Skins hope Moss will thrive again as their X-man

Santana Moss knows what’s happened when he’s played this spot in the past: big years. The Redskins, and Moss, hope that happens again.
In the new West Coast offense, Moss will play the X, or outside receiver, position. He last played that spot during his first year in Washington. He responded with 84 catches for 1,483 yards and nine touchdowns.

He also played this spot during his third season in New York — and caught 74 passes for 1,105 yards and 10 scores.

“Those were my best seasons,” Moss said. “Hopefully I’ll do the same thing.”

Moss played the Z, or flanker, spot the past two seasons with Antwaan Randle El and Brandon Lloyd playing X. But new coach Jim Zorn wanted Moss at X.

“The group before us, they had him at flanker and motioned him down and saw him as a move guy,” Zorn said. “But I see him as a vertical threat.”
In a typical setting, Moss would be by himself on one side while Randle El and tight end Chris Cooley is on the other. Before, Moss would be paired with Cooley. Teams would double one or the other.

“Now if they double me, then you’ve got two guys one on one [on the other side],” he said. “With X, I get a lot of good opportunities.”

There will be plenty of times, in four- and five-receiver sets, that Moss will line up inside. But, for now, he’s strictly working at X. Only Randle El and James Thrash are working at multiple receiver positions.

“[Moss] has enough muscle and grit to run slants and how are you going to press him and leave that DB one on one?” Zorn said. “I’m thinking about different ways to create formations for us that will create a real uncomfortable situation for coordinators. He’s outside this play; now he’s inside; now he’s over here. What are you gonna do?”

link: Cheers & Jeers - Examiner.com (http://www.examiner.com/blogs-316-caj)

The key for Moss is staying healthy. Get trained right this off season and stay freakin' healthy. Getting him back outside where he can go one on one is good. I have wondered why they moved in the first place. I think we misused him under Al a lot. That is when he could be used.

Im glad he's back out at the X -- but let's not shift all blame from Moss. He dropped a lot of very catchable balls, especially last year.

Moss has always struck me as a mini-diva at WR.. He's never been disruptive, that's not his style, but if he wasn't really happy or comfortable with what he's being asked to do he isn't going to yield maximum results. We could see that in the GB game with all of the drops and then pulling himself from the game. He would get visibly frustrated after plays the past 2 years. In '05 he seemed happy, had bounce and spring in his step and had a great year.. His balky leg injuries seem to be less debilitating when he's comfortable doing what he wants to do.

I think Saunders wanted him at Z, or flanker, so he would be a few yards behind the line of scrimmage, thinking the extra space to avoid the CB jam would help. But the numbers don't lie. His two best seasons are at X (split end), when he's on the line of scrimmage close to the sideline. He's so fast out of his break, I think it actually benefits him to be closer to the CB so he can get behind them that much faster.

I've been impressed with Zorn so far. He hasn't had to handle much yet, but he's been solid thus far IMO.

The key for Moss is staying healthy. Get trained right this off season and stay freakin' healthy. Getting him back outside where he can go one on one is good. I have wondered why they moved in the first place. I think we misused him under Al a lot. That is when he could be used.

If I can recall, I don't remember Moss being injured in '05 when he played the X. He started getting injured when he was put at the Z which requires him doing a lot of slant routes. That is probably why he was injured so much. Hopefully, with him playing the X, his injury situation will disappear. (correct me if I'm wrong)

If I can recall, I don't remember Moss being injured in '05 when he played the X. He started getting injured when he was put at the Z which requires him doing a lot of slant routes. That is probably why he was injured so much. Hopefully, with him playing the X, his injury situation will disappear. (correct me if I'm wrong)

You're overthinking this one.

Until the final four weeks of last season, Moss was a below average receiver, with numerous drops and key fumbles that led to losses against GB and TB. I'm hoping that he will use the poor play as motivation to bounce back as a true #1 WR.

Where he lines up doesn't have anything to do with his injuries. He's always had hamstring issues.

Injuries have def been an issue with IMO. I like the article though. It sounds kinda like what the CowPies did with TO last year, just kinda moving him around the to the best place for him to make a play.