Key Cornerback Could Make Broncos Secondary Best In NFL

The Denver Broncos challenged cornerback Riley Moss to improve, and Moss is showing in camp that he did the homework. He’s on track to keep his job, and according to Denver’s defensive passing game coordinator Robert Livingston, Moss’s improvement could help the Broncos secondary become one of the best in the game, according to a report from Nick Kosmider of The Athletic. 

That’s bad news for opponents, and Livingston and defensive backs coach Doug Belk are changing the way the Broncos play. They’re helping to develope a formidable array of talent that includes Moss, Pat Surtain II, Ja’Quan McMillian, and Jahdae Barron, who returned an interceptino 97 yards for a touchdown in Denver’s 27-7 win over the Atlanta Falcons in the team’s preseason opener. 

Livingston talked about Moss’s timeline, which has turned out to be very different from that of many players. 

“I think the game’s slowing down for him,” Livingston said. “Sometimes that happens in Year 2. Sometimes that happens in Year 4. You’ve got a veteran player who has played a lot, who comes to work every day and wants to get better.”

Kosmider described Moss as “solid” in his two seasons as a starter in Denver, and playing opposite Surtain got Moss targeted more than any other outside cornerback in the NFL. That led to eight defensive pass interference penalties for Moss, which was a number he needed to clean up. 

Coaches and players have both noticed the improvements in Moss’s techique, which the writer described as cleaner. It’s made it easier for Moss to make the basic plays, which he’s done throughout camp so far. 

“My parents have always told me this: I like to learn the hard way,” Moss said of the penalty issues last season. “It actually helps me out in those situations because, yes, they’re going to throw the flag because I’m being too aggressive or whatever, but even (Joseph) will tell me, ‘Keep going out there. Keep playing aggressive.’ (The penalties) are in one ear and out the other. It happens. 

“I know I need to do better as a whole this season, and I have been. It’s been a big focus of this camp, but I’m still going to play aggressive and not shy away from it.” 

Livingston noted what he called Moss’s “freak” traist when the ball is in the air. One thing that surfaced during the tape review si that Moss often had an opportunity to make a play on some balls, but often focused on trying to keep the receiver from catching it. 

Moss is also up for an extension, but hse’s not going to let that affect his play this year. 

“I’m not going to put extra pressure on myself,” Moss said. “As we aren’t going to put extra pressure, as a team, on getting to where we want to get to. It’s day by day, be where your feet are at, compete, get better at one thing each day, and everything else will take care of itself.”