FanPost

Could our Receiving Corps Strength Gather no Moss?

For once, we have a combination of proven talent, youth, potential, size, speed, and veteran savvy at the Wide Receiver position.

Pierre Garcon, Leonard Hankerson, and Josh Morgan are all athletic, larger receivers. Count Dezmon Briscoe in that group, as well. Aldrick Robinson has shown strong flashes of improvement in his 2nd preseason (and first full offseason) with the Redskins. Heck, even though I advocated cutting him, Brandon Banks does have game-breaking potential that can't be denied (even if it comes at great negative risks due to being turnover-prone).

Notice one name I haven't mentioned yet. He is slowly becoming the forgotten member of this receiving corps...Santana Moss.

We love Tana-man. He provided us with one of the most poignant, joyous moments in the Redskins/Cowboys rivalry. He has been our only consistent threat at this position, year-in and year-out, since Henry Ellard in the mid-90's. However, with 3 talented receivers around him vying for targets, a couple of young up-and-comers, and the emergence of Dezmon Briscoe...could our receiving corps be becoming so strong that in 2013, we may not need the services of Moss?

Of course, this is pure speculation, and it is dependent upon our other receivers reaching near their full potential this season. However, think about it. Santana Moss is starting to get up there in age. His work ethic to shed weight and reclaim his speed and agility for the slot is both admirable and a great example to the rapidly-growning numbers of younger players on this roster. He will weigh heavily against the cap, and we can't afford to pay starter money to a guy who may be as low as our 4th or 5th receiver. I'm a huge Moss fan, but I also recognize that next year...if everything goes right...we may be saying goodbye to Santana Moss much like how we said goodbye to Chris Cooley earlier in the week.

Again, this is simply pure speculation, both some food for thought when looking at our receiving corps going forward. I fully expect a strong and productive season from Moss in 2012, but I also expect Leonard Hankerson to emerge as a big-time threat and that out of Josh Morgan, Aldrick Robinson, and Dezmon Briscoe, another consistent 3rd and 4th receiver threat will develop. If that does happen, Moss's days in Washington will eventually be numbered.