Other Teams Should Start Looking at Lance Moore

by Dave Cariello on Mar 5, 2009 6:00 AM CST

Now that they've got Jonathan Vilma and Jon Stinchcomb locked up and made their mark in the early free agency frenzy by signing Jabari Greer, the Saints are close to entering the second wave of free agency. And so are many, if not all, of the other NFL teams. This means the unrestricted players who couldn't land the big bucks will start accepting more modest offers. It also means it's time for teams to start taking a look at restricted free agents.

Would Lance really leave us? (Photo Source)

While we've all been pre-occupied thinking about who is the hottest cornerback on the free agent market that the Saints can grab, we may have overlooked the fact that we've actually got a pretty hot commodity ourselves; Lance Moore. And while he is restricted, he is by no means unattainable. Moore was tendered a one-year, $1.545 million dollar offer. If Lance accepts a deal with another team then the Saints receive a second round draft pick as compensation. However, the Saints have the option to match whatever offer he receives.

And offers he should receive. Following a breakout year, Moore has been mentioned a number of times as a very desirable wideout this off-season. USA Today had him listed as one of this off-season's biggest free agent prizes while Michael Lombardi of the National Football Post thinks he would be well worth the second round pick. Lombardi is right. You know it and I know it.

Unfortunately, I think a lot of teams in the league might know it too. In an off-season when second round picks can buy a lot, Moore appears to be a steal. Don't forget also that the Saints don't have a second round pick in the draft. Or a third for that matter. To make matters worse, the Saints should be getting pretty darn close to that salary cap right about now. If Moore receives a decent sized offer it might be really difficult to match it and make the numbers work. All of a sudden this is looking like a real possibility.

So what team might actually try and take our beloved Lance away from us? New England would be a team that could very well show a lot of interest in Moore. He is often compared to Wes Welker - both are quality posession receivers and similar in size - so we know Lance could fit in Belichick's system. The Pats also have a top-flight quarterback who would be able get the most out of Lance and maximize his potential. And, oh yeah, they have three second round picks so they could afford to lose one. Just a thought.

I don't know. Maybe no teams will think Moore is worth it. Or Maybe the Saints have financially prepared for a rainy day should he get a nice offer. But we might want to prepare ourselves should some stuff start hittin' the fan. Things could get ugly.

Poll

You worried about Moore leaving?

I ain't scurred.

176 votes

I am now!

198 votes

Lil' bit.

202 votes

Who the hell is this Lance Moore guy you keep talking about?

19 votes

595 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

If New England was to sign Moore, which pick do we get?

by Hustl504 on Mar 5, 2009 8:01 AM CST reply actions

Second rounder

That goes for any team signing him. It’s determined by the level of the tender we made to Moore.

Oh when the Saints...Start kicking ass...You don't want to be in that number...

by MtnExile on Mar 5, 2009 8:58 AM CST up reply actions

NE's pick?

No, I think the question is which of the 2nd rounders do we get— it’d be nice to get the one New England got from KC in the Cassel trade (34th overall, I think?), but I guess that’s wishful thinking.

And I’ve always been a big fan of Lance Moore, even before his amazing performance in Colston’s absence this past season. However, given the Saints’ depth at WR coupled with the fact that we’ve got a guy named Drew Brees under center, I think the 2nd round compensation for Moore is completely reasonable. I’m not sure if many teams will be interested in his services, but if he does get away from us, I don’t think it really hurts us that much.

by jful on Mar 5, 2009 9:35 AM CST reply actions

I disagree

Everytime Saints offence would start to get shaky last seson, Brees always went to Moore because he trusted him a lot. Hopefully, Colston will be back on top of his game but I’m sure Drew would be much more confortable having Lance has a stand by solution.

SB minus just a D above average.

by FrenchFreak on Mar 5, 2009 9:44 AM CST up reply actions

Okay, Imagine you're Lance Moore

You get an offer from another team in need of receiver help—let’s say, the Chicago Bears want a possession receiver to go along with Devin Hester. They offer you a four-year, $10 million contract, which means you’ll get on average a million a year over the Saints’ $1.545 million tender. Here’s your dilemma:

Do you go to another team, learn another system, play with guys you don’t know and don’t have the same confidence level in, for a sure million extra a year—except that it’s not really sure…

OR, do you stay with a team that has a great quarterback, a dynamic offense in which you thrive, and a legitimate shot at a title, and give up that extra million in the hopes that another good season will earn you a long-term contract with even more money?

Oh when the Saints...Start kicking ass...You don't want to be in that number...

by MtnExile on Mar 5, 2009 10:22 AM CST reply actions

I see your point

But two things:

1) Moore’s probably got an agent in his ear talking all about how he’s got to get paid now because he could go down tomorrow, he needs financial security long-term, Saints already signed Devery, we’ve got Meach and Arrington to come back, the coach is looking for a run game, all to get his cut of any fresh deal Lance signs, and

2) “Legitimate shot at a title”???!!! People’s court is called to rule on over-optimism being noticed in the MtnExile region! You watch your mouth til we’re at least through week 13 man, that’s not cautious optimism right there…

by MarcusR on Mar 5, 2009 10:49 AM CST up reply actions

Cautious optimism? We don't need no steenking cautious optimism!

Seriously: having the NFL’s best offense two out of the last three years makes a team a legitimate threat to take it all. That’s not optimism—it’s realism, and it’s precisely why the Saints’ failure is so galling.

That said, there’s probably only a half-dozen teams in the NFL who couldn’t make out somehow that they’ve got a legitimate shot—mostly by anally raping the concept of “legitimate.” The Saints don’t need to compare themselves to any other team and say, “If they could do it, why not us?” They’re proven on the field that they are an unstoppable force; now, they just have to go out and become an immovable object as well. (No pressure.)

Oh when the Saints...Start kicking ass...You don't want to be in that number...

by MtnExile on Mar 5, 2009 12:15 PM CST up reply actions

I'm Ok with the way things go either way

I love the way Moore plays and I think that it’d be great if we could keep him however I think there are a couple of things to really consider….

Since Payton got to New Orleans that #2 receiver spot has been a revolving door and I really think we have the talent at wide out to do fine there regardless. Think about it. We’ve had Colston, Horn, Patten, and now Moore step in to that role and be successful. I have to think with a roster full of receivers we’ll be alright either way. This time last year if you would have told me that we would have cut Patten because Moore had become the leading receiver on the team, I’d have thought you were smoking co co puffs.. but that’s definitely he case now….

The 2nd round pick could be very helpful. Consider that our 2nd round pick last year became a defensive starter…
I’m not by any means saying I want to see Moore go, but if that does happen I don’t think we’re really in a worse position than if we’d kept him.

I COULD LET THESE DREAM KILLERS KILL MY SELF ESTEEM OR USE MY ARROGANCE AS A STEAM TO POWER MY DREAMS!

by NewOrleans2Florida on Mar 5, 2009 11:27 AM CST reply actions

moore vs 2nd round pick

both have huge upsides.

Brees trusts Moore. He has hands of glue. If Brees closes his eyes andt hrows the ball where he thinks Moore will be … its caught, by Moore. Noone on the team is as trusted to come down with the ball as much.

A 2nd round pick. Does this get us our kickass S?

Trust vs possible defensive hopes.
I really wish we could have both but if we cant… I say take a long hard look at the value of the 58th pick along with our 14th and determine if its worth taking away Brees safety net.

by MT_always on Mar 5, 2009 1:19 PM CST reply actions

Here's a short look at pick #58

I looked through some mock draft 2nd rounds to see who others think might be available. Lot of safeties to be taken in the second round, but most of the good ones are gone by #58. Maybe Rashad Johnson or William Moore will still be available.

One mock has CB Alphonso Smith still available—I doubt it, but I’d jump on that one with both feet. And here’s another intriguing possibility: Rashad Jennings, Liberty. 6-1. 232, maybe the power back Payton craves. Center Eric Wood, linebacker Gerald McRath, tight end Chase Coffman, defensive tackle Fili Moala…a lot of possibilities, but picking that low in the round a lot of the best defensive backs are already gone.

Maybe Detroit needs a great possession receiver to clean up around Calvin Johnson. That way, we get #33. Yeah, I like that scenario better.

Oh when the Saints...Start kicking ass...You don't want to be in that number...

by MtnExile on Mar 5, 2009 2:08 PM CST up reply actions

either or

lance is a great #2 no doubt about it but our defense is a few pieces away and in desperate need of some depth. i love lance but a 2nd rounder would mean more for this season. someone also mentioned we have #9, moore is replaceable with brees at the helm, WE NEED D. i’m fine either way

by sernycrusher on Mar 5, 2009 5:12 PM CST reply actions