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Seahawks' RB Devin Moore tries to quiet critics who question his size
By Danny O'Neil
Seattle Times staff reporter
TED S. WARREN / AP
Undrafted rookie running back Devin Moore of Wyoming is a longshot to make the Seahawks' 53-man roster, but he has been prematurely counted out before.
RENTON — One small question has always dogged running back Devin Moore.
A little nagging doubt: his size.
People didn't think he was big enough to play tailback when he first enrolled in high school. Ditto when he left for college at Wyoming, and now, as he's trying to measure up to NFL specs, his size is again being scrutinized.
He is 5 feet 9, weighs 191 pounds, which leaves him running uphill and against the odds, an undrafted rookie chasing after a spot on Seattle's 53-man regular-season roster.
"One thing I don't do is count numbers," Moore said.
Not on the depth chart, not on the roster. Moore is attempting to beat the odds and make the Seahawks' 53-man roster for the regular season.
Starters like Matt Hasselbeck and Julius Jones use August to prepare for the regular season. For a player like Moore, this is a chance that can make a career, and just about every year one undrafted free agent plays his way into a job.
Linebacker David Hawthorne did it a year ago, safety C.J. Wallace did it in 2007 and fullback Leonard Weaver beat out fifth-round draft pick Tony Jackson to become a Seahawk in 2005.
For Moore to play his way onto that list, he's going to have to outrun questions that he's too small to play tailback. It's OK. He's heard that as far back as when he was a freshman in high school back in Indianapolis.
"The coach didn't think I was big enough or strong enough to take on the physical play at running back," Moore said.
Injuries to the quarterback and the running back got Moore into the backfield.
"I took it the house," Moore said.
No more questions about his size until it came time for college, and Wyoming was the only Division I college offering him a scholarship to play tailback. He ended up setting the school career rushing record with 2,963 yards, but wasn't invited to the NFL scouting combine in February in his hometown of Indianapolis. He staged a private workout for teams that week, but still went undrafted despite being fast enough to run 40 yards in 4.3 seconds.
He signed with the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent, and now he's in a race to prove he's worth keeping three running backs on the active roster behind Julius Jones, T.J. Duckett and second-year back Justin Forsett, who's developing faster than Seattle anticipated.
Seattle usually keeps three running backs on its 53-man roster, but coach Jim Mora began training camp by telling his players not to count the players in front of them on the depth chart.
"Don't count numbers," Mora said. "Don't worry about where you are on the depth chart. Just take advantage of every opportunity that you're given."
Is Moore quick enough to play in the NFL?
"Quick enough, are you kidding me?" running backs coach Kasey Dunn asked. "Yeah, he can run."
Now, he must stand up to defenders in pass-rush drills, serving as more than just a speed bump for blitzers. During Monday's practice he showed marked improvement in one-on-one matchups against safeties and linebackers.
"He's getting better and better in protections," Dunn said, "and I've been excited with how he's kind of grasped the NFL game. We still have some work to do, there's no question about that, but he's certainly getting better and I think he's got a chance."
That's all Moore has ever needed, a chance.
Copyright © The Seattle Times Company
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The kid's attitude alone should earn him a roster spot. He's talented and works harder than anyone on the field. Put him on the practice... Posted on August 11, 2009 at 7:48 AM by Seattle Native. Jump to comment
I hope coach Mora finds a place for this guy.He shattered the rushing record at his division 1 school. He is ultra quick and he has serious desire.... Posted on August 11, 2009 at 12:28 AM by Its only sports!. Jump to comment
lots of physcially small players have made it big...cant measure a mans heart, look at mjd, bryant westbrook, santana moss, dexter jackson...the... Posted on August 11, 2009 at 8:43 AM by thebaldguy. J
By Danny O'Neil
Seattle Times staff reporter
TED S. WARREN / AP
Undrafted rookie running back Devin Moore of Wyoming is a longshot to make the Seahawks' 53-man roster, but he has been prematurely counted out before.
RENTON — One small question has always dogged running back Devin Moore.
A little nagging doubt: his size.
People didn't think he was big enough to play tailback when he first enrolled in high school. Ditto when he left for college at Wyoming, and now, as he's trying to measure up to NFL specs, his size is again being scrutinized.
He is 5 feet 9, weighs 191 pounds, which leaves him running uphill and against the odds, an undrafted rookie chasing after a spot on Seattle's 53-man regular-season roster.
"One thing I don't do is count numbers," Moore said.
Not on the depth chart, not on the roster. Moore is attempting to beat the odds and make the Seahawks' 53-man roster for the regular season.
Starters like Matt Hasselbeck and Julius Jones use August to prepare for the regular season. For a player like Moore, this is a chance that can make a career, and just about every year one undrafted free agent plays his way into a job.
Linebacker David Hawthorne did it a year ago, safety C.J. Wallace did it in 2007 and fullback Leonard Weaver beat out fifth-round draft pick Tony Jackson to become a Seahawk in 2005.
For Moore to play his way onto that list, he's going to have to outrun questions that he's too small to play tailback. It's OK. He's heard that as far back as when he was a freshman in high school back in Indianapolis.
"The coach didn't think I was big enough or strong enough to take on the physical play at running back," Moore said.
Injuries to the quarterback and the running back got Moore into the backfield.
"I took it the house," Moore said.
No more questions about his size until it came time for college, and Wyoming was the only Division I college offering him a scholarship to play tailback. He ended up setting the school career rushing record with 2,963 yards, but wasn't invited to the NFL scouting combine in February in his hometown of Indianapolis. He staged a private workout for teams that week, but still went undrafted despite being fast enough to run 40 yards in 4.3 seconds.
He signed with the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent, and now he's in a race to prove he's worth keeping three running backs on the active roster behind Julius Jones, T.J. Duckett and second-year back Justin Forsett, who's developing faster than Seattle anticipated.
Seattle usually keeps three running backs on its 53-man roster, but coach Jim Mora began training camp by telling his players not to count the players in front of them on the depth chart.
"Don't count numbers," Mora said. "Don't worry about where you are on the depth chart. Just take advantage of every opportunity that you're given."
Is Moore quick enough to play in the NFL?
"Quick enough, are you kidding me?" running backs coach Kasey Dunn asked. "Yeah, he can run."
Now, he must stand up to defenders in pass-rush drills, serving as more than just a speed bump for blitzers. During Monday's practice he showed marked improvement in one-on-one matchups against safeties and linebackers.
"He's getting better and better in protections," Dunn said, "and I've been excited with how he's kind of grasped the NFL game. We still have some work to do, there's no question about that, but he's certainly getting better and I think he's got a chance."
That's all Moore has ever needed, a chance.
Copyright © The Seattle Times Company
More Seahawks headlines...
E-mail article Print view Share
Comments (3) Hide comments / Show comments
The kid's attitude alone should earn him a roster spot. He's talented and works harder than anyone on the field. Put him on the practice... Posted on August 11, 2009 at 7:48 AM by Seattle Native. Jump to comment
I hope coach Mora finds a place for this guy.He shattered the rushing record at his division 1 school. He is ultra quick and he has serious desire.... Posted on August 11, 2009 at 12:28 AM by Its only sports!. Jump to comment
lots of physcially small players have made it big...cant measure a mans heart, look at mjd, bryant westbrook, santana moss, dexter jackson...the... Posted on August 11, 2009 at 8:43 AM by thebaldguy. J
