Moss re-signs for three years with Redskins

By Rick Maese and Mike Jones

WASHINGTON

As team officials hurriedly worked the phones, trying to complete a trade that would bring Donovan McNabb's tenure in Washington to a quick end, the Redskins moved swiftly to keep a key piece of the offense in town.

Free agent wide receiver Santana Moss, who has led the Redskins in receiving each of the past six seasons, re-signed with the team. Moss' new deal, according to an ESPN report, is for three years and $15 million, of which $6 million is guaranteed.

Moss' deal was the biggest bit of news from a busy day at Redskins Park, where much of the action took place behind closed doors. Players reported to work Tuesday morning, ready to resume football activities and eager to start the 2011 season without the distractions that tainted the dismal 2010 campaign.

To facilitate that, Redskins officials spent the first post-lockout business day figuring out what to do with McNabb and Albert Haynesworth. The team will listen to offers and try to broker deals before players are due to report Thursday for training camp.

"This year we're not going through all that Albert nonsense.... If he's here, let's roll," linebacker Brian Orakpo said. "If he's not, wish him the best and we've got to move on without him and forget all this saga: Albert, McNabb, you name it. We've just got to start winning some ballgames around here and forget all the drama we go through each and every year."

The Redskins have held trade discussions with the Minnesota Vikings regarding McNabb, according to another ESPN report, but the veteran quarterback's contract apparently still stands in the way of a deal. Minnesota has been interested in McNabb for awhile, but no team likely will be willing to pay McNabb the $10 million bonus he's due next month, plus a base salary of $2.5 million next season. The six-time Pro Bowler will have to renegotiate terms for any trade to happen, which means McNabb might hold the keys to his own fate.

If the Redskins don't work out quick deals for McNabb or Haynesworth, they can release either, starting at 6 p.m. Thursday. Players are expected to report to Redskins Park on Thursday to check in for camp and take physicals. The following day, the team will hold its first training camp practice, which will be closed to the public. Saturday's practice at Redskins Park, however, is open to fans and begins at 8:30 a.m.

Many expected a flurry of activity Tuesday, the day after NFL owners and players agreed to a new labor deal. Players already under contract reported to team facilities and met with coaches, many for the first time in nearly seven months.

"It's been a long offseason, a long process and ... and it's been rough on everybody, no doubt: players, coaches, everybody around," center Casey Rabach said. "It is great to be back."

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