Santana Moss a Low-Maintenance Receiver

Santana Moss had a nice year, sure, but enough with this silliness about him being “snubbed” in the Pro Bowl voting. Let’s face it, he’s not as explosive a player as he used to be. Of his career-high 93 catches this season, only nine went for 20 yards or more. The four receivers who made the NFC squad had 15 (Roddy White), 16 (Calvin Johnson), 21 (DeSean Jackson) and 21 (Greg Jennings) grabs of 20-plus yards.

Of course, Shanahan used Moss differently than other coaches have. He lined him up in the slot more and had him run scores of underneath routes and screens. Santana saw the ball as much as he ever has, but it was harder for him to generate big plays. Consider: In 2005, the only time he went to the Pro Bowl as a Redskin, he had 24 catches of 20 yards or more – and 10 of 40 yards or more.

It’ll be interesting to see if the Redskins re-sign Moss now that his contract is up. He’ll be 32 next season, and Shanny might want to get younger at the position. (The coach SAYS he wants to get younger in lots of places, but we’ll see about that.)

If it were up to me, I’d hang onto Santana for as long as he was even remotely functional. Why? Because not only is he great in the locker room, he’s that rarest of pro football creatures: the Low-Maintenance Receiver. Have you ever heard him complain about not getting enough passes thrown his way – or about anything, for that matter? You need players like him around to show the kids How It’s Done.

Click here to order Santana Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.



(tbd.com)