The Detroit Lions made a veteran addition to their receiving corps on Tuesday by bringing on free agent Lance Moore on a one-year deal. The move was initially announced by Tim Twentyman of the team’s official website.
The #Lions have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with veteran WR Lance Moore. http://t.co/eM5Ygrixx8
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) May 12, 2015
Moore is entering his 11th season in the NFL. His first nine years were spent with the New Orleans Saints, where he totaled 346 catches on 518 targets, for 4,281 yards and 38 scores. Though he appeared in 101 career games for the Saints, the slot receiver had just 30 starts. Upon his release in 2014, Moore was signed to a two-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he was also expected to work the middle of the field.
Unfortunately for Moore, the Steelers had little use for him, with running back Le’Veon Bell, tight end Heath Miller and receivers Antonio Brown and Markus Wheaton all getting the majority of the team’s slot targets. He had 14 catches on 26 targets in 2014, for 198 yards and two scores, while playing just 264 of the Steelers’ offensive snaps, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). The Steelers released him in March, though it was something he had requested from the team in February.
Moore isn’t guaranteed to suit up for the Lions in 2015. The team already has two starting receivers entrenched in their jobs—Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate. Moore will have to compete with Jeremy Ross, Corey Fuller, Ryan Broyles and T.J. Jones not only for playing time this year, but also for a roster spot.
At 31 years old—and 32 in August—Moore seems like a long-shot to beat out the likes of Ross and Fuller, who played 723 and 416 snaps, respectively, last year (subscription required). At least Moore does have the advantage of having worked with Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi. Lombardi was an offensive assistant for the Saints from 2007 until 2009 and was the team’s quarterbacks coach from 2009 until 2013. His familiarity with Lombardi’s offensive scheme could be the one thing that helps him get a leg up over his younger competition.
Photo: USA Today Sports