Wants to play for a Super Bowl contender
Herman Moore would like to be a Steeler PITTSBURGH – The 6 foot 4, 218-pounder watching practice from the sidelines Tuesday cast more than a physical presence over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“I’d say every single guy here knows what Herman Moore did in his prime,” said center Jeff Hartings, a former teammate of Moore’s with the Detroit Lions.
Moore, the all-time leading receiver with the Lions, visited with the Steelers Tuesday and hopes to be offered a contract within the next week. He was given a physical and worked out for coach Bill Cowher.
“I think, in this offense, he’d be a great third-down guy,” Hartings said. “He’s got the best hands I’ve ever seen on a receiver.”
Moore caught 670 passes in 11 seasons with the Lions. He gained 9,174 yards receiving and scored 62 touchdowns. The 123 catches he made in 1995 are an NFL single-season record. But Moore isn’t looking for a starting position. He isn’t looking for money, either.
“I’m looking for a championship at this point,” said Moore, who was released June 3 by the Lions and is hoping to catch on with a Super Bowl contender.
Moore, 32, has missed 22 games over the last three seasons with an assortment of injuries, but pronounced himself fit Tuesday, saying he hopes to spend at least two more years in the NFL.
“I went out there today and welcomed them to do anything they wanted to me,” he said. “That should, in itself, say where I feel health-wise.”
Moore said that torn MCL and LCL ligaments in 1999 season are the only serious injuries he’s suffered in his career. Moore missed half of the 1999 season and caught only 16 passes. In four seasons prior to 1999, he had caught 415 passes.
In 2000, Moore separated his shoulder and missed only one game, but last season a hip injury forced the Lions to put Moore on injured reserve for the final 13 games. It was a decision with which Moore didn’t agree.
“I wouldn’t have been out more than a few days after going on IR,” he said.
“And I never received treatment for that injury. It was more or less a call by the organization that the team decided to make. They have the right to do that, so I don’t fault them for that.”
Moore was released by the Lions last week to ease the burden on their salary cap.
He had four years remaining on a $16 million contract, but he’ already financially set. Moore owns 15 Cinnabon stores, two Breadreaux Pizza franchises, a Mailboxes Etc. store and has plans to launch his own coffee and bakery shop called Ah! Moore.
“Obviously, I’m not here because I’m chasing money,” he said.
“I understand what my financial position’s going to be here or with any other team. There’s only one thing that’s left that I don’t have. I’ve had plenty of Pro Bowls and I’ve had receiving titles, but I’ve never had a championship.”
Moore believes that championship could come with the Steelers.
“Pittsburgh is a team I’ve talked to my wife quite a bit about,” he said. “One, I like the colors. I think the colors are really nice. But again, they’re a championship team. I think they’re there. I don’t think they’re flawed. Indianapolis is another team I would have interest in. Whether they have interest in me is another question. But I had a great rapport with (offensive coordinator) Tom Moore in Detroit. We were a high-powered offense and he still runs that same system out in Indy. Right now, those are really the only two teams I’ve given any thought to.”
The Steelers are set at wide receiver in terms of starters, but Moore could provide depth to a corps that is expected to include two rookies.
But Moore, like Steelers backup Troy Edwards, isn’t fond of playing the slot position, a spot of emphasis by the team this off-season due to the departure of Bobby Shaw.
“That was just never my gig,” Moore said. “I’m more of an outside guy. That’s where I feel that I do the most damage.”
The Steelers also have a visit scheduled today with former Atlanta Falcons receiver Terance Mathis, who, at 5-10, is more suited for the slot. If the Steelers sign either player, it could mean the end for Edwards.
Said Edwards: “Right now I’m not a starter and I think my cap number’s $1.3 (million). Why not bring somebody in and cut me? But if I’m good enough to keep, keep me here. That’s all. Just keep the best players.”
The Steelers would only save Edwards’ base salary of $525,000. If Moore signs with the Steelers, he’s expected to earn the league minimum for 10-year veterans, which is $750,000 per year.
Because of a new league rule, the Steelers would only be charged $450,000 against the cap.
“I think Coach Cowher would like to get it wrapped up by the end of the week or the first part of next week,” said Moore.
“For me, it would be great to know whether or not there’s interest.”