Pondering Santana Moss' future with Redskins

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)