Article in the Las Vegas Review Journal about the popularity of MMA training techniques in the NFL. Specifically mentioned are Redskins Antwaan Randle El and Santana Moss. Bas Rutten’s pep talk visit to the San Fran 49ers is also noted:

According to the Washington Times, Washington Redskins wide receivers Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El are among a group of NFL players who have incorporated MMA training into their offseason workouts.

“If it was just run, run, run — that’s something I could do, but I was losing some of my muscle mass. But I’m not losing as much this year,” Randle El said. “I think the grappling (helps). When you are on the ground wrestling with a guy, that’s how it is when you catch a ball and you’re tussling with a guy and trying to get out.”

Moss trained a few days a week in the offseason with Lonny Intorn, an instructor at Punch Fitness in Miami. Intorn also has worked with Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson.

The past two seasons have been injury-plagued for Moss, but perhaps the training methods are paying dividends. Randle El said his fellow wideout is having his best camp since the two have been teammates.

MMA popular in NFL @ Las Vegas Review Journal