rd421 Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 The story of the 2012 Washington Redskins to this point has been new talent acquisition. When Bruce Allen confirmed that the Redskins had traded with the St Louis Rams for the 2nd overall pick in the draft, the attention of Redskins nation immediately turned to surrounding that pick with a supporting cast that could build the explosive offense that Mike and Kyle Shanahan coveted. Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan have been touted as the saviors of the Wide Receiver unit in DC, but the key to the Redskins offensive success in 2012 may have been on the roster all along. After a rough 2011 season, which included missing significant time due to injury, Santana Moss very well could have been on his way out in DC. Moss appeared to have lost a step last year; worse than that, he seemed to have lost the fire that made him the Redskins most electrifying playmaker for the better part of a decade. It is no secret that the loss of Sean Taylor rocked this franchise to its core, but no two players were hit by the tragedy as hard as retired running back Clinton Portis and Moss, both of whom were teammates of Taylor while at the University of Miami. During his retirement press conference last Thursday, Portis admitted that Sean’s passing affected his passion for the game. No one could blame Moss if Taylor’s death has had a similar affect on his career. To be completely transparent, when news broke that former Mike Shanahan receiver Eddie Royal was having dinner with the Redskins brass at Morton’s, I thought Moss was as good as gone. Santana carried a pretty hefty cap number, and the Redskins had just lost close to $40 million in cap space. Additionally, the younger Royal beard a closer resemblance to the 2005 Santana Moss than the 2011 Santana Moss. Surprisingly, Royal left Morton’s without agreeing to a deal with the Redskins (something that generally does not happen) and chose to sign with the San Diego Chargers. This opened the door for Santana to do what he has done his entire career – prove everyone wrong. Moss reported to OTA’s in what Mike Shanahan called “excellent shape”, weighing 15 pounds lighter than he did last year. He immediately impressed coaches with his regained burst and agility that made him a playmaker early in his career. “I think Santana new that he had to lose a little weight to come back and play at a certain level to help the team win, and that’s what he did” Shanahan told reporters during training camp “he looks like a different guy out there” The question here is if the 2012 Moss will return to the Moss of old on game day, not just during practice. I am not going to sit here and blow smoke up your backside, pretending that Pierre Garcon isn’t going to be the first option – he absolutely will. But with the addition of Pierre, the emergence of Leonard Hankerson as a threat and Santana’s move to more of a slot role, he very well could be in line for a huge year. With teams spending their time game planning for other receivers, Moss will finally get what he has been begging for since 2005? Continue Reading Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4skins23 Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 It will be interesting. I haven't seen anything out of Hankerson. Is he actually a threat? I would put Armstrong higher on my list as a threat than Hankerson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinz4Life12 Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 nice writeup and i really hope santana has a good year but honestly, i never believed santana was as good as a receiver as steve smith. he doesn't have the ability to go up and grab a ball from two defenders like steve smith does. steve smith plays like he's 6'3, 220. that said, i believe there is a good chance that santana will have a good connection with RG3 and continue to shine this year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky21 Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 In response to the thread question, No. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skins3000 Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 nice writeup and i really hope santana has a good year but honestly, i never believed santana was as good as a receiver as steve smith. he doesn't have the ability to go up and grab a ball from two defenders like steve smith does. steve smith plays like he's 6'3, 220.that said, i believe there is a good chance that santana will have a good connection with RG3 and continue to shine this year Yeah, I agree this is comparing oranges and apples. Steve Smith is a one receiver that stills breaks double coverage. Garcon would have been the better comparison in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-Dog Night Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 he doesn't have the ability to go up and grab a ball from two defenders Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjfootballer Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 Did we sign Eddie Royal yet? But seriuosly, I'm not sure I'd want Moss to be his Steve Smith. I'd rather them spread the ball around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinz4Life12 Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 ^^that's not really what i meant. That ball was nicely dropped in between two defenders. He doesn't go up and get a ball like Smitty. You don't see Santana making catches like this: (something Steve Smith has done routinely throughout his career) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-Dog Night Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 I get what you mean, although I don't think that's the best example you could have chosen to make your case. Only one defender there. And I'll agree that Steve Smith is better in those types of situations. But Moss can do it, and has done it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#BgMase76# Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 It will be interesting. I haven't seen anything out of Hankerson. Is he actually a threat? I would put Armstrong higher on my list as a threat than Hankerson. Great call, I was a little thrown off in wk 3 when Hankerson was the #2. Personally I think the offense will be unstoppable w/ Moss in the slot. If Hank doesn't pan out then maybe Morgan or even Briscoe will fill in. We could employ Miss just like Sea Walker. I'll take Santana over any team's nickel or LB if we could scheme that one up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clskinsfan Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 Santana Moss is not Steve Smith. Not even close. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#BgMase76# Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 Wow, forgot how long Santana has been here. That was Brunell huh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinz4Life12 Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 I get what you mean, although I don't think that's the best example you could have chosen to make your case. Only one defender there. And I'll agree that Steve Smith is better in those types of situations. But Moss can do it, and has done it. I couldn't find a video where he beats two defenders but I have seen him go up like that on multiple occasions and rip the ball away from two defenders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaSkinzBaby Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 I don't think Santana is any where near as fast as he once was. This may be his last year anyway. I wished we could have seen what Banks was like in the slot with the first teamers in Preseason. I think there isn't any comparison between Moss and Smith. I think Steve Smith has a deeper desire at this point than Moss. IMHO....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinz4Life12 Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 E-Dog, watch about a minute of this video and you will see what I mean. Trucking over receivers, taking the ball away from receivers when double teamed, and owning our beloved redskins on multiple occasions. He just plays a different style and on a different level than Santana: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mm6_be70p8&feature=related Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrelgreenie Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 Moss broke his hand last year. A pretty bad injury considering a WR hands are their bread and butter. I alway felt it was Moss hand injury and not a decline in his overall ability that limited his production. The previous year Moss was top 10 in yards and in catches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuzzy Dunlop Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 Steve Smith is better than Moss by a mile but I think Moss can be the old faithful guy that RG3 will rely on alot early on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botched Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 Until last year with Cam Newton at QB (and Santana's injury), Steve Smith and Santana Moss were equally productive. 2001-2010 Smith 620 catches 8884 yards, 52 TDs, 14.3ypc Moss 593 catches 8558 yards, 52 TDs, 14.4ypc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinnyles Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 Good stats.....Moss would never have been in that position to make the TD catch last Sat. in his old role...he'd have been doubled teamed at the line. Excellent post!!! Gonna be fun to watch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Son of Gadsden Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 Um. Moss is in the slot and it's far more likely Garcon will be RG3's Steve Smith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
illone Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 Um. Moss is in the slot and it's far more likely Garcon will be RG3's Steve Smith. My thoughts exactly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrelgreenie Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 Having Garcon and a healthy Moss is like having 2 Steve Smiths. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlehunch Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 These articles are getting more and more ridiculous. Moss vs. Steve Smith?Cmon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DogofWar1 Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 Having Garcon and a healthy Moss is like having 2 Steve Smiths. And Fred Davis is like having a better version of Greg Olsen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingdaddy Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 Not Steve Smith numbers but I'll be surprised if Moss doesn't have a very good year. He's going to really benefit from RG's buying time on broken down plays....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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