Coles-Moss deal cools off

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INDIANAPOLIS -- At noon yesterday, Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs sought to douse the red-hot Laveranues Coles trade rumors by saying a deal back to the New York Jets for Santana Moss was "not very likely." By the end of the day, sources who had been confident about the trade Friday were feeling it wouldn't happen.

The seeming collapse was likely related to Coles' ailing toe and/or the salary-cap implications of a trade for both teams.

Coles, who has asked to be cut because of his unhappiness with Washington's conservative offense, likely would welcome a reunion with Jets coach Herman Edwards and quarterback Chad Pennington. Edwards remains a fan of his former starter. However, Gibbs emphasized the difficulties of trades in the salary-cap era.

"Laveranues is a very valuable guy," Gibbs said. "If we can work something out with somebody, that would be fine. If not, he'll probably remain a Redskin. He's very valuable. We think we would have to have some real value [in return to do a deal]."

Washington thought so highly of Coles two years ago that it gave him a seven-year, $35million contract -- including a $13million bonus -- to leave New York as a restricted free agent. Gibbs, who wasn't with the Redskins then, believes Coles won't be a negative influence on the team if he stays put.

"Laveranues and I have had really good talks," Gibbs said. "He understands how I feel, and I understand how he feels. It's one of those things in life you work through."

Although Coles' last three seasons have been more prolific than Moss' best year, the former's ability to get downfield has plummeted since he injured his big toe early in 2003. Coles has averaged just 11.8 yards on 149 catches over the last 29 games.

Moss, who also would fill a void for the Redskins on punt returns, caught just 45 passes last year but averaged 18.6 yards.

Coles had a cortisone shot in the toe in December and while he reported relief from the pain, his yardage actually slipped to 8.8.

Gibbs said that Coles "feels great about [the toe] right now." The coach declined to answer whether a potential trade partner would be permitted to give Coles a physical, other than acknowledging "whatever happens, both teams would have to be happy with it."