NFL Draft Diamonds Free Agent Interview: Mike Moss, Wide Receiver

Hello, I am @jrberendzen on Twitter and this is one of my free agent interviews where I ask very deserving free agents questions about the players themselves and about what a team would get in these players. All of these players should get picked up by NFL, CFL, and XFL teams and get a shot at being a career football player. So I hope you all read this interview and follow Mike’s journey on Twitter @mike64mossbil

1.What is your mindset when you are on the football field?

My mindset is dog mentality. I have to dominate and give max effort. I can’t control when I get the ball so I try to be in every single moment so when the ball comes my way I gave my best rep. 

2.What do you hope to achieve as a football player going forward?

Going forward I hope to achieve being active on a 53 man roster being a major asset. Also to become rookie of the year and compete for a Super Bowl.

3.What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

Growing up football was my first love, I played freshman and sophomore year of high school. My brother ended up coming to my school and was a big basketball star and that excited me so I stopped playing football to start playing basketball my junior year of high school. I played basketball from then to my junior year of college. I had an idea of playing football again and literally the next day I started training for it and reaching out to schools. It’s always just been a different type of love with football. From the sanctuary to the energy and adrenaline the game brings.

4.What is your favorite workout?

My favorite workout is definitely fieldwork. Working on getting in and out of my brakes and learning little nuances to run my routes in different ways and just the creative part of it. A close second is definitely maintenance work. Doing the band and low-intensity stuff that keeps me healthy and body feeling good.

Check out @mike64mossbil pic.twitter.com/kbADSzp8s7

— Justin Berendzen (@jrberendzen) March 14, 2021

5.What do you think are the keys to success on the football field?

I think some of the keys are knowing the playbook inside and out and why you have your assignments. Also being able to read defenses and adjust to them on the fly. Then I think the preparation in the off-season mentally and physically is everything. Being able to put your body in that state where it can be durable and you can still make great gains. Lastly, I think you have to have heart, a reason why to keep you hungry when things are great and when things get hard. 

6.What are your favorite moments from your football life?

My favorite moments are probably the ones I’m having now. My big brother Devin Funchess took me in and been giving me so much game mentality and to see it translate so effortlessly on the field is what I love. I love grinding with our group getting better every single day. It excites me.

7.What do you think sets you apart from other wide receivers?

I think what sets me apart from other receivers besides running a 4.6 and being 6’4 is my mentality and my competitiveness. I love the grind, I love chasing perfection. My willingness to do whatever I have to do to be the best version of myself I can possibly be. What also sets me apart is being able to track the ball and catch in traffic and then make a play after.

https://youtu.be/y1UbDNIlHkY

8.Rank focus,footwork and skill based on what is most important to you as a football player and explain why?

I think focus is #1 for me as a football player. The game is 90% mental and 10% physical. I have to be able to go to a different place and lock in, to be able to focus while I’m extremely tired, injured or just being able to focus in the film room. I thinks that’s everything. #2 is skill for me because I feel like being able to run routes, catch the ball in traffic or even tracking the ball is a skill. The whole concept of football is a skill to me. #3 is  footwork, footwork is major for me because it’s my whole game. From releases to running routes to getting out of my brakes. I can change my efficiency with just one step and it can change my whole game.. also I feel like footwork is so important for me because it helps my hands and arms off the line of scrimmage getting off press.

9.What type of energy do you bring onto the football field?

I bring a lot of zest to the field, I love the game and I’m going to show it every day. I have to bring a ton of energy EVERY day, even on the days when I’m tired because to me the game revolves around it. I like to play around but I know when it’s time to lock in and bring a different type of energy. That dog type of energy. That’s who I really am, and that rubs off on my teammates.

10.What would a team get in a player like you?

A team would get an extremely hard-working resilient asset. In me they would get someone who is ready to contribute in offensive sets and special teams. They will get someone who will make the players around him better and bring high energy to work every day. 

11.If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?

I would choose Randy Moss, I love his game and he seems like a great person. I grow up watching Randy and I love how effortless he gets off the ball. I would really try and pick his brain about his different releases and then just some stuff about the game. 

12.What role do you hope to have if you get into the NFL?

I hope to start off as a big special teams player and have splash plays in certain formations and as the weeks build up I hope to gain the trust of the coaches and rotate or start by the middle of the season.