Evan Moore! Moore! Moore!

John Flyte

Dec 26, 2009

Evan Moore! Moore! Moore!

A lot of hoopla and hurrahs went out to #89 Evan Moore, tight end for the Browns during the San Diego Chargers game on December 6th. A game that the Browns ultimately lost, but was there anything else to be found on the field?

When you are living at the bottom of a murky pond like the Cleveland Browns, any shiny penny is worth exploring. Evan Moore is that new penny.

Evan's so new, he doesn't have a Cleveland Browns head shot yet.

First, Evan is 24 years old. He will meet the quarter century mark in a couple of weeks when he celebrates his 25th birthday on January 3rd when the Browns play their last game of the season against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Coincidentally, this is a game that I will personally be at celebrating (hopefully) not just another Brown victory with Brady Quinn at the helm, but also the birthday of this site’s creator. In fact, this is my way of thanking her for the site’s creation with front row tickets to that game. I am sure we will have a great time. If we are not holding onto each other for warmth, we will be basking in the glow of the players as they huddle in front of us – such is the joy of front row seats. I’m an autograph hound, she’s a self-described paparazzo, and we will be screaming for the signature of Evan Moore.

Where is your helmet Evan?

Now, it is a matter of record (on the message boards) that I saw something in Evan Moore days before his removal from the Browns practice squad to the 53-man roster. It was when he showed up to help host the Kids Club Play 60 event at the stadium. This event helped promote the NFL’s “Play 60″every day campaign to help fight childhood obesity by getting kids active. I’m all for getting kids off their behinds and away from TV and video games, looks like Evan is too. He helped run the 4-legged race, but I bet he would have been just as good riding a bike.

Before the Browns found this lucky penny, he was with the Green Bay Packers where, not-so-lucky, he spent the entire 2008 season on injured reserve. Before that even, Evan was with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent. The Packers got rid of him (I believe they call it ‘waived’. :roll: ) this September and then Cleveland signed him to the practice squad November 9th with no fanfare. Actually, there was fanfare but it was for Marcus Benard who left the practice squad to the active roster. Evan too, would move from the practice squad to the active roster mere hours before the San Diego Charger’s match-up.

Now, I find it just incredible that this guy never played in an NFL game before and was, only 16 hours before, on the practice squad. All of this happened quickly in the first drive of the game. Evan caught Brady’s 10 yard pass three minutes into the first quarter. Two minutes after that, another pass caught, this one for 18 more yards. About a minute after that another pass caught for 9 more yards! I don’t know what was more amazing, Brady throwing the ball down field or somebody catching it? (Forgive me Brady.) In all, Evan was the team leader catching 6 passes for 80 yards. Fans were amazed, maybe not just for Moore, but for the Browns showing some life.I already like the guy a lot because he reminds me of Brady Quinn. If you haven’t seen his post game interview, you must. He is charismatic, funny, and humble, yet confident of his ability and role on the team. That role may very well be Brady’s number one receiver. Solomon Wilcots, commentator for the NFL on CBS, said, referring to Evan Moore, “I think Brady Quinn has found someone very special.” In fact Brady gave Evan a nod of approval (despite Moore being from Stanford)…

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“He’s done a great job. He’s someone people are going to have to look at on film from now on. He’s a weapon and he has shown that since he’s been here. He did a great job. He was from Green Bay before and my sister and brother-in-law knew him and they had great things to say about him. He’s a guy who is not afraid of hard work. He’s a smart guy, picks things up quick, extremely athletic. He’s a great asset to have.” Geez, and I thought I was too gushing.
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Be forewarned Evan, you will see these Brady Bunchers on your birthday. If Mr. Quinn gives you his seal of approval that’s good enough for us. I still have cupboards of EAS Myoplex sports drink just on Brady’s word alone. :oops: So,…