Santana Moss Dazzles At Camp

Jul/24/08 06:05 PM Filed in: Santana Moss
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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)