For Broncos' Moss, it's time to shine

DE is expected to play Sunday

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published September 17, 2008 at 1:01 p.m.

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The Broncos are done saying, "No Moss."

When the team plays host to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, former No. 1 draft pick Jarvis Moss is expected to make his 2008 debut after two weeks of being declared inactive as a healthy scratch.

"I'm going to get myself ready this week and practice like I've never practiced and watch film like I've never watched film," Moss said Wednesday. "And I plan on having a big game."

In training camp, Moss filled a pass-rushing role in nickel situations. Facing run-heavy teams such as Oakland and San Diego to start the season might have factored in the decision to keep him off the field. But at the same time, in obvious passing situations, the Broncos have struggled to apply consistent pressure.

The thought seems to be that Moss could be a pick-me-up if he can throw down Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who spearheads the NFL's No. 7 pass offense.

"My goals haven't changed at all," said Moss, who wants eight sacks this season. "It's my first game, three weeks in, and I need to get it started right now. That's something that helps me on Sundays is that drive, that no one can stop me."

Actually, the coaches were able to pull the plug long before the weekend. The call to sit Moss hurt him personally both weeks but especially Sunday, when he flew people into town to watch him not play.

"It's kind of personal," he said. "I want to prove to everybody that I should be playing every single week."

Even though coaches kept Moss informed of plans the past two weeks, it didn't make him feel any better once the decision was made to bench him.

"It's tough," Moss said. "You kind of feel like people don't believe in you or think they can't count on you. I know that's not the case. They wouldn't have picked me where they did if they didn't have faith in me and just get ready to call quits on me so soon. I know my coaches believe in me. That's why I've got this opportunity this week."

• September 17, 2008

  1:32 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  RustyWon writes:

  Good.
  Now that he's a little pissed, he should be more effective.
  There is no way he can be worse than what we had against San Diego.
  Third down especially. We give up too many plays on third down.

  Go Jarvis!
  Go Broncos!

• September 17, 2008

  1:58 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Broncody writes:

  He is too lanky to be a good DE right now. Hit the buffet and the weight room and put some pounds on and see what happens.

• September 17, 2008

  2:13 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  El_Braino writes:

  What about converting him into a linebacker? He has speed and I personally think Boss Bailey isn't our long term solution. If Larsen can move from LB to Fullback, why can't Moss move to LB?

• September 17, 2008

  2:28 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Soldier7 writes:

  Ok, Jarvis lets see what you have.

  The guy I really want to see play is Jack Williams.
  I'm telling you the kid can cover people and he
  is a threat to the take ball the other way for six
  each time he is on the field.

  To heck with it. If we are going to go young, then
  lets turn all the dogs loose.

  Play Jack Williams !

• September 17, 2008

  2:37 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  dirkle writes:

  "Jaaarrrrrrrrvisssss MOSSSSS!" - (hysterical laughter) - Lee must have had difficulty finding something to write about, so he corners our resident first-round bust for some pearls.

  I would love to be wrong, but I ain't holdin' my breath. I'll believe it when I see Drew Brees supine on the turf while Jarvis is simultaneously doing his famous "sack dance!" (more hysterical laughter)

• September 17, 2008

  2:51 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Milehigh_7 writes:

  Mr. Moss, We are on your side my brother! Strap it on and let's see your best shot!!!!

• September 17, 2008

  2:52 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  denfanincali writes:

  Broncody writes: "He is too lanky to be a good DE right now. Hit the buffet and the weight room and put some pounds on and see what happens."

  What are you talking about? Do you really think this is why he isn't playing?

  Bruce Smith: Height: 6' 4" Weight: 262 lbs.
  Neil Smith: Height: 6' 4'' Weight: 270 lbs.
  Jason Taylor: Height: 6-6 Weight: 244
  Michael Strahan: Height: 6-5 Weight: 255

  Jarvis Moss: Height: 6-6 Weight: 265

• September 17, 2008

  3:02 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Milehigh_7 writes:

  denfanincali,
  Honestly I had no idea he was that big... I never looked and you always hear how small he is... He can hang.

  I would like us to stand him up at a linebacker position.

• September 17, 2008

  3:22 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Cutler6 writes:

  He isn't that big, that is what he is listed at in the media guide but it is pummped up about 15-20 lbs. He is more like 245-250. None the less there have been alot of pass rushing ends his size. Moss just needs to get more creative on his rush techniques, like a pitcher in baseball who can throw more than 1 pitch well. He just can't use his athletiscism like he did in college. He is a pro know and needs to work on it.

• September 17, 2008

  3:59 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  schell227 writes:

  Take a look at the 2007 Draft and I challenge you to find a defensive end that has done anything in the NFL, outside of Gaines Adams (4th pick). How many sacks does Jamaal Anderson (#8 pick) have? Zero in 18 games. People need to realize this is the biggest bust position in football. Be happy that we have found the stars we have in the past few years. I guarantee that 90% of the league would love to have our last three drafts.

  Moss may still pan out, he hasn't played enough to make the determination yet.

• September 17, 2008

  4:27 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Broncody writes:

  What I am talking about is that the few snaps I have seen him take at DE he doesn't have the size or strength to grind with the tackles. So I think he needs to bulk up some to be able to throw more muscle and weight at the O-line.

• September 17, 2008

  5:03 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  I think Jarvis will play well. He has a chip on his shoulder and something to prove.
  El_Braino, Boss will be with us for some years, get used to it. He had 6 solo tackles against SD. He played very well. Jarvis is NOT a linebacker. He would not be a better LB then Boss. I'm not sure where your opinion of Boss not being the solution at his spot, comes from? SD was his 1st game since injury and he looked good. And that was just a warm up game to work the rust off.

• September 17, 2008

  5:13 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  CMoney writes:

  cutler6 hit the nail on the head. Moss has 1 move, which is the outside speed rush. His size is a non-factor, look at Elvis who was labeled way too small out of college, but fact of the matter is we drafted Elvis for the sole reason he was built JUST like D.Freeney. Jarvis needs to learn how to switch it up, use leverage with his tall frame, and keep his opponent honest. He needs to learn to cross the OT's face and "rip or swim", develop the strength for a "bull rush", develop the strength to stunt inside and battle the bigger OG and C. If he can't add these other attacks to his arsenal he will remain a situational player at best.

• September 17, 2008

  5:48 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Pigskin writes:

  r u shtn me makes a good point about those quotes. Moss ought to be doing those things all the time, not just when he gets the nod.
  That said, the "run heavy" team from San Diego seemed to do some real damage to this porous defense through the air. Which was made easier by the fact that, once again, we mounted no pass rush.
  Be nice if Moss could get some pressure. That would be more than Ekuban or Engelberger can do.
  Not sure, CMoney, that the 5-11, 260 lb. Dumervil is built JUST like the 6-1, 270 lb. Freeney. We drafted him because he was a guy who showed pass rush ability and was still there in the mid-rounds. Drafting a DE just because he's small makes no sense.

• September 17, 2008

  5:50 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  atm726 writes:

  r_u_shtn_me you should be a sports writer the way you can twist a statement out of context like that. There's nothing wrong with a guy saying he's going to try harder than he ever has before. There is no such thing as 100% or 110%, everyone can always give more, no matter how hard they've worked before.

• September 17, 2008

  5:58 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  CMoney writes:

  Not what I said, we didn't draft Elvis because of his size, so let me clarify that the reason we drafted him is that he reminded Sundquist of D. Freeney, while other teams labeled him as too small.

• September 17, 2008

  6:53 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Spider writes:

  Jarvis, you need to show them what you got in every play that you get during game days. Give it your all like there is no tomorrow.

• September 17, 2008

  7:24 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Broncody writes:

  Cmoney I agree with what your saying about Moss. He has a world of potential with all of his athleticism but he just hasn't quite devoloped yet. That shouldn't be surprising with his injury and lack of playing time but I think that he is feeling that drive to get better. I think that will bring his game to the "next level" but I still stand by what I said that his body needs to develope too to get to a everydown DE level. I believe he has it in him and I think we will see a helluva DE combo with Elvis and Jarvis for quite a few years once he is completely developed.

• September 17, 2008

  8:03 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Rutabaga writes:

  I'm going to be ready to watch Mr Moss. I got my TV ready and I have done all my stuff to get the remote to work good. I'm spending lots of extra time remembering what number he is so I can remember to see him when he plays. I hope he gets lots of sacks. Each one he gets I'll eat a banana. I hope he doesn't get too many. I might get sick.

  Go Broncos... To The Championship and Beyond

• September 17, 2008

  8:48 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  aragornzxl writes:

  ^
  Love the bananas
  Ima do the same

• September 17, 2008

  10:34 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  12thmaniac writes:

  El_Braino:

  Boss Bailey is way better than Jarvis Moss and is probably the fasted strongside LB in the game. You have to be Fast to be a strong side linbacker becuase you are covering the TE . Moss is no way even close to the speed needed for that postion. When Gates was Bailey responsibily in the game vs SD you barley heard his name which is a good thing. Gates had a long catch vs Winborn who subed for Bailey on that play. I think you need to know what the position calls for before you make judgements on Bailey performance.

• September 18, 2008

  7:58 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  bluepop312 writes:

  Jarvis may, or may not pan out. With his limited experience and playing time, it's too early to tell. Does this "110 percent effort "stuff bug anyone but me? So if you give 105 percent effort are you a slacker? How can anyone give more than 100%? Sorry, just think that may be one of the dumbest sports cliches ever.

• September 18, 2008

  10:41 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  SimpleMind writes:

  I don't know why we keep drafting DEs that seem to be more suited to a 3-4 defense, where what we need are more DEs like Ebenezer Ekuban (in his prime). I don't think Moss will ever do much here in Denver, but I hope he proves me wrong. He might be like Dumerville, but we don't need two of those guys.

• September 18, 2008

  11:56 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  kerrdawg writes:

  Simple...A DE in a 3-4 defense is usually a big strong type of end. I think what your trying to say is why do we keep drafting players the size of 3-4 OLBs when we play a 4-3 defense. And with that I agree.

• September 18, 2008

  1:52 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  ShowMe writes:

  Put Moss in the secondary...I'm sure he could cover better than Paymah and tackle better than Bly.

• September 18, 2008

  2:03 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Cutlers_the_bomb writes:

  Here's something I heard, though I can't remember where. I heard that he HAS been hitting the weight room hard, and he HAS been working REALLY hard to get better. And in a 4-3 defense, the D-ends are smaller because they are meant to contain, and be pretty quick, and it's rare to find a big End who also is quick enough to contain like an outside backer. The outside linebacker is meant to cover in the 4-3, as they are usually covering tight-ends or running backs. Either way, Boss Bailey was a good pickup, as he is an underrated tackler (wow, an underrated Bailey? That's an odd concept...), and is one of the fastest, arguably the fastest, linebacker in the league, not to mention he is HUGE. He is 6-3, 232 pounds, so he is big enough to cover tight-ends, and quick enough to chase plays down from behind. DJ Williams is the best linebacker we've got, but Boss is still a very good linebacker, and Webster is a run-stopper first and foremost. That's what the MLB is supposed to do is play the run better than the pass. We were blessed when we got Al Wilson, who was a FREAK OF NATURE, because he was talented enough to do both coverage and run-stopping. Webster, and most Mike backers, just can't do one equally as well as the other. It's just the way of the position.
  Anyways, I think they had him inactive not mostly because the teams were run heavy teams, but also because it gives him a chance to become healthier and also hungrier to finish and elevate his game. It was a very strategic move, and I think it may work out. Look for Moss to work his butt off, trying to get to Brees. While sacks are nice, I also think that pressure may be better, because then you can force the QB to make a stupid mistake, and maybe throw a pick to Bailey or Bly. In our 13-3 season, we led the league in QB pressures, but not so much in the sack department. Pressure-turnovers, simple as that, and if we do that then we should win easily. GO BRONCOS!!!!

• September 18, 2008

  4:14 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  El_Braino writes:

  I didn't know I was going to get ripped so bad for an idea. Jeez -- just saying if he's a great athelete, then hopefully the Broncos give him every opportunity to shine and find what he does best. Hopefully he does well for the Broncos for a long time. GO BRONCOS!!!

• September 18, 2008

  9:40 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  ShowMe, put Moss in the 2ndary????? Are you serious??? He doesn't have the speed. He is not built like a CB. He is fine where he's at.

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