A source in agent Drew Rosenhaus' office confirmed a report on ProFootballTalk.com that the Redskins saved $1.7477 million by restructuring receiver Santana Moss' contract. That's more than enough to pay for the salary cap acceleration incurred when the Redskins cut offensive tackle Jon Jansen last Friday.

The Redskins added three seasons to the 30-year-old Moss' contract, extending him through 2013. Moss' base salaries for this year and next were basically converted into signing bonus, guaranteeing him nearly $6.3 million.

(washigtontimes.com)

The Redskins restructured Santana Moss' contract to save money under the salary cap, according to Profootballtalk.com.

The agreement converted most of Moss' 2009 ($3.7 million) and 2010 ($4.3 million) base salaries into "signing" bonuses to be spread out through 2013. The deal will void after 2010, however, so the extra three years are actually "dummy" seasons. The savings was $1.7477 million, or just a little more than the salary cap hit to dump right tackle Jon Jansen.

(rotoworld.com)

Say what you will about NCAA "student-athletes." Say they are on occasion not the most studious of students. Say they're using their college experience as a pro sports internship. Say they often enter school without any intention of exiting in the traditional cap-and-gown manner.

Just don't tell me they don't care about the schools they attend or their college teammates. For the second consecutive year, I went and stood outside a club Saturday night as Santana Moss rolled up to celebrate his birthday party, not in a party bus filled with Redskins teammates, but in a party bus filled with teammates from the U. (The Redskins teammates arrived separately.)

Last year, I asked Reggie Wayne whether these bonds were stronger than the bonds connecting, say, the Indianapolis Colts. "Yeah, for REAL for real, and you can say it again," he told me. "We've been through all the hard times, all the hardship, and you understand all the pain ... It's a brotherhood, brothers from another mother all across the board, and it's a bond."

It's just like your fantasy football league. If you're like me, you have a draft both with your current co-workers, the guys you sometimes meet at the copy machine, and with your college roommates, the fellows whose vomit you once lovingly wiped from their passed-out necks. It's just a different sort of connection, and NFL players feel it, too.
This year, as Edgerrin James and Andre Johnson and others pushed through the crowd outside a downtown D.C. club, I again asked why these Miami guys are still doing things together.

"We always do," Johnson told me. "It’s something I can’t describe, but you know, it’s a beautiful thing that we have."
Anyhow, amid the cleavage and flashing cameras, I was thinking football, so I asked James whether he still has something left in his tank.

"Of course I've still got it," he said with a laugh. "I was in a bad situation. Just look at my track record. I averaged 4.5 yards a game the last five, six games. Trust me, there's nothing wrong with me. It was a passing team. You're not gonna find a top two or three passing team with a top running game. Choose one or the other. Show me a team that's No. 1 passing and No. 1 running. You ain't got enough time."

James, of course, was released by the Arizona Cardinals, and has been linked with teams like the Saints. But with Biz Markie en route and the club beckoning, he didn't feel like discussing any possible destinations Saturday night.

"I'm trying to think about football next month," he said. "I'm just gonna take it easy and enjoy what I'm doing right now."

With his collegiate teammates, of course.

I didn't go to Sunday's pool party and barbecue that capped off Santana Moss's 30th birthday weekend, but I did make a brief appearance at Current on Connecticut Avenue Saturday night. A few observations.

* Maybe I'm crazy, but if a star of the Pittsburgh Steelers was doing it up outside a club in a crowded downtown Pittsburgh neighborhood, I've got to believe the young crowds arriving to go to other spots would stand around and gawk. Instead, we got a few gawkers, a lot of indifference, and a few people asking us who Santana Moss was. Or just not noticing the Moss part at all.

"Like, Carlos Santana?" one reveler asked me. "That's the only Santana I give a crap about."

* Biz Markie was the DJ, fulfilling his role as Official DJ for every D.C. athlete birthday party. I've lost count, but he's definitely done birthday parties for Caron Butler and DeShawn Stevenson. I'm pretty sure he did Joe Gibbs's most recent birthday party, but I lost my invitation to that one.

"I just know everybody," Biz said, when I asked about his athletic ubiquity.

This time, there was some sort of dispute when Rock Cartwright's group got ushered into the club before Biz's group. Sports are all about the drama.

* That particular block of Connecticut Avenue has several nightlife options, and the stretch limos with the hordes of angry young men and chattering young women kept arriving all night. Moss's first load of friends, though, came in one of those shuttle buses used by wedding parties. Nice change-up with that one.

Also, there were at least three bachelorette parties on the block. None, sadly, was there for the Santana affair.

* Among the Redskins I spotted: Clinton Portis, Cartwright, Stephon Heyer, Devin Thomas, Chris Horton, Kareem Moore. Heyer didn't want to discuss Jon Jansen's release in that setting, which was fair enough. Thomas was happy to discuss Moss, whom he called his mentor.

"He's my big brother," Thomas said. "I've got to show him some love here because he's shown me the ropes."
I asked Thomas what he'd be doing when he turns 30.

"Hopefully still tearing up the football field like he does," Showtime said. Then he remembered something. "I got a birthday present for him," he said. "A wheelchair and a cane."

As for the party, "he does it big," Thomas said.

* It wouldn't really be a party without an ice sculpture, now would it? Every year, I plan on getting one of those for myself, and every year, it somehow slips my mind. Slip. Ha.

* There was some foot traffic from the goth industrial crowd, there for the dance party around the corner at Midnight. I'm sure there are two social groups that are better opposites than goth industrial dancers and NFL football players from the U., but you're gonna have to suggest them.

* Edgerrin James turned 30 last Aug. 1, 10 months to the day before Moss. (Today is Moss's actual birthday.) So I asked him what it's like, not that I don't know myself.

"When you get to be 30, you already know exactly what you want," Edge told me. "Life kind of mellows out. It's trial and error."

* So is Santana old? "Nah man, he's not old," Andre Johnson told me. "I mean, we all wish that we could stay young. He's 30 years old now, and he still goes out on the field and performs well. Everyone says 30 years is an old age in the game of football, but you can still go out and play and produce on the field, and he's a guy that can do it."

"We don't age, we just get better," Edge said of the Miami crew.

* I'll go ahead and give the fashion prize to WKYS's Jeannie Jones, who was wearing nothing but a Moss jersey, slightly altered into a dress-like shape. "I love everything about Santana," she said.

* While I didn't see any other football jerseys turned into evening wear, I saw plenty of other outfits that fit the same aesthetic, said aesthetic being wear as little cloth as possible, to minimize the amount of flammable fabric on your body in case of a raging fire, I'd guess.

"It is so freakin' competitive, and the girls have such butts and such boobs," said April Jones of the April Jones Show. "It's serious. These girls, they invest their life savings in their hair, their breasts and their butts. It's a whole different ball game."

(voices.washigtonpost.com)

Today is Santana Moss's 30th birthday -- a benchmark in football that often indicates there are fewer years ahead of a player than behind him. Moss practiced during the day's organized team activity as part of the wide receivers corps that included the return of Malcolm Kelly from offseason surgery.

Moss exited the locker room after practices without the cornrows fans have become accustomed to seeing.

"The season went so bad the second half, I was like, 'Man, I'll do something different. I'll cut my hair to get all the bad funk off me,'" Moss said.

Hair aside, Moss is preparing for a pivotal ninth season in the league. He is the Redskins' most productive wide receiver after a year that was among the best in his career. Moss finished 2008 with 79 catches for 1,044 yards and six touchdowns. It was his third 1,000-yard season and his first since 2005 -- his first year in Washington.

"Every year I look forward. I don't need anything I look for," Moss said. "I just need to go out and do it. Every year I look to just get better. I don't settle for less. I never plan or set goals, because you got to have it in mind that you want to get better."

Moss's totals came during a season in which production from 2008 second-round picks Devin Thomas and Kelly was limited. Moss has mentored the younger wide receivers, although they seem to fit the mold for the Redskins' offense more than Moss.

Moss's experience will be critical. After the Redskins released tackle Jon Jansen on Friday, Moss is one of 16 players left on the Redskins roster with eight or more years in the NFL.

"You got to understand, we're all professionals. You have to be able to accept whatever," Moss said. "With that said, you never know when it's going to happen. You got to prepare yourself that what it does, you can understand what part of the game it is. Business is business."

(voices.washigtonpost.com)

Miami Beach, FL (AHN) - When it comes to sexy, no one has a leg up on Miami Baech.

The Eden Roc Hotel was the site of sexy Friday for Washington Redskins' wide receiver Santana Moss' 30th birthday party.

The event, which benefitted the Santana Moss Foundation and Clean Up Miami Beach, featured a lingerie show from the legendary Frederick's of Hollywood and models clad in body paint donning Bullets 4 Peace jewelry.

The Santana Moss Foundation's objective is "to positively touch the lives of others by inspiring them to believe that we all deserve to dream and set goals."

It was established in 2002 as charitable organization and is dedicated to strengthening and improving, physically and spiritually, the children in America. Clean Up Miami Beach is a movement set to maintain the beauty of majestic Miami Baech.

"It's great to have my birthday party in Miami, what other better way could I have done it?" said Moss.

Moss is excited to start the Redskins' second season under head coach Jim Zorn.

"Every year we try to be better. Last year was our first year under a new head coach, and I feel like all we could do is take it from there," said Moss "I look forward to a good year."

"I have no doubt that (quarterback) Jason Campbell could lead us to the playoffs. We always compete; we're one of the teams they fear in the NFC East."

Moss has played nine seasons in the NFL, with the Jets and Redskins. Last year, he had 79 receptions for 1,044 yards, but the Redskins finished last in the NFC East at 8-8.

Other guests included Steven Bauer and Angel Salazar (Scarface), Andre Johnson (Houston Texans), Sinorice Moss (Giants) and former Giant Plaxico Burress. The event was hosted by E! network's Cindy Taylor.

Johnson expects nothing less than the playoffs for the Houston Texans this year.

"Last year, you know, we finished 8-8, but we struggled on the road," said Johnson. "If we can improve our performance away from home, we can definitely compete for a playoff spot."

The Texans went 6-2 at home in 2008, but just 2-6 on the road. Johnson, widely believed to be one of the most underrated receivers in the league, led the entire NFL in passing yards (1575) and receptions (115).

The event started with red carpet arrivals around 9 PM. As celebrities and guests shuffled into their seats, centered around a runway that seemed to float over the pool, the ladies of Frederick's of Hollywood showed off their new Summer collection to the delight of spectators.

Next, models clad in body paint came out donning jewelry from the Bullets 4 Peace collection. Bullets 4 Peace uses real bullets retrieved from battlefields in the Middle East to create symbols of peace in the form of jewelry.

"I just want to thank everyone for coming out, I really appreciate we could get together for a good cause here at the Eden Roc," said Moss as he blew out his candles and was handed a present from Bullets 4 Peace designer Rafi.

(gantdaily.com)

Miami Beach, FL (CNS) - Since acquiring stardom in the NFL, Redskins receiver Santana Moss has made sure to come back to his hometown of Miami every chance he gets.

Moss celebrates his 30th birthday with "A Night at Eden Roc: Reloading life through the world of fashion" Friday May 29th.

The event, held at the newly-renovated Eden Roc hotel in South Beach, features Frederick's of Hollywood and a Bullets 4 Peace fashion show hosted by E! television's Cindy Taylor.

Frederick's of Hollywood, the innovative and world-renowned lingerie brand, will be showing their "Seduction" collection. Bullets 4 Peace, a celebrity-favorite jewelry line, will be showing their beautiful pieces on models clad in body paint.

"The Eden Roc is an ideal partner for a sexy summer event and we are thrilled to bring a piece of Hollywood to Miami," said Frederick's of Hollywood President & CEO Linda LoRe in a press release. "We really believe our brand is a perfect fit for the Miami audience and it will show with sexy looks from our Seduction collection and bright, flirty pieces from our special occasion line on the runway."

David Siguaw, the Director of Marketing and Sales at the Eden Roc added "We are honored to host these amazing partners in an evening of fashion, fun, and philanthropy at the Eden Roc and showcase the design of this historic property."

In addition to Moss and Taylor, other celebrities expected to attend are: Lou Gossett, Jr. (Academy Award-winning actor), Sammy Sosa, Steven Bauer (Actor; Scarface, Que Pasa USA), Clinton Portis(Washington Redskins), Alonzo Mourning, Sinorice Moss (NY Giants), Reggie Wayne (Indianapolis Colts), Andre Johnson (Houston Texans), Ed Reed(Baltimore Ravens), Edgerrin James, and Ed Weinberger (Emmy Award-winning screenwriter and television producer), among others.

(allheadlinenews.com)

Santana Moss will apparently be celebrating his thirtieth birthday as a three part affair, and part one is tonight at the ESPN Zone downtown in D.C. According to the ESPN Zone website:

Star receiver Santana Moss is turning 30 - and he wants to celebrate with you!

Join us on Wednesday, May 27th at 6 p.m. for the birthday festivities. The event will include question-and-answer session with Moss and nine of his Redskins teammates. Ask the athletes whatever's on your mind, bid in a silent auction benefiting The Moss Foundation, and more!

Plus, don't miss ESPN Zone's popular Play Against the Pros event, starting at 7 p.m. Don't miss this priceless opportunity to play in ESPN Zone's Sports Arena against your favorite D.C. athletes. Suggested donation of $10 per game will go directly to The Moss Foundation.

Take the opportunity now, because the events get progressively more exclusive. Saturday night's event has age restrictions and a "strictly-enforced" dress code, and Sunday night's event is so exclusive that it's invitation only with no information provided on the website other than that it exists. So, realistically, tonight is your best bet. (Unless you already have your invitation for Sunday, in which case you can disregard all of that.)

(blog.redskins.com)

Santana Moss' game is all about speed and quickness. So Redskins receivers coach Stan Hixon groaned at the mention that his ace player is about to turn 30. That might be an age for bruising blockers and prolific punters - not Washington's favorite gnat.

"We always wonder [about increasing age] because you don't last forever, but last season Santana was our best receiver going," Hixon said. "He had more catches and more touchdowns [than in 2007]. He's still got it. I don't see him slowing down."

Neither does Moss, who isn't shying away from the impending milestone. If anything, he's embracing it, saying his 30th birthday party in June will be even bigger than his publicly celebrated 29th. And it was Moss, not some young guy threatening his status as king of Washington's wideouts, who brought up the subject of his advancing age.

"I'm getting older, and I need something to challenge me," Moss said. "You start getting up in age, and you want something different. Every year you do the same thing, and it kinda gets like 'Groundhog Day.' Is there anything else I can do?"

That search for a challenge is in part why Moss stayed home in South Florida and away from Redskin Park until this weekend's mandatory minicamp. Moss always has preferred to work out in the sunshine rather than deal with the D.C. area's inconsistent spring. And he has also become enamored of unconventional preparation for the grind that is an NFL season.

The only other players who had been totally absent until minicamp were fullback Mike Sellers, middle linebacker London Fletcher and safety LaRon Landry. But even though Moss isn't working this weekend because of shin splints, coach Jim Zorn isn't unhappy with him - after all, Moss got hurt training.

Just not in the weight room or on the track. The former college sprinter suffered shin splints while running on asphalt as part of his new martial arts routine.

"It gets you in tremendous shape," Moss said of the kick boxing-centered program he began last offseason after fighting sore hamstrings in 2007. "Last year, I did nothing for a couple of months and let the body rest. Then I built the body back up. It worked last year, so I wanted to do it again. I didn't do anything until late March. I ate and drank and had a good time.

"Then I was on the weights for a while until I had to do something different. I hate the running and lifting all the time. I want something to give me a challenge."

Moss certainly responded early last season to the challenges of proving he could stay healthy and flourish in Zorn's West Coast passing attack. Moss had 27 catches, 421 yards and three touchdowns as the Redskins started 3-1. But other than an explosion (nine catches, 140 yards and a touchdown) against winless Detroit, Moss caught just 43 passes for 483 yards and two touchdowns in Washington's final 11 games - seven of which were losses.

"Nothing changed," Moss said. "We were in a new offense, and defenses needed time to adjust. When they did, they did what they always do: Take away No. 89."

For that to stop being so simple, someone - second-year receiver Devin Thomas being the prime candidate - has to provide quarterback Jason Campbell with another downfield threat.

But the season is still four months away. For now, Moss, whose 70-catch average during his four seasons with the Redskins are a record for a franchise that has employed Hall of Fame receivers Wayne Millner, Bobby Mitchell, Charley Taylor and Art Monk, is looking to June 1.

"I'll probably be on the field next week [for the start of organized team activities], but if not, for sure in June," he said. "I'll be 30, but plenty of guys have played well at that age.
"
I'm good. Don't worry about me."

(washigtontimes.com)

Santana Moss has short hair.

Apparently, this is old news. "I had this done right after the season," Moss tells me. "Just decided it was time for a change."

So of course I feel kind of unobservant and obtuse, and I'm going over it in my head:

I've seen Moss in a Redskins helmet (obviously), and he wears various skullcaps and headcoverings a lot. There's the cornrows, and those few practices last season when he blew it out completely (pictured below), so maybe I'm forgetting something -- and then I notice that, in fact, almost everyone who sees him is just as surprised as I was.

"It makes you look younger," special teams coach Danny Smith says.

"I know," Moss responds. "That's why I almost didn't do it."

(blogs.redskins.com)

(miamiherald.com)

It's not everyday an NFL star comes to school but Wednesday, students at J.P. Taravella High School had a chance to see and hear from Washington Redskins wide-receiver Santana Moss.

"I'm a professional football player who dreamt from day one, that's what I wanted to be" Moss told CBS4 Mojo Jim Robinson. Now, on his 5th season with the Redskins, Moss shared a few words of wisdom from his success.

Principal of JPT High School, Shawn Cerra says, "I think it's important for them to get the reinforcement here at school, but more importantly, hear success stories".

Moss's success story comes with much more then grass stains. Growing up in Carol City wasn't easy. Constantly teased for being short didn't discourage him from achieving his dreams. That's the message he wants these students to catch on to.

Freshman David Torrente said, "Growing up in a bad neighborhood, and he didn't use that as an excuse, he still did his best so he could become someone important in life."

A similar reaction came from Kadajah Braddy, another freshman: "I just like how he motivates everyone. He keeps it real," she adds.

Moss's life has been very real, tough and busy. But, he takes time to share his story with students. "I had to believe, and I had to dream. And I had to realize that if that person that I'm looking up to is doing it than I can do it".

Students looking up to him today are going away with more than autographs, and photos for their bedroom wall. They're taking his advice.

"Go hard, play football, that's what I'm planning to do. They call me Santana Moss too at my football field, so I'm going to try and do the best I can," said Tevon Stewart.

The NFL star also shared his thoughts about life today. Even with success and a career many dream of, he says, "Life isn't easy; it's still not easy for me now"

(cbs4.com)

It's not really news to anyone that last season didn't end quite as well as we might've hoped -- certainly not after that strong start. And, as fans, it's our prerogative to immediately make changes all over the place in our mental depth charts for the team. We decide to (for example) elevate the third string quarterback to starter, or fire the head coach. Whatever.

But you'd really prefer that the players still have faith in their teammates and coaches, which makes this Santana Moss interview at CBS Sports a relief to read.

It sounds like you're firmly in Zorn's corner despite how the season finished up. Not every Redskin teammate would share that sentiment.

Moss: "I like Jim Zorn, I like what he wants to do, I like his whole logic to the game. I feel like he knows that this game isn't based on just passing or just running, he knows that you have to have talent all over and have key guys in key spots. I like what he has to offer us as a head coach and I'm going to back him because I feel like we all believe in his scheme and that we can be successful in it."

From your perspective, how much better has Jason Campbell become over the last season?

Moss: "I think he's gotten a lot better. Like light years. The stuff that he went through last year will make him see things more clearly this year. Last year there were situations where he was sacked a lot, and you can't blame it on that kid. You can't blame it on anybody because defenses were bringing it and they knew where we were weak and they exposed it. He gave us a chance to win every time we went out there, and that's all you can hope for.

Sure, it would have been a much livelier story if he had trashed either (or both) of them, but seeing this kind of explicit endorsement at this point in the offseason is a terrific harbinger for the 2009 season. At least, I hope it is.

(blog.redskins.com)

Santana and Sinorice Moss are doing their part to give back to the community. On Sunday the brothers hosted their 9th Annual "Dare to Dream" event at the Eden Roc Resort in Miami Beach.

Several NFL players and University of Miami alumni were on hand for the event including: Edgerrin James, Reggie Wayne, Andre Johnson, Clinton Portis, Quinn Grey, Dwayne Bowe Glenn Sharpe, and Kenny Phillips.

There was a silent auction were several pieces of NFL memorabilia were sold to raise money for the Moss Foundation. The Moss Brothers joined Dade County Public Schools in order to raise funds for a tutoring program that will help nine failing schools make the grade. A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit these Dade County Public Schools.

(cbs4.com)

I got to the Clinton Portis-Antawn Jamison All Pros and All Stars Inaugural Celebration sometime around 11:30 on Sunday night. My credential was good enough to get me in to the $125 common folks room, but I didn't make much effort to cruise into the VIP, so I was just kind of standing around.

Then I met K.D. Wright, owner of a custom-tailored men's clothing company from Charlotte, who figured we could strike some kind of deal. She'd become part of Sports Bog, Inc., for the night, in exchange for talking my way into the better parts of the party.

So a few minutes later, she was leading me through the upper reaches of the VIP section, around a corner and to a little roiund table where Santana Moss was sitting by himself, drinking a pineapple and Grey Goose, in front of a window peaking out at the gleaming Capitol Building. I told K.D. she might as well continue her roll and ask the questions, so she started asking Santana about the inauguration.

"To be honest with you, when he first decided he was running for president, I felt like this time and age, what we're going through, we needed that," Moss said. "We needed for everybody out there to have hope, to have HOPE. It started with hope, and it started with belief, and now we believe we can have what we have today, a Black President."

"For me," Santana continued, "I look past just the black and white thing, I look at what the guy's gonna do for his people."

K.D. asked who Obama's "people" were.

"His people is US," Moss said. "Everybody that walks the earth. I look at it like this, and this is just my perspective: when you look at what has happened for us this year, Barack Obama, a black man, no matter what you all him, that's a celebration for all minorities. That's a celebration for anyone who's seen what he's gone through.

"My family isn't living the life I'm living. This thing is a celebration, showing that maybe one day you CAN get to where we've got to. [Black] kids growing up, you were told you could be anything, but never the president."

The party was being emceed by "Lifestyle Specialist" Kenny Burns. Clinton Portis walked around, surrounded by gawkers, wearing a mohawk, lavender shirt, purple tie and some shades, as my colleague David Malitz reported.

An assortment of football players came through: Shawn Springs, Lorenzo Alexander, Leigh Torrence. So, too, did media personalities: spotted dancing were Comcast SportsyNet's Chris Miller, Kelli Johnson and Lisa Hillary. The music mixed 21st century hip hip with the Bar Mitzvah and wedding rap classics of the early '90s. I never saw Jamison or any other Wizards, but Raheem DeVaugn and Delroy Lindo were around. The week's buzzwords flashed on the walls--Change and Hope, for example--and one of Clinton Portis's guys walked around with the word "Change" shaved into the back of his head.

Moss wore a Nats baseball hat over his customary bandana thing; he told me about his son's prodigious Little League baseball career, and how much he loves being in D.C., and how I should probably drink a pineapple and Grey Goose since it would help my writing. I asked what he thought about a party at Union Station; "I almost asked what was Union Station at first," he said. "I don't ride the train that much."

Before I left, I asked him about the week's mixture of parties and politics.

"This is what it really boils down to, D.C. is gonna party regardless, whether it's an inauguration or a Black President or whatever," Moss said. "They just tagged it something different. Everybody has a place to go linking them to the celebration that already exists. So it's gonna be done regardless. A good time is a good time."

(washigtonpost.com)

Receiver Santana Moss was fined $10,000 by the NFL for his touchdown celebration last Sunday - he used his towel to shine his shoe.




(timesdispatch.com)

Santana Moss caught seven passes for 72 yards and a touchdown in Week 15 against the Bengals.
At least one Redskin had a big game against Cincinnati. Moss put the Redskins on the board with a 10-yard touchdown streak across the middle of the end zone in the second quarter. It was his first score in five games. And, of course, he foolishly used a prop to celebrate, drawing a flag that gave the Bengals great position on their next drive. Fantasy owners came away satisfied, but the Redskins wound up losing and have dropped to 7-7.

(rotoworld.com)

The NFL fined Washington WR Santana Moss $5,000, according to a source with knowledge of the situation, for a personal foul in a victory Sunday over the Seahawks in Seattle. His personal foul, for striking CB Josh Wilson on the head after a play, put the Redskins out of field goal range in the second quarter.

"I got a chance and got real aggressive with [Wilson] on a block," Moss said in a postgame interview with Comcast SportsNet. "And as I'm leaving to get away from him, he's grabbing me, grabbing me, and we're kind of exchanging words.

"And he wouldn't let go, so I did the best thing that I knew at that moment. It wasn't the best decision, but I did it, and I'm glad that we don't have to sit here and be saying that cost the game or something. I did it and I apologize about it and I moved on."

(washingtonpost.com)

Clinton Portis is questionable at this point and his chances of facing Dallas on Sunday are "50-50," Coach Jim Zorn said after practice today. Portis has a knee sprain that has worsened since the team last played Nov. 3.

Zorn remains optimistic that Portis will play, but conceded that "it would be a major issue for all of us," if he cannot. Zorn said that second-string back Ladell Betts may be back from his knee injury for Sunday's game, but that he is not "expecting" that result.

Should the Redskins be without Betts and Portis, Zorn said RB Rock Cartwright would continue to return kicks, but would have some of his other special teams work curtailed given the shortage of available runners. If Betts returns and Portis is out, Zorn said Betts would play ahead of Shaun Alexander, but that it very well could be " a community position."

Santana Moss's hamstring is still "a little tentative," but Zorn said he expects Moss to play Sunday.

(washingtonpost.com)

With the weekday part of the bye week coming to a close, let me flash back to a couple of quotes from Tuesday.

Santana Moss was asked about his hamstring repeatedly, about how it compares to his past hamstring troubles and about whether he'll be ok after the bye. He kind of got frustrated by the questions, and I thought his response to one of the TV reporters was interesting. He was saying this with a smile, not with tension, but there was some passion in the delivery.

"What is talking gonna do?" Moss began. "If I tell you one thing, it might not be accurate, so therefore I hate even being nice. And that's why I get to, 'Oh, why we've got to go there?' I don't know. Honestly. I don't know, man. I hate being asked this question, because I'm not the judge of that. All I can do is let the body judge in itself and do what it does, and that's all I can do, man. You know, it breaks my brain to try to find the answer for you all the time when you ask me this stuff, so I'm gonna be honest with you, man.

"It really kills me inside," Moss continued, "because I'm like, 'What can I tell you about?' I don't know. All you can do is let it heal, and they all are different. And dealing with one is nothing like dealing with the other, because one might be worse than the other. And you've just got to go off how the body feel."

(washingtonpost.com)

Receiver Santana Moss was the life of the locker room after Saturday's practice. That's a good sign for the Washington Redskins heading into Monday night's game against Pittsburgh.

After running on the side during Saturday's session, Moss sounded optimistic about his chances of playing against the Steelers despite an ailing hamstring, which he injured after scoring both of Washington's touchdowns in last week's 25-17 victory at Detroit.

"I feel better because I ran [Saturday]," said Moss, who battled hamstring pulls for most of 2007. "I felt pretty good. I ... gained a lot of confidence [in my hamstring] because I didn't know where it was at. The next step is [running some] routes [Sunday]."

Coach Jim Zorn said, despite his progress, Moss' availability against the Steelers will be a game-time decision. Zorn said the only other player whose status is in doubt is Chris Samuels, but the Pro Bowl left tackle, whose absence against the Lions was his first in nearly five years, said he's going to play despite his hurting right knee.

(washingtontimes.com)

ASHBURN, Va. -- Washington Redskins receiver Santana Moss, who was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week on Washington, was given the day off because of a slightly strained hamstring.

He is expected to play Monday night against the Steelers - after all, Moss is arguably the most indispensable player on the roster.

"It would be very hard," Redskins coach Jim Zorn said to imagine playing without Moss. "You would lose all that run-after-the-catch, the quick escapes."

Zorn paused, shook his head and added: "That would really hurt us. Don't even talk about that."

Moss scored both of Washington's touchdowns in Sunday's 25-17 win over Detroit, one on a 50-yard reception and the other on an 80-yard punt return. It was only his second punt return of the season and the only time he touched the ball all game on special teams, yet the runback was so compelling, it was deemed worthy of the NFC award.

"I think everybody should get up off their seats when you see him on the field," Zorn said, "because he's a tremendous athlete. Is he doing the extraordinary? He's kind of playing to his ability. He really is."

Moss hasn't returned punts regularly since his four-year stint with the New York Jets before coming to the Redskins in 2005, so winning a special teams award wasn't at the top of a list of predictions for 2008. He was offered several congratulations during an interview Wednesday outside the locker room - and accepted them in stride.

"That's why I never predict at the beginning of the year," Moss said. "You never know what can happen. I don't make goals. I leave it wide open for anything to happen."

Moss said he didn't lobby to return punts, but he did plant the seed in the coaches' minds earlier this season. Regular returner Antwaan Randle El's numbers have been average at best, so putting Moss back there once a game seemed a good way to provide a spark.

It certainly worked against the Lions, who trailed by only six before Moss' fourth-quarter return.

"Randle El is our punt returner," Zorn said. "But every once in a while, we like to see Santana return a punt."

Moss' value as a receiver is even greater, because the drop-off would be huge if he couldn't play. Moss (40) and Randle El (33) account for all but 12 of the catches made by Redskins wideouts this season.

Moss' 658 receiving yards rank fifth in the NFL, a considerable achievement given how much attention he gets from defenses. He was double-teamed and had zero catches against Philadelphia earlier this month and had only two the following week against St. Louis - but he's also had three games of 140-plus yards and four games with at least seven catches.

Since his arrival in Washington, Moss has maintained that statistics don't determine the best receiver, so it would be hypocritical of him to harp on numbers. Asked to explain his "I never make goals" proclamation, Moss said it came from his younger days when his stats didn't measure up to those of another receiver.

"So what I always told myself is you can't judge me because he had more yards," Moss said. "You can't say he's a better receiver than I am - that's what his team allowed him to do. All I want to do is do what my team allows me to do. If my team allows me to catch that many yards, then I should have it.

"Just because this guy (had) a zillion catches, that doesn't mean he's the best receiver in the league. That just means he's just had a better year stats-wise. But did his team win the championship? Did his team go to the playoffs? How big was his role in the team's success?"

(pittsburghlive.com)

Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss was named the NFC special teams player of the week yesterday.

His 80-yard punt return for a touchdown helped lead the team to victory against the Detroit Lions. Moss has won the offensive player of the week award three times as a Redskin, and won AFC special teams player of the week when he was with the Jets in 2002.
 
(inrich.com)

ASHBURN, Va.: Santana Moss stood in the biting wind with a red and white ski cap on his head and his fists tucked inside hand warmers on the front of his jersey.

The nimble Washington Redskins receiver, who on Wednesday became the unlikely recipient of the NFC special teams player of the week award, was given the day off because of a slightly strained hamstring.

He's expected to play Monday night against Pittsburgh — after all, Moss is arguably the most indispensable player on the roster.

How much so? Coach Jim Zorn literally shuddered when asked to imagine life without Moss.

"It would be very hard," Zorn said. "Because you lose all that run-after-the-catch, you lose the quick escape. We've put him a little more inside and out, so he's playing different sets from different positions."

The coach paused, shook his head and added: "That would really hurt us. Don't even talk about that."

Moss scored both of Washington's touchdowns in Sunday's 25-17 win over Detroit, one on a 50-yard reception and the other on an 80-yard punt return. It was only his second punt return of the season and the only time he touched the ball all game on special teams, yet the runback was so compelling, it was deemed worthy of the NFC award.

"I think everybody should get up off their seats when you see him on the field," Zorn said, "because he's a tremendous athlete. Is he doing the extraordinary? He's kind of playing to his ability. He really is."

Moss hasn't returned punts regularly since his four-year stint with the New York Jets before coming to the Redskins in 2005, so winning a special teams award wasn't at the top of a list of predictions for 2008.

Moss was offered several congratulations during an interview Wednesday outside the locker room — and accepted them in stride.

"That's why I never predict nothing at the beginning of the year," Moss said. "You never know what can happen. You just stick to what you do and put your best out there. I don't make goals. I never make goals. That's why I leave it wide open for anything to happen."

Moss said he didn't lobby to return punts, but he did plant the seed in the coaches' minds earlier this season. Regular returner Antwaan Randle El's numbers have been average at best, so putting Moss back there once a game seemed a good way to provide a spark.
It certainly worked against the Lions, who trailed by only six before Moss' fourth-quarter return.

"Antwaan Randle El is our punt returner and, every once in a while, we'd like to see Santana come in and return a punt," Zorn said. "I'm hoping to
do that at some point each game."

Moss' value as a receiver is even greater, because the drop-off would be huge if he couldn't play. Moss (40) and Randle El (33) account for all but 12 of the catches made by Redskins wideouts this season.

Moss' 658 receiving yards rank fifth in the NFL, a considerable achievement given how much attention he gets from defenses. He was double-teamed and had zero catches against Philadelphia earlier this month and had only two the following week against St. Louis — but he's also had three games of 140-plus yards and four games with at least seven catches.

Since his arrival in Washington, Moss has maintained that statistics don't determine the best receiver, so it would be hypocritical of him to harp on numbers. Asked to explain his "I never make goals" proclamation, Moss said it came from his younger days when his stats didn't measure up to those of another receiver.

"So what I always told myself is you can't judge me because he had more yards," Moss said. "You can't say he's a better receiver than I am — that's what his team allowed him to do. All I want to do is do what my team allows me to do. If my team allows me to catch that many yards, then I should have it.

"Just because this guy caught for a zillion yards or caught for a zillion catches, that doesn't mean he's the best receiver in the league. That just means he's just had a better year stats-wise, but did his team win the championship? Did his team go to the playoffs? How big was his role in the team's success?"

(iht.com)

As special teams coach Danny Smith ended an interview a few weeks back, one more thought entered his head. So he punctuated the discussion on Santana Moss the punt returner with a succinct line.

“When he’s hot, you have to ride him,” Smith said.

Moss is hot. The Redskins will continue to ride him.

But they also know they can’t demand too much from him. Not when he’s fifth in the NFL in receiving yards and is the offense’s lone downfield threat.

His 80-yard punt return was a big boost in the 25-17 win over Detroit. But coach Jim Zorn remains locked in a mental wrestling match over how often Moss should be used on returns. Considering he tweaked his hamstring Sunday, there might be some reluctance to try him there this week.

“We’re hoping to do that at some point in each game,” Zorn said. “But we’re using him so much on offense, I don’t know. It’s a tough balance because there’s a risk of getting him injured more on a punt return and I need him on offense, too.”

Moss did not want to say how bad his hamstring was — he called it sore — and all Zorn would say Monday is that they would have a better idea about him later in the week. Having an extra day’s rest before Monday’s game vs. Pittsburgh has to help.

Meanwhile, left tackle Chris Samuels, who missed Sunday’s win with a knee injury, said Tuesday that he “definitely” will play against Pittsburgh. An MRI on Monday revealed irritation to the cartilage, but no damage.

As for Moss, the offense needs him to be ready. Not just for the Steelers, but for the entire second half of the season. He’s on pace for 84 receptions, which would match his career-high set in 2005.

He’s not fretting that a sore hamstring foreshadows worse days ahead simply because the past two seasons when various leg injuries bothered him.

“I’m not gonna worry about stuff that happened in the past,” he said. “That’s the past; this is the present and the future and what’s going on with me now ain’t got nothing to do with before.”

Nor is he concerned with being overused.

“I’m back there one time a game,” he said. “It’s nothing. I told coach going into the season that I would like to be back there at least once or game or twice a game if they need me. Overused isn’t even a word to me because when you’re out there playing you just want to be used enough to win the game. I don’t worry about how many more reps I got because I want more opportunities to give ourselves a chance to win. That’s all it’s about.”

(dcexaminer.com)

Santana Moss's fourth quarter touchdown led to the image of the game, seen above. First he whirled his arm at his side, then he pointed the football to the stands and swiveled from side to side. And the meaning?

"What was it?" Antwaan Randle El wondered. "I know he was doing something with his arms. I don't know."

"Like a Gatling gun, huh?" guessed Casey Rabach, which is also what several media members had thought.

("You crazy? I'm not trying to shoot anybody," Moss responded. "I can't shoot in the stands, I can't shoot the fans.")

Which left, what, winding up the hose? Cranking up the stadium blinds? Firing a fast-pitch softball?

"Santana thinks he's a rock star," explained rookie receiver Devin Thomas, and indeed he was right. Moss said today that he was first winding up his "gittar," and then "just partying like a rock star." And the style of rock?

"What you mean what style?" Moss said with disbelief. "Metal. Hard. Heavy. It was electric, but it was heavy metal. You didn't hear it? You didn't hear the stands? They was rocking, and I was rocking with them."

And so, among other things, we learned today that the Moss has been to one rock show in his life. It came about a decade ago while he was in college, when he went on a class assignment to see "some band." We learned that he considered his pyrotechnics in line with Kiss and Guns N' Roses, "when the fireworks are behind you and everything." We learned that his son plays Guitar Hero all the time, and that he tried it once. "I sucked," Moss said.

But when he got into the end zone for a key score after two straight frustrating weeks, the musical impulse took hold, without any previous planning, and suddenly this Moss had turned into a Rose. Way to stay current with the Guns N' Roses and Kiss references, by the way.

"The stands was rocking, [fans] were rocking and I just wanted to rock," Moss said. "I don't know if I've got any more celebrations in me. I'll just throw it to my homeboy," he said, flashing his Sean Taylor 21 gesture, "and keep it going like that."

(Rabach, meantime, was already planning his own end zone celebration.

"Dude, if I ever get a touchdown, I'm for sure getting a 15-yard plus," he said. "I'd try to do the Lambeau Leap, but I don't know if I'll get up there, so that'd look bad. I always wanted to do the beer can slam, just crush it on my head.," he said, mock-opening a beer can and mock slamming it on his skull. "That'd be pretty cool.")

In a related story, Moss has been accusing Devin Thomas of theft.

"He's saying I try to take his swag," Thomas said, "but you know, I'm a rock star too....He knows I've got that kind of swag too, where I like to have fun and celebrate. Hopefully I can get a touchdown and it doesn't get called back so I can celebrate, too....If you see the way I play and see my swag, you can see it. It's like, 'That guy right there, he plays the game like it's supposed to be played.' Just check me out. You'll see it. Look on the field, look at me, you'll see the way I act."

Thomas left, with Moss calling after him that he was stealing his swag. Thomas's locker is right by Ryan Plackemeier's. So I asked the new punter whether he has swag.

"Swag...." Plackemeier said. "I don't know what swag is. No idea. What's swag?"

"Short for swagger," I summarized.

"Gotcha," Plackemeier replied. "I don't think punters are allowed to have swag."

(washingtonpost.com)

Naturally, in this town and in this month, the Redskins would cover the FedEx Field grounds with "Vote the Redskins Ticket" yard signs, urging fans to punch their players into the Pro Bowl. And naturally, two homemade signs in the end zone would advocate CP for President, Santana Moss for Vice President and, somewhat bizarrely, Jason Campbell for Secretary of State, which isn't technically an elected position.

"It's not a recession; it's Redskin-cession," the sign read, which also was initially puzzling but made perfect sense once you realized the creators were the mother and close friend of Clinton Portis, who, the way he's playing, might as well expand his portfolio. MVP might not be enough.

"He's the only dude in the nation that can win this race," said Marlon Jackson, who described himself as Portis's "brother from another mother," as he held the signs skyward. "Barack, you need Clinton," he told us. "You need Clinton for your backup, Barack. Trust me."

"Who would be better?" asked Portis's mother, Rhonnel Hearn. "We will help people keep their houses. Everyone will have somewhere to stay. We don't bail out Wall Street and then everybody goes to the spa." (AIG execs: Clinton Portis's mom just served you!!!!)

"You know we'll fix the schools," Jackson added. "Everybody's struggling, CP's the way to go."

Before we delve into their feelings about meeting with foreign leaders absent preconditions or taxing small business with net income over $250,000, let's take a quick breather to get Portis's thoughts. Clinton?

"Hey man, you want to have a world that's off the chain...." Portis said, imaging the possibilities. "It would be OFF...I mean, it would be great. It would be great, man, but I don't think I can run this country. I would love to give you my opinion on who I think should be in office, but I'll leave it alone."

His family members were less reticent, although they acknowledged that Portis isn't technically old enough to claim the White House, if you're a strict constructionist.

"We got to wait 'till we finish the Redskins season first," Jackson said. Maybe by then, the Redskin-cession will have ended.

(washigtonpost.com)

The Washington Post reports Redskins WR Santana Moss entered the game second in the NFL in receiving yards, coming off a huge performance against Dallas. He finished without a catch on Sunday. Moss received a healthy dose of attention from Philadelphia safeties in the game, with the Eagles committed to not letting the Redskins beat them with the deep ball. That helped open up the underneath patterns for TE Chris Cooley (eight catches for 109 yards and a touchdown), including on Washington's first touchdown of the game. Unlike Dallas WR Terrell Owens, who grumbled about his role in a loss to Washington in Week 4, Moss was all smiles after the game. "I couldn't care less about none of that," Moss said. "My whole goal is to do what I can to help this team win. Therefore, that's what I've done."

(ffmastermind.com)

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — The Santana Moss of 2008 is looking much like the Santana Moss of 2005, a bundle of energy and swagger gathering passes to make plays for a Washington Redskins team that is one of the early surprises of the NFL.

The reasons are plentiful. He's healthy after taking a long offseason football break. He took up taekwondo, attending classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays because he "didn't want to be a couch potato." He's lining up in a different spot on the field in an attacking offense better suited to his skills.

And, oh yeah, he finally has a feel for quarterback Jason Campbell.

"Last year I wasn't comfortable," Moss said. "I was trying to learn each game. That's the hardest thing to do as a receiver, trying to learn your quarterback come game time. One of the reasons why I made sure I was up here in the offseason was to make sure I can get that familiar touch with him because I didn't want to be out here thinking on the job."

It seems odd to hear Moss express that sentiment. He and Campbell both became Redskins in 2005, and Campbell became the starting quarterback in the 10th game of the 2006 season. It's not like they've been strangers, but it might have seemed that way on Sundays because hamstring, groin and heel injuries limited Moss' ability to practice over the past two seasons.

"I always felt like I can get used to a quarterback quicker just because I'm going to stand in his face and talk to him," receiver Antwaan Randle El said. "And that's not Tana's deal. Tana's not going to be on the guy. He's just going to say, 'If you see me, give me the ball.' Some guys it takes a little longer."

This season, Moss is second in the NFL in yards receiving (421) and tied for third in receptions (27). He's caught as least five passes in each of the first four games, his longest such streak since his Pro Bowl season of 2005, when he set the franchise single-season yardage record (1,483) teaming with Mark Brunell.

"Our relationship has definitely grown over the past year," Campbell said. "I think a lot of that has to do with stability and being together, being around each other in practice. A lot of it has to do with reading body language. Some times I can see him breaking a route before he even does it."
Part of the rapport might have been Moss figuring out Campbell's quarterbacking style. At one point last season, after watching Campbell get pounded repeatedly in the pocket, Moss started picking on his teammate for not running more.

Campbell told Moss that he thought receivers preferred to have a quarterback who throws more and looks to run less.

"He said, 'Utilize it — sometimes we can get open off of it,'" Campbell said. "I lost 10-12 pounds, so I guess I'm trying to be what he wants me to be."

New coach Jim Zorn's practice antics — playing dodgeball and throwing big pads at the quarterbacks while in a passing stance — have helped Campbell's mobility as well. The drill paid off when Campbell dodged the pass rush to hit Moss for the biggest play thus far of the season, the game-winning 67-yard touchdown toss in the Week 2 win over the New Orleans Saints.

"Coach Z throws bags at him and they're doing those 'Matrix' kind of moves out there, it comes through in the game and you see them making play after play when guys are hanging on them," Moss said. "He's just being phenomenal right now."

Moss' injuries — all leg-related — caused his yardage to drop to 790 in 2006 and 808 last season. This season, for the first time since childhood, he took a three-month break at the end of football season. He did taekwondo to keep in shape but otherwise didn't pound his body the way he used to. It's helped him regain his explosiveness.

"I really truly believe that right now it's showing," Moss said. "It's giving me that feedback that I want."

Zorn also took one look at Moss and decided the receiver was in the wrong spot. Under former coach Joe Gibbs, Moss was a flanker lining up a yard or two off the line of scrimmage.

"That takes away a little bit of Santana's threat of accelerating down the field," Zorn said. "If you have him on the line of scrimmage, you get him on the defender a little bit quicker, and just a yard makes a huge difference."

Moss also likes the fact that Zorn has him catching more passes on underneath routes, which sets up defenders for the big play downfield — such as the 53-yard catch in last week's victory over the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium, where Moss enjoyed three 100-yard games in his four games with the Redskins.

Given that the offense is new to everyone, Moss thinks that performance was just scratching the surface.

"We're still learning; we're still getting better every week," Moss said. "Right now, for what we have grasped of the offense, I think we're doing well."

(ap.com)

This time, there were no late-game heroics to turn a Redskins newcomer into a Washington legend. In fact, unlike fellow receivers Antwaan Randle El and James Thrash, Santana Moss didn't even score on Sunday.

But Moss still played a huge role in the Redskins' 26-24 upset of the previously unbeaten Dallas Cowboys.

Moss embarrassed Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman, himself a Pro Bowl veteran, on most of his eight catches for 145 yards. Moss' catches of 15 and 28 yards set up the touchdowns by Thrash and Randle El, while his 53-yard bomb from Jason Campbell and 17-yard grab in the third quarter put Shaun Suisham in place for a pair of field goals.

After four games in new coach Jim Zorn's quick-hitting West Coast passing scheme, Moss is tied for the lead among NFC receivers with 27 catches and is second in the NFL with 421 receiving yards. His three touchdowns have him tied for fifth in the league.

"When I came in and saw what he could do, I wanted to move [Santana] from the flanker position to the X receiver," Zorn said. "I always think of the flanker as more of a control-route runner. He's off the line of scrimmage so it takes him a little bit of time to put pressure on the defense because he has to run a yard or two to get to the line. That takes away a little bit of Santana's threat of accelerating downfield. If you have him on the line of scrimmage, you get him on the defender a little quicker. Just a yard makes a huge difference."

According to Zorn, it helped that Moss "bought into the idea that he was going to get the ball from that position."

While he's no prima donna like Terrell Owens or Chad Johnson, he is still a wideout - he wants the ball.

"He's always saying, 'Give me the opportunity,'" Campbell said. "Our relationship has definitely grown over the past year. ... A lot of that has to do with stability and being together. ... You try to keep that same continuity each week so you're able to grow.

"A lot of it also has to do with reading body language. Sometimes I can see him breaking a route before he even does it, so I'm able to get the ball out early."

Dallas coach Wade Phillips said the Cowboys knew what was coming on the 53-yarder that would've gone for six points had Campbell not underthrown Moss.

Zorn, a former NFL quarterback, said that didn't matter since the play was both well-designed and well-run by his No. 1 receiver. He'd rather his quarterback make the completion than show off his arm.

"[Moss] put a great move on Terence Newman to beat him one-on-one," Zorn said. "We practiced it during the week, and it was executed well. Jason made a nice avoidance in the pocket. He saw him so wide open he didn't want to miss that throw."

At a listed 5-foot-10, Moss is short - but his season so far stands tall against the rest of the league. He has nine more catches and more than twice as many receiving yards than any of his Redskins teammates.

Zorn's system and Campbell's comfort level have certainly helped, but Moss said that his improved health has made a huge difference after two years of battling muscle pulls.

Moss "shut it down" for three months after Washington's playoff run last January, relaxing for the first time instead of heading straight back to the weight room.

The thought of rest in the offseason had always frightened him, until he got advice from fellow former Miami Hurricanes player Robert Bailey.

Bailey, a defensive back who spent 11 seasons in the NFL before injuring his neck while with the Baltimore Ravens, convinced Moss that he needed time to let his body recover. "You can't just go out there and pound on it," Bailey told him.

The time away from the weight room and football gave Moss a chance to try tae kwan do and other hobbies.
It also enabled him to report to training camp healthy and refreshed.

"My body is a lot better than it was in the past two years," Moss said. "I think it's because of the way I [backed off training] in the offseason."

(washigtontimes.com)

So, the Cowboys are unquestionably the No. 1 team in the NFL, huh? Apparently, Santana Moss and the Redskins didn't get the memo.

Moss caught eight passes for 145 yards -- the second time this year he's had at least 145 receiving yards --  in Washington's 26-24 win at Dallas. It's the first game this season he hasn't caught a TD, but I don't think his owners are complaining too much.

Jason Campbell (20-of-31, 231 yards, two TDs, zero INTs) made his struggles during Week 1 seem like they happened years ago. He has multiple TDs in each of his past two games.

Clinton Portis also came up big for the 'Skins, rushing for 121 yards on 21 carries. Antwaan Randle El chipped in with 36 receiving yards and a touchdown, and James Thrash scored on an eight-yard reception. About the only Washington player the Cowboys could stop was Chris Cooley. He had just four catches and 28 receiving yards.

(sportingnews.com)

While wide receiver Santana Moss will never be confused for one of the biggest guys on the football field, there’s no doubting the impact he has during a game. When the Washington Redskins need a play late in the fourth quarter, history shows they get the ball into Moss’ hands. And time and time again he delivers. Like he’s famously quoted as saying, “Big time players make big time plays in big time games.”

While Moss may not be big on talking, preferring to let his game speak for him, he was kind enough to spend some time with us looking back at his record-setting college and pro career, dealing with the loss of Sean Taylor and what he looks for in a quarterback.

Where are you originally from and what was your childhood like?

I’m originally from Miami, Florida, and my childhood was great. I experienced it all – the good, the bad and some stuff you don’t want to hear about.

How early did you start playing football and when did you figure out that you were better at this game than most other kids your age?

I started playing on the street for a while, but I didn’t play organized football until I was 12. Mom wouldn’t let me do it until I got a little bit older, but I started playing way earlier than that. I was playing sandlot games with older guys from like the age of six.

Are you naturally athletic, or did you have to work harder to get to the highest level of competition? What other sports, if any, are you good at?

I think I was blessed with everything that I have, I just stayed at it. I just keep fine tuning it. Track was probably my best sport outside of football. I was pretty good at it through high school and college. I was telling the story the other day that I could have been in the Olympic trials one year doing the long jump in track, but I decided to go to football practice instead of going out there. Football was always going to be first.

Do you think if you would have stuck with it we would have seen you competing at the Olympics?

I’m not saying I know would I would have made it, but I’m pretty good at it. So if I would’ve stayed with it, you never know what I could have done.

As everyone knows, you went to the University of Miami. During your college career, you became the first player to earn Big East Offensive and Special Teams Player of the Year honors in the same season, and you set the Hurricanes’ all-time record with 2,546 receiving yards – erasing the record previously held by Michael Irvin. Why did you choose to become a Hurricane and what did you get out of your time at “The U?”

I look at it as the Hurricanes chose me, you know. I was selected to come there on a track scholarship and I feel like there was no better school I could have went to in order to be able to do both things – run track and play football. They gave me the opportunity to come in there on a track scholarship and also play football. They were the best school that gave me an offer. All the other schools were up north and I don’t think I was ready to go away from home yet.

Once I got there, it was hands down, what we went through and how I prepared myself, that’s how I was able to become one of the best receivers that’s come out of there. I just stuck to it, and I had a great class, so we all motivated each other and were able to become one of the best classes to ever come out of there.

Was it even more special being at Miami with it being your hometown team?

Oh yeah. Just not having to leave home for college and always being able to have a home-cooked meal on top of everything that Miami brought to you outside of football, it was lovely.

Who was the most-talented player on the Hurricanes during your time there?

When I was there, man, we had them all. If I were to name them all, you’d be amazed. I can’t pick just one guy out of there. If I had to look back and pick one, I think Ed Reed had the shot to be the most athletic outside of all the guys who were there. He was a safety, but he could do everything.

You were drafted by the New York Jets with the 16th overall pick in the 2001 NFL draft. Talk to me a little bit about what it felt like to hear your name called that day. What was your reaction when you found out you were heading to the Big Apple?

I was happy that I got drafted. I didn’t have no emotion on my face because I grew up not liking the Jets. I used to pick at my wife because her uncle played for the Jets, his name is Marvin Jones. We were dating at the time and I always used to tell her how sorry the Jets was back in college and in high school. Then, I was like “Man, I should have bit my tongue all these years getting on her about the Jets.” But overall, I was happy I got selected by them and was going to go there and play my hardest.

Was the middle of the first round kind of where you expected to go, and how many times have you given the Redskins front office a hard time for drafting Rod Gardner one spot earlier?

I’ve never brought it up, but I had heard from everyone when I was selected that I was going to be a Redskin. The whole week leading up, they had me circled as going to the Redskins. I think Dan Snyder wanted me to come here too, but when I got the call from the Jets and saw Rod Gardner picked before me, I wasn’t mad or anything. I think Dan Snyder was kind of mad because [Marty] Schottenheimer was the coach and he wanted a bigger receiver, so he picked Rod Gardner instead of me. It’s almost like destiny though because I’m here anyways. I think it was good for me to go away, learn and experience some of the things I experienced and when I got my chance, I’m here now.

How do you look back on your time with the New York Jets?

My memories are great. I went to the playoffs three out of the four years I was there. I broke a couple of records here and there and I was a Pro Bowl alternate twice – two years in a row – once for punt return, one as a receiver. And I was hurt one whole year, my first year, so for me to do all of that stuff in three years, I think it was time well spent. I learned a lot, I grew up a lot and I think it prepared me to be where I’m at now.

In March 2005, you were traded from the Jets to the Washington Redskins straight up for Laveranues Coles. How did the trade come about and what were your thoughts about the Redskins before you arrived in town?

It’s a long story, but I think it’s the best thing that ever happened to me, especially for my career. I don’t even look back on it, I just thank the Lord for the opportunity to come over here and never look back at it.

What were your thoughts on the Redskins before you arrived in town?

I knew they had several players over here who were considered the top at their positions. I was just happy to be over here and be a part of this.

Speaking of 2005, that was a monster year for you, starting with your week two explosion in Dallas on Monday Night Football. We know how much those two touchdowns at the end of the game meant to Redskins fans, but what do they mean to you? Do they rank as some of your favorite memories?

I think they do. When it comes to big games and big moments as far as my NFL career that ranks up there. I look back on it and I always want that kind of start. It seems like right now we’re on our way to having that kind of pace and that kind of start, so I’m hoping to build on it.

You went on to set the Redskins single season record for receiving yards with 1,483, launched your team to the playoffs and earned a trip to the Pro Bowl. How did everything come together so perfectly for you that year?

I just took what they gave me. I took the opportunities of getting the ball the way I have and it was amazing. I hadn’t been in an offense like this – I was out there, but I wasn’t really used to the best of my ability. So, being a part of that, coming here and getting the ball every other down because they knew I could do something with it, it was a blessing just to have the opportunity. One thing I do, whenever I get an opportunity, I never let it slide. I just tried to make sure I capitalized on every opportunity and we just got onto a serious pace and a serious role where we fed off of all the stuff I did and the running game and we just – me and Clinton [Portis] just took it by storm. Me, him, [Chris] Cooley and Mike Sellers – those guys, we just had that offense in our hands and we just ran with it.

Fast forward to last year, and things didn’t go nearly as smoothly for you. A series of nagging injuries slowed you down on the field and then there was the Sean Taylor tragedy off the field. How tough was 2007 for you, and how did you personally deal with losing such a close friend?

You know it’s tough. Every year don’t always add up to be the same. You go through trials and tribulations, but you got to learn how to live and live through those things. That’s what makes you better as a man. I feel like obstacles are always going to come and tragedies are always going to come, but it’s up to you to handle them. You have to know how to deal with it and put it behind you, but at the same time never forget it. That’s what I’ve done. You know how that felt going through it and you just try to build off of it because you don’t want that feeling anymore.

You told me during training camp that you did some mixed martial arts training this past offseason. First of all, do you think it helped you, and if so, could you see more NFL players trying it out? And secondly, was that the most unique type of training you’ve participated in during your professional career?

I don’t know if it’s something for everyone to do. I did it because I was so used to working out every year and I wasn’t working out at the time, so I needed something to do. I did it to benefit from workout out instead of sitting around the house like a couch potato. It helped me a lot, keeping my core strong and keeping my wind, for when I got out here and started running around and stuff. There’s guys that have probably been playing this sport longer than me that have been doing it before me, that’s one of the reasons I got the idea. I heard of guys doing different things like boxing, martial arts and swimming just to do something other than football as far as training.

Is that the most unique offseason training you’ve ever done?

Yes, by far. Usually it’s just all football, all summer. Maybe I go running or something. This was the first time I’ve done something out of this world – doing something I never grew up thinking I’d be a part of. But over the years watching people play that sport or whatever, it became interesting to me.

During your time with the Washington Redskins, you’ve caught touchdown passes from Mark Brunell, Patrick Ramsey, Todd Collins and Jason Campbell. What traits do you personally look for in a quarterback?

Just get me the ball. (Laughs)

I don’t want nothing from them more than putting it in a spot where I can do something with it. That’s all I can ask for.

How tough is it to catch a deep pass 40 or 50 yards downfield?

Honestly, it’s tough. But when you do it for so many years, do it for so long, it’s exciting – especially when you can just get it and get in the endzone. You look forward to the opportunity and just take it from there.

What’s the biggest difference between Joe Gibbs and Jim Zorn?

It’s still too early to be judged. The offenses are way different, you know. We’re a pass happy and a run happy team. There’s going to be a lot of opportunities. I feel like you won’t be able to compare the differences until it’s all said and done.

How would you describe your friendship with Clinton Portis? You two seem like polar opposites, with you staying relatively quiet, while he’s never afraid to speak his mind.

Clinton’s going to be Clinton. I feel like we’ve known each other long enough, so you know what he’s going to bring to the table and what I’m going to bring to the table. However he does his, he does his and I does mine the way I does mine. We just know each other best because we’ve known each other and played together for such a long time. There’s lots of guys who can be friends, and be different. That’s one of the reasons we’re cool is because we respect each other for who we are and don’t worry about what we’re not.

What goes through your mind when you hear that your teammate Chris Cooley took a photo of a page from the playbook and accidentally posted a revealing photo of himself on his blog?

It’s something that I don’t really care too much to talk about because it wasn’t me. It’s something that don’t do nothing for me. He said it was a mistake, so it was a mistake. I think a lot of stuff gets blown out of proportion this day and age, so I just wish for the best for him and wish it don’t go no further.

Speaking of Cooley, you and several other Redskins players are involved in a fantasy football league. What do you know about fantasy football?

I don’t know much about it. I just do it and I’m learning on the go with it. I look forward to seeing the guys I picked get off.

What can fantasy football owners expect from Santana Moss this season?

I mean, I’m just going to do my thing, man. I don’t talk about it. I just let it happen.

(homermcfanboy.com)

It is uncertain whether the Washington Redskins' coaching staff will continue to use its best receiver as a punt returner. But Jim Zorn already is giving Santana Moss opportunities to use his return man-like instincts by calling for quick passes that don't cross the line of scrimmage.

Although still a legitimate deep threat, Moss has never been shy about running shallow crossing routes or quick slants that take him into traffic. Zorn's decision to re-introduce the "slip screen" has become another way for the Redskins to exploit Moss' talents while also allowing quarterback Jason Campbell to throw high-percentage passes.

In Sunday's victory over visiting Arizona, Moss caught three passes at or behind the line of scrimmage and gained 35 yards after the catch, including a game-winning, 17-yard touchdown.

Moss has equaled his 2007 touchdown total (three) and is tied for fourth in the NFL with 19 catches and 276 receiving yards.

"He attacks the game," Campbell said. "One word he always says to me is opportunity. He wants opportunities to make plays. ... And he has his legs back - that's the key. He's healthy and running at full speed."

The Redskins hope their efficiency with short passes will draw cornerbacks and linebackers closer to the line of scrimmage. That would increase the chance for Moss and tight end Chris Cooley to get behind defenders and catch passes downfield.

Moss has shown his versatility on his three touchdowns: a 12-yard shallow cross against the Giants, the 67-yard home run ball to win the New Orleans game and the screen against Arizona.

"I love the underneath stuff because that gives me a chance to be a runner and it opens up things downfield - you just have to be patient," he said. "If you get me started underneath, there's no telling what I can do downfield because I have the confidence and will to go out and be a beast someplace else."

The downfield stuff hasn't come just yet for Moss or the Redskins. A breakdown of Campbell's throws through three games:

cPasses completed at or behind the line of scrimmage: 11 of 19 for 76 yards and one touchdown.

cPasses that travel 1-5 yards: 26 of 30 for 210 yards and two touchdowns.

c6-10 yards: 17 of 24 for 189 yards.

c11-20 yards: 6 of 14 for 116 yards.

c21-plus yards: 1 of 6 for 67 yards and a touchdown.

Moss has played 167 out of 185 snaps and been the intended target 28 times. Nine of his catches have traveled 1-5 yards but for a total of 91 yards.

A former Big East special teams player of the year at Miami, Moss averaged 11.8 yards on 82 punt returns (two touchdowns) for the New York Jets from 2002 to 2004. But as an every-down player for Washington in 2005, Moss had seven returns that year and none since. He was in return formation for Arizona's first punt last week but didn't make a return.

On the quick throws, Moss can go back to those return days of making quick cuts in traffic and accelerating to avoid defenders.

"It's another way to make the defense defend the whole field," left guard Pete Kendall said. "Santana is exceptionally quick and has great change of direction and the other thing is, he's straight-line fast. If Santana can get out in space and he makes a guy miss, he has the ability to pull away from the pursuit."

The play is timing-based starting from the throw. Campbell has to put some zip on the ball but not so much heat that Moss can't handle it.

"It's a tough throw to make because you have to get it around tall guys on both the offensive and defensive lines," Campbell said.

The blockers have to be on the move so Moss can be sprung. On the touchdown against Arizona, Cooley and right tackle Stephon Heyer had key blocks and Randy Thomas made one 15 yards downfield.

Three regular-season games into a new passing offense is a small body of work, but the early results have Moss excited about the opportunities for big plays.

"Every day and every week, we all need to get better within this offense and we can't say, 'We've got it,'" he said. "I'm thrilled to see how Jason's progressing, and that helps us as receivers because we need the quarterback."

(washingtontimes.com)

Kent Somers and Bob McManaman, of The Arizona Republic, report Washington Redskins WR Santana Moss caught a touchdown pass in his sixth consecutive game, including playoffs, Week 3. He tied former NFL WR Bobby Mitchell for the franchise record in that category.



(kffl.com0

--In the moment, the impact of the 67-yard touchdown catch was clear.

Santana Moss burst past his defender and then he burst toward the end zone and then the FedEx Field crowd burst with joy. The catch had capped the Redskins' unlikely fourth-quarter comeback against the New Orleans Saints, and it had kept Washington from slipping to an 0-2 start.

But yesterday afternoon, Moss stood in front of his locker and seemed certain that play will have more of a lasting impact.

"Now it just opens up chances for us to do more," Moss said. "You're gonna have teams that play you for that. We have a great opportunity now to pretty much run our offense when it comes to deep, short or intermediate routes because we've done them all, especially when it comes to deep passes."

For Moss, who finished with seven catches for 164 yards, the long touchdown reception was 18 yards longer than his longest catch last season. And there are still 14 games left.

Moss said he's rejuvenated by the West Coast offense of first-year head coach Jim Zorn.

"Just being able to say you're depended on," Moss said. "When you're a receiver, you don't want to be out there just to be out there. It's a boring job if you're running around and blocking all day."

Zorn said Moss was the first receiver to have such a dominant game because he was the first receiver to truly grasp the scheme. The coach said that when receivers are comfortable, they play faster, are able to create more space, and do not over-think their position.

"That's what's happening with Santana," Zorn said. "He's the first guy in our group that all of a sudden you can see a burst. You can see in, out, catch, run. Things kind of rolled for him this week, not as a fluke, but just as an, 'Ah, I get it.' He could start running patterns with greater confidence."

In 2005, Moss had 84 catches for 1,483 yards, and he was selected to go to the Pro Bowl. But over the past two years, he was slowed by leg injuries, totaling 790 receiving yards two seasons ago and 808 last year.

Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell was a rookie in 2005, and though he did not throw any passes to Moss that year, he watched Moss catch plenty of them. So far this year, Campbell has seen some similarities.

"Now he looks like the same Santana that can make two or three people miss and get 20 yards on a 5-yard catch," Campbell said. "We do everything at such a high speed and a high tempo right now."

Moss, for one, is excited about the possibilities.

"You hope it's contagious and keeps coming up," he said. "You hope it just doesn't stop."

(fredericksburg.com)

The Washington Post reports Redskins starting WR/PR Antwaan Randle El is struggling as a punt returner. HC Jim Zorn said starting WR Santana Moss will also likely field some punts against Arizona.



(ffmastermind.com)

Lifting weights, jogging on the treadmill, trudging up and down stadium stairs - that type of traditional offseason workout plan can get a little monotonous for even the most dedicated NFL athletes.

Washington Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss was looking for an alternative way to stay in shape this summer, and a friend from his old neighborhood helped him out - using mixed martial arts.

Moss spent a few days a week with Lonny Intorn, an instructor at Punch Fitness in Deerfield Beach, Fla. Intorn showed Moss the same training techniques used by mixed martial arts fighters, which included a heavy dose of cross-training and kickboxing.

“Sometimes I go home in January and get crazy about working out and football stuff,” Moss said. “I wanted to take as much time as I can off and do something different. [We did] tire squats, tire throws, a lot of boxing and a lot of kicking until we got the form down. Then some days we put all of the combinations together - 30 minutes punching, 30 minutes kicking, kneeing, abs - you name it, we did it all.”

Moss was intrigued by the training regimen in part because he had taken an interest in the career of another Miami-based athlete, Kevin Ferguson - known to most as the street fighter-turned-Internet sensation-turned-MMA star Kimbo Slice.

So Moss started working with Intorn, who grew up in the same part of Miami and also went to college at The U. Intorn has worked out several NFL players, including Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson and Santana’s little brother, Sinorice. He also trains professional kickboxers.

“It is funny, but when I get some of these [NFL] guys for their first workout with me, after the first five or 10 minutes they are on the ground dying - literally,” Intorn said. “They say, ‘I’ve never worked out like this before.’ After they are with me I can see the transformation. They are more cut, and they make it through the workouts.”

Moss isn’t alone with his new-wave training techniques. The team’s other starting wideout, Antwaan Randle El, also incorporated some mixed martial arts training into his offseason.

How the alternative methods affect Moss and Randle El long term remains to be seen, but there have been some immediate effects.

“If it was just run, run, run - that’s something I could do, but I was losing some of my muscle mass. But I’m not losing as much this year,” Randle El said. “I think the grappling [helps]. When you are on the ground wrestling with a guy - that’s how it is when you catch a ball and you’re tussling with a guy and trying to get out.”

Added Intorn: “I think it definitely gives them better movability and more flexibility. I’m one of those guys who doesn’t think you have to just always lift a ton of weights.”

One thing that is certain about Moss - he has been healthy during this camp. After being injured for much of last summer and slowed during camp, he is off to a much better start to the 2008 season.

Health has been an issue for Moss for the past two years. He set the team record for receiving yards with 1,483 in his first season with the Redskins in 2005 but has barely eclipsed that number in the past two seasons combined while missing a total of four games with injuries and being less than 100 percent in several others.

“This is my third camp with him, and I think this has been his best one so far,” Randle El said.

There have been glimpses of the old Moss during camp - the gamebreaker who averaged nearly 18 yards a reception three years ago. In new coach Jim Zorn’s offense, Moss could put his elusiveness to work and turn quick timing patterns into long gains.

A more dynamic Moss could be the difference between a solid Redskins offense and a great one.

“We feel that when we have him in the ballgame, it might just take one play,” wide receivers coach Stan Hixon said. “He has proven that before. We’ve beat people with just one play that he made. He’s a big-play receiver.”

(proathleteonly.com)

Lifting weights, jogging on the treadmill, trudging up and down stadium stairs - that type of traditional offseason workout plan can get a little monotonous for even the most dedicated NFL athletes.

Washington Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss was looking for an alternative way to stay in shape this summer, and a friend from his old neighborhood helped him out - using mixed martial arts.

Moss spent a few days a week with Lonny Intorn, an instructor at Punch Fitness in Deerfield Beach, Fla. Intorn showed Moss the same training techniques used by mixed martial arts fighters, which included a heavy dose of cross-training and kickboxing.

"Sometimes I go home in January and get crazy about working out and football stuff," Moss said. "I wanted to take as much time as I can off and do something different. [We did] tire squats, tire throws, a lot of boxing and a lot of kicking until we got the form down. Then some days we put all of the combinations together - 30 minutes punching, 30 minutes kicking, kneeing, abs - you name it, we did it all."

Moss was intrigued by the training regimen in part because he had taken an interest in the career of another Miami-based athlete, Kevin Ferguson - known to most as the street fighter-turned-Internet sensation-turned-MMA star Kimbo Slice.

So Moss started working with Intorn, who grew up in the same part of Miami and also went to college at The U. Intorn has worked out several NFL players, including Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson and Santana's little brother, Sinorice. He also trains professional kickboxers.

"It is funny, but when I get some of these [NFL] guys for their first workout with me, after the first five or 10 minutes they are on the ground dying - literally," Intorn said. "They say, 'I've never worked out like this before.' After they are with me I can see the transformation. They are more cut, and they make it through the workouts."

Moss isn't alone with his new-wave training techniques. The team's other starting wideout, Antwaan Randle El, also incorporated some mixed martial arts training into his offseason.

How the alternative methods affect Moss and Randle El long term remains to be seen, but there have been some immediate effects.

"If it was just run, run, run - that's something I could do, but I was losing some of my muscle mass. But I'm not losing as much this year," Randle El said. "I think the grappling [helps]. When you are on the ground wrestling with a guy - that's how it is when you catch a ball and you're tussling with a guy and trying to get out."

Added Intorn: "I think it definitely gives them better movability and more flexibility. I'm one of those guys who doesn't think you have to just always lift a ton of weights."

One thing that is certain about Moss - he has been healthy during this camp. After being injured for much of last summer and slowed during camp, he is off to a much better start to the 2008 season.

Health has been an issue for Moss for the past two years. He set the team record for receiving yards with 1,483 in his first season with the Redskins in 2005 but has barely eclipsed that number in the past two seasons combined while missing a total of four games with injuries and being less than 100 percent in several others.

"This is my third camp with him, and I think this has been his best one so far," Randle El said.

There have been glimpses of the old Moss during camp - the gamebreaker who averaged nearly 18 yards a reception three years ago. In new coach Jim Zorn's offense, Moss could put his elusiveness to work and turn quick timing patterns into long gains.

A more dynamic Moss could be the difference between a solid Redskins offense and a great one.

"We feel that when we have him in the ballgame, it might just take one play," wide receivers coach Stan Hixon said. "He has proven that before. We've beat people with just one play that he made. He's a big-play receiver."

(washingtontimes.com)

ASHBURN, Va. — No matter the playbook, no matter his role, no matter his stats, Santana Moss sees himself as a playmaker and a game-changer.

It's why the wide receiver wants the Washington Redskins to throw the football to him as much as possible this season. "Early and often," is how Moss put it.

It's why he wants to go back to occasionally returning punts, something he didn't do once in 2006 or 2007. "I haven't forgotten how," Moss noted.

It's why he is sure he can thrive in new Redskins coach Jim Zorn's West Coast system.

"To be honest with you, I never look at anything and say, 'It's not going to be a good fit,"' Moss said. "Looking at this offense, I've got high expectations."

So do his teammates and Washington's fans, who were hootin' and hollerin' when Moss touched the ball at training camp Friday.

As for Zorn? Well, it's hard to imagine the former NFL quarterback coming up with a higher compliment than a comparison to his own favorite target, Steve Largent. Asked about Moss, Zorn immediately raised the name of the Hall of Fame receiver who was his teammate with the Seattle Seahawks.

"Steve Largent didn't have (Moss') acceleration or speed, but (Moss has) a very low center of gravity, and Steve did as well, so he's able to make very high-speed breaks," Zorn said, "and it's very difficult for him to be covered."

That was certainly the case in 2005, Moss' first year with the Redskins: He broke the franchise record with 1,483 yards receiving on a career-best 84 catches and went to the Pro Bowl.

One might think that was a season to remember, to look back upon with pride. Not quite so. Actually, Moss gets tired of hearing about it.

As in: Why haven't you matched that production? Why did your yardage slip to 790 in 2006, then 808 in 2007? Why haven't you gone to the Pro Bowl again?

"That's the only thing that ticks me off at times - when people say, 'Well, why didn't he do the 1,400 yards again?' Well, go back and watch the offense. Was I doing the same things the offense allowed me to do the first time?" he asked, then provided the answer: "No."

"But," Moss continued, "I understand that all I can be is what my team allows me to be."

This is no ball hog, mind you.

More like someone who wants to help and knows he can.

"I don't go into this thing saying, 'I'm the No. 1 man.' I feel like that's given to you by your coaching staff and by your team," Moss said. "I'm out here to do my job, and whatever they call me - No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 - it don't make me less than the other guys. ... If you go out there and work as a core, we all can be No. 1."

Keep in mind that Moss led Washington's receivers in catches, touchdown catches and yards every season he's been in town.

Teammates back up Moss' contention that his numbers were suppressed by a stop-and-start-and-stop offense the past two seasons.
The team ranked 15th of 32 NFL teams in net yards in 2007, 13th in 2006.

"We never got going in either of those seasons like we really wanted to," receiver Antwaan Randle El said. "When you have an offense like that, you can't expect those big numbers."

Randle El figures the changes under Zorn can only be an improvement - and he figures his running mate should thrive.

"You could put 'Tana' in any system, because of his breakdown ability. He can run routes, run them with speed and change direction at the same speed," Randle El said. "You really put him anywhere, stick him in any spot, and watch him work."

It's a combination of moves, pure sprint speed - "Fastest guy on the team, no doubt," according to cornerback Fred Smoot - and a knack for making a tough catch.

All are skills running back Clinton Portis grew accustomed to admiring when he and Moss were at the University of Miami.

"Think of Santana Moss being in the slot, moving around," Portis said, "and I put my money on him."

Moss told special teams coordinator Danny Smith he'd like to return to dabbling in returning punts by spelling Randle El, who voiced his support. When Moss is fresh and healthy - which was hardly the case at times last season - he feels he can make an opponent miss in the open field.

"I know that my job is easier than his," Moss said. "He's got to wonder where I'm going. I just have to go out there and run."

Moss is a sensible guy, though. There are limits to his desire to be involved all the time.

At his Florida high school, for example, he insisted on lining up wide, even though a two-catch game was a big deal in the team's Wing-T formation that emphasized the run.

"They always wanted me in the backfield," Moss recalled. "But I was, 'Uh-uh.' Those guys weren't blocking too well for me to be back there. I didn't want none of that."

(usatoday.com)

With fans eager to cheer at Redskins Park, wide receiver Santana Moss put on a show. The crowd erupted Monday when Moss made several impressive catches on deep balls from quarterback Jason Campbell as Coach Jim Zorn unveiled new elements of his West Coast offense.

After being slowed because of groin, heel and hamstring injuries last season, Moss, the Redskins' top wide receiver, said he is sound physically and excited about the potential of Washington's wideouts. Veterans Antwaan Randle El and James Thrash also are back, and the unit received a much-needed infusion of size and potential when the Redskins selected Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly with two of their top three draft picks.

Zorn and new offensive coordinator Sherman Smith said the group possesses the versatility they sought for their scheme, and the wide receivers envision doing big things after often having felt handcuffed by conservative game plans under former coach Joe Gibbs. But Moss, coaches said, still will shoulder much responsibility in the new offense, which is fine with him.

"I'm proud to hear that. I'm proud that that's how they look at me," Moss said. "I pretty much try to take the field like that. I try to handle my area and make sure I hold it down. I look at it like I'm one of the guys that this team is counting on, so I have to be accountable for myself and try to set an example for the younger guys, and it seems like everything is going to be great for us skill guys this year."

Zorn, who will call plays, has been preparing to open up the offense since he was promoted to head coach in February after being hired as offensive coordinator Jan. 25. Getting more production from the wideouts is a big part of his plan.

"When you looked at the talent we had with guys like Santana and Antwaan, we knew we had the type of receivers you need to have a great offense," Campbell said. "But when your guys are hurt, when they're out, it just makes it harder on the whole offense. With Santana and Randle El healthy now, and with the guys we drafted, I think our receivers can be" among the league's most productive units.

Moss, Randle El -- who is expected to primarily be in the slot this year, a role he covets -- and Thrash are learning Zorn's offense at multiple positions, but Thomas and Kelly are "playing one position, and one position only, so they can get all their reps on the same plays and in different formations to make it pretty easy for them," wide receivers coach Stan Hixon said.

The rookies are making a good impression, Moss said. "They're talented guys, look like they're pretty good," he said. "But right now it's a learning stage. They're trying to grasp everything. They're learning from us, and we're just coaching 'em up the best way we can."

(washingtonpost.com)

The Washington Times reports Redskins WR Santan Moss looked like the home run threat of old during Monday's practice when HC Jim Zorn unveiled some new pass patterns.



(ffmastermind.com)

Meanwhile, Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma reached out to freshmen Arthur Brown and Sean Spence, offering his cellphone number and mentoring (Panthers linebacker Jon Beason did, too). Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork reached out to Marcus Forston. Aldarius Johnson said he cultivated a friendship with Andre Johnson and has spoken with Reggie Wayne and Santana Moss.

UM alumni take losing so hard that Beason was ''in tears'' during games last year. Vilma said last winter that what troubled him in recent years is ``guys not improving year to year. You can't say it's all the talent.''

But after working out with Canes players at 7 a.m. this summer and watching several (such as Allen Bailey) improve this spring, Vilma -- like others -- is encouraged: ``You see everyone wanting to improve.''

(miamiherald.com)

His face flushed, wide receiver Santana Moss walked away from Redskins Park in street clothes shortly after practice yesterday.

Moss missed his second workout in seven organized team activity sessions, and this time it was obvious he was battling a case of the flu. Moss skipped the June 2 workout after a weekend of partying to celebrate his 29th birthday and later in the week blamed his absence on a conveniently timed illness.

However, as he moved toward the lobby exit yesterday, it was clear he was actually sick.

"I've got a little flu," Moss said. "It started [Tuesday] morning and continued today."

Coach Jim Zorn said Moss was expected to check with trainers yesterday afternoon to determine his status for the final workout today. Moss had 61 receptions last season, totaling 808 yards and three touchdowns.

"Santana is sick. . . . I don't think it was the partying type, but I really do think he is sick," Zorn said.

"It was really hot [Monday and Tuesday], so maybe it could have been a little bit of heat exhaustion. He was throwing up this morning. He's going to come in this afternoon and check in with the trainers and see if he feels any better."

(washingtonpost.com)

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)

If you told your boss you were calling in sick because of your weekend-long, multi-party celebration of your birthday, would your boss be cool with it?

If not, your boss is less understanding than Washington Redskins head coach Jim Zorn.

An Associated Press dispatch about the Redskins' organized team activities includes this:

Among the excused absentees was receiver Santana Moss, who was ill following a weekend-long, multiparty celebration of his 29th birthday.

Added Moss of partying as a 29-year-old, "you think you're still young and you can still hold up, but they all know what time it was. Have to chalk it up and be ready the next day."

Yes, for the Redskins, that's a good enough reason for an excused absence. And I say, good for the Redskins. After all, Moss has always been a committed, dedicated player, and organized team activities are voluntary. Moss partied too hard on his birthday, and took a day off when he wasn't contractually required to be there anyway. Some NFL coaches would make a big deal out of it, but Zorn is right to understand.

(aolsports.com)

Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss will host a Football Camp in Alexandria, Va., on Saturday, May 31, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

The purpose of the Santana Moss Football Camp is to provide fundamental football skills to every camper in an exciting and productive environment. Boys and girls ages 7-16 are welcome.

The camp will be geared towards the current abilities and ages of the campers. In an effort to mold well-rounded student-athletes, there will be conversations with current NFL players.

Registration will open at 9 a.m. on the first day of camp.

If you have not pre-registered, please arrive early since space is limited and the camp will be filled on a first come, first served basis.

For more information, contact Lily Stefano at 305-926-8210 or Carmen Wilson at 301-841-5989.

(redskins.com)

Hosted by Sinorice Moss of the Super Bowl Champions New York Giants with Special Guests Edgerrin James, Chad Johnson and Reggie Wayne.

TYSONS CORNER, VA (May 13, 2008) -- Famed, all-pro wide receiver Santana Moss, #89, will kick-off his birthday celebration at Chima Brazilian Steakhouse in Tysons Corner on May 30, 2008. The party will begin in bar at 8pm with a social mixer, followed by an exclusive dinner in the VIP room at 8:30pm.

The evening, part of a three-day Birthday Extravaganza hosted by wide receiver Sinorice Moss of the Super Bowl Champions New York Giants, #83, will include authentic Brazilian cuisine courtesy of Chima Brazilian Steakhouse. Special guests include running back Edgerrin James, #32; wide receiver Andre Johnson, #80; and wide receiver Reggie Wayne, #87.

Guests will enjoy Chima's authentic Brazilian Churrasco (Brazilian barbeque) served rodizo style, includes 16 kinds of meat, ranging from filet mignon, pork loin, lamb chops, chicken and fish all served by authentic "Gauchos." The Brazilian Gauchos, dressed in traditional attire, roam from table to table with skewers of piping hot, roasted meat, ready to slice off for your dining pleasure. Meals are accompanied by one of the most inclusive salad bars, with a wide range of American and Brazilian favorites -- from salads and oven-fresh breads to soups and deli meats. A full bar provides standard and specialty drinks, with a wine list that is the envy of connoisseurs everywhere.

(washingtontimes.com)

Santana Moss of the Washington Redskins and Sinorice Moss of the New York Giants are two brothers who know they are fortunate to have made it to the NFL.

Success on the field is allowing them to use their celebrity status to help others and give back to their community.

The Santana Moss Foundation recently hosted The Moss Brothers Celebrity Weekend. This annual event in the Moss brothers’ hometown of Miami, is attended by some of the NFL’s biggest stars. The goal is simple…raise money for charity.

The proceeds from this year’s Moss Brothers Celebrity Weekend will benefit the Santana Moss Foundation and the foundation of the late Sean Taylor, former teammate and close friend of Santana Moss.

The weekend’s activities included the Moss Brothers “Kids Day At The Movies”, a community fair and a celebrity softball game.

As you will see in this episode of Out of Uniform, the Moss Brothers Celebrity Weekend is embraced by the Miami community and is close to the heart of both Santana and Sinorice Moss.

(proathletesonly.com)

While blog browsing, I stumbled across some photos of Washington Redskins' WR Santana Moss' wedding photos. After 12 years of dating or shacking up (that's what old folks call it) they held their dream wedding in Hollywood, FL. Click here to read the electronic wedding invite.

Click below to see pictures from the wedding:
Picture 1, Picture 2, Picture 3, Picture 4, Picture 5

4. Andre Johnson
Houston Texans
Johnson is big (6-3, 219), physical, runs solid routes and makes plays. In terms of physical tools, he is every bit as good as the three guys in front of him. He may have been overlooked in the past because of poor quarterback play (see David Carr 2003-06) but should improve as he works more with Matt Schaub. Johnson's numbers last season (60 catches, 851 yards) would have been more impressive if he had not missed seven games with an injury.

5. Reggie Wayne
Indianapolis Colts
The only real knock on Wayne is that he has always been 1B to Marvin Harrison, who was 1A. That's no longer the case as he is Peyton Manning's top option now. Wayne has sneaky speed, which can catch a corner off guard. He has a great feel for Indianapolis' system and the ability to find holes in a defense.

33. Santana Moss
Washington Redskins
Moss is small (5-10, 200), but few players in the league can rival his deep speed. He gets pushed around too much, can wear down and has trouble staying healthy. Also, he was tied for third in the league with 10 drops last season, according to Stats LLC. However, with new coach Jim Zorn expected to throw more often than the Redskins did in the past, Moss could have a resurgence. It is clear he will never be a top red zone option or a No. 1 wideout who can consistently handle double-teams, but Moss can be a difference-maker as a complementary option. Zorn will get the ball in his hands.

51. Roscoe Parrish
Buffalo Bills
Parrish has been a versatile player for the Bills. He is a No. 3 receiver who is best in the slot and using his quickness and run-after-catch ability in space. His biggest contribution, however, may come on special teams handling punts and kickoffs.

Click here to see the rest of the list...

Also, WR Santana Moss is being watched ever so closely (I blogged about this a while back when they signed Corey Bradford). There is some concern about lingering groin/hip problems and his workload is being curtailed a bit. Bubba said that Santana has been experiencing discomfort in his groin, based on him compensating. Moss missed much of the offseason with the groin/hip problem. "He feels like he's compensating a little bit on his leg, so he's got a soreness in his groin instead of the hip flexor/abdominal area (which he hurt this offseason. I asked specifically if Santana had been compensating for discomfort in his hamstring - a problem with him going back several years - and Bubba said that Santana was compensating for "his leg in general, the other part, the hip flexor." Could be a case where they rest him in the scrimmage as well.

(blog.washingtonpost.com)

A while back I drew reader(s) attention towards a new series on Football Outsiders where they exhaustively break down individual plays. They covered a Redskins/Titans play that yielded good yardage and a first down... for the Titans. FO's Mike Tanier must have a vendetta crush on the Redskins, as his newest installment returns to the Redskins/Titans game, this time with the good guys on offense. The setup:

The typical full-house package includes several running plays, some six- or seven-man protection passes, and a few wrinkles on basic pass plays. Today, we are going to install something a little more exotic: an end around from a full-house formation. This play was used by the Redskins against the Titans in Week 6. The play only yielded a minimal gain, so we will examine ways to improve it after we look at what actually happened on the field.

The situation: First-and-10, first quarter, Redskins trailing by three points. The Redskins deploy a three-receiver, single-back, single-tight end personnel package, but they align in a full house formation with Chris Cooley and Antwaan Randle El at "fullback."

The article has helpful diagrams if this isn't making a whole lot of sense. What you'd see is Chris Cooley, Randle-El, and Portis in the backfield, with Moss lined up close to the O-line on the right and Brandon Lloyd wide on the left. The play involves Moss faking a block and taking the ball in a handoff towards the left sideline. It relies on subterfuge, as Randle-El has to sell a play fake to him running to the right. What happens?

Lost in the midst of Washington's near-elimination from theplayoff race with last Sunday's loss to Atlanta was receiver Santana Moss' return to the form that made him a Pro Bowl starter last season.

After battling a strained hamstring for five weeks, Moss showed he was back on his initial catch, leaping over Falcons DeAngelo Hall and Chris Crocker to corral a 42-yard lofted pass from Jason Campbell for the touchdown that gave the Redskins an early 14-0 lead.

"The touchdown was like a sigh of relief," said Moss, who hadn't scored since the overtime game-winner on Oct. 1 against Jacksonville. I just want to [help] give our team a chance to win games. They got me here for a reason. I felt good [the previous week against Carolina when he had just 12 yards on three catches], too, but your first game back, you're not going to be yourself. Playing that whole game gave me a game to really say, 'OK. I did that.' I had a gauge. I could watch myself on film, say I did all right and now I can do a little more in practice and go out and play a little differently."

Santana Moss, dogged by a series of hamstring problems, will come nowhere close to the franchise record he set for receiving yards in 2005, but in a league filled with wide receivers who whine about their roles or production, Moss has been a mature and incident-free presence with the Redskins.

In both tough and successful times, Moss has endeared himself to teammates and coaches. The former Miami star said that hasn't always been the case with him -- he had an occasional flare-up when he was with the New York Jets -- but he has learned to control his emotions as well as his tongue. Moss, 27, has maintained a perspective on his ups and downs that does not go unnoticed, especially when teammate Brandon Lloyd is throwing helmets -- and tantrums.

"I used to pout and [complain] and moan and worry about this and worry about that, but what it all boils down to is you're hurting something else," Moss said. "All we can do is get better. We can't sit around here and dwell on what happened. We have to move on."

Pro Bowl receiver Santana Moss, who missed two of the past three games with a strained hamstring, practiced for a third straight day and expects to play tomorrow when the Washington Redskins play host to the Carolina Panthers. Moss had sat out against Dallas, returned to have his worst day with the Redskins in Philadelphia and was inactive again last week at Tampa Bay.

"I've been waiting on a day like this to go out there and be able to do more," said Moss, who was hurt on Oct. 22 at Indianapolis. "I feel 10 times better than I did in Philly. I felt like I had healed, but I didn't have the strength I needed. As [this] week went on, I felt like I had the strength back. [Today] I ran swift. I ran confident. I ran hard."

(washingtontimes.com)

As if making his first NFL start without record-setting running back Clinton Portis wasn't enough of a burden for Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell, he also won't have Pro Bowl receiver Santana Moss to throw to tomorrow against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Moss didn't practice for a second straight day because of a strained left hamstring and said he won't play, although coach Joe Gibbs opted to hold out hope for a miraculous recovery by kickoff. Moss, who was hurt on Oct. 22 at Indianapolis, missed the Dallas game on Nov. 5 -- his first absence in two seasons with Washington.

Spiderman has his spidey sense. Batman has the Batmobile. Superman's able to leap off tall buildings in a single bound.

TanaMan has . . . a college degree!

TanaMan is the masked-and-caped superhero alter ego of former University of Miami and current Washington Redskins football player Santana Moss.

Moss missed last week's game with a strained left hamstring. He returned to practice Wednesday and has gradually increased his workload.

"Every day this week, I went up the ladder and did more running," Moss said. "It showed me what I pretty much thought it was going to show me _ it's getting back up to strength on a daily basis. That doesn't mean you're fully healed. It just means you're on the right pace."

Coach Joe Gibbs said he won't decide whether Moss plays until the pregame workout Sunday.

Week 3 of the Santana Moss Hamstring Watch began yesterday, and nothing has changed. The Washington Redskins receiver remains out of practice and is questionable for Sunday's game in Philadelphia.
Moss was injured in the second half of the Redskins' game at Indianapolis on Oct. 22 and has yet to go through a full workout. Coach Joe Gibbs said Moss did some running work during practice yesterday.

Before practice, Moss said: "I don't think it would be very smart to go out there and run wild. Rehabbing it, I feel fine, but I have to get to the point where I feel fine when I'm doing something. That's the next step."

Washington Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss returned to practice yesterday, although not in a full capacity, while quarterback Mark Brunell rested, although he is scheduled to start Sunday in Philadelphia. Moss missed last week's game and is nursing a hamstring injury, and said he will have to progress daily this week in order to play.

Moss is Washington's best deep threat and top all-around receiver, and no one surpassed 70 yards receiving in his absence against the Cowboys. No other wide receiver on the team has even 200 receiving yards this season, and Moss wants badly to return, but is taking a cautious approach. Wet conditions have prompted an even more conservative attitude during practice.

Receiver Santana Moss said his strained hamstring is healing but he is still unsure if he will be able to play this weekend in Philadelphia. Tackle Jon Jansen (calf), tight end Chris Cooley (shoulder) and tight end Christian Fauria (ankle) were among a handful of players receiving treatment yesterday at Redskins Park as well.

Moss, Washington's leading receiver by far, set a franchise record for receiving yards in 2005, and no other wide receiver on the team has even 200 yards this season. Coach Joe Gibbs said he is remaining optimistic about Moss being able to face the Eagles, but admits the injury could require another week of rest as some blood has gathered at the bottom of his left hamstring.

Pro Bowl receiver Santana Moss, who became a Washington hero with two late, long touchdown catches to stun Dallas last season, won't play when the desperate Redskins (2-5) meet the Dallas Cowboys tomorrow at FedEx Field.

Moss, still sidelined by a strained left hamstring, watched in gray sweats as his teammates went through their final practice yesterday.

"You're seeing how I'm dressed," said Moss, who hasn't practiced since getting hurt in the Oct. 22 loss at Indianapolis. "How can you go out there and do something when you haven't even put out the work? It's not right for me to say I'm going to jump out there and try and go 100 miles per hour."

Santana Moss, by far the Washington Redskins' most productive receiver since his arrival in 2005, missed practice again yesterday with a strained hamstring, making it uncertain whether he will play Sunday against Dallas. Moss has not been on the field for a full training session since suffering the injury in a Week 7 loss at Indianapolis, and has a history of hamstring problems.

Should Moss be unable to play, there could be more work for James Thrash, a special teams stalwart. Wide receiver David Patten, who is also nursing a hamstring injury, returned for practice and is listed as probable, while wide receiver Brandon Lloyd did not practice fully because of a shoulder injury. He, too, is probable. Moss has more receiving yards this season (435) than Washington's other four wide receivers combined (397), and is the primary target for quarterback Mark Brunell. He also is the only player able to repeatedly produce big plays in this passing offense the last two seasons, an area of particular significance given the Redskins' inconsistent attack in 2006.

Mark Brunell, Clinton Portis and Santana Moss remained unable to practice Monday as the Washington Redskins returned from a four-day, bye-week vacation. Of the three, Moss was the least optimistic about playing in Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Moss, the team's only consistent receiver this season, is recovering from a strained left hamstring. He said he was being cautious because of his experience with previous hamstring injuries.

"If you go out and try to be Superman, you can prolong the healing process," Moss said. "I don't want to do that. Hopefully, I can play Sunday. I really don't want to miss Sunday, but I don't want to miss any Sunday."

The Washington Redskins' two most dynamic offensive cogs, running back Clinton Portis and wide receiver Santana Moss, both suffered injuries in Sunday's loss and are among a large contingent of hurting players entering the bye week. Washington's offense has been erratic even with Portis and Moss but, at 2-5 and with Dallas up next, losing either of them would be a significant blow.

Portis wore a walking cast on his left ankle yesterday, suffering from what the team is calling a high ankle sprain. Moss has a strained left hamstring. Neither is expected to participate in the two days of practice this week before players depart for the extended weekend off. Quarterback Mark Brunell has a strained rib muscle and could miss practice today as well, said Bubba Tyer, the team's director of sports medicine, and wide receiver Antwaan Randle El is nursing a sore heel.

Wide receiver Santana Moss sustained a hamstring injury in the second half of Sunday's 36-22 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. He did not return to the game.

Moss's status will be determined by the team later this week.

The Redskins head into a bye week, so there will be plenty of time for Moss to recuperate. Washington hosts the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Nov. 5, at FedExField.

Moss finished the game with three receptions for 20 yards.

Running back Clinton Portis sustained a lower leg injury in the second half, but he returned to the game.

(noticias.info)

ASHBURN, Va. -- When his mother finally relented and decided to let him play football, Santana Moss got the ball at his first practice and outran everyone else for what should've been a sure touchdown.

Instead, he slowed down and let everyone tackle him.

''I didn't know the concept,'' Moss said. ''It was kind of funny as a 12-year-old, I didn't know much about the game. But once I learned it, it was downhill from there.''

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Santana Moss has lived his brother Sinorice's dream.

The 1-2 Giants just hope he doesn't live their ultimate nightmare.

The two instances could be one in the same; namely, turning a medium catch into a long touchdown to win a game on the final play.

"That's a dream of every receiver in the league," said Sinorice, the second-round rookie brother of the 2-2 Redskins' dynamic receiver, who brought three of his four catches last week against Jacksonville into the end zone. "Coming down to the last play or the last couple of plays in a game, you're just wishing you get the ball and you can make a big play."

New York, NY - Washington wide receiver Santana Moss, Chicago defensive tackle Tommie Harris and Atlanta kicker Morten Andersen were named NFC Players of the Week for offense, defense and special teams, respectively, for games played in Week 4.

Moss was on the receiving end of a game-winning, 68-yard touchdown strike from Mark Brunell just 1:49 into overtime that lifted the Redskins to a 36-30 win over Jacksonville. The touchdown grab was Moss' third of the day in addition to his 138 yards receiving.

Moss matched a career-high in touchdown receptions for the third time in his career en route to earning his fourth career Player of the Week award.

(sport.monsterandcritics.com)

Had the player streaking down the left sideline been wearing any number other than 89, Mark Brunell admits he would not have attempted the pass. Brunell generally chooses not to throw into double coverage, especially in overtime of a wildly competitive game, but the temptation of trying to hit Santana Moss in full stride was just too alluring to resist.

So with the safer routes ruled out, and at least one member of the offensive coaching staff screaming in his headset for the quarterback not to look in Moss's direction, Brunell pumped the ball 20 yards downfield, knowing that if he threw it hard enough and high enough the Redskins' premier playmaker might make something spectacular happen. Moss did just that, slithering between cornerback Brian Williams and safety Deon Grant to barely avoid a collision, hauling in the pass and sprinting downfield untouched to complete a game-winning, 68-yard play on the first possession of overtime Sunday evening at FedEx Field.

When the offense sputtered in two losses and then the game plan called for almost exclusively short passes in the third game, Santana Moss didn't whine about his lack of touches, didn't blame the coaching staff for a flawed strategy and didn't call for a quarterback change.

Moss, the Washington Redskins' Pro Bowl receiver, is used to waiting his turn while waiting for an offense to take shape. He did it in high school, at the University of Miami and with the New York Jets.

"I've been patient since Day One," he said. "It started when my mom wouldn't let me play football until I was 12 years old. That appreciation has carried over. I've been through so many things that now, when something happens, I can say, 'I've seen this before.'

The play is testimony to the changed fortunes of the Washington Redskins and the gifts that make Santana Moss one of the best receivers in pro football.

Quarterback Mark Brunell apparently ignored several better options in throwing to Moss on the 68-yard scoring play that gave the Redskins a 36-30 overtime victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday.

"I'm not going to tell you what was said," coach Joe Gibbs explained Monday, "but it was one of those deals in the headphones where you hear, 'Don't go there!' And then the pass is caught and it's 'OK, go there.'

ASHBURN, VA. // Santana Moss spoke with his mouth full, munching on two cookies as he talked with reporters in the parking lot with the television cameras rolling. His cell phone went off four times, providing a rap music soundtrack to his candid comments.

Moss didn't care. He is not about image. He rarely does anything off the field to draw attention. While other receivers get more publicity - Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson quickly come to mind - Moss is flashy only when the game is in progress.

The day began with a woman smiling sweetly at Santana Moss in the elevator of the team's Marriott Hotel and a subtle hint that she would be spending her afternoon in the front row of FedEx Field's east end zone. Right between the "W" and "A" of "Washington Redskins" painted on the wall behind the goalpost.

It was a smile he could not forget. And somehow in the tumult of the game's end, with the ball in his hands and nothing but green and the winning touchdown before him, this is what Moss remembered: between the "W" and the "A."

LANDOVER, Md. - In the first quarter, Washington Redskins receiver Santana Moss made a spin move that left Jacksonville Jaguars safety Deon Grant sprawled on the grass at the 11-yard line.

In the fourth quarter, Moss caught a pass and darted inside just in time to make cornerback Brian Williams whiff near the goal line.

Then in overtime, Moss dusted Grant and Williams at the same time, leaving them flat-footed on a 68-yard, game-winning catch down the left sideline.

Three dazzling touchdowns.

Landover, MD (Sports Network) - Santana Moss caught a 68-yard touchdown pass from Mark Brunell just under two minutes into overtime, as the Washington Redskins downed the Jacksonville Jaguars, 36-30, at FedEx Field.

Washington won the coin toss, opted to take the ball to start OT and Clinton Portis ran for 17 yards on the first two plays. After a five-yard penalty on Washington, the next play Brunell hit Moss along the left sideline and he split two defenders and raced for the game-winner. The play was reviewed to see if he went out of bounds along his route but the play was upheld

ASHBURN--When the Redskins visited the Dallas Cowboys last September, wide receiver Santana Moss was essentially known as the quick guy who had been acquired in a trade for the disgruntled Laveranues Coles.

For the first 31/2 quarters of that game, Moss did little to change that notion.

But then with just under four minutes left, quarterback Mark Brunell found Moss for a 39-yard touchdown.

One minute later, Brunell hit Moss for a 70-yard score, sending the Redskins to an improbable 14-13 victory, which was just Washington's second against Dallas in their 16 most recent meetings.

When Dallas Cowboys quarterback Drew Bledsoe got home from the Monday night game against the Washington Redskins last year, he found voice mails and e-mails congratulating him on the victory.

The problem was, the Cowboys didn't win the game.

Dallas blew a 13-0 lead in the final four minutes. The friends who left Bledsoe the messages live on the East Coast, and they went to bed before Santana Moss caught two long passes in a 14-13 Redskins victory that became an instant classic in the long-running Cowboys-Redskins rivalry.

"They called back the next day and said, 'I'm sorry,'" Bledsoe said.

Washington Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss robbed the Cowboys on Monday Night Football last season.

He'll try to do it on Sunday night this season. Moss scored two late touchdowns a season ago as the Redskins escaped Texas Stadium with a 14-13 victory against the Cowboys in the second week.

Moss, who is in his sixth season, will be a focal point of the Cowboys' defense. He had seven catches for 232 yards (33.1 yards per catch) and two touchdowns combined in the two victories against Dallas last season. With superior speed and excellent ball concentration, Moss has become one of the league's best game-breakers.

ASHBURN, VA. // Brandon Lloyd could sense it nearly from the first time he stepped onto the practice field for the Washington Redskins last spring. As much as he was bonding with new teammates Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El, there was a pervading sense of competition among the receivers.

Even though Moss had established himself as Mark Brunell's favorite target last season - in reality his only reliable receiver besides tight end Chris Cooley - Lloyd believed that he and fellow newcomer Randle El were actually fighting with Moss for one of the starting jobs.

"It's competition for Santana," Lloyd, who played his first three years in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers before coming over in a trade, said recently with a laugh. "Nobody's sewed up here. Nobody has the edge. There's competition across the board."

When Santana Moss was traded before last season, his destination was Washington. But the former New York Jets complementary receiver felt like he had landed on the other side of the rainbow.
Moss caught a 52-yard pass in his Redskins debut before earning a spot among the league's elite receivers the next week by hauling in two late touchdown bombs from Mark Brunell to stun the host Dallas Cowboys on "Monday Night Football."
 Moss finished the season with a career-high 84 catches, a franchise-record 1,483 receiving yards and a team-high nine touchdowns, helping the Redskins make the playoffs for the first time in six years and earning his first Pro Bowl appearance.     "Last year was as close to perfect you can get without winning the Super Bowl," Moss said. "The Redskins went and got me, so I couldn't do anything in return except be the player I was. The trade allowed me to go somewhere where they really appreciate my gifts."