Has the clock expired on Santana Moss?

Santana Moss was relegated to an afterthought on Washington’s roster after last spring’s high-profile free-agent acquisitions of standout wide receivers DeSean Jackson and Andre Roberts.

Ruled inactive for the season-opener despite being healthy — a first in Moss’s distinguished NFL career — the longest-tenured Redskin didn’t sulk. Instead, he kept working in practice as if he’d be called upon any moment.

“I know what time it is right now in my career,” Moss said an interview at the time, alluding to the challenge of staying relevant at a skill position at age 35. “If I couldn’t do what I’m doing, I wouldn’t be here today. It’s just different times. I have to deal with something I’ve seen a lot of guys go through.”

As the 2015 season approaches, time may have expired on Moss’s career — at least in Washington.

If so, he’ll bow out as one of the team’s more distinguished alumni.

An all-American at Miami, where he was a Big East triple-jump champion as well, Moss was chosen in the first round (16th overall) of the 2001 draft by the New York Jets. Acquired by Washington in a 2005 trade for Laveraneus Coles, Moss established his value at once, setting the Redskins’ season receiving record of 1,483 yards his first year with the team — a mark that stands today.

In 10 seasons in Washington, Moss has played for four head coaches (Joe Gibbs, Jim Zorn, Mike Shanahan and Jay Gruden) and caught passes from 10 starting quarterbacks, beginning with Mark Brunell in 2011. He stands third on the team’s list of total receptions, with 581, trailing only Art Monk’s 888 and Charley Taylor’s 649.

It was somewhat of a surprise that Gruden kept Moss on the 53-man roster coming out of training camp, but the 5-foot-10, 193-pound veteran brought a welcome professionalism to the practice field. And he was a relative bargain, having signed a one-year deal for $1.02 million.

While Gruden voiced respect for Moss throughout the season, the first-year coach conceded he was often “odd man out” on a gifted receiving corps, given that he didn’t have a role on special teams. Jackson provided the explosive speed the coach coveted. Roberts doubled as a return specialist. Pierre Garcon delivered sorely needed blocking, in addition to the requirements for bruising catches in traffic. And the coach also was intent on developing a cadre of younger wide receivers, such as third-year speedster Aldrick Robinson (who was released in early December) and polished, precise rookie Ryan Grant.

Moss finally got in a game Week 6 and was active for nine more, finishing his 14th NFL season with 10 catches for 116 yards and no touchdowns. It was the fewest games and catches he’d had since his rookie year with the New York Jets.

The day players cleaned out their lockers following yet another last-place finish in the NFC East, Moss said that a 4-12 season wasn’t the way he wanted to end his career. While Moss said he’s not counting on another season in the NFL (he’ll turn 36 on June 1), he also vowed to continue training so he’d be ready.

“All the accolades, it’s in the past, it’s been done,” Moss said. “I’m just trying to win, and trying to be a part of something that wants to win. “And I never wanted to leave this place, so hopefully, I can continue to be a part of this place, because I know upstairs and the guys that are trying to put this team together year in and year out, that’s their focus, too. But I can’t predict it.”


(washingtonpost.com)