Jets and Redskins complete Coles, Moss deal

By Hugo Guzman  |   Thursday, March 10, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

New York Jets
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Hempstead, Long Island - The New York Jets have re-acquired wide receiver Laveranues Coles from the Washington Redskins in exchange for fellow wideout Santana Moss. "The guys here are all excited being here and that's what's important," Coles said. "When I was here I really enjoyed myself. This is where I started and I had a great relationship with everyone here, so it was very good for me to come back."

The 27 year-old Coles - who entered the league as a 3rd round pick of the Jets in the 2000 draft after getting dismissed from Florida State University - played in New York through the 2002 season before signing a monster 7 year, $35 million deal as a restricted free agent with Washington prior to the start of 2003. "He brings a physical and dynamic presence to our receiving group and is familiar with our program," said Jets general manager Terry Bradway. "Laveranues has told us he's excited about being a Jet again, and he has the mindset to help us win a championship."

At the time, his $13 million bonus was the richest in Redskins' history and the Jets could not match the contract. New York subsequently received Washington's 1st round draft pick in 2003, which it parlayed into DT DeWayne Robertson with the 4th overall pick.

Despite the presence of young quarterback Patrick Ramsey and free-agent flop Mark Brunell, Coles still caught 90 passes for 950 yards and 1 touchdown last season. The 90 catches marked the 3rd highest total ever in franchise history behind only Art Monk.

However, Coles and head coach Joe Gibbs reportedly did not see eye-to-eye on the Skins' offensive game plan. Washington, which finished 6-10 last year, finished the season with the 30th-ranked offense in the NFL. In his 2 seasons with the Skins, Coles caught 172 passes for 2,154 yards and 7 TDs, while earning his first Pro Bowl selection in 2003.

Coles, though, enjoyed great success with the Jets in 2002, as he hauled in 89 catches for 1,264 yards and 5 TDs. Along the way he developed a tremendous chemistry with QB Chad Pennington, making his departure to Washington even more surprising. "It was obvious after the 2002 season that Laveranues and I had developed a quarterback-wide receiver connection, as well as a friendship," Pennington said in a statement.

Moss, meanwhile, has recorded 151 receptions for 2,416 yards and 19 TDs in his 5 years with the Jets, who made him the 16th overall pick in 2001 draft. Last season, Moss' numbers dropped as the ex-University of Miami Hurricanet produced 45 catches for 838 yards and 5 TDs. Moss, who struggled through part of the season with a hamstring injury, had a breakout 2003 campaign, as he set career-highs with 74 catches, 1,105 yards and 10 touchdowns. He is also regarded as a dangerous punt returner.
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About Hugo Guzman

Trying to bring an objective approach to NFL analysis.
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