Keeping Moss the right move

On the face of it, paying $15 million over three years to retain the services of a 32-year-old wide receiver may not make a lot of sense for a rebuilding team trying to get younger.

But, given the givens, the Washington Redskins bringing back Santana Moss was the right move.

The primary given here is the calendar. The NFL lockout having cancelled offseason preparations, knowledge of the offense, especially for offensive skill players, is highly valued in this situation and Moss certainly brings that to the table.

Moss also brings production to the table. He had a good 2010 season, with 93 catches for 1115 yards. However, he was targeted 142 times, fifth most in the NFL, and an NFL receiver should pile up some decent numbers if he gets that many passes thrown in his direction. One could argue that his career-low average of 12.0 yards a catch was a sign of declining skills.

But Moss is one of the very few proven commodities on an offense that struggled to score points last year. Anthony Armstrong showed some flashes, averaging almost 20 yards each on his 44 receptions. The Redskins could well get some productivity out of the three receivers they drafted in April but wide receivers are notoriously slow to develop. As we have seen in the wake of the 2008 draft, when the Redskins took two receivers in the second round, sometimes they never work out.

The presence of Moss will lend some support to a shaky crew of quarterbacks.

The contract certainly does not bind Moss to the Redskins for the long term. The three-year deal comes with a $5 million signing bonus and a total of $6 million guaranteed. Should the Redskins want to move on after a year or two, they will be able to do so with minimum disruption to the salary cap.

 

Comments

[Jason72]

I think this shows that Holmes is not coming here. Signing him would create a log jam at WR, with all the draft picks.

[Kenny Walters]

I have no problem with us not getting Santonio Holmes. I think Sidney Rice could be had for less money if we really want to sign a free agent at that position.

[Pierre]

This is a great signing but I dont get why the redskins signed stallworth ! and Cofield, he seems like a great guy and a good player but he played in a 4-3 all his life... And we know that converted players dont always work out the way we want them to (Albert).
And we signed another running back and a tight end out of college: WHY ?? we already have plenty of depths at both positions !! we have like 8 running backs and 4 tight ends, but still no reliable nose tackle, center, guard, right tackle, cornerback, inside linebacker, quarterback...
They should first try to fill those positions of real need instead of adding more unnecessary depth...