Making the leap: denarius moore

[Meninblack]

Denarius Moore does it all for Oakland Raiders

As we count down the days to training camp, Around the League will examine one player from every team set for a breakout campaign in 2012. Next up: The Oakland Raiders

Making the Leap: Denarius Moore

The Oakland Raiders' selected their best receiving prospect since Tim Brown in the fifth round of last year's draft. The team takes a mid-to-late round flier on a speedster almost every year, and the strategy seems to have finally paid off with Denarius Moore.

Moore didn't play like a rookie. He showed more of the attributes that make a pro receiver successful in one year than Darrius Heyward-Bey has in four seasons. The numbers were great (618 receiving yards, six touchdowns in 13 games), but his skill set is better.

Saying Moore is the best wideout pick for Oakland since Brown really is damning with faint praise. The next best option : Jerry Porter. Moore can have a much better career.

Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. believes Moore will be the best receiver in the AFC West within three years. It's not that crazy of a notion.

Moore's acrobatic catches are eye-opening. He has the speed to bust out four catches over 45 yards; the versatility to play in the slot; and the open-field moves to return punts.

I went back to watch three games on NFL Game Rewind from Moore (how's that for a plug?) and was impressed by more than the highlights:

1. Moore's speed forces defenses to play off him. He has the fluid route-running ability to take advantage over the middle and especially on out routes. It's not just about the deep ball.

2. But Moore's closing speed is special. On his 78-yard catch against the San Diego Chargers , Moore was about three yards in front of Quentin Jammer . He passed Jammer and caught the ball in stride when it came back to Earth. That same speed caught Kansas City Chiefs safety Reshard Langford flat-footed. He underestimated how quickly Moore could get past him.

3. On one end-around, Moore made the entire San Diego Chargers defense swing and miss. He turned an eight-yard loss into a four-yard gain. He has great after-the-catch ability.

4. Moore can make the tough catches with quality cornerbacks like Brandon Flowers draped all over him. That's what will separate Moore this season.

He has the big-play ability to hurt you on any play, but again, it's not just about the long ball.

By Gregg Rosenthal Published: June 29, 2012 at 5:37 PM

[DaHero75]

Reading this makes me want to rewatch a couple games from last year... Sd n kc mainly...lol

[LINQ]

I'm really looking forward to seeing him play with some experience under his belt.

Sky's the limit for this kid.

[Jimi18]

Kids going to make some highlights this year...
Carson will have Moore. T Ds to

[regret]

Raiders.com has become a pretty decent resource lately:

Denarius Moore 26-yard catch

Week 3 Anatomy: Denarius Moore's Game Breaking TD Run

Moore 78-yard catch (Palmer's noodle arm on display here, Clappy will be pleased)

Moore's great grab

Moore 61-yard TD catch (jeez, can we get a quarterback with an arm? this guy has no velocity!)

Moore 6-yard TD

Moore 42-yard catch


Talk about great hands on the kid. It's no wonder he's getting some attention from the media.

[B. anthracis]

...jeez, can we get a quarterback with an arm? this guy has no velocity!...

There are still people saying that? It's even surprising that Claps says it because we all have an irritating tendency to believe the things we see.

[lukede112]

(Palmer's noodle arm on display here, Clappy will be pleased)
(jeez, can we get a quarterback with an arm? this guy has no velocity!)

Chad Pennington shows better velocity on his throws LOL god I cant believe people still doubt palmers arm strength.

As for Denarius I think him and Criner are going to cause fits for defenses with these high/low reads of knapps offense.

[cheapshotartist]

Moore didn't play like a rookie. He showed more of the attributes that make a pro receiver successful in one year than Darrius Heyward-Bey has in four seasons. The numbers were great (618 receiving yards, six touchdowns in 13 games), but his skill set is better.

Not hating on DHB but you don't use your first round pick on a project. DHB has improved every year so If Moore keeps improving the sky is the limit.

[ppleschamp030]

I love all of this moore love. however, i think some people will be in for a surprise when DHB will be the leading WR this year. IMO. I mean there has got to be a reason when we played denver, moore and ford started champ bailey was looking for DHB. also when we played the jets revis coved DHB instead of moore. Moore had just come off a huge game and DHB had not broken out yet. Moore will still beast tho.

[Naphtali]

A lot depends on Greg Knapp

[SYG4567]

Word. Which is why I got his jersey last year as an early Christmas gift from the gf. The kid has the potential to be something GREAT. Not just solid, or good, but he could be great. Goooooo Smoooooth!