Santana Moss - Steppin Up or Steppin Down?

[Kilroy 0]

After being the 16th overall pick in the 2001 draft by the New York Jets, Santana Moss had some lofty expectations set upon him heading into his rookie season. The Univerisity of Miami product never had a chance to meet those expectations however. Torn cartiledge in his left knee caused him to miss 11 games and he finished the year with 2 receptions for 40 yards. In 2002 he was on the field for for 15 games and finished with 30 receptions for 433 yards. He also had 4 touchdown receptions. It was a step in the right in direction, but there were those who still questioned wether the 5'10", 185 pound Moss could excel as a number one receiver in the NFL.

 

After two years playing behind Laveraneus Coles, it was time to see if Moss could prove his skeptics wrong. Coles left in the 2003 offseason to sign with the Washington Redskins. Santana Moss stepped into his place and finshed the year with 74 receptions for 1,105 yards and 10 touchdowns. Moss answered the questions regarding wether he could produce as a number one wide out, but following a dissapointing 2004 season, Moss was traded to the Redskins in exchange for the receiver he replaced in the Jets offense two seasons ago, Laveraneus Coles. It was time again for Moss to not only show that he can excel as a lead receiver in the league, but that he can produce an elite level as well.

 

Moss finished his first year in Washington with 1,483 receiving yards. The yardage total ranked second in the league to Steve Smith's 1,583. His 9 touchdowns were only three less than league leaders Smith, and Marvin Harrison's 12.

 

Heading into the 2006 season Moss will have a new oppurtunity - the chance to excel as the lead receiver in Al Saunders' offense. After posting such lofty totals a season ago however, does Moss have it in him to match or surpass that production this year? There's no doubt Saunders' system will present more scoring oppurtunities for the Redskins offense, but Clinton Portis may prove the biggest beneficiary of these changes. Tight end Chris Cooley could also become an even bigger factor in the new gameplan. Will the new system and it's big play potential benefit Moss this year, or will the increase in the amount of looks given to other players limit his production in the end?

[Eriadoc 4]

A lot of folks seem to forget the 2003 season that Moss had. He put up over 1100 yards and 10 TDs in really 12 games, after the Jets benched Curtis Conway. In 2004, he put up subpar totals, but his YPC was the highest ever, at 18.6 (was 17.7 this past season). So he was doing his thing, IMO, but the QB situation sucked in Jets-land. Getting the ball deep downfield wasn't Penny's strong suit.

 

In short, SMoss is the real deal and people have overlooked him without merit. The 2004 season totals were an aberration, not the two seasons where the totals were good. The YPC and playmaking ability attest to that. This is not to say that there aren't questions surrounding Moss -- What impact will the QB have on his situation this year? Will the Skins spread the ball out more often this year? Will the addition of Randle El on the other side keep defenses honest down the stretch?

 

I don't know what Moss' current ADP is (might be good to include that in the write-up above), but given some of the conversation I've seen and heard regarding him, I have no doubt he'll outperform expectations again. The guy gets no respect.

[devildog 0]

A lot of folks seem to forget the 2003 season that Moss had. He put up over 1100 yards and 10 TDs in really 12 games, after the Jets benched Curtis Conway. In 2004, he put up subpar totals, but his YPC was the highest ever, at 18.6 (was 17.7 this past season). So he was doing his thing, IMO, but the QB situation sucked in Jets-land. Getting the ball deep downfield wasn't Penny's strong suit.

 

In short, SMoss is the real deal and people have overlooked him without merit. The 2004 season totals were an aberration, not the two seasons where the totals were good. The YPC and playmaking ability attest to that. This is not to say that there aren't questions surrounding Moss -- What impact will the QB have on his situation this year? Will the Skins spread the ball out more often this year? Will the addition of Randle El on the other side keep defenses honest down the stretch?

 

I don't know what Moss' current ADP is (might be good to include that in the write-up above), but given some of the conversation I've seen and heard regarding him, I have no doubt he'll outperform expectations again. The guy gets no respect.

 

Over the last 3 years he's averaged 1200 yards and 8 TDs a season.

[xenophobe 1]

Stepping Down. I see the Washington offense being capped in terms of potential by it's QB, who I believe overachieved last season. Brunell won't be a 4000 yard passer. The additions of Lloyd and El are nice additions that will help, but they aren't the sort of additions that will raise this offense to the next level (I know many will disagree, but speaking form experience, that's how I see it). It's more likely they'll see some modest improvement in overall stats, but with a greater distribution of production across more guys.

[devildog 0]

Stepping Down. I see the Washington offense being capped in terms of potential by it's QB, who I believe overachieved last season. Brunell won't be a 4000 yard passer. The additions of Lloyd and El are nice additions that will help, but they aren't the sort of additions that will raise this offense to the next level (I know many will disagree, but speaking form experience, that's how I see it). It's more likely they'll see some modest improvement in overall stats, but with a greater distribution of production across more guys.

 

He wasn't a 4000 yard passer last season. Washington was in the bottom half of the league in passing yardage.

[xenophobe 1]

He wasn't a 4000 yard passer last season. Washington was in the bottom half of the league in passing yardage.

 

Of course he wasn't. But that's the sort of expectations I've heard from many. The point is, don't expect this to be an elete fantasy offense this year. They may throw for 3400-3500 yards, but it'll be spread out among more guys. I'd say 1100 yards or so with 7 TDs sounds about right for Moss this year. Which is still good, but not what he had last season.

[SmartassBoiler 0]

Can I vote steppin' to the side? He's not going to improve upon last season's numbers with the additions of Lloyd and Randle El to the offense, but they should take some of the defensive coverage away from him to where he's not going to decline much if at all. The addition of Al Saunders is a great one for the offense as a whole. He'll find ways to get Moss the ball.

 

I looked at his ADP and I think it's right on track with his value. He's a borderline low WR1/high WR2, and he's being drafted as such.

[Savage Beast 1]

Steppin down. Moss is awesome, but the Skin's new o-coordinator will spread the ball around quite a bit this season. Moss will have fewer TD's this season.

[Eriadoc 4]

OK, his ADP from Antsports is about 4.03. That sounds about right, except it's behind:

 

Roy Williams

Darrell Jackson

Hines Ward

Reggie Wayne

Chris Chambers

Anquan Boldin

 

Moss outperformed all of these receivers last season. So that basically says (to me, anyway) that most people think last year and 2003 were fluke seasons for Moss. People might think that for any number of reasons, but the production is there. On the other hand, with this tier of receivers, you often end up with two of them after going RB-RB in the first two rounds, so I'd be happy with Moss and any one of the guys on this list.

[enjoi525 0]

steppin down. i am a redskins fan and there is no way moss is going to rack up 1400+ yards again. i think he will have a good solid season but not be second in receiving. bringing in lloyd and randle el will on hurt his production and there is also cooley. I expect a huge year out of portis.

[My Negro! 3]

It seemed like Moss scored all of his points in a few games.

[blutrain1974 0]

It seemed like Moss scored all of his points in a few games.

 

 

yep, tis true.. 7 of 9 tds against DAL, KC and NYG..

[SmartassBoiler 0]

OK, his ADP from Antsports is about 4.03. That sounds about right, except it's behind:

 

Roy Williams

Darrell Jackson

Hines Ward

Reggie Wayne

Chris Chambers

Anquan Boldin

 

Moss outperformed all of these receivers last season. So that basically says (to me, anyway) that most people think last year and 2003 were fluke seasons for Moss. People might think that for any number of reasons, but the production is there. On the other hand, with this tier of receivers, you often end up with two of them after going RB-RB in the first two rounds, so I'd be happy with Moss and any one of the guys on this list.

 

I'd much rather have most of those guys than Moss. There's a lot to be said about consistency, and Moss was not consistent last year. Boldin, DJax, Ward (when Big Ben is healthy), and Wayne (I believe he'll put up bigger numbers this year with Edge gone) all offer more consistency.

 

I'd rather have Moss than Chambers because his value is tied to Culpepper, who at this point I don't believe will be ready for the season.

 

I dunno what to think about Roy Williams yet. I think Moss is a safer selection.