The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

Redskins Introduce Moss
Associated Press
Thursday, March 10, 2005; 3:37 PM


ASHBURN, Va. -- The first time Santana Moss replaced Laveranues Coles at receiver, he responded with his best season. The Washington Redskins hope that's true the second time around.

The Redskins acquired Moss in a long-awaited trade with the New York Jets for Coles, who grew increasingly frustrated with what he termed a "conservative offense" in Washington.



Redskins coach Joe Gibbs stands with Santana Moss during a news conference announcing the acquisition of Moss from the New York Jets. (Kevin Wolf - AP)
Ironically, with Moss and free-agent signee David Patten, the Redskins now say they want to throw more downfield to their pair of fast, 5-foot-10 receivers.

"We weren't productive," Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said. "We didn't get big plays. That's our hope here. That's the best way we can help our team."

Moss is used to big plays. Though he caught a combined 53 fewer passes than Coles the past two years, he grabbed 15 touchdown passes to only seven for Coles.

Last season, Moss, battling a hamstring injury, averaged 18.6 yards on 45 catches; no Redskin receiver with at least 15 receptions averaged more than 12.7 yards a grab.

"When he hits the ground, he's extremely quick and elusive," Gibbs said. "He's a bona fide speed guy."

Two years ago Moss became a starter after Coles was traded to Washington. Moss finished with 74 receptions for 1,105 yards and 10 touchdowns.

"I got a chance to play and did some big things," Moss said. "Now I'm coming here and he's leaving to go back there. It's so crazy. ... This is a fresh start. Not that I needed one, but now that I have one, it's good."

Moss occasionally will return punts. In New York, he averaged 11.9 yards on 88 punt returns, with two touchdowns.

Coles grew increasingly frustrated in Washington's offense last season, chafing over the lack of opportunities downfield. After several meetings with Gibbs, the Redskins determined it was better to trade Coles and take a salary cap hit of approximately $9 million this season than to have him return.

Coles also called Gibbs "inflexible" when it came to the offense. Gibbs did not want to address his comments.

'We went through a painful deal there and we're hoping this is a great solution for both sides," he said.

Moss was not bothered by Coles' description of the offense. He talked with former University of Miami teammate, and Redskin running back, Clinton Portis. And Moss looked at one number: 168 -- the number of passes thrown to Coles in 2004. Moss said he had fewer than 70 thrown to him.

"The reason it doesn't concern me is look at his numbers," he said. "He had opportunities. ... I want to try and make a difference. I want to be a big-play guy."

Washington also is shopping receiver Rod Gardner, hoping to trade him for a draft pick. He would represent the fourth starter lost in this offseason.

"Until we win games," Gibbs said. "We will be criticized."

BossHog wrote:I think all Moss is saying is that good passes or not, he'd relish having his number dialed up 168 times.

BossHog wrote:Most of those were 'misses', not drops.

washington53 wrote:yeah i agree to doctordrew to some extent. Brunell and Ramsey had bad chemistry with our WRS, but maybe more than half of the passes he dropped touched his hands.... and we all know the rules "If the ball touches your hands, u have no excuse if you dropped it". So Coles' statement about he didnt get the ball is false.

BossHog wrote:Most of those were 'misses', not drops. Coles did seem to drop more passes than usual, but he had a finger issue too. But he still caught the majority of the balls that were catchable (93% i think someone worked out in another thread).

I think all Moss is saying is that good passes or not, he'd relish having his number dialed up 168 times.

SkinsHead56 wrote:

washington53 wrote:yeah i agree to doctordrew to some extent. Brunell and Ramsey had bad chemistry with our WRS, but maybe more than half of the passes he dropped touched his hands.... and we all know the rules "If the ball touches your hands, u have no excuse if you dropped it". So Coles' statement about he didnt get the ball is false.

Coles never said he didn't get the ball. He said he didn't get many chances to go long.

They'll enjoy Santana. He's a great talent," Coles said in a telephone interview Tuesday. "Maybe he'll bring something that they felt was missing in me. He's very explosive. I think that's what they were looking for."