Earlier this year, a guy by the name of Moss left his team's bench at FedExField before the final whistle. By contrast, the Redskins' own Moss sounded Thursday likes he's ready for the long haul in his new digs.
Saying, "Players don't want to bounce around, they want a home," wide receiver Santana Moss was in an upbeat mood Thursday at Redskin Park.
Why not? Moss, obtained from the New York Jets March 10 in the deal involving disgruntled Laveranues Coles, spoke about his new contract extension and his urge to get into the flow of things with his new teammates, particularly Patrick Ramsey.
"This spring, I've attended some celebrity events in Florida," said Moss, 25. "When they announced me, they always said, 'Of the Washington Redskins.'"
He smiled when he said that.
It's now a reality, Moss as a Redskin, after a gap of about two months between the Moss-Coles deal and the first appearance at Redskin Park of Moss, contract extension in hand. In the interim, the former Miami Hurricane worked out in South Florida with other former Miami players while the overwhelming majority of Redskin players have been taking part in the voluntary off-season program at Redskin Park.
During his time with the Jets, Moss totaled 151 catches for 2,416 yards and 19 touchdowns. The 5-10, 185-pound Moss had 45 catches for 838 yards and a team-high five TD catches for the Jets a year ago.
Against Pittsburgh, in an AFC divisional playoff game, Moss went 75 yards with a punt return for an electrifying score in a game the Steelers won in overtime 20-17.
In terms of his four-year NFL career, the most productive season for Moss came in 2003, with 74 catches for 1,105 yards and 10 TDs.
Said Moss: "Here's what I'm focused on now: Getting the system down. It's a blessing to be here. I feel privileged. The door opened, and I was able to take advantage.
"Now, I want to get in here and get off on the right foot. I was working out I Miami and I can assure you it's similar to the running and lifting they've been doing here."
"One of the things the Jets told us about Santana," said Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs," is that he's a great work-out guy. We're not worried about that.
"It's a happy day for us. We got the deal with Santana done. We're excited about getting to work now. We have a long-term deal, so we're excited."
The Redskins continue to tweak their roster. But for the moment, Moss joins a group of wide receivers that includes David Patten, Taylor Jacobs, James Thrash and Darnerien McCants. Rod Gardner's status has not appreciably been altered, Gibbs said Thursday. The Redskins have given the four-year NFL veteran the right to seek a trade.
In the 2001 NFL draft, Moss was taken at No. 16 in the first round, one spot behind the Redskins and their selection of Gardner.
Asked if he had planned to spend extra time with Ramsey, Moss said: "I'm gonna do whatever is needed. I'll make sure I'll get up to par with him.
"I was basically staying in shape down there with the Miami trainers. Their program is intense, just like it is here."
