Sterling Moore’s Artistic Essay
February 10th, 2016
Bucs cornerback Sterling Moore played salesman yesterday
Bucs cornerback (for now) Sterling Moore is quite an artist. The man is painting a picture for Jason Licht and the other 31 NFL general managers.
Moore will be an unrestricted free agent in 28 short days if he doesn’t re-sign with Tampa Bay first.
For some reason, Moore was buried in Lovie Smith’s doghouse before emerging in midseason. Moore got a surprise start and proceeded to clamp down quite well on Giants superstar wide receiver Odell Beckham, then it was Dez Bryant the next week, followed by Julio Jones a few games later. Those Bucs fans still stung by the mind-numbing cutting of Darrelle Revis finally stopped weeping.
It sure seemed like Tampa Bay had found a solid outside cornerback, a versatile 25-year-old who once was a playoff star for the Belicheats.
Moore, though, was benched by Lovie in the season finale in favor of a final cheek-to-cheek tango with Lovie and his favorite bromance partner, Mike Jenkins. (And people still wonder why Lovie got fired?)
Joe brings this up because Moore took to Twitter yesterday and shared a pictorial essay of himself locking down, Beckham, Bryant and Jones, via individual Tweets. The photos were draped by the words “Back …” followed by “To Back …” and “To Back … No Chasers,” respectively.
Joe is all for Moore making a public case for himself. He’s a viable cornerback, one who will be employed somewhere next season.
February 10th, 2016 at 11:07 am
Please bring him back Licht, there’s enough holes to fill as it is without letting him go.
February 10th, 2016 at 11:11 am
He would become a pro-bowler under the new DB coach Maxie.
February 10th, 2016 at 11:14 am
I’ve posted before that I believe several Buc players should get a second look under a Mike Smith microscope. Lovie tried to fit players into his system. Mike Smith seems more inclined to let them play to their strengths. Moore feels like one of those guys you let go and he winds up in a Super Bowl a few years later like more than a few of our former DB’s.
February 10th, 2016 at 11:19 am
He had some bright spots for sure.
Worth keeping for depth.
Verner and Conte may need to break out their inner artists.
Would dig if Banks got a fair shake this season too
February 10th, 2016 at 11:39 am
Sign him and keep verner we have three good corners just neef depth
February 10th, 2016 at 11:42 am
Hey look it’s NosBos! Still waiting on it?
February 10th, 2016 at 11:44 am
I can see him and banks starting and verner at nickel.
February 10th, 2016 at 11:45 am
Of course it depends on a FA DB and/or draft pick
February 10th, 2016 at 11:49 am
Agree with most everybody on this.
The talent is clearly there. As a backhanded bonus after last season I’m convinced Conte, Moore, Banks, Verner will all have something to prove too. It had to be a freaking dreadful season. Maybe even worse than being forced to watch Rosie O’Donnell eat a pizza.
Also it’s important that Licht, Koetter and Smith have been reaching out and letting valued players know they are a big part of the team. It’s what class organizations do.
February 10th, 2016 at 11:52 am
Moore, Martin and Hawley all need to be resigned asap. Moore and Banks are the two best corners on the roster. Im sure Mike Smith is smart enough to realize as much.
February 10th, 2016 at 11:56 am
Koetter and Licht both knew all to well what a shambles the secondary coaching was. The bigger issue is if these guys have the team first, unit first mentality. They all need to spit out the bad taste and move forward.
I’m expecting a greater focus on safety than CB.
February 10th, 2016 at 11:57 am
Largo- agreed on all points. Hawley was the biggest surprise pickup of 2015. Pretty good bet he sticks since Koetter brought him in.
February 10th, 2016 at 12:29 pm
@ biff
i couldn’t agree more. there is talent at CB, they just weren’t coached up or placed in a position to succeed. safety is more of a glaring need. Conte and Tandy are good for depth and special teams….but i don’t think they should be starting. Wright is completely useless, and McDougald hasn’t really shown a whole lot. Swearinger would have been nice to have around, but alas, the outdated scheme got him run as well. but safety upgrades are an absolute must this offseason.
February 10th, 2016 at 1:09 pm
They should bring this kid back, as they need all the help they can get in the secondary.
I am optimistic that the talent isn’t lacking as much as it looked like under Sackless Lovie & Sons.
No guarantee that the draft or FA will save the day, so you might as well bring back Moore as he showed he can play.
February 10th, 2016 at 1:58 pm
I’d rather see Moore comeback next season than Verner at his current salary.
February 10th, 2016 at 2:35 pm
I was impressed by this guy last year. I don’t see why they wouldn’t bring him back next year to compete.
February 10th, 2016 at 3:10 pm
This will be a fun off-season. I have a feeling we’re going to see some sparks!
February 10th, 2016 at 3:10 pm
DallasBuc Says:
February 10th, 2016 at 11:42 am
“Hey look it’s NosBos! Still waiting on it?”
Ha!
That was a nice no comment you got back.
February 10th, 2016 at 3:11 pm
Joe – Why do you think he’ll be in another city next year? Do yo think Verner and Banks are that much of a lead pipe lock?
February 10th, 2016 at 3:44 pm
Moore doesn’t have to sell me near as much as Verner does. The manner in which L Smith handled his secondary and their coaches was a primary reason that he was let go. The whole Jenkins saga was amazing. I believe the Bucs were on the cusp of parting with Moore, Verner and Banks. That was what really scared the Glazers.
February 10th, 2016 at 3:49 pm
Joe Hawley is already under contract next season. Licht signed him on a two year deal. He gets a nice bump next season in pay too.
February 10th, 2016 at 5:59 pm
Its Nos-Bos!!!! I feel like i just saw Bigfoot!!!!!
February 10th, 2016 at 8:14 pm
At tnew….exactly. the glaziers and I think more so jason liqht could see not only keeping livie meant the defense would not improve, but to lose three MORE valuable players after all of the free giveaways over the years, they HAD to make the change. I could not be happier the way this team is now headed. To me it feels nice having Licht running things. My gut tells me this guy is going to get it right….Koetter too!!!
February 11th, 2016 at 1:31 am
Im fine with keeping the 3 cbs we currently have. Banks verner and moore. But i dont think Moore is thinking about sticking around. Although lovie is thankfully gone. He might still have a bad taste in his mouth when it comes to re-signing. If we do lose oit on moore, we should look to the draft for his replacement. A second rounder with a little length to him.