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Moss could be factor in helping turn around YSU’s struggling defense
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Youngstown State defensive tackle D.J. Moss (98) blocks during a recent spring practice at YSU’s Stambaugh Stadium.
By Joe Scalzo
YOUNGSTOWN
YSU sophomore defensive tackle D.J. Moss missed an assignment during Wednesday’s practice, which is normally the type of thing that sparks tirades from football coaches.
In Tom Sims’ case, it sparks comedy.
“He was saying, ‘What am I supposed to do if I go home and I lose my job? I’m going to have to go back to dancing at the club. I’m gonna have to get my wig out and my Jheri curl,’” Moss said, chuckling. “He’s a character.”
Sims, who played defensive tackle in the NFL for seven years, is in his second spring as the Penguins’ defensive line coach. He’s not the loudest coach on staff — when linebackers coach Frank Buffano is miffed, he gets that crown — but he might be the funniest.
“I’m too old to run around, so I’ve gotta yell,” Sims said. “I think it’s my style. If you see me away from football, I think of myself as a quiet and introverted person. But on the field, I do get loud and challenge my players.”
The Penguins struggled defensively last season and Sims is expecting much better production from his players this fall.
Moss (5-foot-11, 285 pounds) is part of that equation.
“D.J. Moss has been a very pleasant surprise,” Sims said. “He’s starting to step in and be a solid guy for us. He consistently does the right things for us.
“There are two types of players I like. The ones that do exactly what you tell them to do and give great effort, and the ones you know are not going to do what you tell them to do. It’s the guys in the middle that get you in trouble.”
Moss, a Fitch High graduate, played in nine games last fall as a redshirt freshman, earning his lone start against Central Connecticut State. He didn’t see much action in those nine games — he had just six tackles — but said he’s grown stronger and better in the past few months.
“Every day [in spring practice], I’ve just tried to work on one thing to get better,” said Moss. “Whether it’s working my hands, working on my first step or my second step, I just try to work on that one thing.
“Over time, everything has progressed.”
Moss and his linemates have also benefited from their knowledge of the defensive system, which was new last spring.
“With all our stunts, it’s all timing and everything is starting to come together better,” Moss said. “Just knowing what you’re doing, you’re able to play a lot faster.”
Sims likes to play an aggressive style of defense filled with blitzing and stunts, but he knows he can’t do that if his players can’t match up with linemen one-on-one.
He said the Penguins have some work to do in that area, but they’re better than they were a month ago.
“We’re growing,” he said. “But we’re by no means where we need to be.
“We’ve still got a lot of work to do.”