5 million signing bonus and $6 million total in guarantees.

The 32-year-old Moss became a free agent as a result of a restructured contract he signed with the Redskins in 2009 that included a clause that said his contract would automatically void five days after Super Bowl XLV.

Moss had a career-high 93 receptions in 2010, his first season with coach Mike Shanahan. He also had his fourth career 1,000-yard season (1,115) and six touchdowns. He has led the team in yards receiving every year he's been in Washington.

The 10-year veteran has 593 receptions for 8,558 yards and 52 touchdowns. He was a Pro Bowler in 2005.

Moss was selected 16th overall by the New York Jets in the 2001 draft. The Redskins acquired him in a trade that sent Laveranues Coles to New York in the 2005 offseason.

Click here to order Santana Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.


(espn.com)

Phillip Buchanon – Used mostly as a third corner (he did make five starts), Buchanon proved to be a solid veteran, racking up 49 tackles, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. The Redskins would like to have him back, and Buchanon has them atop the list of places he would like to go. Last night, a close friend of Buchanon’s tweeted the cornerback’s wishlist for destinations, and Buchanon re-tweeted it. Washington ranked first, followed by Tampa Bay, Miami, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, New Orleans, Oakland and the Jets. But if the Redskins believe neither Kevin Barnes nor Buchanon are what they need in a starter, then they’ll let him walk, stick with Barnes as the third CB and bring in someone else.

Santana Moss – He’s the biggest name on this list, and was the Redskins’ leading wide receiver in each of the last six years. Although he is 32, Moss remains productive. Mike Shanahan has said he wants to re-sign Moss, and No. 89 himself is on record multiple times saying he wants to come back to Washington. It won’t be a surprise at all to see him back in a Redskins uniform.

Rocky McIntosh – He likes it here, and attended some of the player-led workouts this summer. But McIntosh probably is better suited to play outside linebacker in the 4-3 (as he did the first four seasons of his career) than he is inside linebacker in the 3-4 (where coaches moved him last season). It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Redskins let him move on. "This is my town, but I also want to win more than six or eight games a season," he said. "I want to go somewhere where I can fit in as a winner." McIntosh also said that versatility was one of his strengths and that he believes he could make even more strides in the Redskins' 3-4 defense if he stayed. Last season was a struggle for him at times. McIntosh appeared a bit uncomfortable as an inside linebacker in the odd front, having been a 4-3 weak-side linebacker previously and having his most success in that role.

Click here to order Phillip Buchanon’s, Rocky Mcintosh’s or Santana Moss’ proCane Rookie Card.


(washingtonpost.com)

Santana Moss has been low key this off-season, but here's some impressive video of Tana working out with Andre Johnson and Ocho Cinco. Some of these route runs look too fast to be real. I tried to keep an eye on people walking by in the background (similar to that awesome Simpsons episode where they edited Homer's interview and the clock hands are moving all over the place).

Regardless, Ocho Cinco has a crazy foot drill on the 3:20 mark, which Tana has trouble being able to do. Based on everything I've seen in this video, the Redskins should definitely re-sign Moss. (Sarcasm alert). But really, we do need Tana. 



Click here to order Santana Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.


(hogshaven.com

With the NFL lockout on the verge of coming to a close and free agency on the horizon, the debate rages on about whether former New York Giants receiver Plaxico Burress fits the timing-based system of Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz.

We addressed the issue in last week’s mailbag, while also pointing out a potentially better option for the Bears in Washington Redskins receiver Santana Moss (Bears receiver Devin Hester told the Chicago Tribune recently that he'd like the team to sign Moss), who will likely re-sign with his team.

My opinion is one thing. But to really dig into this, we enlisted the help of a former NFL scout, who also played receiver in the NFL and has spent some time studying Moss and Burress, to give us a break down on how they may or may not fit in Martz’s offense.

Here’s what he had to say.

On Moss: “Dynamic receiver with good speed and quickness. Although he is up in age, he’s still a legitimate vertical threat with the burst to blow the top off coverage. He has a knack for producing explosive plays (plays of 20-plus yards) due to his speed and quickness. Moss is also a polished route runner with the ability to separate on short- and intermediate routes. He is at his best when used on "in-breaking" routes such as digs or crossers because he is able to run away from coverage."

On why Moss fits: “Moss is a route runner with the speed and quickness Martz prefers. His game is ideally suited to run the precise timing routes of the system, and his run-after-catch skills will result in big plays for the Bears. When you look at the success Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce enjoyed in that system, it’s easy to predict big numbers for Moss as a player for Martz.”

On Burress: “Big, physical receiver with excellent ball skills. He’s at his best with ball in the air. Burress utilizes his superior size and athleticism to "post up" smaller defenders. His exceptional length gives the quarterback a bigger target to pinpoint. He runs well for his size, but is not a considered a burner. He lacks the burst to outrun defenders on vertical routes. His big plays are often the result of jump balls down the field or smaller throws converted into big gains after he’s broken tackles in the open field. As a route runner, he is not fluid or polished in and out of his breaks due to his size. He relies on size and strength to gain separation rather than his quickness. Given his two-year absence from the game, it is very likely that he will struggle getting free from coverage.”

On why Burress doesn’t fit: “Martz has never featured a big receiver in his system because he has a preference for route runners. Most big receivers aren't able to get in and out of their breaks quickly, and that can throw off the timing of the passing game. While Burress would give the Bears a big, red zone target, he would struggle with some of the timing routes of the system. He’d seem like a misfit in that offense.”

Click here to order Santana Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.


(espn.com)

Is Santana Moss a realistic option for the Bears at the WR position once we get into free agency after the lockout is lifted?

Current Chicago WR Devin Hester thinks so—according to Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune—but when we take a step back and analyze the position for Mike Martz’s offense it still doesn’t give the club a true No.1.

And that continues to be the real issue for QB Jay Cutler in Chicago. Where is the WR that is going to make a big play on 3rd down (or in the red zone) during a crucial situation on Sunday?

I played with Santana for two seasons in Washington—but we are talking years ago (during the ’04 and ’05 seasons). I can tell you he is a true football player. Tough, will run inside breaking routes into traffic and has ideal footwork for the position.

I can also agree that he fits into Martz’s scheme. You want a receiver than can run the inside combination routes, break off the deep dig with a sharp cut at 15-yards and make plays in the open field. 

But, as the NFP’s Brad Biggs wrote on Tuesday, Moss is also 32-years old and isn’t an upgrade over Johnny Knox, Hester or Earl Bennett. Plus, we still have to see what the Redskins’ plans are for the WR.

Again, this is “player talk” coming from Hester. Happens every offseason when a player lobbies to bring someone in, but they don’t make front office decisions.

And even if GM Jerry Angelo, Lovie Smith and Martz were all on board with making Moss a potential free agent target, are the Bears actually getting a player that is going to change their offense outside of the numbers? I don’t think so.

Click here to order Santana Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.


(nationalfootballpost.com)

Devin Hester tried this route before, with little success.

In April of 2009, Hester encouraged the Bears to sign veteran Torry Holt so he could pick Holt’s brain about playing the receiver position. Holt signed with the Jaguars instead.

Now, as the Bears approach the 2011 season, there’s another accomplished receiver Hester would like to join forces with: Santana Moss.

"Anybody that can come in and help out the team, I’m down for it, and a guy like (Moss) can come in and really help out a lot," Hester said of his fellow Miami Hurricane. "I’m hoping we can get him."

Moss, 32, is on the Bears’ radar, and he is viewed as productive player and positive locker room influence. He had a career-high 93 catches for 1,115 yards and six touchdowns with Washington last season and has four 1000-yard seasons in 10 years.

Problem is, there’s no telling when free agency will begin, although an ESPN report recently speculated a July 28 start date. And there is no guarantee Moss will be on the market anyway. He recently told Sporting News Radio he wants to quickly re-sign with the Redskins once free agency starts. The Washington Post reported he was seeking either a two- or three-year deal at about $5 million per season.

If Moss is available and the Bears pursue him, some might question why Jerry Angelo, Lovie Smith and crew would want to add a 5-foot-10-inch receiver to a mix that already includes the 5-11 Hester and 6-footers Johnny Knox and Earl Bennett.

"That small stuff is overrated," Smith said this offseason. "You look for receivers who can catch the ball and move the chains."

Still, both Angelo and Smith made it clear before the draft the team would like to add a bigger receiver, even despite offensive coordinator Mike Martz’s affection for small, speedy wideouts. But the Bears aren’t desperate to add a big target for quarterback Jay Cutler, who grew accustomed to 6-4 Brandon Marshall in Denver.

If there’s a productive, high-character big receiver on the market in free agency, the Bears are likely to at least look into it. But they’ve already decided against pursuing 6-5 Plaxico Burress, based on extensive research prior to Burress going to prison. And 6-4 Sidney Rice’s hip is a concern, although the Vikings said they have no issues with Rice’s health as they look to re-sign him.

The Bears seem content with what they have at receiver if their free-agent options are scarce.

"If we don’t add anybody, I’m very comfortable with the guys we have now, to be honest with you,’’ Hester said. "Everybody showed glimpses last season. We have the athletes to do it. Now, it’s just about going out there and getting it done."

Click here to order Devin Hester’s proCane Rookie Card.


(chicagotribune.com)

Speaking on the radio Sunday evening, free agent Santana Moss expressed a desire to have his status sorted out quickly following the end of the lockout.
"If you're going to sign me, sign me and let's go," he said. "If the Redskins are going to sign me, let us do it real quick." Moss should get his wish, as free agency will be fast and furious following the lockout's resolution. His chances of remaining in Washington are about 50-50.


(rotoworld.com)

Chad Ocho Cinco tweeted: Just finished working out with @Johnson80 @eighttodanine @antonionbrown84 and @bothetrainer



Click here to order Santana Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.


(twitter.com)

Washington Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss has been sued by a Miami businessman who accuses him and others of defaulting on a lease for a dry cleaning business that was operated by members of the football player’s family.

According to court documents filed June 4 in Miami-Dade County, Stadium Corners Shopping Center LLC contends that 3 Kings Dry Cleaners Inc. owes $24,151.78 in back rent, plus accelerated rent and court and attorney’s fees. In all, Stadium Corners is seeking $308,870.64.

Craig Bernstein, owner of Stadium Corners shopping center in Miami Gardens, said that 3 Kings Dry Cleaners, which lists Moss as its president in a filing with Florida’s secretary of state, vacated the property in the past few months but had agreed to pay the rent owed until that date. But payment never was received and Bernstein said the dry cleaners is now six months behind.

The filing lists Lloyd Moss as vice president and Natalie Moss as secretary of 3 Kings Dry Cleaners.

Bernstein said he tried to work with the Moss family, and at one point believed he had a tenant who would take over the remainder of a seven-year lease, leaving 3 Kings liable only for the delinquent amount. But that deal fell through, and the shop that housed 3 Kings remains the only vacant storefront in the shopping center, Bernstein said..

“I’d love to work out a deal with them,” Bernstein said. “I’m from D.C., I’m a Redskins fan. But I really need to get paid the back rent. The agreement was to pay rent until release and they haven’t been released. I still have to pay my mortgage.”

Bernstein said a representative of Moss’s told him that the receiver would not be able to settle with him until NFL players reach new collective bargaining agreement with the league.

Moss could not be reached for comment, and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, did not return a voice mail and e-mail left for him.

Moss’s contract with the Redskins is up and he is due to become a free agent whenever the NFL lockout is lifted. Last season, he earned a base salary of $ 968,500. In 2009, he renegotiated his contract with Washington and, as part of that arrangement, received a signing bonus of nearly $6.3 million.


(washingtonpost.com)

CSN Washington's Ryan O'Halloran believes the Redskins "have no choice but to re-sign" free agent Santana Moss.

O'Halloran cites "practical purposes" after the Redskins' three rookie receivers missed out on OTAs and minicamps this offseason. At age 32, though, Moss isn't a great fit for a rebuilding roster. Both sides will likely feel out the market before a deal is reached.

Click here to order Santana Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.


(rotoworld.com)

A number of old wide receivers have generated headlines this offseason, and could continue to generate them in the coming months. With that in mind, here, with some help from some pro scouts, are my best wide receivers who will be 32 or older when the season is scheduled to begin.

1. Reggie Wayne. It’s hard to believe he is 32. Wayne caught a career high 111 passes in 2010. His big play production was down a bit, but that probably was due more to the fact that he was the only consistent receiving weapon the Colts had. He remains a premier performer and a rarity.

2. Steve Smith. He is destined to be a former Panther soon, but it’s not because Smith as lost a lot. He might not be quite as fast as he was, but he still has explosive play making ability, and he plays physically. Smith needs to be paired with a veteran quarterback because he is an undisciplined route runner who sometimes will freelance.

3. Chad Ochocinco. He remains a special athlete with top separation skills. His quickness off the line is exceptional. That’s why there may be a trade market for this guy. Ocho has lost a step in straight line speed, however, and doesn’t outrun cornerbacks anymore. He also doesn’t compete the way he used to. Old Ochocinco does his best to avoid the middle of the field. Don’t ask him to block anyone, either.

4. Terrell Owens. He isn’t the same kind of all-around receiver he once was. T.O. is now inconsistent in his route running. He doesn’t separate well versus man to man, and is best on vertical routes, underneath routes and crossing routes. But at 37, he has been less affected by age than most because he is more reliant on muscle and size than speed. T.O. still can get yards after the catch and make big plays. Some team will sign him as a bargain free agent.

5. Santana Moss. Last year, at the age of 31, Moss had a career high for catches but a career low for yards per catch. He still has some of his excellent short area quicks, but his long speed is not what it was. Because Moss is a smaller receiver at 5-10, the party could end pretty quickly for him.

6. Donald Driver. At 36 he isn’t what he was, but he’s still a player who most teams would love to have. Driver has too many drops these days and is best as a role player. He can work the slot as well as almost anyone, as he has the quick feet, technique and physicalness to separate and make plays in a crowd.

7. Derrick Mason. He never has been fast, so Mason hides his 37 years well. He knows how to get open with double moves, change of speed, toughness and all the tricks. His craftiness has served him well on the back end of his career. As an underneath route runner/possession player, Mason remains very effective.

8. Hines Ward. Ward may not be as flashy a receiver as he is a dancer these days, but he remains a solid starter going into his 14th season in Pittsburgh. He does not run as well as he used to, and he has a hard time separating. But he is physical and effective in traffic. He also has excellent chemistry with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. He fits perfectly where he is, but might not look so good on a lot of other teams.

9. Randy Moss. The 34-year old free agent still can blow by soft coverage, but it takes him longer to reach full speed than it used to. He is mostly a vertical player at this stage of his career who isn’t very effective on short and medium routes. He no longer gives you much after the catch. He is easily taken out of his game by press coverage.

10. T.J. Houshmandzadeh. The fact that he will be on his third team in as many years tells you something. He has lost a little speed, but never was a speed dependent player. Houshmandzadeh can find open windows in zones and use his strength to make plays. He can be effective as a third receiver who plays the slot. The fact that he has a reputation for being difficult to manage makes him less attractive to potential suitors.

Others include Deion Branch, Brandon Stokley, Brian Finneran and Joey Galloway. Plaxico Burress was not included because he did not play in the NFL last year.

Click here to order Santana Moss’ proCane Rookie Card.


(nationalfootballpost.com)

Washington Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss wants to return to Washington, according to Santana himself, in a radio interview on ESPN 980.  The Redskins would likely welcome back Moss at a contract friendly for both.  Specifically, Moss said,

“That’s the only thing I can think of (returning). I’m a Redskin.  I feel like I invested a lot in to this team. I would hate to leave and see the team be successful, knowing I was here.”

When discussing the issue with Redskins owner Dan Snyder, Snyder responded he woudl love to have Moss return, but that call would be Mike Shanahan’s.  Good news. 

Should Moss return, he would be returning to a dramatically different wide receiving corp, due to the concentration and emphasis placed on the skilled position by Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen in last month’s NFL Draft.  The Redskins added three receiver, all three are expected to have some impact on the offense. 

Third rounder Leonard Hankerson is the most promising, deemed by several NFL analysts as the steal of the 2010 NFL draft.  Several NFL analysts had Hankerson ranked as the third best receiver behind Julio Jones and AJ Green.  Hankerson’s slip to the third round was a gem for the Redskins.  Hankerson has big time play making ability, something lacking in Washington at wide receiver for a number of years.  More than likely, you will see Hankerson starting.  However, he is also joined by fellow draftees Niles Paula and Aldrick Robinson.  Both of these guys will be pushing Terrence Austin and Brandon Banks for roster spots.  All in all, Moss will likely return along with Anthony Armstrong.  From there on, with the Redskins draft, the receiver slots will emerge as one of the hotter training camp battles.

With the influx of three youthful receivers, joining fellow youngster Austin and Banks, Moss could be an important crutch of leadership for the young receivers.  He would likely relish and excel in that role.

(dcsportsreport.com)

Check out our exclusive photos from the Santana Moss Autograph Signing Session at All Canes last Saturday. To see the full gallery of photos click here.

Go to www.allcanes.com where you can still purchase some Santana Moss autographed memorabilia while supplies last! Also check out All Canes Radio where you will hear yours truly’s special interview with Moss where he talks about his UM days, the current state of Hurricane football and much more!



To see the full gallery of photos click here.

Click here to order Santana Moss’ proCane Rookie Card.

Comments

Check out our exclusive photos from the Santana Moss Autograph Signing Session at All Canes last Saturday. To see the full gallery of photos click here.

Go to www.allcanes.com where you can still purchase some Santana Moss autographed memorabilia while supplies last! Also check out All Canes Radio where you can hear yours truly’s special interview with Moss where he talks about his UM days, the current state of Hurricane football and much more!



To see the full gallery of photos click here.

Click here to order Santana Moss’ proCane Rookie Card.

Comments

Check out our exclusive photos from the Santana Moss Autograph Signing Session at All Canes last Saturday. To see the full gallery of photos click here.

Go to www.allcanes.com where you can still purchase some Santana Moss autographed memorabilia while supplies last! Also check out All Canes Radio tonight where you will hear yours truly’s special interview with Moss where he talks about his UM days, the current state of Hurricane football and much more!



To see the full gallery of photos click here.

Click here to order Santana Moss’ proCane Rookie Card.

Comments

The priority for Washington should be to re-sign Moss, who despite coming off of his 10th NFL season, remains productive. He’s a good fit in Kyle Shanahan’s offense and can be moved all over the field to take advantage of mismatches. He also would bring a veteran presence to a young receiving unit.

Moss is on record saying he would like to return to Washington, but the lockout has prevented the two sides from getting a contract done.

There are big names on the free agent market, but they are mostly aging players such as Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Donte’ Stallworth. A young-ish player who is both available and productive is Braylon Edwards, but he has expressed his desire to re-sign with the Jets. Another interesting player is Plaxico Burress, who is scheduled to be released from prison on June 6 and is expected to be reinstated and free to sign with a team when the labor dispute is resolved. He’s 33, but hasn’t played since 2008 and should be fresh, although a little rusty.

Click here to order Santana Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.



(washingtonpost.com)

Wide receiver: The Redskins drafted three wide receivers. One of them, Leonard Hankerson, could earn a starting job soon and the other two, Niles Paul and Aldrick Robinson, will compete for playing time. Every wide receiver who was on the roster last year with the exception of Anthony Armstrong will be fighting for a job. In particular, Malcolm Kelly and Terrence Austin will get stiff challenges for their jobs. And drafting three receivers sends a clear message to free agent Santana Moss that the team is prepared to move on without him.

Click here to order Santana Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.



(csnwashington.com)

Check out photos from the 2011 UM Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony featuring proCanes Dan Morgan, Santana Moss Reggie Wayne and Bobby Hill. Congrats to all four of them and the other 4 inductees of this year’s class.

The former greats inducted into the UM Sports Hall of Fame on Thursday:

Daphne Jongejans-Bousquet, diving (1985-88) — UM’s only eight-time All-American women’s diver, a three-time Olympian (1984, 88, 92) for The Netherlands.

Ian Duvenhage, women’s tennis coach (1982-88) — Led team to seven consecutive NCAA appearances and a top-five ranking for four of those seasons. Won the USTA doubles title in 1983, while coaching.

Bobby Hill, baseball (1997-99) — UM’s career leader in stolen bases, with 139, and second in runs scored. Holds school-record 87 runs scored in 1998, when he hit .404. Second-round draft pick of Cubs in 1999.

Yolanda McCray, track (1995-99) — NCAA 100-meter hurdles champion in 1999. Six-time All-American. Graduated with six UM school records in hurdles (2), relays (3) and the 60-meter dash. Now in U.S. Army.

Dan Morgan, football (1997-2000) — UM’s career leader in tackles (532). As a senior, won the Butkus Award, Bednarik and Nagurski Awards as the nation’s top defender.

Santana Moss, football (1997-2000) — All-American who set UM records for receiving yards (2,546), all-purpose yards (4,402), punt-return yards (1,196) and punt-return touchdowns (6).

Tyce Routson, diving (1995-97, 2000) — Four-time NCAA champion (platform 1997 and 2000; 3-meter 1995 and 97). Eleven-time All-American.

Reggie Wayne, football (1997-2000) – Career receptions leader (173) and second in career receiving yards (2,510). Second to Moss in receiving yards (2,510) and tied for third in career touchdowns with 20.







Click here to see the rest of the photos! -->

Click here to order Reggie Wayne’s or Santana Moss’s or Dan Morgan’s proCane Rookie Card.



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Santana Moss came to Jungle Island ready to shine. He didn’t want just any outfit to wear for one of the most special nights of his life.

“I called my tailor last week and said I needed some threads that represent my school colors,’’ said Moss, shortly before he was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame. “I threw this together — wanted to bring out some orange and green.’’

The former UM receiver wore a green-and-orange plaid jacket, gold tie, beige linen pants and cream-colored leather shoes to match his cream shirt.

Moss, now with the Redskins, did not disappoint. Nor did the other former UM greats inducted Thursday, including Indianapolis Colts receiver Reggie Wayne and retired Carolina Panthers linebacker Dan Morgan.

All seven former UM athletes were warmly received by a full house of 450 loyal Hurricanes fans, including football coach Al Golden. Only one inductee, track star Yolanda McCray, couldn’t make it because she is serving in the U.S. Army.

“I’m thankful, man,’’ Moss said. “Even to this day in the NFL, I know a lot of my knowledge comes from my days at UM.”

Said Wayne: “I am so proud to be in this situation. I am being inducted at one of the best athletic universities ever.’’

And this, from Morgan: “After all the dedication and hard work we’ve put in, to be recognized like this is definitely a huge honor.’’

The athletes seemed in awe of one another. Former UM tennis player and women’s coach Ian Duvenhage, now the men’s coach at Vanderbilt, said he was shocked when he heard the other UM athletes in his class.

“I was pleasantly surprised when I found out about this honor, but when I realized who I was included with, I was mortified. I was like, ‘Wait a second, these people are all superstars. What am I doing with them?’ ”

Click here to order Reggie Wayne’s or Santana Moss’s or Dan Morgan’s proCane Rookie Card.



(miamiherald.com)

Indianapolis Colts receiver Reggie Wayne was home relaxing last fall when he got the phone call.

“Congratulations!’’ announced close friend Santana Moss, a Washington Redskins receiver and University of Miami teammate of Wayne’s in the late 1990s.

“Thank you,’’ Wayne replied skeptically.

“So, what exactly am I being congratulated for?’’

At 7 p.m. Thursday, Wayne will be one of three former UM football players – including Moss and retired NFL linebacker Dan Morgan – to be inducted into the UM Sports Hall of Fame at Jungle Island.

The other five: divers Daphne Jongejans-Bousquet and Tyce Routson, women’s tennis coach Ian Duvenhage, baseball player Bobby Hill and track-and-fielder Yolanda McCray.

“So sweet!’’ said Wayne, 32, the father of boys ages 7 and 1. “The brotherhood of my UM teammates has stuck with me like nothing else.’’

Morgan, 32, played at Coral Springs Taravella High and is the father of a 3-year-old son and daughters 5 and 2. He is traveling to the ceremony from his home in Charlotte, N.C., where he once played for the Carolina Panthers. Morgan called Thursday’s honor “crazy’’ and said his UM memories “are just as fresh in my head now as they were back then. I think of coming in with guys like Reggie and Santana, coming off the probation years and having that little weight room with barely any air-conditioning. We wanted to win so badly. In some ways, we’re like the forgotten people who were a big part of helping bring the Miami program back.’’

Not nearly forgotten, though they graduated and left to become NFL first-rounders just nine months before their younger teammates won UM’s first national title in 10 years. Wayne, Morgan and Moss were freshmen in 1997 and played through 2000, the year the Canes went 11-1 and were edged out by Florida State in the final Bowl Championship Series standings.

Theirs was the class that never got to the promised land, but laid the groundwork for their successors to get there. Theirs was the class that became Hurricanes in the midst of severe NCAA sanctions, determined to bring the program from its low point to the mountain top.

The Seminoles, losers to UM in 2000, went on to lose to Oklahoma in the BCS national championship game, while UM defeated Florida in the Sugar Bowl. The Canes could only lament their lone 34-29 loss at Washington in the second game of the season – quarterback Ken Dorsey’s first road start. That would be UM’s last loss before a momentous 34-game win streak that included a national title and ended with the Fiesta Bowl loss to Ohio State in another national championship game.

“I always consider our class as builders of the foundation,” said Wayne, who went 5-6, 9-3, 9-4 and 11-1 under Butch Davis. “We had a bunch of true freshmen who didn’t know the difference between our left and right feet, but we hung in there as brothers and took the good with the bad, took coaching pretty well and made it our business to get better every year. We showed everyone the way. But just think. If we could have redshirted, we would have won a title.

“Still, the way my life has gone,” said Wayne, a former Super Bowl champion and New Orleans native who lives with his family in Southwest Ranches, “I wouldn’t take it back for anything in the world. It’s storybook.’’

Moss, 31, grew up in Miami, graduated from Carol City High and has an offseason home near Pompano Beach. He said he was in awe when he learned he was to be inducted, like his teammates, in his first season of eligibility.

“I went down the list and was like, ‘Man! Did this guy get in yet? Did that guy get in yet?’ ” said Moss, who has a 6-year-old daughter and sons 10 and 1. “The years have gone by so fast, but I’ve never forgotten a moment that I spun at that school.

“I was pushed onto the field and I grew up from there. I caught the first pass thrown to me, a post corner on the sideline from Ryan Clement against Pittsburgh. It was the third game of my freshman year. Those are memories you never forget.’’

Some of Moss’ favorite UM moments: Beating FSU for the first time as a senior and his last game in the Orange Bowl against Boston College, a 52-6 victory in which he scored three touchdowns and set the all-time UM all-purpose yards record with 4,402. He also broke a 62-year-old UM career punt-return record by accumulating 1,196 yards over his four seasons.

Morgan’s favorite memory was defeating the top-ranked Seminoles 27-24. “Absolutely the happiest time in my Hurricane history,’’ said the linebacker who won the Bednarik and Butkus Awards and Nagurski Trophy in 2000.

And Wayne’s most cherished memory, besides breaking the UM record for career receptions (173), which still stands: “Making a pledge after our 5-6 freshmen year that we wouldn’t cut our hair until we made a bowl game – me, Santana, Darryl Jones, Ed Reed, Delvin Brown… We beat N.C. State in the Micron PC Bowl

in 1998, and I went back to my old look. The dreads and stuff were never me.

“The years do go by fast,’’ Wayne said. “But I’ll always be a Hurricane.’’

Click here to order Reggie Wayne’s or Santana Moss’s or Dan Morgan’s proCane Rookie Card.



(miamiherald.com)

The 43rd Annual UM Sports Hall of Fame banquet is next Thursday, March 24th at Jungle Island...headlined by Dan Morgan, Santana Moss and Reggie Wayne!

Tickets are $85 each and can be ordered by calling 305-284-2775...reception starts at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m.   Other inductees include baseball's Bobby Hill, NCAA track champion Yolanda McCray, Olympic diver Daphne Jongejans-Bousquet, NCAA champion diver Tyce Routson and former women's tennis coach Ian Duvenhage.

The 19th Annual UM Sports Hall of Fame Golf Tournament is Friday, March 25th at Miccosukee Golf and Country Club...go to UMSportsHallofFame.com for details.

Click here to order Reggie Wayne’s or Dan Morgan’s or Santana Moss’ proCane Rookie Card.

Impending free agent Santana Moss suggested on PFT Live Friday that his preference is to re-sign with the Redskins this offseason.

"My mind is nowhere outside of Washington," Moss assured. "That's where I want to be when it's all said and done." It's good news for the Redskins that Moss isn't even thinking about other teams, but he conceded that a new deal will have to wait for the labor situation to be finalized. The Redskins still need to find a true No. 1 receiver to pair with Moss.

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(nbcsports.com)

CBSSports.com confirmed with the Redskins on Tuesday that WR Santana Moss is a free agent. He is eligible to sign anywhere up to the end of the official NFL season, which is March 3. If there is a lockout on March 4, he will be unable to sign. That means that he could possibly switch teams before a work stoppage takes place.

Click here to order Santana Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.



(gridironfans.com)

Santana Moss's contract voided on Friday, making the Redskins' top wide receiver an unrestricted free agent March 4.

In December, the 10-year veteran said he hoped to return to the team he has led in receiving six consecutive seasons. But do the Redskins still want Moss? And if Washington is interested in re-signing him, what will it take to get a deal done?

It's believed Moss is seeking a two- or three-year deal that averages about $5 million a season. The Redskins renegotiated Moss's contract in May 2009.

He received a signing bonus of more than $6.2 million and had a base salary of $968,500 last season. Under the terms of the renegotiation, the remainder of Moss's deal voided after the 2010 season.

Although Moss turns 32 in June, he could remain productive for a few more seasons. Last season, he proved to be a good fit in offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan's system. Playing multiple receiver positions, Moss had a career-high 93 receptions for 1,115 yards (topping the 1,000-yard mark for fourth time in his career) and six touchdowns.

It would seem to make sense for the Redskins to re-sign him. The problem with their passing attack last season wasn't Moss -- it was the lack of consistent options in addition to Moss and Anthony Armstrong.

It would appear the Redskins could have some intriguing options, whether they decide to replace Moss or re-sign him and bolster their receiving corps with other potential free agents.

Of course, even when it comes to free agency, we don't know for sure how everything will play out until a new CBA is agreed upon. But once the CBA is settled, it's believed that the top free agent receivers will be Vincent Jackson, Sidney Rice, Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards, Steve Smith, Terrell Owens and Randy Moss. But they all may not be available or want to sign with the Redskins.

Leading up to last season's trade deadline, the Redskins and San Diego were reportedly discussing a deal that would have sent Jackson to Washington. The Chargers are reportedly considering using their franchise tag on Jackson, meaning they either plan on working out a deal to re-sign him or hope to receive two first-round draft picks from another team if Jackson signs elsewhere.

The 6-foot-4 Rice would meet the Redskins' longtime need for a big, dependable target. There's talk, however, Minnesota could use its franchise tag on him, and the New York Jets may do the same with Holmes.

The Redskins passed on both Owens and Moss when they could have pursued them last season (Owens as a free agent and Moss through waivers). It would seem unlikely that either would receive interest from Mike Shanahan & co.

That leaves Edwards (53 catches, 904 yards and seven TDs) and Smith (49 catches, 529 yards, three touchdowns) for consideration. Or there could be other lower-profile receivers the Redskins may believe could help them.

Another receiver expected to become a free agent is San Diego's Malcom Floyd, who at 6-5, 225 pounds has size. Floyd had 37 catches for 717 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games last season. And then there is Plaxico Burress, who will be an unrestricted free agent as he attempts to make a comeback after two years in prison.

As for the draft, Alabama's Julio Jones is expected to be available in the 10th to 15th-pick range. But a pass-rusher to complement Brian Orakpo or a quarterback likely are higher priorities for the Redskins, who have the No. 10 pick.

Click here to order Santana Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.



(washingtonpost.com)

When the Washington Redskins hit the salary ceiling in 2009, they had to rewrite wide receiver Santana Moss' contract. And now that bill comes due, according to FootballNewsNow.com.

On Friday, Moss will be a free agent. And the Oakland Raiders (or at least blog sites like BleacherReport.com) have their eyes on this deep-threat prize.

Moss played in all 16 games last season, setting career-best numbers in receptions and yards, with six touchdowns.

He's an 11-year pro, who would provide a little leadership for a younger receiving corps.

And if Moss does migrate West, it'd be like getting the band back together: quarterback Jason Campbell was last with the Redskins, as well.

Click here to order Santana Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.



(nbcbayarea.com)

Other outlets are now reporting on the impending free agency of Redskins receiver Santana Moss. ESPN reports from a source that Moss’ contract expires five days after the Superbowl, making him an unrestricted free agent.

Moss restructured his contract in 2009 and included a clause that said his contract will automatically void five days after Super Bowl XLV.

The 31-year-old Moss had a career-high 93 receptions in 2010, his first season with coach Mike Shanahan. He also had fourth career 1,000-yard season (1,115) and six touchdowns.

However, there is now some speculation that the Redskins may not approach Moss to talk a contract extension. NFL.com's Jason La Canfora is reporting that the Skins may go into 2011 without Moss:

The Redskins don't plan to offer a contract extension to Moss, who had a career-high 93 catches this past season.

If true, this is a very interesting development about what the Redskins roster could look like in the future. Moss led the team in both catches and receiving yards in 2010 and was excelled in Kyle Shanahan's offense. Choosing to let Moss go in free agency would be an interesting decision for Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen, as there is no one on the current roster who looks to replace him. 

Either way, Redskins fans will learn of the team's true intentions for it's receiving corps once the new collective bargaining agreement gets completed.

Click here to order Santana Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.



(sbnation.com)

The Redskins are expected to try to re-sign WR Santana Moss, who flourished in Mike Shanahan's offense and remains the clear-cut go-to guy in the passing game. His value is enhanced by the fact that there are no other reliable receiving targets at wideout other than Anthony Armstrong, who at the moment is a one-year wonder. Moss will get attention from other teams once free agency opens, but he has stated his desire to return.

Click here to order Santana Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.



(gridironfans.com)

For 45 years now the Quarterback Club has been naming a Redskins Player Of The Year. The first one was Sam Huff; as of today the most recent is Santana Moss.

The winner of the award is determined by a vote from the media covering the team, and TBD.com writer Sam Chamberlain -- in keeping with his publication's much-talked-about love of transparency -- wrote about filling out his ballot. He also, it so happens, gave his first-place vote to Moss. Here's his reasoning (keeping in mind that the votes were due before Moss's season was complete):

Santana Moss has averaged more receiving yards per reception (12.4 to 11.1) and per game (69.4 to 53.1) than his counterpart Cooley, scored twice as many touchdowns (six to three), and broken the 1,000-receiving yard mark for the fourth time in his career and third time as a Redskin. He's done all this, by the way, in an offense whose performance has generally fluctuated between "barely competent" and "utterly poor." Such toil should be rewarded, and that's why I cast my vote for Santana Moss as the Redskins Player of the Year.

I don't quite agree with Chamberlain's brutal assessment of the offense, but his analysis of Moss's performance is dead on. In addition to tallying his fourth 1,000-yard season, Moss also set his career high for catches with 93 -- which is also the second-most ever for a Redskins receiver, behind Art Monk's 106 in 1984.

Moss talked about his award -- and his successful season -- to Larry Michael for an interview that will air on tonight's Redskins Nation. "When I heard that this offense was coming to us from Houston, I was talking [to] Andre Johnson and he said, 'I guarantee you get ninety catches this year,'" Moss said. "And you hear that and I'm always the guy that, you know, I hear things but I don't try to dwell on 'em." Turns out that Johnson was absolutely correct.

As far as the award, Moss was characteristically humble and grateful. "Means a lot," he said. "It means somebody's seen the hard work and the dedication that I took on the field each week, and pretty much respected what I did and said 'You deserve' what I was honored with today."

And Michael also asked Moss about his future as he becomes a free agent. About that, Moss was completely clear: "I just really wish that I'm gonna be a Redskin," he said. "I don't really have nothing else in mind of me going anywhere or being anywhere but here. So hopefully everything works itself out."

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(redskins.com)

In any given week, Santana Moss will leave the football stadium on Sunday and begin prepping for a week of non-stop bodywork.

He'll see his masseuse twice and will make two visits to a chiropractor. He'll spend nights resting in a hyperbaric chamber in his home, receiving oxygen treatments, and he flies in a personal trainer from Atlanta each week - "a specialist when it comes to muscles," Moss said.

"When you was younger, you didn't have to have massages, you didn't have to see chiropractors," said Moss, 31. "Now you just throw that in your regimen, and say, 'Well, this is what keeps me going.' So you pay a little more just to play."

It's paid off. Moss enters today's season finale against the New York Giants with 84 catches, one shy of a career-high for a season. Last week at Jacksonville, he topped the 1,000-yard mark for the fourth time in his 10-year career.

"I had a lot of respect before I came here for Santana," said quarterback Rex Grossman, "but now getting the chance to play with him, he's an amazing player, the way he can separate from defenders. He's got great hands. He runs great routes. He's everything I thought he was and more."

No one questions Moss's ability or his role in the Redskins' offense. But his future isn't as clear. After six seasons in Washington, Moss is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. While he's been given no assurances, Moss said he hopes to return to the Redskins.

"I don't feel like leaving is going to help me win games somewhere else. I feel that when somewhere that you are comfortable with, that you feel like you can play, and your family can live and, you know, you can raise your family and live comfortably, and play a great game, and play at a high level," Moss said, "you know, why leave?"

The Redskins have found a way to make Moss as effective as ever. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan knew long before he arrived in Washington that Moss was a superb receiver. But after reviewing film of Moss' previous seasons, Shanahan also thought he could take better advantage of Moss' skills.

Moss, who at 5-foot-9 is short and quick, made his name as a college receiver at the University of Miami lining up in the slot. But since entering the NFL in 2001, he's lined up almost exclusively on the outside. This season, Shanahan moved Moss back to the slot and gave him a variety of inside passing routes.

"When you got guys who are not the tall, lanky guys, their legs are always under them, so they can cut a little better than most people," Shanahan said. "They can get to the top of the routes, stick out both feet, go both directions. You give guys like that a two-way go. It's tough to cover them. When you got a guy who's got that quickness, that talent, has the hands he does, has got football awareness - he's not scared. He can be a special player in there."

What isn't clear is how long Moss' body will last. He hopes to sign a free agent contract and plans on playing somewhere in 2011. He doesn't know where he'll end up, though, or how long he'll be there.

"I never put a number on anything. I just go," he said. "It'll come a day. Until that day comes, you'll see me out here running routes, doing what I do."

Click here to order Santana Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.



(hamptonroads.com)

Santana Moss had a nice year, sure, but enough with this silliness about him being “snubbed” in the Pro Bowl voting. Let’s face it, he’s not as explosive a player as he used to be. Of his career-high 93 catches this season, only nine went for 20 yards or more. The four receivers who made the NFC squad had 15 (Roddy White), 16 (Calvin Johnson), 21 (DeSean Jackson) and 21 (Greg Jennings) grabs of 20-plus yards.

Of course, Shanahan used Moss differently than other coaches have. He lined him up in the slot more and had him run scores of underneath routes and screens. Santana saw the ball as much as he ever has, but it was harder for him to generate big plays. Consider: In 2005, the only time he went to the Pro Bowl as a Redskin, he had 24 catches of 20 yards or more – and 10 of 40 yards or more.

It’ll be interesting to see if the Redskins re-sign Moss now that his contract is up. He’ll be 32 next season, and Shanny might want to get younger at the position. (The coach SAYS he wants to get younger in lots of places, but we’ll see about that.)

If it were up to me, I’d hang onto Santana for as long as he was even remotely functional. Why? Because not only is he great in the locker room, he’s that rarest of pro football creatures: the Low-Maintenance Receiver. Have you ever heard him complain about not getting enough passes thrown his way – or about anything, for that matter? You need players like him around to show the kids How It’s Done.

Click here to order Santana Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.



(tbd.com)

ASHBURN -- A man can endure only so much frustration, disappointment and failure before he breaks. Santana Moss was pushed to that point three Sundays ago.

His Washington Redskins had just devised a new way to lose--a missed extra point after he caught a touchdown pass with 9 seconds remaining in regulation. The team's best offensive player for the last six seasons had experienced several different nadirs during that forgettable span, but this blunder introduced foreign depths.

Emotion filled Moss' voice as he spoke to reporters at his locker inside FedEx Field.

"It's just [expletive] years of losing," he seethed. "Excuse my French, but I'm just hurt."

Moss' spirit at that moment was broken. His words and tone gave the impression that he'd do anything to escape this woebegone franchise.
Yesterday, however, Moss said that he is not compelled to depart via free agency this offseason and spend the twilight of his career chasing a championship with another club in another city. He is willing to stick it out and try to see the Redskins' building process through under head coach Mike Shanahan.

"I don't feel like leaving is going to help me win games somewhere else," he said. "When you're somewhere that you're comfortable with, and you feel like you can play, and your family can live, and you can raise your family and live comfortably and play a great game at a high level, why leave?"

Moss, 31, will have the chance this offseason to back up those words with action. His contract expires after this season, and he could choose to test the free-agent market for the first time in his 10-year career.

That would be the quickest way to join a Super Bowl contender, but the Redskins have an advantage in the competition for Moss' services in the form of offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan.

When Shanahan took over as the Redskins' play-caller this season, he and head coach Mike Shanahan decided Moss' talents could be exploited as a slot receiver in three-receiver sets. Moss is a quality route runner who can play all three receiver spots. He normally is sure-handed, and he still is fast and shifty enough to separate from defenders on a variety of routes.

So instead of always lining up wide, Moss begins some plays positioned closer to the offensive line.

Moss hadn't done that since his collegiate career at the University of Miami, but his production this year validates the move. His 84 receptions equal his career high. He has 1,041 yards, marking the fourth time in his career he has surpassed 1,000. And he has six touchdowns.

"When you got guys who are not the tall, lanky guys, their legs are always under them, so they can cut a little better than most people," Kyle Shanahan said. "They can get to the top of their routes, stick out both feet and go both directions. You give guys like that a two-way go, it's tough to cover them."

Moss likes playing there because he more easily avoids being double-covered by a high safety.

"Now you have a chance to get inside where they can't put a Cover-2 over you all the time," he said. "The slot routes are routes inside where you can get open a little faster by putting a couple of moves on that guy getting him out of his break."

In that role, Moss has made a strong impression on the first-year coaching staff and his teammates.

"He's everything I thought he was and more," said quarterback Rex Grossman, who just recently began throwing to Moss in game situations. "He makes it easy for a quarterback because he can separate. And defenders know that and they get kind of back on their heels waiting for him to make his move.

"He just runs such good routes. And with coach Shanahan putting him position to get open, it's a good combination."

Sunday's game against the New York Giants could be Moss' last in a Redskins uniform, but at this point it's almost impossible to envision the Redskins offense without him.

Washington traded for him in 2005, so he experienced the up-and-down tenure of coach Joe Gibbs and the ill-fated Jim Zorn era. You couldn't blame him, then, if he wanted to get as far away from here as possible. He has experienced only two winning seasons out of his six with the club, and his two playoff appearances were fleeting.

On the other hand, perhaps that difficult journey would make reaching the final destination sweeter.

"I would love to be a part of that," Moss said. "I can't tell you if it would be more satisfying. I just feel like once I become a Redskin, I feel like it was meant for me to be here."

Click here to order Santana Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.



(fredricksburg.com)

Today's sign that we've really reached the winding-down portion of the season: players who are facing free agency being asked about their futures with the team. Nearly everyone in the locker room said that they still had plenty of football left and that they hoped to play that football here. It's what you'd hope to hear, what you'd expect to hear, and it often doesn't actually mean all that much.

But Santana Moss's declaration -- he's currently slated to be a free agent after this season -- was particularly heartfelt.

"I don't feel like leaving is going to help me win games somewhere else," Moss said, frankly. "I feel that, you know, somewhere that you are comfortable with, that you feel like you can play, and your family can live and, you know, you can raise your family and live comfortably, and play a great game, and play at a high level. You know, why leave? So that's why I feel the way I feel."

Moss actually expressed a sense of belonging here that I don't think I had every heard him mention before. "I just feel like once I became a Redskin, I felt like it was meant for me to be here," Moss said. "Once I got that opportunity to come here, you know-coming into the league in 2001, I heard that's where I was going anyway. The whole week leading up to it, they had me under Washington, Washington, Washington. For whatever reason, the Jets got me. And when I got a chance to come anyway, I was like, hey, maybe it was meant. And when the career has went the way it went here, when it comes to just having the success I've had here, you know, you kind of say, well this must be the team for me."

Moss's play this year certainly backs up the idea that he can still play, and even flourish in Kyle Shanahan's offense. With one catch on Sunday, Moss will set a new career high for receptions with 85. He's currently at 1,041 yards, which is his fourth highest yardage total in his ten NFL seasons, and he has six touchdowns -- there's no sign whatsoever that his game is declining. For me, I'd love to see Moss in a Redskins uniform again next season, but I'm mostly just shocked that it's already time to start talking about the offseason again.

Click here to order Santana Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.



(redskins.com)