Santana Moss prides himself on staying humble, even as the accolades and praise for his play keep coming.
On Wednesday, Moss was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his three touchdown performance in last Sunday's 36-30 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Moss caught four passes for 138 yards, and the third of his three touchdowns was a 68-yard game-winning touchdown catch in overtime.
Of course, Moss's game-winning catch has drawn plenty of attention, especially from fans who have watched the play over and over again on Redskins.com TV this week.
"I have not had anyone that made more plays than Santana has for us or meant so much to the team," head coach Joe Gibbs said this week. "He is a great runner with the ball. You see when he hits the ground, sometimes it's a 10-yard catch and then he's gone. He has real courage as a receiver."
When Moss first started playing football as a youth growing up in South Florida, he rarely had the opportunity to be a playmaker with the ball.
"We ran the ball a lot, and I had to show coaches what I could do with the ball," he said.
That approach has carried over to every level, from high school to college to the NFL.
"I was brought up not having a lot of opportunities, so why should I view myself differently because I have the opportunities now?" he said.
Asked if he ever wants to be perceived as one of the NFL's best wide receivers, Moss replied: "I'm not going to run around here with a sign telling people what to say about me. I'm just going to go out there and be me. As long as I know what I have done, as long as my teammates and my coaches notice it, I'm cool with it. I don't need anyone to brag about me or put me up on a pedestal."
Added Gibbs: "Santana is probably one of the most humble guys I have ever been around. He never complains about anything. If he is not getting the balls in a game, you would think a guy like that would throw a fit. He is a consummate team guy and does what he can for the team."
It is the third time that Moss has earned the NFC award. He also won it twice last season, after his two-touchdown performance against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2 and his three-touchdown performance against the New York Giants in Week 16.
Moss had been looking forward to competing against his brother Sinorice this Sunday. Sinorice Moss was the Giants' second-round draft pick last April, but he has been sidelined with a strained quad injury and, according to the New York Giants' official web site, won't play on Sunday against the Redskins.
Asked which jersey his family members would wear watching the game, Santana drew laughs when he replied: "I could care less. They'll be in New York. They better wear his."
-- PRACTICE SQUAD MOVES
#### -- SPRINGS REMAINS DOUBTFUL
Cornerback Shawn Springs is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the New York Giants.
Springs, who did not practice on Wednesday, continues to rehab from abdominal surgery last August and a groin injury sustained during practice on Sept. 27.
Asked about his status on Wednesday, Springs replied briefly: "I'm doing fine. I'm coming along."
Defensive tackle Joe Salave'a practiced on Wednesday and he appears set to return to action after missing the last two games due to a calf injury. He is listed as probable.
Defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin and offensive lineman Randy Thomas are also listed as probable. Griffin as a hip injury while Thomas has a hamstring injury.
Left guard Derrick Dockery was excused from practice on Wednesday due to a family matter.
-- WHAT A RUSH
The Redskins are now 15-2 since Joe Gibbs returned to the team as head coach in 2004 in games when a running back rushes for more than 100 yards.
The Redskins are now 74-10 (including playoffs) when the team rushes for more than 150 yards all-time under Coach Gibbs.
