Lance Moore Trying To Catch On With Detroit Lions
SCOTT HELD, Associated Press
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Lance Moore's shoe flew off but it didn't stop him from catching a deep pass during practice with the Detroit Lions.
"A ball always takes precedence over a shoe," the 31-year-old receiver said afterward.
The grab was hard to forget and Moore is hoping the coaching staff walked away with the same impression. The 5-foot-9 receiver had to work for a chance to get into the league and will be battling for a spot here, given Detroit's depth.
It certainly helps that offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi spent several seasons in New Orleans, where Moore's career took off and included a Super Bowl ring.
"I've got a little bit of an advantage in that I've been in this offense for a long time," Moore said. "It's more reacting and less thinking."
Moore went undrafted in 2005 and signed with Cleveland before joining the Saints' practice squad. The following season saw stints in NFL Europe and with New Orleans, but he was waived, then signed back to the practice squad.
He had a breakout season in 2008, which ended with 79 catches for 928 yards, and posted a career-best 1,041 receiving yards in 2010. Injuries helped prompt his release after the 2013 season and he signed with Pittsburgh, where he had just 14 catches for 198 yards last year.
Moore signed a one-year contract with Detroit in May, two months after the Steelers released him.
The Lions already have Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate as their primary receivers but the competition for spots farther down the depth chart are wide open. Fourth-year pro Ryan Broyles, who's been dogged by injuries throughout his career, and kick returner Jeremy Ross also will be vying for reps.
For Moore, the formula for getting noticed - even in an optional offseason training session - hasn't changed.
"I've been blessed to be at the right place at the right time a few times," he said. "The thing that's kept me around for a while is the attitude of not quite making it yet. I'm going to be one of those guys that comes out each day and reminds coaches I'm here."
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, entering his second year with Lombardi, already has noticed.
"Some of the only stuff that's changed for him is just alignment. The rest of it - how he runs routes - is pretty interesting," Stafford said. "He's not the biggest guy in the world or the fastest guy in the world but he seems to get open with great separation."
Even with just one shoe.
Notes: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski, a suburban Detroit native, attended Wednesday's practice. The series comes to Michigan International Speedway next weekend.
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