Lance Moore: Pursue or No?
by John B on Feb 20, 2010 12:54 PM EST
35 comments
The search for a slot receiver could lead the Jets into the waters for a restricted free agent. The final eight limitations will not apply to restricted free agents. Lance Moore of New Orleans is one such option. The Saints made him a second round tender offer. That means the Jets would have to make an offer the Super Bowl Champions would refuse to match and then give up a second round pick to land Moore.
Moore is probably best known for his controversial catch on a two point conversion in the Super Bowl against the Colts. It was a nice cap to a disappointing season. Hamstring and ankle injuries limited him to 7 games. He struggled to work his way up the depth chart after the injuries and saw limited action. Just a year earlier, Moore had a big year with 79 catches, 928 yards, and 10 touchdowns, leading the team in all three categories. This 2008 season was the most extensive action Lance ever received. A Marques Colston injury bought him 6 starts. He worked his way up from being a full time practice squad player in 2005.
The numbers he put up in his most extensive playing time interest me. The New Orleans offense is a meritocracy in the passing game. Drew Brees doesn't lock onto one target. He spreads it around looking for the open man. Moore got open more than anybody in that lineup 2008. He's an excellent route runner with good hands. I don't see a guy with blazing speed when I watch him on tape, but he's fast enough to be effective. The route running helps make up for that also. He's a 26 year old guy I think is developing into a very good player and an excellent slot receiver, a potential breakout guy in the right situation.
I think it's likely the Saints let Moore walk. They have plenty of depth at the position. They can allocate that money in spots of greater need, and take a Draft pick. I think the passing game should definitely be a priority this offseason. If we're going to talk about Golden Tate or Jordan Shipley with an early pick, it's worth discussing using that pick to land a more proven young slot guy.
When I say pursue, I don't necessarily mean I would sign a guy at any cost, just the Jets should consider a player. That's how I feel about Moore. I think this team could survive with Dustin Keller and Leon Washington working in the slot, but adding a budding excellent receiver should be a consideration. He could make the team that much better. If the price is right, I wouldn't object.
I vote pursue.
How do you vote?
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i like torry holt as our slot receiver. sure he’s old and lost some speed but he has reliable hands and he’s a great smart route runner. he was cut so we don’t have to worry about the final 8 rule and since he’s unrestricted we don’t have to give up a pick. i never like pursuing restricted free agents because of the draft pick. sure lance moore is a better option but holt wouldn’t be so much of a difference where we should give up the draft pick also.
I agree.
I wouldn’t mind Holt and his perfect route running/hands playing the slot for us either.
"Relax, all right? Don't try to strike everybody out. Strikeouts are boring; besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls. It's more democratic."
- CRASH DAVIS
I wouldn’t send a 2nd for Lance Moore, if we are giving up a second for a slot receiver, I’m just drafting Shipley with it.
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Why, Shipley is a slot WR at best, Lance Moore has already proven that he is capable of doing the job
2 years ago with almost 1000 yards receiving. Besides, I thought you have said on more then one occasion you would be shocked if Shipley was available when we have our second round selection. If you are just going to take a slot WR in the second round pick anyway, why not just give up the pick for an established slot WR, who is only 26.
I’m just playing devils advocate here. I would be okay with Moore or Shipley.
"Relax, all right? Don't try to strike everybody out. Strikeouts are boring; besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls. It's more democratic."
- CRASH DAVIS
I don’t think he will be available, but a lot of other people seem to think he will, so going with the majority on the will he/wont he right now. I think Shipley has more upside, forget about this whole slot receiver =second best nonsense. Welker is only a slot receiver, but I don’t think many Patriot fans are complaining about him not splitting out wide. Coming off an injury plagued season where he went for around 150 yards, because I think Shipley will be better than Moore, why wouldn’t I go with him. Moore had one good season in 4 years, that’s great for him and maybe he does become something special, but I have so much confidence in Shipley, I’m still taking him over Moore.
Writer/Assistant editor
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Did you have this argument last year?
The Jets were contemplating giving up a second round pick for Miles Austin. Look at how he turned out. I agree that Lance Moore is a proven commodity, so then if you have to pay more for a proven guy then I would do it. I would be pleased if the Jets went out and got Moore but not for a ridiculous contract.
by chrebetsthebet on Feb 20, 2010 3:20 PM EST up reply actions
I was against Austin because he had done absolutely nothing as a pro. Moore on the other hand has produced when given the opportunity.
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Also, Welker is a different beast. He is one of the best slot WR's in the history of the NFL
You can’t just expect any slot guy to do that. For the most part, the slot guy is the 3rd WR who usually is second or third best, Welker is a different beast. Besides maybe him and Steve Smith, it’d be hard to find many good teams with a slot guy who can arguably be the most dangerous WR they have. If Shipley turns into Welker, I would be thrilled. I just think it is a lot to ask for a guy to be as good as the best slot WR in the game and one of the best we have ever seen. Besides, when did I actually say anything about a slot WR being second best(in the last post)?
"Relax, all right? Don't try to strike everybody out. Strikeouts are boring; besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls. It's more democratic."
- CRASH DAVIS
I agree with you on most things but... What???
Chrebet was pretty darn effective. If I knew we were getting Chrebet reincarnate at 29, i’d take it. I’d take that in a heartbeat. And i think Shipley can be better than Chrebet actually. Maybe not as good as Welker but thats still a lot of value.
A good slot guy does a lot for the passing game. Takes pressure off of everybody else. Safeties have to be aware, LBs have to be aware. A good slot guy gives the Wide-outs a little more room to operate, as well as the backs, and vice-versa. Theyre not easy to find. And when you find one that you think can be good, its nothing to sniff at.
Yes, very good slot guys are hard to find.
That’s my point. Wayne Chrebets and Wes Welkers are the exceptions, not the rule. Most slot guys don’t have anywhere close to the impact Welker and Chrebet had. That’s what I’m saying. Lance Moore already has basically a 1000 yard receiving season under his belt in the NFL. Shipley doesn’t. I like Shipley a lot, more then Tate, I have liked Shipley for a while, I’m just saying, expecting him to be Wayne Chrebet or Wes Welker is putting a ton on this kid. Those are two of the better slot WR’s we have seen. Most of the time teams have a guy play the slot not because it is a strength of his, but because he is simply the third best WR they have. There aren’t a ton of guys willing to do what Welker and Chrebet do/did, assuming Shipley is Welker isn’t fair.
"Relax, all right? Don't try to strike everybody out. Strikeouts are boring; besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls. It's more democratic."
- CRASH DAVIS
I'm just saying it is risky.
A good slot receiver is an enormous weapon, but if you miss and they aren’t what you thought they were, then they become a dime a dozen as a mediocre slot guy and you just wasted a 2nd rounder for nothing. If Shipley is what we hope he is, he would be a great addition to our offense.
"Relax, all right? Don't try to strike everybody out. Strikeouts are boring; besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls. It's more democratic."
- CRASH DAVIS
I look at it as Moore had one great season in 2 years.
You are going to count starting on the practice squad working up from it, and then coming within a sneeze of 1000 yards against him? He didn’t get to get on the field until 2 years ago. Once he got in the field, he produced. So it is hard to say he didn’t do anything in his first two years. Yeah, he got hurt this year, but shit happens. I think I would probably give up the pick for Moore, rather then hope Shipley doesn’t get snatched up before we get to pick. If Shipley was guaranteed to be there, it would be different. Moore basically put up 1000 yards as a rookie, and is a prototypical slot guy. I’d be happy with either.
"Relax, all right? Don't try to strike everybody out. Strikeouts are boring; besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls. It's more democratic."
- CRASH DAVIS
That was supposed to be in response to David.
My reply button is on the fritz here.
"Relax, all right? Don't try to strike everybody out. Strikeouts are boring; besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls. It's more democratic."
- CRASH DAVIS
I’m not holding it against him, I’m just saying that one good season whether that is in two years or four years, however you want to see it, doesn’t = a sure thing. If he had had 3 seasons where he stayed healthy and sniffed 1,000 then it would be a no brainer, but just because he did it one year doesn’t mean he can do it again, and just saying that if I’m taking a risk, I will take a guy who I think will be better than Moore. I remember a guy like Quincy Morgan, had a good year in 2002 and everyone was hyping him, saying that he had ‘made it’, I think he was out of football by 2006. Good for Moore that he had a good year and has started well, but all I’m saying is I’m taking the better route runner, and the better hands (which I think Shipley has) over a guy coming off a 7 game, 150 yard season. I don’t think that is too illogical
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I think it is arguable at best
to call Shipley a better route runner then Moore. Drew Brees compared Lance Moore to Marvin Harrison.
@crackback, I would think Moore’s production would increase on almost any other team. He is a part of a 5 or 6 headed monster in NO with Colston (top 10 in the NFL), Robert Meachem, Devery Henderson, Jeremy Shockey, even David Thomas and Reggie Bush. Moore produced when Colston got hurt and Moore was the number one option most of the year. While NO’s pass offense was great two years ago, it wasn’t as good as it wasn’t as equal opportunity as it was this year because Colston and Shockey were both hurt. Again, I’d take Shipley or Moore, but Moore is good, he has an injury risk, but that’s about it. He would be a great slot receiver for us.
"Relax, all right? Don't try to strike everybody out. Strikeouts are boring; besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls. It's more democratic."
- CRASH DAVIS
***
it wasn’t as good as
"Relax, all right? Don't try to strike everybody out. Strikeouts are boring; besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls. It's more democratic."
- CRASH DAVIS
Hey DW
Is Utah WR David Reed on your list of scouting reports? He is someone who we can get later on that is being projected to be a # 3 receiver in the NFL. I really think Ryan and Tannenbaum are gonna go defense in the early rounds.
by chrebetsthebet on Feb 21, 2010 5:56 AM EST up reply actions
He is on my list, I have him down as a 5th-6th round prospect right now, usually not too big of a fan of receivers coming outof spread offences because of the lack of pro style route running, but Reed has shown a lot of good qualities that make you think he probably could be pretty adept at these routes if given the chance to run them. Will get to him, I’m in the middle of one right now, and have someone else i mind for the one after that, but will get to him with the one after that.
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by David_Wyatt on Feb 21, 2010 10:38 AM EST up reply actions
Alright cool! Keep up the good work!
by chrebetsthebet on Feb 21, 2010 10:46 AM EST up reply actions
No
We have more glaring needs than a hands or slot receiver to be giving away 2nd round picks this year. ESPECIALLY in this years draft.
Like what?
"Relax, all right? Don't try to strike everybody out. Strikeouts are boring; besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls. It's more democratic."
- CRASH DAVIS
I'm pretty sure there isn't even one
glaring need. We can use a CB or a pass rusher, but obviously with the best defense in the NFL last year, neither is a glaring need. We can also use a WR. Those are the 3 biggest “needs”. A slot WR is actually probably the biggest hole that the Jets have. They don’t need one, but they also don’t “need” anything else.
"Relax, all right? Don't try to strike everybody out. Strikeouts are boring; besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls. It's more democratic."
- CRASH DAVIS
For a big D team
The Jets have some decent holes or questions. Maybe you expect the D to stay number one status in a year without a cap where we’re one of the few that are facing restrictions because of our timing in being successful. I don’t unless they Either reinforce the secondary behind Revis or add more teeth to the pass rush.
Even if Sanchez is throwing more I’d rather have my big defense team build their defense to face a year of uncapped teams. A decent hands or slot receiver can go for pretty cheap these days. Whether released or traded or off a later draft pick.
The bottom line is that I don’t think Lance Moore is worth a second round pick in this years draft.
Way off track here...
Tate, Shipley, now this guy? Why are we talking about wasting picks on a #3 receiver? Edwards, Cotch and sometimes the Clown aren’t enough to get it done? How about putting the finishing touches on a defense that could be great? Maybe getting a impact pass rusher so we don’t have to blitz 2 or 3 on passing downs, or a ballhawking safety that hits like a truck, or finding the missing component this defense needs to finish games and finish passing attacks led by Brady and Manning. Incidentally, we have a slot guy. His name’s Dustin Keller. And he wasn’t drafted to be a blocker. Of course there’s also Leon Washington who’s great in space and can work out of the slot, which is a much more sensible place to use him instead of running between the tackles into 300+ lb’ers. How about Woodhead?… Not only is it inconceivable IMO to waste a 2nd rounder on a 3rd wideout, the WR position barely makes the list of needs for the team this offseason. After pass rusher, secondary help, and depth on the lines maybe.
Word on Street
Marshall for a second…
Or Anquan…
I would love Brandon Marshall (15) in a Jet uniform!
Let’s bring him to where he can talk.
…NFL Trade Rumors…
I think the Broncos would at least wait
to see if they got a 1st and 3rd for Marshall which is what it’d could to wrestle him away from restricted free agency.
We’d have to throw in at least a player.
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