Cowboys Sign Moore - Then He Retires

[Genghis Khan]

Is there anything left out there that could upgrade RT? I honestly don't know.

And pretty much anything would upgrade RG for us.

Good question. I don't know either but I'd be looking at the best RTs I could get my hands on.

 

[NoDak]

That's the most concerning thing to me. I know these articles are focusing on Moore's positives, but (and I hate to go Spags here) why is Moore still out there in early August?

From what I've read, he was asking for too much money. Teams passed, waiting on him to come down on his asking price.

 

[Smitty]

Good...that means they are going to keep Frederick at C and are now trying to strengthen the interior around him. Nice that they wait until August to do something-- but you can do a lot worse than either Waters or Moore.

You could have done a lot better by being active in the FA period. But it's better than nothing.

 

[Smitty]

I welcome the move but the timing is strange to say the least. They make no move all offseason when the position looked bleakest. Now that Leary is looking pretty solid they want to bring a guy in.

Honestly if you assume Frederick is the center and Leary solidifies LG, I'd be much more concerned about RT than RG.

Neither RT or RG looks remotely passable based on last year's performances.

 

[Genghis Khan]

I might take a flyer on Winston Justice at this point.

 

[Smitty]

I might take a flyer on Winston Justice at this point.

Over Demetrius Bell, sure. When whats-his-name Coughmann and Darrion Weems are your backup tackles, it makes sense.

There is such a thing as retarding progress and a guy like Winston Justice would do it, if you had any decent developmental players around. Instead, we have AFL dropouts. Justice would be at least NFL-caliber.

 

[Cotton]

I might take a flyer on Winston Justice at this point.

I would, too, but it's stupid we would have to.

 

[Genghis Khan]

Neither RT or RG looks remotely passable based on last year's performances.

I'm not saying otherwise. But you can hide a bad guard a lot easier than a bad tackle, assuming all other line positions are adequately filled. I'd feel a lot better about a solid RT plus Bernadeau or Livings than I would feel about a solid RG plus Free.

I'm all for addressing both, I'm just talking about priorities.

 

[Cotton]

Clarence Hill ‏@clarencehilljr 18m
Jerry Jones on adding vet guard: I would hate to end up with a surplus of good guards. We wouldn't know how to play football around here.

_________________________

 

[Simpleton]

Nothing wrong with signing Moore, it could potentially solidify the position and would definitely provide healthy competition.

 

[Hawkeye19]

Nothing wrong with signing Moore, it could potentially solidify the position and would definitely provide healthy competition.

There is nothing healthy right now about the interior OL...

Livings is out for 3 more weeks, and who knows if he'll ever recover his stunningly mediocre play when he returns. Bernadeau sucks even when he is healthy, but he can't seem to find enough durability to even make it through one training camp since becoming a Cowboy-- and then you have Leary playing on borrowed time on his degenerating knees and finally that waste of roster space Arkin.

It would be comical if it weren't so tragic.

 

[P_T]

Actually, I think they were waiting to see exactly what happened with Fred in an actual game. They know now (or at least they should) that he should now and always be the starting center. Now they're just shoring up the positions on either side of him. Costa is going to be the backup C, Leary the starting LG, leaving the only ??? being the RG. With the injury history, IMO it's probably wise to bring in somebody(ies). Especially the way bodies are dropping around the league.

 

[Texas Ace]

http://espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/story/_/id/9546025/dallas-cowboys-agree-veteran-guard-brandon-moore-according-source

Source: Cowboys add Brandon Moore

OXNARD, Calif. -- The Dallas Cowboys agreed to terms on Tuesday night with veteran guard Brandon Moore, according to a source.

The team needs to clear a roster spot to make the move official. Owner and general manager Jerry Jones hinted at a deal for a veteran offensive lineman after Tuesday's practice but would not divulge a name.

Brian Waters' name has been linked to the Cowboys, but sources said there have not been meaningful discussions when his name came up last week.

Moore, 33, played for offensive coordinator Bill Callahan for four years with the New York Jets. He spent his first 11 seasons with the Jets, starting 142 of 144 games in his career and every game since 2005. Moore recently refuted a report that he would be retiring, telling ESPN New York that he was in shape and ready to go.

Nate Livings is expected to miss two to four weeks because of knee surgery last week, and Mackenzy Bernadeau returned to practice late last week after missing the first two-plus weeks with a hamstring injury.

Ronald Leary has worked with the first team in Livings' absence and has earned praise from the coaches. David Arkin started at right guard Sunday against Miami, but Bernadeau took all of the first-team snaps Tuesday.

The Moore signing would allow the Cowboys to keep rookie Travis Frederick almost exclusively at center. Frederick played some guard in the second half against the Dolphins, but the team wants to keep its first-round pick at center, if possible.

The Moore signing rekindles talk of last season's "Butt Fumble," a play in which New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez slid into Moore and saw the fumble returned for a New England touchdown.

 

[Simpleton]

Broaddus is completely full of shit saying Moore doesn't have anything left, I'm sure that was just him trying to be the team mouthpiece and defending their inaction up until this point.

I just watched their entire game against Houston last year and now I'm halfway through their game against the Chargers and Moore is rock solid. He got beat by Watt twice but what do you expect from the DPOY?

In general he seems to be a better pass protector than run blocker, he has a nice base and does a nice job forming a pocket, but he holds his own as a run blocker as well. I'd say he's about average as a run blocker and above average as a pass protector.

Either way he looks much better than our current options to me.

 

[Smitty]

http://espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/story/_/id/9546025/dallas-cowboys-agree-veteran-guard-brandon-moore-according-source

Source: Cowboys add Brandon Moore

OXNARD, Calif. -- The Dallas Cowboys agreed to terms on Tuesday night with veteran guard Brandon Moore, according to a source.

The team needs to clear a roster spot to make the move official. Owner and general manager Jerry Jones hinted at a deal for a veteran offensive lineman after Tuesday's practice but would not divulge a name.

Brian Waters' name has been linked to the Cowboys, but sources said there have not been meaningful discussions when his name came up last week.

Moore, 33, played for offensive coordinator Bill Callahan for four years with the New York Jets. He spent his first 11 seasons with the Jets, starting 142 of 144 games in his career and every game since 2005. Moore recently refuted a report that he would be retiring, telling ESPN New York that he was in shape and ready to go.

Nate Livings is expected to miss two to four weeks because of knee surgery last week, and Mackenzy Bernadeau returned to practice late last week after missing the first two-plus weeks with a hamstring injury.

Ronald Leary has worked with the first team in Livings' absence and has earned praise from the coaches. David Arkin started at right guard Sunday against Miami, but Bernadeau took all of the first-team snaps Tuesday.

The Moore signing would allow the Cowboys to keep rookie Travis Frederick almost exclusively at center. Frederick played some guard in the second half against the Dolphins, but the team wants to keep its first-round pick at center, if possible.

The Moore signing rekindles talk of last season's "Butt Fumble," a play in which New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez slid into Moore and saw the fumble returned for a New England touchdown.

Well that's good news.

A mod should edit the thread title to reflect the signing.

 

[Smitty]

I don't want to get too excited, but if Frederick continues to look as good as he did last night, if Leary can play solid all season, if Moore can play like he did in 2011-2012, if Free bounces back to non-terrible form, if Tyron Smith takes the next step... this could be a classically decent OL.

Which means this offense could be downright fantastic.

I just wish we had done the same with Clabo or Winston. I think I'm with Geng... get Winston Justice in here and give us some real competition out at RT.

I continue to be astounded that we did absolutely nothing along the OL in free agency, especially after our moves in 2012 completely flopped (and were the equivalent of doing nothing when we made them, as some people said at the time), but at least the team is realizing that it can't get by with Livings and Bernadeau playing like they are playing. Frankly, I'd cut Livings, like, today. You'd take a cap hit, but you'd also be clearing up money for next year cause you wouldn't be taking the cap hit when we cut him THEN. Bernadeau can stay for the time being, because he's cheaper and can back up any interior OL spot.

I have no idea why it took them over a year to run out of patience with those bums, but the realization is better late than never. Of course I don't expect it will lead to a revolution in the way the team treats the OL, but, hey, baby steps. Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick, Brandon Moore.... decent additions.

 

[Smitty]

LT Tyron Smith
LG Ronald Leary
C Travis Frederick
RG Brandon Moore
RT Doug Free
....
OT Jeremy Parnell
OG/C Mackenzie Bernadeau
OG/C Kevin Kowalski
OT Demetrius Bell (or OT Winston Justice if signed)
OL ________________

Costa, Cook, and Arkin would be playing for the last spot. Kowalski over Costa and Arkin because I don't think he's particularly worse and he has more versatility than any of them.

Cut Livings and the two losers of the above battle.

That's what I'd do. And I'd probably be leaning towards giving the spot to Arkin just to see if he figured it all out.

 

[Smitty]

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/02/16/ranking-the-2013-free-agents-offensive-guards-and-centers/

Ranking the 2013 Free Agents: Offensive Guards and Centers
Pro Football Focus
Steve Palazzolo | February 16, 2013 <------------

Every day this week we’ve been breaking down the top free agents at each position. It’s more than just looking at our grades, but factoring in longevity, age, injuries and so much more in order to tell you who we think are the best gets out there.

We’re not going to insult your intelligence though when it comes to guys unlikely to hit the open market because of restricted free agency, so don’t expect to see names like Victor Cruz or Brian De La Puente in these pieces. Instead we’re focusing on guys with a real shot at dipping their feet into the free agent pool and making your team better.

We’ve recently run down some of the other top offensive free agents (quarterbacks, running backs, fullbacks, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive tackles), and now we continue with interior linemen.

1. Brandon Moore

2012 Grade: +21.3
2012 Snaps: 1,087

Summary: Don’t let one of the league’s most infamous fumbles, which happened to involve Moore’s buttocks, distort your view. He was one of the best interior linemen in the league and part of a New York Jets offensive line that surprisingly ranked near the top of the league. His +21.3 grade ranked fourth among guards, and, as Moore mentioned to our own Sam Monson, his goal was to finish the season on a strong note — which he did with nine straight positive grades to top off 2012.

Success is nothing new for Moore who has now posted a positive grade every year since PFF’s inception in 2008. His +12.8 run blocking grade will be attractive to any team looking to move the ball on the ground, though he’s also more than capable in pass protection. He graded at +5.6 as a pass blocker with a Pass Blocking Efficiency (PBE) of 97.2 that ranked 18th among all guards. Moore’s all-around game has him as our top interior lineman heading into free agency.

2. Andy Levitre - to TEN: 6-year, $46.8m

2012 Grade: +17.3
2012 Snaps: 1,039

Summary: Heading into just his fifth season in the league, Levitre should be in line to become the highest paid interior lineman in this free agent class. He’s improved greatly since being drafted in the second round in 2009 and the Buffalo Bills will have a major hole to fill if they are unwilling to pay him.

He’s certainly benefitted from playing in Buffalo’s system that relies on quick, short passes, but Levitre was our top pass protector among guards grading at +15.7 with a league-best PBE of 98.5. If there’s a complaint, he can improve his -0.7 run blocking that ranked 39th at the position. However, his ability to prevent interior pressure will make him a hot commodity on the open market.

3. Geoff Schwartz - to KC: 1-year, $1.2m

2012 Grade: +5.8
2012 Snaps: 160

Summary: We called for Schwartz to receive more playing time all season as he was stuck in a one-sided platoon with guard Brandon Fusco. Schwartz played at least 10 snaps in eight different games, though 36 was his season high and he rarely saw the field for more than a short cameo. Fusco, on the other hand, started all 16 games while posting a -11.9 overall grade including a -13.6 in pass protection. Schwartz outplayed him in all facets — he surrendered only four pressures on his 84 pass blocks, while posting a +5.1 grade on his 75 snaps as a run blocker.

Schwartz will now have a chance to find full-time work as he heads to free agency. He has more than just this season’s small sample size to work off, as his last starting gig was in 2010 when he graded at +19.3 at both right guard and right tackle for the Carolina Panthers. It’s a safe bet that Schwartz will be on the field for more than 160 snaps in 2013.

4. Donald Thomas – to IND: 4-year, $14m

2012 Grade: +10.2
2012 Snaps: 616

Summary: Thomas has shown well when called upon in a backup role with the New England Patriots the past two years, and it may be enough to garner interest around the league. His last starting job was in 2009 when he graded at +5.3 as the Miami Dolphins’ right guard.

In 2012, Thomas showed his versatility by filling in at various times throughout the season. He got the nod at right guard in Week 2, posting a +1.6 grade before getting called upon to start at left guard five times in a six game stretch where he graded at +10.9. His ability to play on either side will only increase his value and he may be in line for a starting job somewhere in 2013.

5. Fernando Velasco - back to TEN: 1 year, $2m

2012 Grade: +12.9
2012 Snaps: 1,025

Summary: The highest rated center on this list, Velasco emerged as one of the best at the position in 2012. His +12.9 overall grade ranked 12th among all centers and his 98.3 PBE tied for seventh. If there’s a caveat to Velasco’s performance it’s the five-game stretch in the middle of the season where he graded at +15.6, including +12.7 as a run blocker. Though it was an impressive run, he was otherwise below-average and any team willing to invest in him long-term may be risking the addition of an inconsistent, streaky player. Regardless, Velasco is the best center on the market and his breakout season should make him a coveted option for center-needy teams.

6. Louis Vasquez - to DEN: 4-year, $23.5m

2012 Grade: +12.8
2012 Snaps: 1,056

Summary: Vasquez was the San Diego Chargers’ best offensive lineman last year and our No. 13 ranked guard. He’s a solid pass protector and he graded at +8.6 with a PBE of 97.1 that ranked 22nd at the position. Perhaps most impressive is his ability to avoid penalties. He’s committed only one in his four-year career, and it came in his rookie season back in 2009. If there’s a knock, it’s that he hasn’t graded positively as a run blocker in two years, but for a team looking for a dependable player who won’t make many mistakes and should be above average in pass protection, Vasquez fits the bill.

7. Kevin Boothe – back to NYG: 1 year, $0.8m

2012 Grade: +9.2
2012 Snaps: 1,027

Summary: Boothe bounced back nicely from sub-par 2010 and 2011 campaigns to grade as our No. 21 guard in 2012. He’s never been top notch in pass protection, as his -1.6 grade attests, but his improvement as a run blocker will make him attractive to some teams. His +5.3 run block grade ranked 18th out of 81 qualifiers at the position. Like Vasquez, Boothe has a penalty-free streak, though it’s less impressive as it dates back to 2010. If you’re willing to look past the leaky pass protection and a 95.7 PBE that ranked 42nd among guards, Boothe’s improvement in the running game and ability to keep the laundry off the field could make for an attractive commodity.

8. Todd McClure - RETIRED

2012 Grade: +6.7
2012 Snaps: 1,059

Summary: A fixture on the Falcons’ offensive line since 2000, it is difficult to envision McClure playing center for any other team in 2013. He’s missed only four games since 2001 and he continues to play at a high level, as his +6.7 overall grade attests. In 2012, he did his usual fine work in the running game, grading at +5.7, but his declining skills as a pass blocker must be noted. His -1.3 grade ranked 26th, while his 97.5 PBE came in at 18th among the top qualifying centers. The Falcons seem like the logical spot for McClure to re-sign, but they may look to 2012 rookie Peter Konz who played center in college and struggled during his time at guard in his first season.

9. Matt Slauson – to CHI: 1 year, $0.8m

2012 Grade: +2.5
2012 Snaps: 834

Summary: Drafted in the sixth round in 2009, Slauson is one of the Jets’ few recent picks to actually overachieve his draft position. He held his own on one of the league’s top pass blocking units, and graded at +5.1 as a pass blocker after surrendering only 14 pressures on his 436 pass block attempts. However, he comes in ninth on this list due to a sub-par year in the running game that saw him grade at -4.2 for the season. Still, he’s graded in the green in all three years as a starter and he represents a respectable option the Jets would love to keep in town as he continues his development.

10. Chad Rinehart - to SD: 1-year, $1.75m

2012 Grade: +3.4
2012 Snaps: 170

Summary: Rinehart was coming off a promising 2011 campaign that saw him start 12 games and grade at +16.1, but found himself back in a swing role behind Levitre and right guard Ketih Urbik coming into 2012. When Urbik went down in Week 3, Rinehart stepped right in with more stellar play before going down for the season with an ankle injury in Week 7. He gave up only two pressures on his 97 pass blocks, while also pulling a +1.3 run block grade during his limited time. Like Levitre, Rinehart’s pass blocking numbers were helped by the Bills’ system, but he’s shown enough in his five years in the league that a starting spot may be waiting for him in free agency this offseason.

 

[Smitty]

@RapSheet: Guess Brandon Moore slept fast. He has agreed to a 1-year deal with the #Cowboys, source says.

 

[Smitty]

Free agency primer: Ranking the top offensive linemen
By Chris Wesseling
Around the League Writer
Published: March 12, 2013 at 05:37 p.m.
Updated: March 18, 2013 at 06:25 a.m.

Around the League's positional free-agent previews are ranked according to the players we would want -- not the players who will make the most money. We've covered top pass rushers, interior linemen, running backs, wide receivers, safeties, cornerbacks, linebackers, tight ends and the top-85 players overall. Now our series continues with available offensive linemen. We listed each player with the team they played for in 2012. Here goes:

Impact tackles in their prime

1. Sebastian Vollmer, New England Patriots (T)
2. Jake Long, Miami Dolphins (LT) (UPDATE: Long agreed to a four-year contract with the St. Louis Rams on Sunday night, NFL.com's Albert Breer reported)
3. Phil Loadholt, Minnesota Vikings (RT) (UPDATE: Re-signed with the Vikings.)
4. Andre Smith, Cincinnati Bengals (RT)

Notes: While Long has been bashed for declining play the past two years, it's important to point out that he was battling injuries to his triceps, biceps, knee, back and shoulder. After receiving a a glowing endorsement by Dr. James Andrew this week, it's not unreasonable to believe Long can reclaim his status as one of the NFL's premier blindside protectors with his next team.

Though he's battled back issues since entering the league, Vollmer is one of the game's elite right tackles with the ability to play on the left side if necessary. He's a more complete player than Loadholt or Smith. ... One of the unsung heroes in Adrian Peterson's MVP season, Loadholt is a road-grading run blocker with improving pass protection skills entering his age-27 season. ... Smith is reportedly asking for $9 million per season, which will scare off teams that remember his early-career weight woes and injury concerns before picking up his play the past two years.

Elite guards and second-tier tackles

5. Andy Levitre, Buffalo Bills (G) (UPDATE: Agreed to terms with the Tennessee Titans)
6. Louis Vasquez, San Diego Chargers (G) (UPDATE: Agreed to terms with the Denver Broncos)
7. Jermon Bushrod, New Orleans Saints (LT) (UPDATE: Agreed to terms with the Chicago Bears)
8. Sam Baker, Atlanta Falcons (LT) (UPDTAE: Re-signed with the Falcons.)
9. Eric Winston, Kansas City Chiefs (RT)
10. Gosder Cherilus, Detroit Lions (RT) (UPDATE: Agreed to terms with the Indianapolis Colts)
11. Brandon Moore, New York Jets (G)
12. Willie Colon, Pittsburgh Steelers (UPDATE: Colon agreed to a contract with the New York Jets)(G)

Notes: A zone-blocking specialist, Winston is already drawing interest from the Eagles and Dolphins on the heels of his recent release by the Chiefs. Don't rule out a reunion with the Texans, as right tackle was a trouble spot in 2012. ... Cherlius is coming off a career year, but has reportedly undergone a second knee procedure entering his age-29 season. ... Although Moore is still playing at a high level, he may be reaching the year-to-year stage of his career at age 33.

Stop gaps

13. Bryant McKinnie, Baltimore Ravens (T)
14. Winston Justice, Indianapolis Colts (T)
15. Nate Garner, Miami Dolphins (G/T)
16. Donald Thomas, New England Patriots (G) (UPDATE: Agreed to terms with the Indianapolis Colts)
17. Matt Slauson, New York Jets (G)
18. Ramon Foster, Pittsburgh Steelers (G)
19. Max Starks, Pittsburgh Steelers (T)

Notes: McKinnie may have solidified the Ravens' offensive line during their Super Bowl run, but he remains a slightly below-average starter entering his age-34 season with a history of weight troubles. ... Justice is hardly a rock at right tackle, but he can stand in as a passable starter until a better option comes along. ... Garner is believed to be seeking a contract worth $3 million per year after proving capable of playing both guard and tackle. ... Thomas is expected to test the market after showing well as an injury replacement for Logan Mankins and Dan Connolly last season.

Slauson leaves a lot to be desired as a run blocker, but he won't get the quarterback killed. ... Heading toward a zone-blocking scheme, the Steelers are expected to move on from the hulking Foster, who has been similarly better in pass protection than pulling in the run game. ... Starks' play tailed off last season after returning from ACL surgery. As veteran insurance, could be of interest to former coordinator Bruce Arians, now running the show in Arizona.

Borderline starters

20. King Dunlap, Philadelphia Eagles (T) (UPDATE: Signed with the San Diego Chargers.)
21. Stephen Peterman, Detroit Lions (G)
22. Kevin Boothe, New York Giants (G/C)
23. Leroy Harris, Tennessee Titans (G)
24. Tyronne Green, San Diego Chargers (G)
25. Chad Rinehart, Buffalo Bills (G)
26. Jason Smith, New York Jets (T)
27. Eben Britton, Jacksonville Jaguars (G/T)
28. Barry Richardson, St. Louis Rams (T)
29. Demetress Bell, Philadelphia Eagles (T)
30. Geoff Schwartz, Minnesota Vikings (G)
31. Brad Meester, Jacksonville Jaguars (C)
32. Rob Turner, St. Louis Rams (G)
33. Khalif Barnes, Oakland Raiders (T/G)
34. Jammal Brown, Washington Redskins (T)
35. Lance Louis, Chicago Bears (G)
36. Jeff Otah, Carolina Panthers (T)

Notes: Dunlap and Reynolds have been incredibly inconsistent, but age is on their side. ... Peterman allowed too much interior pressure on Matthew Stafford in his age-30 season. ... Boothe offers versatility with experience at all three interior positions. ... Harris had a miserable time protecting Jake Locker after a solid 2011 season with Matt Hasselbeck under center. ... Rinehart and Lichtensteiger are best suited to zone-blocking schemes. ... Smith and Britton are reclamation projects as high draft picks who have struggled with injuries and poor performance. ... Richardson allowed more combined sacks and quarterback hits than any player on this list in 2012. ...

The Falcons are reportedly moving on from McClure, who had trouble in pass protection in his age-35 season. ... Before 2012, Bell's claim to fame was being Karl Malone's son. Now it's being a free-agent bust as Jason Peters' replacement in Philadelphia. ... Meester's play fell off the cliff at age 35 last season. ... Brown's career could be over at age 32 due to chronic hip issues. ... Louis is a subpar starter coming off a late-season ACL tear. ... There's been no news on Otah since last August when he was training at LeCharles Bentley's O-Line Academy in Cleveland, suggesting his comeback efforts have been aborted. Still just 26 years old, Otah's career has been derailed by knee and back injuries in addition to serious questions about his commitment to football.