Broncos rookie knows he must gain weight to shape up

ENGLEWOOD -- From across the practice field, Denver Broncos defensive end Jarvis Moss looks like he could line up as a safety or big wide receiver.

Moss is 6-foot-6 and weighed less than 250 pounds for most of the Broncos’ offseason camps. The Broncos’ 2007 first-round draft pick looks lean and lanky, at least compared to most NFL defensive ends.

“You mean ‘Big Slim?’” defensive end Kenard Lang said when asked about Moss.

Moss said he was fine with the nickname, even though he’s trying to gain weight and make it obsolete.

“I’m healthy now for the first time after a while and my body is getting back right,” Moss said.

Moss had problems gaining weight during college because he had a staph infection, but he has recovered. Moss said he weighed 255 pounds Monday morning, seven pounds more than he weighed at Denver’s first camp. He said he wanted to be 260 pounds before the season starts.

To gain weight Moss eats, takes a short break and then eats again. Starting with his daily breakfast of a bowl of cereal, fruit plate, omelet, toast and orange juice, Moss has four meals and three snacks a day.

Moss added quantity and improved the quality of his food intake. As a college student at Florida, he had plenty of fast food. Now, he’s loading up on fruits, vegetables and salads.

“It’s the first time in my life I’m finally eating stuff other than McDonald’s,” Moss said.

Moss has spent the past month lifting weights as part of the offseason conditioning program, and said he feels stronger. Concentrating on nutrition and conditioning full time is a luxury he didn’t have in college.

“You really have a lot more time to focus on yourself and the things that are important for you to succeed in football,” Moss said. “I think it’s great, it’s a much better life to me. I’m enjoying it a lot more.”

Moss’ rookie challenges aren’t just physical. The Broncos throw the entire playbook at rookies and want them to learn as much as they can by the first minicamp after the draft, which can be overwhelming.

Moss said he was tentative in those early offseason practices because he didn’t know what he was doing. He started feeling more comfortable near the end of last month’s minicamps and then turned a corner Monday, the first day of the team’s mandatory minicamp.

“Today was the first day I felt I could just go out and play football,” Moss said. “I got my assignments down and I know what I have to do.”

CONTACT THE WRITER: 476-4891 or frank.schwab@gazette.com