For those who think this was a wasted move:
Dec 29, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Lance Moore (16) catches a pass in front of Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Leonard Johnson (29) before scoring a touchdown in the first quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
Really? A wasted move? The Steelers let Emmanuel Sanders walk – rightfully so. No need to overpay there and many in Steeler Nation felt that was a pretty good move. The Steelers lost Jerricho Cotchery pretty much to the geographical location of the Carolinas and NOT the money. The Steelers were left with Antonio Brown and two other receivers with less than 10 catches in 2013. They didn’t panic, the looked at the FA field. Was the expectation that the team would pick up two WR’s in the draft? Laughable if you did. They will get one and then focus on defense, RB, and maybe even QB. Maybe they can pick one up in the latter rounds, but there’s no way you can expect BOTH to contribute in the same ways that Sanders and Cotchery did.
They didn’t overpay Moore and got a great deal on him because of his injuries from last season. If Moore is fully recovered, I believe he will be a great addition to this team. There’s a good chance that he’ll be a better #3 than Cotchery and could fill in as a #2 receiver it Markus Wheaton or the rookie(s) aren’t ready. Moore is far from washed up – which is subtext from some of the reactions I’ve seen about Moore’s signing.
I tend to not view things with black & gold tinted glasses. I try to be optimistic but be a realist about things. The team filled a need being down two receivers. It hurt losing Cotch, and he will be missed, but there is promise with Moore.