Seahawks’ new Jermaine Kearse? David Moore has knack for big catches
Oct 6, 2020, 12:31 PM
David Moore's two TDs this season both gave the Seahawks the lead in the second half. (Getty)
(Getty)
When David Moore made a spectacular 17-yard touchdown catch that proved be the Seahawks’ game-winning score against Miami on Sunday, Seahawks Radio Network color commentator Dave Wyman couldn’t help but be reminded of someone who had been in the news earlier in the week.
Moore: Seahawks can get record 14 wins because who’s gonna stop ’em?
“He just is a big-play guy, and you know, this is the week we found out Jermaine Kearse has retired, one of the great Seahawks that I’ve always thought of as one of the most clutch players, made some of the biggest plays in Seahawk history. David Moore’s becoming that guy,” Wyman said to play-by-play man Steve Raible.
.@DMoeSwagg23 hauls in the 17-yard touchdown 🚀 from @DangeRussWilson to extend our lead!
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/FD3K1HrIWA
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 4, 2020
That comparison was all over 710 ESPN Seattle’s airwaves Monday, and for good reason. Moore didn’t just have that TD catch in the 31-23 win over Miami – he also had a 57-yard reception (the longest play of the game for either team) inside the last 20 seconds before halftime that set up a key touchdown.
When Wyman returned to the microphone Monday afternoon on Bob, Dave and Moore, co-host Bob Stelton admitted to previously thinking that the 2017 seventh-round pick out of little-known East Central (Oklahoma) University was just “a guy,” but Moore’s showing in four games so far this season has changed his thinking.
“He’s not the guy who’s getting nine catches, 105 yards and a touchdown every game, but when he does make a catch, at least through these four games, they’re big,” Stelton said.
“And big situations,” Wyman added.
That’s when Wyman brought up another amazing TD catch by Moore from this season – a 38-yarder where he used his exceptional strength and body control to keep himself inbounds in the end zone, giving Seattle a go-ahead score in the second half against New England in Week 2. Oh, and that was a lead the Seahawks wouldn’t give up the rest of the way in a 35-30 win.
Oh my goodness @DMoeSwagg23 gets his feet in!! 🙌
Q3: SEA 21, NE 17
📺: Watch live on NBC pic.twitter.com/cIhk65FlpT
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 21, 2020
With 10 receptions on 11 targets for 173 yards and two TDs, Moore’s play rightfully brings up an interesting question for Seattle. What happens if and when Phillip Dorsett (foot injury) or Josh Gordon (indefinite suspension) are back on the active roster?
“He’s averaging 17 yards a catch, and all the focus on (Tyler) Lockett and (DK) Metcalf – and rightfully so – but we always wondered who’s going to be the third receiver?” said Jim Moore, Wyman and Stelton’s other co-host. “Phillip Dorsett coming in from New England, is it going to be him, is it going to be Josh Gordon? … I hope they go 16 games without Josh Gordon if David Moore continues to play like this, and then just develop (rookie) Freddie Swain. Man, I think they have a good thing going with the receiving corps they have right now.”
Wyman doesn’t expect David Moore’s roster status to be in question at any point this season after what he’s done in the first four games.
“David Moore’s earned a spot on this team, I believe,” he said.
Moore has come a long way in his four years with the Seahawks, and honestly even since training camp. Because of the addition of Dorsett and possibility of Gordon returning to the team, he was on the bubble to make the 53-man roster out of camp. But much like Kearse, who joined Seattle as an undrafted free agent, worked his way up from the practice squad and made some of the biggest plays in the franchise’s postseason history, Moore is proving he belongs.
“He was kind of doubted (like Kearse),” Wyman said. “I’ll tell you what, if at the end of David Moore’s career we’re talking about him still in that regard, it’s gonna be high praise in my mind.”
You can hear the full conversation in the podcast from Monday’s Bob, Dave and Moore at this link or in the player below beginning around the 24:40 mark.
Follow 710 ESPN Seattle’s Bob, Dave and Moore on Twitter.
Moore’s Takeaways: Defense could play differently when Adams returns
