Rich Tandler's Real Redskins

A possible destination for Santana Moss

Free agent wide receiver Santana Moss has said that he wants to return to the Washington Redskins in 2011 and beyond. "My first choice is to stay in Washington," Moss told Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk in February. He has repeated that sentiment to others since then. And there are many reasons to believe that the Redskins would like to retain Moss' services. Although they drafted three wide receivers in April, rookie wideouts are slow to develop. If Moss departs, the Redskins leading returning receiver would be Anthony Armstrong, who has 871 career receiving yards. But the Redskins knew that Moss would be a free agent when his contract voided in February and they did not make him an offer he couldn't refuse prior to the lockout. This makes me wonder how competitive an offer the Redskins will make when the time comes. It seems likely that Moss will have alternatives. On Rotoworld, Evan Silva predicts that Moss will end up with the Patriots. Another potential suitor is the Bears. In a mailba   g segment on the Bears' official website, senior writer Larry Mayer wrote the following in response to a question about Moss.

When you hear about receivers who are due to become free agents, his name is rarely among the first few mentioned. But he has been highly productive, averaging 81 receptions for 2,251 yards and three touchdowns the past three seasons for a Redskins team that has struggled at the quarterback position. Moss has said that he wants to re-sign with Washington, but I see no reason why the Bears wouldn’t at least consider taking a look at him unless they feel he’s too similar in size, stature and style to receivers such as Johnny Knox and Devin Hester who are already on their roster.

To be sure, this is speculation in response to a question on the writer's part and he is not reporting that anyone in the Bears organization has expressed any interest in signing Moss. The point here is that a lot of teams could use a good receiver like Moss. The return of Santana Moss is not entirely up to the Redskins. From what Moss says it appears that he will be willing to give the Redskins a hometown discount, perhaps a substantial one. But it appears that the Redskins are no longer going to engage in bidding wars, especially against themselves. While I would say that right now the odds favor a Moss return, Redskins fans should be prepared to see him in a different uniform in 2011.

Talking K. Shanahan with Dukes and Danny

I jumped on the LaVar and Dukes show (with Danny Rouhier filling in for LaVar)  on 106.7 The Fan this afternoon to talk about my articles (here and here) on Kyle Shanahan. Click here to hear the podcast.