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As initially reported by Associated Press sports writer Joseph White, the Redskins finally traded disgruntled receiver Laveranues Coles back to the New York Jets and got receiver Santana Moss in return.

Citing a source who spoke on the condition of anonymity, White noted the the deal was contingent on both players passing physicals. Moss had his physical scheduled for Monday at Redskins Park. The source also said Coles got the new deal he wanted, which held up the trade for the last week.

Terms of the deal weren't available.

Coles met with head coach Joe Gibbs twice after the season to state his desire to leave the Redskins, following an unsatisfying year in the conservative offense.

He had 90 catches for 950 yards for a career-low 10.6 yards a catch and only one touchdown in the Redskins' 6-10 season. The year before, under pass-oriented former coach Steve Spurrier, Coles had 82 receptions for 1,204 yards and six touchdowns.

White went on to remind readers that Coles emerged as a favorite of Chad Pennington in 2002, but left the Jets as a restricted free agent after the season, when the team declined to match the Redskins' seven-year, $35 million offer -- including a $13 million bonus. He was critical of the Jets and head coach Herman Edwards after he left, though it appears the organization is willing to look past that.

"When he was with us, he was always there," Edwards said of Coles last month. "He's a very good player. He's a tough, physical guy and a really hard worker. We gave him an opportunity and he took it and ran with it."

Edwards added he would have no trouble with any player returning to his team.

"I never take that personally," he said. "It's part of the process."

One area of concern for the Jets could be a chronic toe injury that has plagued Coles the last two seasons. The Redskins wanted him to have surgery, but Coles was reluctant to undergo any procedure. If he is healthy, Coles provides the Jets with a solid receiver under new coordinator Mike Heimerdinger to go with Justin McCareins.

As for Moss, the diminutive speedster had a breakout year in 2003, with 1,105 yards and 10 touchdowns. But his productivity slipped in 2004, when he had 45 catches for 838 yards and five touchdowns while battling through a sore hamstring. He also was critical of his role in the Jets' conservative offense, wondering why he didn't get the ball more.

Not that he was in a hurry to leave.

During an appearance on a local radio show last month, Moss referred to the Jets as "my home" told listeners: "I don't prefer to go anywhere. But if it's time for me to leave, I'll leave."

The time has come. ...

In a couple of semi-related notes. ...

Let's see. ... Coles' fate is finally sealed and fellow '04 starter Rod Gardner has been told he's not in the team's future plans. ... So what now?

Gibbs has said he's happy to go into next season with James Thrash and Taylor Jacobs as his starting wideouts.

But as the Sporting News suggested this week, "That he said that with a straight face is rather remarkable."

The report went on to suggest that while Thrash is a valuable member of the squad, his value is as a special team player and in the work ethic he displays for young players. He's limited as a receiver. He has excellent straight-ahead speed, but he is not particularly elusive and doesn't come out of his breaks with any exceptional quickness. He doesn't scare a defense.

Jacobs has potential, but he's a No.3 receiver at best. According to TSN, he runs good patterns, but only has average speed.

Bottom line? The team seriously needs a quality wide receiver.

As Redskins.com staff writer Gary Fitzgerald noted, new addition David Patten, who agreed to terms with the Skins on Thursday, has helped the Patriots in three of the last four Super Bowls, is an experienced and productive receiver who has the speed and work ethic to bolster the team's receiving corps.

But I'm not sure he's ready to replace Coles as the team's primary receiver -- certainly not on a consistent basis.

Patten has played the best football of his career with the Patriots, appearing in 58 games with 44 starts and catching 165 passes for 2,513 yards and 15 touchdowns during his tenure in New England.

In 2004, Patten caught 44 passes for 800 yards and a career-high seven touchdowns. His 18.2 yards-per-catch average was also a career high.

In 2003, Patten appeared in six games with five starts before landing on injured reserve. In 2002, he led all Patriots receivers with five touchdown receptions and set career-highs in receptions (61) and receiving yards (824).

Prior to signing with the Patriots, Patten spent the 2000 season with the Cleveland Browns and was with the New York Giants from 1997-1999.

Again, I'm not sure Patten is ready to emerge as a 90-plus catch guy in Washington. ... On the other hand, Darnerien McCants might be -- if he can figure out a way to take advantage of the opportunity.

Of course, it's a bit worrisome that Gibbs didn't mention McCants when discussing possible '05 starters.

It's also hard to argue with Richmond Times staffer Paul Woody, who reminded readers this week that McCants has not lacked for opportunities with the team.

Woody added: "His biggest one might be about to appear. If he doesn't take advantage of this one, he can count on playing elsewhere next season. ..."

Meanwhile in New York. ...

One day after losing running back LaMont Jordan, the Jets signed Derrick Blaylock to a five-year deal worth a reported $11.1 million.

Blaylock, 25, will replace Jordan in the role of backup to NFL rushing champion Curtis Martin. Jordan signed a five-year, $27.5 million deal with the Oakland Raiders on Thursday.

Last season, Blaylock served as a backup to Priest Holmes in Kansas City. Due to injuries to Holmes, Blaylock got more work than usual and rushed for 539 yards and eight touchdowns in 12 games, including five starts. In his first start, Blaylock rushed for 186 yards at New Orleans on November 14.

Over the last two years, Blaylock's rushing totals are nearly similar to Jordan's -- Blaylock has 651 yards and 10 touchdowns compared to Jordan's 669 yards and six scores.

"I feel like if I come in and prove myself, the opportunity will be given to me to get maybe 15 carries a game, and I'm ready for that," Blaylock told reporters upon arrival in New York.

"Derrick is a versatile back," Jets general manager Terry Bradway said. "He is strong, has good quickness and did a solid job playing behind Priest Holmes."

More of an outside threat than Jordan, Blaylock also is smaller at 5-foot-9, 210 pounds. He also was surprised he didn't get more interest from teams looking for a starting running back.

"I feel like I could be a starter in the league," Blaylock said. "I prepared like a starter ever since my rookie year. Right now I know what my role is, and that's to come in and back up Curtis. ..."

And finally. ...

Denver tight end Jeb Putzier, a restricted free agent, received a five-year, $12.5 million offer sheet from the Jets on Friday. The offer sheet includes $2.5 million in guaranteed money -- a $1 million signing bonus to be paid this season and a $1.5 million roster bonus in 2006.

By league rules, the Broncos have until Friday to match the offer. If they do match the offer, Putzier will play with the Broncos under the contract negotiated by the Jets.

If the Broncos do not match the offer, they will receive a sixth-round draft pick as compensation for Putzier's departure. Putzier was tendered a one-year, $656,323 offer by the Broncos this week.

According to Rocky Mountain News staffer Jeff Legwold, Broncos general manager Ted Sundquist said the team still was evaluating the Jets' offer Friday night.

However, the Broncos already were planning for the potential of Putzier's departure Friday with Detroit Lions tight end Stephen Alexander visiting team headquarters. Titans tight end Shad Meier, who was the subject of some low-key trade talks between the Broncos and Tennessee during training camp, also told Legwold on Friday that he was watching Putzier's situation closely and expected to hear from the Broncos.

Legwold added that the Jets see Putzier as a better receiving threat than they have had at the position in recent years. Heimerdinger said earlier this week he wanted to get the team's tight ends more involved in the offense.

"We want matchups," Heimerdinger said. "It's about where you can get the matchups on the field."

This past season, Anthony Becht led Jets tight ends in receiving with 13 for 100 yards and one touchdown. Putzier had his best season in 2004, with 36 catches and an average of a 15.9 yards a reception.