Dale Moss Days Until Chicago Bears Season Opener

We had so much fun doing our Countdown to Kickoff series last season that we decided to do it again. In case you’re new to the series, we’ll do a roster preview as we count down the days until the Chicago Bears September 7th season opener against the Buffalo Bills.

So close I can almost taste it.

Aug 14, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Dale Moss (13) during the fourth quarter of the preseason game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Dale Moss is a third year wide out from South Dakota State University. He’s a big receiver at 6″3, 215 pounds. He went undrafted in 2012 when he signed with the rival Green Bay Packers, before bouncing from Tampa Bay to Chicago, then to Carolina and the Arena League before the Bears got him again.

So far this preseason, Moss has 3 total receptions. He’s a big target which is generally beneficial for receivers nowadays. I don’t see this guy being as good as a Randy with the same last name, but he’s another competitor for the #3 spot. I think Morgan will end up getting it, but I see Moss making the roster as the 5th or 6th man up. Who knows what one can do with Brandon Marshall as a mentor?

Another notable #13 is a sad story. Johnny Knox was a late draft pick and pro bowl receiver for the Chicago Bears from 2009 to 2011. He was really coming into his own as a potential #2 option when his career took a nasty turn. It started when the 6-3 Bears faced the San Diego Chargers at Soldier Field in 2011. Jay Cutler threw an out to Knox, who slipped, causing an interception. Cutler chased down the defensive back and broke his thumb in the process. After that, Caleb Hanie took over and, as we all know, played terribly. In one game against the Seahawks, while the Bears had already been struggling with every opponent without their franchise quarterback, Caleb Hanie threw a pass across the middle to Johnny Knox who promptly fumbled. He dove back to recover it and was drilled awkwardly on the shoulder area and his back folded. This serious spinal injury kept Knox out of the league in 2012. In 2013, he gave up his dream of becoming an NFL star and retired. He was a receiver with so much potential. It was a shame that a repulsive string of events led to his retirement, but it’s done now. He’s moved on and so have the Bears.

Bears wide receiver Johnny Knox beats the San Diego defense as he hauls in a touchdown pass in the third quarter of the Chicago Bears 31-20 win over the San Diego Chargers Sunday November 20, 2011 at Soldier Field. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times