BRADY HENDERSON

Newcomer Damontre Moore gives Seahawks’ defensive line a boost

Nov 9, 2016, 2:13 PM

Damontre Moore, signed last week, made two tackles for loss while playing 37 defensive snaps vs. Bu...

Damontre Moore, signed last week, made two tackles for loss while playing 37 defensive snaps vs. Buffalo. (AP)

(AP)

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said last week that newcomer Damontre Moore would factor heavily into Seattle’s defensive-line rotation now that it would be missing Michael Bennett for several games following knee surgery.

Moore did indeed see significant time Monday night against Buffalo in his first game with Seattle, playing 37 of the Seahawks’ 86 defensive snaps (43 percent and fifth-most among the defensive-line group) plus four more on special teams. He also produced, recording three tackles, including two for loss in the fourth quarter to help Seattle’s defense keep the Bills off the scoreboard on their final two possessions.

“I can’t wait to see the film,” Carroll said afterward. “We were really excited about Damontre in practice this week. I don’t know how he was sitting out there, but I thought he looked pretty active and looked pretty good.  That’s just a stupendous job by (general manager John Schneider) to figure that out and find that guy for us, because he helped us tonight.”

The Seahawks signed Moore last week and released Malliciah Goodman, a defensive end they had brought in a week earlier with Bennett injured. Moore was actually lined up inside on both of his tackles for loss Monday night. Each time, he slipped by Buffalo’s backup center, Ryan Groy, who came into the game when starter Eric Wood went down. Moore dropped LeSean McCoy for a 2-yard loss to force a Bills punt on their second-to-last possession then did it again – this time a yard behind the line of scrimmage – early in their final drive.

“It felt good just to be out there and playing the game that I love again,” he said afterward. “There’s no better feeling than that.”

Moore, 24, hadn’t played since he was released by Oakland in August. A third-round pick by the Giants in 2013, he was released by the team last December following a fight with a teammate, which was reportedly the final straw in a series of issues unrelated to his production. Moore landed with Miami after his release by the Giants then signed with Oakland over the offseason for what turned out to be a brief stint.

Before the Seahawks brought him in, he said, he had been training in Miami then went home to Dallas to be with his family. His mother had surgery to remove her gallbladder, which kept her out of work for almost two weeks. Moore helped out by driving his two younger sisters – one a high-school senior and the other an eighth grader – to and from school. He said he wanted to spend time with them and also his siblings on his dad’s side.

“I haven’t been home in God knows how long, whatever the case may be, but it was like, how can I take advantage of my time?” he said. “And I know that’s one thing that’s a big thing for me is being family-oriented, so I was like, it ain’t no point in me being by myself. Let me go down here, help my family, just be around them, especially through this time.”

Moore said he had a workout with the Seahawks over the summer and that they told him afterward that he’d be at the top of their list should a need arise. A couple months later, it did.

“Good things come to those who wait,” Moore said.

Here are more notes on the Seahawks’ snap counts from their win over Buffalo.

• It was another long night for Seattle’s defense, which played 86 snaps on the heels of playing 76 the week before at New Orleans and 95 the week before that at Arizona. To put that in perspective, Seattle’s defense was on the field for an average of 62 snaps from the start of last season up until the Arizona game in Week 7.

• C.J. Prosise played 26 snaps on offense to Christine Michael’s 18 in what could be a sign of a shifting workload balance in Seattle’s backfield until Thomas Rawls returns. Rawls will miss Sunday night’s game against New England but is practicing this week for the first time since cracking a bone in his fibula in Week 2.

Snap-counts-BUF-620

Brady Henderson

Rees Odhiambo, a 2016 third-round pick, will compete with Matt Tobin to start at left tackle. (AP)...

Brady Henderson

Tom Cable: Rees Odhiambo, Matt Tobin are Seahawks’ preferred LT options

Tom Cable brought a bit of clarity to the Seahawks' plans at left tackle in the wake of George Fant's season-ending knee injury, saying Tuesday that Rees Odhiambo and newcomer Matt Tobin are the top two options.

7 years ago

Left tackle George Fant suffered an injury in the first half of Friday's preseason game. (AP)...

Brady Henderson

Seahawks injury updates: George Fant set for surgery, K.J. Wright returns

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Monday that left tackle George Fant is expected to be back by next season from the knee injury that will sideline him in 2017.

7 years ago

Matt Tobin, 27, started 21 games over seasons with the Eagles. (AP)...

Brady Henderson

Seahawks acquire OL Matt Tobin in trade with Eagles

The Seahawks have acquired offensive tackle Matt Tobin in a trade with the Eagles, making another move to shore up their offensive line after losing left tackle George Fant for the season.

7 years ago

Luke Joeckel played left tackle for his first three NFL seasons. (AP)...

Brady Henderson

Luke Joeckel? Rees Odhiambo? A look at the Seahawks’ LT options with George Fant out for the season

The Seahawks need a new plan at left tackle with George Fant out for the season. Moving Luke Joeckel there is one option, writes Brady Henderson.

7 years ago

Michael Bennett on Justin Britt standing by his side during the national anthem Friday night: “I ...

Brady Henderson

Justin Britt stands by Michael Bennett during national anthem: ‘A very emotional moment’

Seahawks center Justin Britt showed his support for teammate Michael Bennett Friday night, standing by him as Bennett remained seated during the national anthem.

7 years ago

Left tackle George Fant suffered an injury in the first half of Friday's preseason game. (AP)...

Brady Henderson

Seahawks’ George Fant needs ACL surgery, likely out for season

The Seahawks' offensive line was dealt a massive blow with left tackle George Fant suffering a knee injury Friday night that will likely keep him out all season.

7 years ago

Newcomer Damontre Moore gives Seahawks’ defensive line a boost