The catches caused one fan to send him roses, another to thank him at the gas station, and the league to dub him its offensive player of the week. It ruined a hated rival’s night. It ignited his new team.
And Santana Moss is tired of hearing about it.
“Get over it,” the Redskins wide receiver said. “I don’t like to sit back and keep talking about something. It’s so much better to just forget about it; what’s done is done.”
But it’s not easy to forget what Moss, or the Redskins for that matter, did the last time they visited Dallas. Just in case anyone has forgotten: Moss caught two touchdown passes in the final four minutes to lead the Redskins to a 14-13 Monday night victory.
Dallas quarterback Drew Bledsoe recalled getting premature phone messages from friends on the East Coast congratulating him on the win.
They clearly went to bed before Moss and quarterback Mark Brunell got started. The Redskins trailed, 13-0, when Moss caught a 39-yard touchdown pass on fourth down. After a defensive stop, Moss hauled in a 70-yard score.
Those plays might have changed their season. Brunell showed he had life left in his arm and body. Moss proved to be the difference-maker sought by Washington, and the Redskins rode the momentum from that game all the way to a win the following week against Seattle.
But they were still 5-6 after 11 games. However, that’s when the mindset that helped against Dallas returned: they won five straight and then a playoff game.
“It was a coming-out party for Santana,” Redskins right tackle Jon Jansen said. “And Mark made some big plays. It was a statement game for some in our organization. It gave us a boost for a little while.”
Many statements were being made before those plays, too.
“We didn’t call it until I started bitching and moaning about it,” Moss said. “I think [Clinton] Portis told coach, ‘Tana’s over there saying it’s open.’ Mark threw it in a spot where we normally don’t throw it. He threw it inside and I’m looking at the safety, looking at the ball like it’s impossible to catch it clean. But I found a way.”
Not that Moss wants to repeat this 2005 night.
“You’d like to stay away from those last-minute heroics,” Moss said. “I’m thankful that it happened. [But] it’s a new year. I’ll try to do bigger and better things.”
Week two notes
» Redskins running back Clinton Portis didn’t practice for the second straight day, just like last week. The difference this time is he’s confident he’ll still be able to play Sunday.
Portis said there’s no doubt in his mind that he’ll play. And director of sports medicine Bubba Tyer said Portis suffered no setbacks Monday. “As far as I know I’m playing,” Portis said.
Portis said he’s still “real sore” after playing Monday night, carrying 10 times for 39 yards.He also had some vicious collisions in pass protection. Rather than practice Thursday, he focused on strength and conditioning.
“We’re taking it easy now so we don’t have to deal with it all season,” he said.
» Tight end Christian Fauria rolled his ankle in practice Wednesday and sat out Thursday, but he’s expected to play Sunday. Defensive end Renaldo Wynn (ankle) practiced and is expected to play.
» The Redskins sacked Dallas quarterback Drew Bledsoe seven times in their second meeting last season. Bledsoe knows why: “It’s a complicated defense. They play a lot of cover-2 and then here comes some exotic Gregg Williams double corner blitz or they’ll bring the weakside safety. They’ll lull you to sleep and then here comes the fastball out of left field.”
» Running back Nehemiah Broughton, cut Tuesday, was signed to the practice squad Thursday. He replaces fullback Manuel White, who underwent knee surgery this week. White was placed on the practice squad injured reserve list.
