Redskins Vs Rams Player to Watch: Santana Moss

by Brick Top on Sep 29, 2011 4:00 PM CDT in 2011 NFL regular season

LANDOVER - SEPTEMBER 19: Santana Moss #89 of the Washington Redskins makes a catch on a play that was called back during the game against the Houston Texans at FedExField on September 19 2010 in Landover Maryland. The Texans defeated the Redskins 30-27 in overtime. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

After Torrey Smith burned the St. Louis Rams' secondary for three touchdowns, all on go routes, a player that needs to be contained against the Redskins is Santana Moss. Yes, he might not be as fast as he once was, but when he entered the league he was running like a 4.2 forty! Even if he has lost a step, he is still pretty damn fast. He has the ability to get on top of the Rams defense with his speed and savvy route running.

More after the jump.

Here's a video of Santana's only TD catch this year. He ran a really nice corner route and made a good catch on a great throw by Rex Grossman.

Moss had a great year last year, finishing with 93 catches for 1,115 yards and 6 TDs on a very bad team. This shows that even at his old age, he can still get the job done. This year, he's compiled respectable stats early on: 16 catches for 207 yards and a TD. He is on pace to get over 1,100 yards. Santana still has good speed at his age, he is a very good route runner, has solid hands, and he is just one of those guys who always seems to find a way to get open. After how badly the Rams were burned last week, you can be certain that the Redskins will take some shots down the field with Moss. A key to the game Sunday will be how well the Rams contain the deep passing game and especially how they deal with Santana Moss.

One way to try to contain him, and the way I think the Rams will go about it, will be to put Bradley Fletcher on Moss. Fletcher has shut down some very good WRs this year, and I think that he would be a good matchup with Moss. The problem I see is Bradley is not nearly as fast as Moss, and Moss could try to take advantage of his lack of foot speed. To combat this, I see the Rams putting a safety over the top on passing downs, but then there will be less coverage in the middle of the field where guys like Fred Davis and Chris Cooley could dominate. Even if Moss doesn't have a huge game this week, his impact on the game is unquestioned. That's why he is a player to watch.

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Good observation on the Safety trap!

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by Douglas M on Sep 29, 2011 4:26 PM CDT reply actions

So true. Moss is a quiet Nightmare, who can free-up Cooley and Davis.

Bumping him at the line of scrimmage helps only if you can stay up with him after contact.
The Cover-2 hole on both sides of the field will be targeted. Cooley will be the primary target as usual.
But your right Brick Top= Moss ia a Dagger!
God I hope he doesn’t get lose on us. GO Rams!

by look closer on Sep 29, 2011 5:02 PM CDT reply actions

Nope.......all Davis all day

they should’ve traded Cooley before they started to devalue him. He’s also about as fast as Kenny Britt right now. Sure-handed though

by DCRamFan on Sep 29, 2011 10:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Im so pissed

The one place we might be as light or lack of talent as we are at WR is DB’s. So there was no good reason to get rid of Atogwe especially when he was hands down are best one. Everyone coaches and players say what a great teammate and player he was?! And as everyone likes to say that in a spags “D” there is no true FS or SS imagine him and mikkel?!!! Cap space or money my ass you have to spend $ to have a good team period. I mean look how bad not having a true #1 wr is KILLING us. On top of that they let our only deep threat wr go (avery)

by randyvannram on Sep 29, 2011 5:41 PM CDT reply actions