Jarvis Moss turned 26 on Tuesday, and despite a grueling morning practice that ended with a series of 100-yard sprints and hours of football meetings, it was by all accounts a happy birthday.
He lined up with the second-team defense at outside linebacker, bursting into the backfield on a couple of occasions, and worked on several special-teams units.
There was no drama, just football — quite different from a year ago. He spent his 25th birthday day isolated at his home, contemplating personal and professional issues that left him wondering whether he should retire.
“I had a lot of stuff going on this time last year, but all that stuff, it’s just gone,” Moss said. “I’m just getting better and trying to do things right, to get the coaches’ approval and gain their trust more.”
In his fourth NFL season, Moss has discovered a new energy and work ethic that eluded him since the Broncos drafted him 17th overall in 2007. Moss was among the top performers in the Broncos’ offseason program, and coaches and teammates noticed. His teammates voted him one of 10 offseason award winners. And since May, coach Josh McDaniels has praised Moss’ passion and strength.
“It feels good, but at the same time, those are just words,” Moss said. “I’m ready to put out and earn some trust.”
Moss, who now weighs 240 pounds, with several additional pounds of muscle from last year, is behind Elvis Dumervil and Robert Ayers on the depth chart at outside linebacker. But with Darrell Reid recovering from knee surgery and Mario Haggan moving to inside linebacker, Moss could have a chance to make an impact in the pass rush this season after playing in only 25 games — with 3 1/2 sacks — in the previous three seasons.
“Oh, man, a total 180 for him,” said defensive lineman Marcus Thomas, Moss’ closest friend on the team and a fellow former Florida Gator. “He’s practicing, working hard. He was the offseason workout champion, so he’s been working real hard, and everybody loves him. He’s loving the game right now.”
Lindsay H. Jones: 303-954-1262 or ljones@denverpost.com
Growing Moss?
In his first three NFL seasons, Jarvis Moss fell substantially short of meeting the expectations set when he was drafted 17th overall in 2007. He and the Broncos are looking toward 2010 and hopefully a new start.
2007: Moss played in six games, with one start, and had one sack before breaking his leg Nov. 6.
2008: Played in 12 games but didn’t get a start. He had a career-high 2 1/2 sacks.
2009: In his first seasons at outside linebacker, Moss struggled and was inactive for nine games. He had no sacks in his seven games.
Lindsay H. Jones, The Denver Post
