Your New Bucs Lockdown Corner
November 15th, 2015
Cornerback Sterling Moore talks to Joe about Dez Bryant. (Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
You want a lockdown cornerback with swagger? The Bucs ran off Darrelle Revis, but never fear, Sterling Moore is here — and turning in standout performances.
Moore even was bummed out that Dez Bryant didn’t have more juice to him this afternoon.
Moore, an offseason free agent pickup from Dallas, finally got his shot to start at cornerback last week against the Giants. He opened that game with an interception on the first pass by Eli Manning.
Today, Moore shut down Dez Bryant. The spreadsheet crowd won’t see “pass defensed” stats in the box score, but Moore had a blanket on Bryant through most of the afternoon, especially in the end zone.
Moore carved out time to talk to Joe — man-to-cornerback — after the game.
“It’s definitely fun to go against [Dez Bryant], a guy I’ve gone against the past three years [in practice], arguably a top-3 receiver in this league. And we had a battle,” Moore said. “You know, of course, I wish he was a full 100 percent with his [injured] foot because that’s what makes the game fun. But it was definitely a tough matchup. I new they were going to try to get him his catches. I just had to play him smart, and I think I did.”
Moore added there was no chatter or smack talk between him and Bryant, just “a couple of eye stares at each other.” Moore attributed that to respect for each other’s games.
Before today’s game, Bucs general manager Jason Licht raved about Moore’s intelligence on the Buccaneers Radio Network and expressed extreme confidence that Moore would handle Bryant.
It’s going to be damn interesting if Moore closes the season strong. He’s an unrestricted free agent earning less than $1 million this season.
Joe will have more from the new Bucs’ No. 1 cornerback tomorrow.
November 15th, 2015 at 6:40 pm
I’ve thought he should be on the field from week 1. I still like Banks, but having Jennings or Jenkins in their with Moore on the bench was a joke.
November 15th, 2015 at 6:43 pm
Moore and Barimah are playing well, let’s see if they can keep it going. I feel good about these two, and Verner at the nickel position is playing well. Verner’s intelligence fits well that position, he plays the run well and can blitz the quarterback. Go Bucs!
November 15th, 2015 at 6:47 pm
i really think Moore has the ability to become a shut down corner. Wasn’t he the one picking JW and MG off in practice quite often and gloating about it during the off season. I could be off here?
November 15th, 2015 at 6:54 pm
Banks should move to safety.
November 15th, 2015 at 7:01 pm
Man the CB changes have made a big difference. And this kid right here is shining. Keep it up youngster.
November 15th, 2015 at 7:29 pm
Nothing to talk about here. The man did the job he was bragging he wanted to do upon being brought here, and PERFORMED WITHOUT A DOUBT AT TODAY. No reason why he shouldn’t be locked up as a Buc for the next 3 or 4 years before this season ends.
November 15th, 2015 at 7:36 pm
I’m about to buy me a Sterling Moore jersey!!! GET IT PLAY BOY!!!
November 16th, 2015 at 1:18 am
Imagine a DE and a pasting now ….
Next year, division title.