Seattle Seahawks: TE Evan Moore Will Add New Dynamic to Seahawks' Passing Attack

By Kris Knox
Senior Writer

Like every other NFL team facing roster cuts on Friday, the Cleveland Browns were faced with many difficult decisions.

However, none were likely more difficult than the decision to release fourth-year tight end Evan Moore.

Originally signed as an undrafted free agent out of Stanford by the Green Bay Packers in 2008, Moore spent the past three seasons as one of Cleveland’s more exciting and intriguing prospects. In three seasons with the Browns, Moore hauled in 62 passes for 804 yards and five touchdowns.

The Browns signed Moore to a two-year extension in 2011, but with tight ends Benjamin Watson, Jordan Cameron and Alex Smith locking up roster spots, decided to move in a different direction for 2012.

Cleveland’s loss appears to be Seattle’s gain, as the Seahawks moved quickly to sign Moore on Saturday, the same day the team parted ways with tight end Kellen Winslow.

While many would argue that Moore was underutilized in Cleveland, this likely will not be the case in Seattle.

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll has laid the groundwork for what is shaping up to be an explosive passing attack spearheaded by rookie quarterback Russell Wilson. With several dynamic weapons–including wideouts Braylon Edwards, Golden Tate, Sydney Rice and Doug Baldwin and tight end Zach Miller–filling out the receiving corps, Seattle appears poised to challenge for an NFC West division title in 2012.

Moore could be the piece that puts the Seahawks offense over the top.

The 6’6″, 250-pound tight end is an absolute matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. Moore can out-jump and out-muscle even the most talented of defensive backs. More impressively, the former collegiate wide receiver has the straight-line speed and soft hands needed to make him a legitimate down-field threat in the passing game, as evidenced by Moore’s 13 yards per catch career average.

While Moore may still struggle at times with his in-line blocking–perhaps one reason he participated in just 31 percent of Cleveland’s offensive snaps in 2011–he may be primarily utilized as a pass-catcher in Seattle’s West Coast Offense (WCO).

Moore already understands the basic concepts of the WCO, a system also used by Cleveland head coach Pat Shurmur. More importantly, he also possesses the versatility necessary to truly thrive in the system.

With Miller likely to serve in a more traditional tight end role, the Seahawks will have the freedom to move Moore around the field to take advantage of his unique skill-set. Moore appears just as comfortable playing on the outside and out of the slot as he does on the line, meaning he can also stay on the field in Seattle’s various sub-packages.

We predicted last month that if released by the Browns, Moore would not last long on the open market before finding a new home and Seattle appears to give him the perfect situation in which to finally realize his full potential.

In an era that has seen increasing prominence at the tight end position, Moore may not yet be a household name. However, that could very well change as the 2012 season progresses.

Follow Kris on Twitter: @Kris_Knox

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