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Thaddeus Moss has been answering questions about being the son of NFL great Randy Moss for a long time. He says he has always worked to establish his own name, and earn everything in football. He's ready to create his own identity in the NFL, and the Redskins have given him the opportunity to do that.
Going undrafted was "a slap in the face", especially as he watched special teams players get their names called. He's not interested in making other teams pay for passing on him, just proving himself in the league.
Moss choose the Redskins because they were the first team to contact him after the draft and that meant a lot to him. The Patriots and Bengals, who had drafted his LSU QB Joe Burrow #1 overall, were the other two teams that were interested. Moss goes to the Redskins who have question marks at tight end, and an opportunity to make the team with a new coaching staff.
Thaddeus Moss had foot surgery a week after the draft with renowned foot surgeon Dr. Robert Anderson. He suffered a Jones fracture in his right foot that was diagnosed during a physical at the Combine. He says he is ahead of schedule in his rehab, and looking forward to getting back on the field.
Randy Moss:
Thaddeus Moss’ Zoom conference just started. He said he has embraced the fact that he is Randy Moss’ son. He’s always had a target on his back, he said, and he’s learned to live with it. #Redskins
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) May 13, 2020
Thaddeus Moss says he wouldn't want his last name to do anything for him. He like it that way, earning everything he gets #HTTR
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) May 13, 2020
Moss said he embraces being the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Moss. Said he uses that as fuel to make a name for himself. #Redskins
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) May 13, 2020
Because of his last name, Moss said he's had to prove himself right throughout his entire life. He'll try and continue to do so with the #Redskins
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) May 13, 2020
Thaddeus Moss said he told his dad as they were sitting there that this was no different than what he's had to go through. Said his dad didn't know exactly what to say, but Thaddeus is just going to play football, getting in the mud and doing what he has to do. #HTTR
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) May 13, 2020
"Just my own identity, I just get tired of the comparison." Thaddeus Moss on what identity he wants to create in the NFL. He wants to make a name for himself through hard work. #HTTR
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) May 13, 2020
Moss: "I think I've finally reached that point where I'm tired of the comparisons. Everyone keeps mentioning my father and mentioning my last name. ...I look forward to getting out there and making a name of myself."
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) May 13, 2020
Thaddeus Moss said his dad doesn't give advice unless he ask him. The critique he'll get on television won't be worse than the car ride home or in private. He can only say but so much on TV. #HTTR
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) May 13, 2020
Choosing the Redskins:
Moss on why he chose the Redskins: "Washington was the first team that contacted me. That meant a lot to me."
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) May 13, 2020
Thaddeus Moss says that Washington called him immediately after the draft ended. Says his emotions were all over the place that day. #HTTR
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) May 13, 2020
Patriots/Bengals interested:
Thaddeus Moss says the Bengals and Patriots were also interested in signing him after the draft. He chose the Redskins because they called first.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) May 13, 2020
Going undrafted:
Not being drafted was disappointing, and Thaddeus Moss said he felt it was a slap in the face #HTTR
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) May 13, 2020
Thaddeus Moss said the fact he put a lot of work in, years of football, going undefeated and playing his best football in those games were the reasons he felt it was a slap in the face going undrafted. Pointed out seeing special teams players selected before him hurt #HTTR
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) May 13, 2020
Here's new Redskins TE Thaddeus Moss, on how he got extra ticked when teams started drafting kickers and he was still on the board. pic.twitter.com/3fyVjlhKs5
— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) May 13, 2020
Moss says he wants to prove himself right more so than making teams pay for not drafting him: "I'm not going out there with a vengeance"
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) May 13, 2020
Foot injury:
Thaddeus Moss says that he saw the best foot doctor, Dr. Anderson, to evaluate and aid in its recover. Went immediately after the draft. He didn't want to waste any time. #HTTR
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) May 13, 2020
One last thing I did not mention: About a week after the draft, Moss underwent surgery for a Jones fracture in his right foot. Said rehab is going great and that he's ahead of schedule.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) May 13, 2020
"Hopefully when we start up and get back going football wise, I'll be ready to go Day 1."
Saahdiq Charles:
Thaddeus Moss says that Saahdiq Charles is one of his best friends off the field, talks to him everyday, so he was extremely excited when Washington reached out. Says the two have great chemistry thanks to their reps together #HTTR
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) May 13, 2020
Moss said it's a blessing to be teammates with Saahdiq Charles again. Moss said that's one of his best friends and that he talks to him almost every day. Called him a great, dependable, reliable teammate. "He's a baller." #Redskins
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) May 13, 2020
Virtual offseason:
Moss said this is the first time he's ever had virtual football meetings. Said it's a different type of learning and a different type of studying. #Redskins
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) May 13, 2020
Thaddeus Moss says that he has 25 pages of hand written notes as they've gone through virtual classes. Says he wasn't much of a writer at LSU, so that's one definitive way he's changed from college to the pros. #HTTR
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) May 13, 2020
Physical practice:
Moss isn’t worried about not being able to show off his physicality right now. Once the #Redskins are able to return to practice, he said, everyone will know what he can do.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) May 13, 2020
The thing that stuck with me from the Combine talking with Thaddeus Moss was that he loves being a physical tight end. He prides himself on run blocking. Says he’s ready to show Redskins coaches that whenever the day comes to get the pads on.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) May 13, 2020
Role in the Redskins offense:
Thaddeus Moss says he hasn't learned anything about his specific role within the offense, just strictly learning the playbook so far #HTTR
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) May 13, 2020
Dwayne Haskins Jr.:
Moss said he's reached out to QB Dwayne Haskins to introduce himself. #Redskins
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) May 13, 2020