Jun/10/08 01:58 PM Filed in:
Santana Moss
Santana Moss knows
what’s happened when he’s played this
spot in the past: big years. The Redskins, and
Moss, hope that happens again.
In the new West Coast offense, Moss will play the X, or
outside receiver, position. He last played that spot
during his first year in Washington. He responded with
84 catches for 1,483 yards and nine touchdowns.
He also played this spot during his third season in New
York — and caught 74 passes for 1,105 yards and
10 scores.
“Those were my best seasons,” Moss said.
“Hopefully I’ll do the same thing.”
Moss played the Z, or flanker, spot the past two
seasons with Antwaan Randle El and Brandon Lloyd
playing X. But new coach Jim Zorn wanted Moss at X.
“The group before us, they had him at flanker and
motioned him down and saw him as a move guy,”
Zorn said. “But I see him as a vertical
threat.”
In a typical setting, Moss would be by himself on one
side while Randle El and tight end Chris Cooley is on
the other. Before, Moss would be paired with Cooley.
Teams would double one or the other.
“Now if they double me, then you’ve got two
guys one on one [on the other side],” he said.
“With X, I get a lot of good
opportunities.”
There will be plenty of times, in four- and
five-receiver sets, that Moss will line up inside. But,
for now, he’s strictly working at X. Only Randle
El and James Thrash are working at multiple receiver
positions.
“[Moss] has enough muscle and grit to run slants
and how are you going to press him and leave that DB
one on one?” Zorn said. “I’m thinking
about different ways to create formations for us that
will create a real uncomfortable situation for
coordinators. He’s outside this play; now
he’s inside; now he’s over here. What are
you gonna do?”
(examiner.com)