Santana Moss was inactive in Week 1 but doesn’t sulk about it

In the rich tradition of high-maintenance NFL wide receivers, Keyshawn Johnson was arguably the prototype, writing his autobiography “Just Give Me the Damn Ball!” when just a rookie. Over the years, other pass-catching divas have taken their case for more throws directly to TV cameras.

Wednesday at Redskins Park, 14th-year wide receiver Santana Moss didn’t quibble or sulk after being scratched from the roster for Sunday’s season opener in Houston. If anything, he shied away from the media megaphone, ceding the locker-room interview sessions to his teammates while sitting alone on a couch in the hallway outside, waiting to get back to work on the practice field.

The 5-foot-10, 193-pound Moss has not taken his playing time for granted, even as a first-round NFL draft pick in 2001. Today, at 35, the senior statesman on Washington’s roster, his attitude is unchanged.

“It’s all about when I get an opportunity now,” said Moss, who until Sunday had not been made inactive for a Redskins game while healthy since joining the team in 2005. “Regardless of whether I’m out there Sunday or not, my work is put in every week. I can live with that. At the end of the day, I’m still working to try to be out there and have a chance to be able to be a part of what we’re trying to do.”

A standout sprinter, long jumper, triple-jumper and wide receiver in his college days at Miami, Moss has learned to adapt to different roles throughout his NFL career. He appeared in all 32 games the past two seasons as Washington’s third wide receiver, behind Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan. Last season he caught 42 passes for 452 yards and two touchdowns.


(washingtonpost.com)