Sterling Moore - Pro Football Rumors

Workout Notes: Saints, Titans, Giants

August 4th, 2018 at 12:51pm CST by Ben Levine

The Seahawks will be busy this weekend, as they’re reportedly hosting four different defenders on work outs. We learned earlier this morning that they’d be auditioning cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and he heard later that the Seahawks are also eyeing linebacker Lamarr Houston, linebacker Erik Walden, and defensive end Damontre Moore.

Naturally, Seattle won’t be the only team considering additions to their rosters. Below, we’ve compiled the latest workout notes from around the NFL…

With several of their tight ends battling injuries, the Saints will be bringing in a familiar face for a workout. Josh Katzenstein of The Times-Picayune reports (via Twitter) that veteran John Phillips is working out for the team today. The 31-year-old has spent parts of the past two seasons with the organization. While he only appeared in one game this past years, he appeared in eight games (four starts) back in 2016, hauling in five receptions for 32 yards. Known more for his blocking prowess, Phillips’ has 55 career receptions in eight NFL seasons. If Phillips does join the Saints, he’d still be hard pressed to establish a role on a crowded depth chart that includes Ben Watson, Josh Hill, Michael Hoomanawanui, and Garrett Griffin.
Former Panthers defensive tackle Drew Iddings will work out for the Titans today, reports Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter). The six-foot-six, 265-pound lineman has yet to appear in an NFL game. However, he’s managed to garner preseason and practice squad gigs since entering the league as an undrafted free agent out of South Dakota in 2016. The Titans could use some depth on the defensive line, as they’re currently only rostering three reserves in David King, Julius Warmsley, and Austin Johnson.
The Giants auditioned a number of cornerbacks yesterday, including Alterraun Verner, Zack Sanchez, and Leonard Johnson (the team ultimately signed Johnson). Ryan Dunleavy of NJ.com reports (via Twitter) that the team also hosted veteran Sterling Moore. The 28-year-old has managed to put together a seven-year career despite going undrafted out of Southern Methodist in 2011. The cornerback bounced on and off the Saints roster in 2017, compiling five tackles and two passes defended in six games. However, he was plenty productive with New Orleans in 2016, finishing with a career-high 56 tackles, 13 passes defended, and two interceptions.

Saints Sign CB Sterling Moore

December 21st, 2017 at 1:43pm CST by Zachary Links

Stop us if you’ve heard this one before. The Saints have re-signed cornerback Sterling Moore, a source tells Herbie Teope of The Times-Picayune (on Twitter).

Moore most recent stint with the team came to an end on December 14th, when the team claimed linebacker Jonathan Freeny off waivers. He now returns to the team prior to a pivotal game against the Falcons on Sunday.

Moore will provide depth to the secondary in the wake of Kenny Vaccaro‘s season-ending injuries. Vaccaro was dealing with a groin injury and a wrist injury, both of which will require surgery.

Without Vaccaro, second-round pick Marcus Williams and Rafael Bush will be asked to step up with Chris Banjo and Moore in support. Vonn Bell remains the starter at free safety.

If the Saints beat the Falcons on Sunday, they’ll secure their spot in the playoffs. They can also lock down the NFC South this weekend with a victory coupled with a Panthers loss.

Saints Claim LB Jonathan Freeny

December 14th, 2017 at 3:48pm CST by Zachary Links

The Saints have claimed linebacker Jonathan Freeny off of waivers from the Patriots, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. To make room, cornerback Sterling Moore has been released.

The Patriots released Freeny on Wednesday as part of a series of roster moves that included the signing of Kenny Britt and defensive lineman Ricky Jean-Francois. His 2017 return to New England lasted only one week. Freeny will provide the Saints with some depth in their injury-ravaged front seven. Recently, Alex Okafor became the latest addition to the reserve list, joining Nathan Stupar, Alex Anzalone, Mitchell Loewen, and Nick Fairley.

Moore was cut by the Saints in October but circled back to the team in November. All in all, he appeared in five games for New Orleans with five tackles, two passes defensed, and one forced fumble. If he clears waivers, he’ll be free to sign with any team on Friday.

Saints To Sign CB Sterling Moore

November 20th, 2017 at 4:35pm CST by Zachary Links

The Saints are signing cornerback Sterling Moore, according to a source who spoke with Herbie Teope of the Times-Picayune (on Twitter). Terms of the deal are not yet known, but it’s presumably a one-year pact for the prorated portion of the veteran’s minimum.

Moore began the year with the Saints but was let go in late October after being slowed by a pectoral injury. His two appearances in the fall marked his only action of the season.

The 27-year-old has bounced around the league since his 2011-12 stay with the Patriots. He mostly started for the Cowboys, Bucs, and Saints from 2014-2016, but he’s more of a role player at this stage of his career. He’s expected to provide depth for the Saints the rest of the way behind starting corners Marshon Lattimore and Ken Crawley and may see some time at safety as well.

Lions Work Out CB Sterling Moore

November 2nd, 2017 at 3:13pm CST by Sam Robinson

Sterling Moore‘s drawn interest from multiple teams this week despite being released by the Saints last week.

The veteran cornerback made a second visit during this work week on Thursday, trekking to Detroit to work out for the Lions, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

Moore spent time in Houston on Tuesday working out for the Texans. With the Lions, the seventh-year corner has some familiarity. GM Bob Quinn was with the Patriots when Moore began his career in New England six seasons ago.

Moore played in two games for the Saints this season after starting in 12 a year ago. The ex-UDFA has bounced around the league since his 2011-12 stay in New England but has been deployed as a starter by each of the three other teams with which he landed. He would likely be a depth addition for Detroit at this point, however.

A pectoral injury slowed Moore this season, but Pro Football Focus rated him as the Saints’ best corner in 2016.

Texans Working Out Sterling Moore

October 31st, 2017 at 12:51pm CST by Zachary Links

The Texans are working out defensive back Sterling Moore, according to Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). This marks Moore’s first audition since being released by New Orleans last week.

Houston is in serious need of help in the secondary, even after acquiring cornerback Jeremy Lane in Monday’s Duane Brown trade with the Seahawks. Moore can contribute at both cornerback and safety, making him an interesting potential addition to the group headlined by Johnathan Joseph and Kareem Jackson. After a rough outing on Sunday, it’s clear that Kevin Johnson needs more time to shake the rust off.

Pro Football Focus ranked Moore as the league’s No. 65 corner in 2016. In terms of traditional stats, he had 56 total tackles and two interceptions over 13 games (12 starts).

Saints Cut CB Sterling Moore

October 25th, 2017 at 11:08am CST by Zachary Links

The Saints are releasing cornerback Sterling Moore, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Moore, who has the ability to play other positions in the secondary, could quickly find work.

Moore re-signed with New Orleans this spring on a one-year, $900K pact. He was the Saints’ best cornerback in 2016, though that’s not saying much. Pro Football Focus placed Moore as the No. 65 CB league-wide last year. He finished out with 56 total tackles and two interceptions over 13 games (12 starts).

This year, Moore has been slowed by a pectoral injury. He was not ruled out for this weekend’s game against the Bears, however, so that’s a sign that he’s at least in the realm of healthy.

As a vested veteran, Moore will not be subject to waivers. He is immediately free to sign with any team of his choosing.

Extra Points: Browns, Saints, Packers, Eagles

September 20th, 2017 at 9:55pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Now playing in his contract season, Browns running back Isaiah Crowell indicated he thinks about a new deal “during the game, after the game, before the game, right now, all the time,” as Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com tweets. A restricted free agent, Crowell is earning $2.746MM after Cleveland tendered him at the second-round level. The Browns reportedly discussed an extension with the 24-year-old back during the summer, but no pact was ever signed. Thus far in 2017, Crowell is averaging just 2.6 yards per carry on 27 rushes.

Saints cornerback Sterling Moore suffered a pectoral injury against the Patriots on Sunday, a source tells Nick Underhill of the Adovcate, but it’s not a season-ending issue, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who adds Moore should miss “just a few weeks.” Moore, who re-signed with New Orelans this spring on a one-year, $900K pact, played 36 defensive snaps as the Saints’ nickel corner in Week 2. Perhaps with Moore’s injury in mind, the Saints worked out two cornerbacks on Tuesday and signed another — defensive back Bradley Sylve — to their practice squad.
Ahmad Brooks will have to post an excellent season in order to collect the entirety of his $1.5MM incentive-based pay attached to his one-year Packers contract, as Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports the veteran linebacker must reach 11 sacks to earn that total. However, Brooks can also bring in money for 6.5 sacks ($250K), 7.5 sacks ($500K), 8.5 sacks ($750K), 9.5 sacks ($1MM), or 10.5 sacks ($1.25MM). For what it’s worth, Brooks has never recorded an 11-sack season, and he managed only six quarterback takedowns a season ago.
Offensive lineman Jah Reid‘s one-year deal with the Texans is worth the veteran’s minimum of $775K, reports Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). While the contract doesn’t qualify as a minimum salary benefit deal, Houston will only owe Reid a 14-game prorated portion of the minimum salary (~$684K). Reid should be able to immediately help a ramshackle Texans offensive line that is missing stalwart left tackle Duane Brown and ranks dead last in adjusted sack rate.
The Eagles attempted to sign defensive back DeAndre Houston-Carson off the Bears‘ practice squad, but Chicago promoted Houston-Carson to its active roster instead, reports Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune (Twitter link). Houston-Carson, 24, appeared in eight games for the Bears a season ago, but rarely played on defense (just eight snaps). Instead, he spent most of his time on special teams, where he played on a quarter of Chicago’s snaps.

NFC South Notes: Njoku, Bucs, Saints, Te’o

March 22nd, 2017 at 6:18pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Buccaneers met with Miami tight end David Njoku earlier this week, per Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Njoku, who registered 43 receptions and eight touchdowns last season, is expected to be one of two first-round picks at tight end, joining Alabama’s O.J. Howard. The Giants, who sit at pick No. 23 (four spots behind Tampa Bay) are also said to be “very high” on Njoku.

Here’s more from the NFC South:

Prior to re-signing with the Saints, defensive back Sterling Moore came close to joining another — as yet unidentified — club, as he detailed to SiriusXM NFL Radio (Twitter link). A career journeyman prior to 2016, Moore started 12 games for New Orleans last season. As Moore explains, the Saints circled back to him with an offer after he’d been negotiating with another team, allowing him the return he’d always preferred. Moore, 27, earned $760K last year.
Tennessee running back Alvin Kamara is expected to meet with the Saints on Wednesday, tweets Sean Fazende of WVUE FOX 8. Kamara, who recently fired his agent, could sneak into Round 1 despite being viewed as a Day 2 prospect for most of last year. A committee back with the Volunteers, Kamara managed less than 1,300 yards rushing during two years in Tennessee, but also averaged more than six yards per carry during that time.
The second year of Buccaneers center Joe Hawley‘s two-year deal is an option year, Caplan tweets. As previously reported, the full two-year pact is worth $5.5MM with $1MM fully guaranteed. If Tampa Bay opts to pick up his 2018 option, Hawley will receive a $250K option bonus, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link).
Manti Te’o‘s two-year deal with the Saints is worth $5MM with $600K guaranteed, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Te’o can earn $500K annually in per-game roster bonuses, according to Rapoport, and can rake in another $1MM per year in incentives, tweets Wilson.

Saints To Re-Sign Sterling Moore

March 21st, 2017 at 3:11pm CST by Zachary Links

The Saints are re-signing cornerback Sterling Moore, according to Nick Underhill of The Advocate (on Twitter). We had Moore ranked as one of the ten best cornerbacks remaining on the open market.

After earning only $760K last season under the terms of a minimum salary benefit contract, Moore was expected to get a pay bump for 2017. The Saints have yet to go out-of-house to improve their secondary this offseason. Right now, Delvin Breaux and P.J. Williams are slated to start at the corner spots with Moore as one of their primary reserves. If the Saints can land restricted free agent Malcolm Butler, their secondary will be looking a whole lot stronger.

Moore, 27, joined the Saints last year after a one-year stint with the Bucs. He had 56 total tackles with two interceptions in his 13 games (12 starts). Moore graded as the Saints’ best corner, per Pro Football Focus, which placed Moore as the No. 65 CB league-wide.