One-on-One: Dale Moss

Posted by Justin Hull on Aug 1, 2012 in Packers | 0 comments

Heading into Green Bay Packers Training Camp, one of the most intriguing players in my eyes was WR Dale Moss.  If being a receiver trying to crack a roster that includes Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Randal Cobb, and Donald Driver isn’t hard enough, Moss played just one-year of football at South Dakota State before making the jump to the NFL.

Moss was a four-year basketball player at SDSU.  Once his hoops eligibility was up, he decided to give football a shot.  In one season, his first since high school, Moss caught 61-passes for 949-yards and 6-touchdowns for the Jackrabbits.  That season, coupled with some great workouts, was enough to catch the attention of NFL Scouts.  After not being drafted, which was a bit of surprise, Moss signed to a free agent deal with Green Bay.

Tuesday at Packers Training Camp, I had a chance to talk to Moss…

Question:  ”When we spoke after your decision to come to Green Bay, you spoke of the competition and track record.  What do you think of the competition now seeing the guys on a daily basis”

Moss:  ”We definitely got a lot of talented receivers and our secondary is really skilled, lead the league in interceptions last year.  So we’re out the working hard every day, you got to come every day.  But I enjoy it.  It’s good competition and it just makes you work  hard and be accountable for everything.”

Question: “The secondary you go up against everyday, that has to be a benefit for you going up against Charles Woodson and Tramon Williams, a couple of Pro Bowlers every day?”

Moss:  ”Ya, without a doubt, especially with being so new to the game going up against competition like that you have  no option but to get better and learn different ways to get open.  I’m still learning, going through training camp, but I definitely fell I have made strides and am getting comfortable with stuff.”

Question:  ”The learning curve in the classroom; you played 4-years of basketball and for 1 year.  Are you finding that to be taxing or overwhelming at times?”

Moss:  ”After the OTA’s and mini-camp, it helped out a lot and I feel like I pick up things really well.  It is a little different but I feel like I am doing well just picking up on everything.  The biggest thing is knowing those plays, transitioning on the field, and adding your own little something in there to get open and get separation.  I’m getting better everyday at it and just trying to make the most of my opportunities and just keep progressing.”

Question:  ”How big is special teams for a young guy trying to make this roster?”

Moss:  ”I would say special teams is the biggest adjustment for me because I never played them in college or anything like that.  I have been switched around different spots since I have gotten here.  I understand how important it is and I’m just trying to get better at those and be more physical.  I think I made big strides in that and that is something I’m really trying to focus on and really stand-out in those aspects as well”

Question:  ”Being as athletic as you are, is that something helps the transition to special teams where you can utilize that and bring something the other guys don’t have?”

Moss:  ”Ya, I definitely think that helps especially when I don’t have to think as much and can go out and play and try to make plays cause that’s one of my advantages, athletic ability.   But there’s a lot more that goes into it,  I just have to know the concepts and know what I’m doing. But I feel good about it.  I’m getting better everyday.  It’s just gonna keep getting better so I’m excited for the preseason games and also we have a scrimmage coming up, just to really go full go and see how things turn out.”

Question:  ”You mention the scrimmage, Friday night your underneath the lights at Lambeau field.  That has to be a fun thrill to get out there and see the packed house and see what the fans think?”

Moss:  ”That’s what I heard and it’s great.  The fan support is awesome and it’s more than I’ve experienced.  It’ll be good to kinda get the feel of an atmosphere like that before our first preseason game when we go out to San Diego.  I’m definitely excited for the scrimmage and it’s gonna hopefully turn out well on the offensive side of the ball.  It’ll be fun and it’ll be something good to prep us for that upcoming game.”

Question:  ”Now that you’ve been here a few weeks, is there something that you fell you bring to the receiving core that you can add to the rotation?”

Moss:  ”I just think that I just need to go out there and make plays.  And with my size, make plays against smaller defensive backs and just be physical.  As I’m learning the playbook more and becoming more comfortable I’ve been able to play a lot more loose and really go out there and play.  So I’m trying to do that everyday.  I feel like I’ve been doing that and have been making strides and catching the ball really well so I just want to  keep doing those things.”

Question:  ”What’s it been like catching passes from #12?”

Moss:  ”He puts it where it needs to be so it makes it a lot easier.  But we’ve got a great group of quarterbacks.  Graham (Harrell), he’s a great quarterback.  He’s behind A-Rod (Aaron Rodgers) but he’s gonna get his shot somewhere or whatever the case.  B.J (Coleman) as well; he’s made huge strides since this summer and he’s learning from some of the best.  All over the place, we have really good quarterbacks and it makes our jobs as receivers much easier.”

No one is expecting Moss to come in and steal a spot from one of the guys firmly entrenched on the roster.  However, don’t be shocked to see Moss on the Practice Squad.  In fact, I would be shocked if he wasn’t there.

Justin Hull is the host of the “Home Stretch” heard 2p-5p on 95.3 FM, WSCO Radio n Green Bay/Appleton, Wisconsin and Sports Reporter for WHBY Radio in Appleton, WI.  Follow him on twitter (@jh1570) or facebook.