Moll was a find for Packers

For four years, Nevada's football coaches talked to Tony Moll about moving from tight end to the offensive line, and each year he politely declined.

Then, during the spring of his senior season, Moll had a change of heart. He put on 30 to 40 pounds to get up to 290 and moved to offensive tackle. A star was born.

Moll was an instant hit at his new position, and played so well that he earned first-team all-WAC honors. That was just proof of what kind of strength and athletic talent that he had, which resulted in the Green Bay Packers taking him in the fifth round of the NFL Draft two years ago.

It was a great pick-up by the Packers. Moll surprised coaches and fans alike by starting 10 games as a rookie and three more this year.

The 6-foot-5 304-pound Moll, who has relatives in Carson City, will be active and on the sidelines today when the Packers host the Seattle Seahawks in an NFC Divisional playoff game at Lambeau Field.

A stinger injury in training camp cost Moll a shot at being the starter at either guard or tackle this season. He currently backs up Mark Tauscher at right tackle and Jason Spitz at right guard.

"It was right at the beginning of camp," said Moll in a brief telephone interview earlier this week. "I'd never had one before. I never had been injured before."

That's where Moll's 'Nevadatude' may have gotten him in trouble.

"I didn't want to come out of practice," Moll said. "I had a bunch of stingers instead of just one or two."

However, the injury finally forced him out, and he's been playing catch-up ever since.

The Packers' offensive line has been riddled with injuries all year, and there were some that thought Moll could start today, but the depth chart has him backing up at two spots. He is hopeful of getting a few snaps today, however.

One of Moll's strengths is his versatility. At Nevada, offensive linemen learn more than just one position, and Moll said the Packers have that same philosophy.

"I was learning guard when I was at Nevada even though my main focus was at tackle," Moll said. "I was able to come here and play both positions. That's one of our best attributes as a group. We're not chiseled into one position."

When you ask Moll which spot he prefers, he just chuckles.

"It's different depending on what day it is," he said. "It all depends on how I practice and who I'm going up against that day.

"Guard and tackles are so different. When you play inside, you have to be a lot quicker, especially with your hand speed. At tackle, you have to be more patient and relaxed. You are reacting to what the defender does (in passing situations)."

Quickness and agility are two of Moll's strengths, so he's been able to make a solid transition from the college game to the NFL.

For now, Moll is content to keep learning and be ready to contribute when called upon. He wants to re-claim that starting job he earned as a rookie when training camp rolls around next year.

"Oh yeah, I definitely think I have a chance (to start)," Moll said. "Except for two guys, we're all young; two or three years of experience. It's really nice."

One would expect a young player like Moll to be a bit starry-eyed considering he's around guys like sure-fire Hall of Famer Brett Favre and other veterans like wide receiver Donald Driver, defensive back Al Harris and linebacker Nick Barnett.

"That's never been a big deal to me," Moll said. "The first time I met Brett it was a little weird. He (Favre) doesn't come off like that (a big shot). He doesn't big-time you. He's just another guy that you hang out with."