Wow. What can I say about this kid but wow. When the Raiders drafted him I really didn’t know much about him. I just assumed that this was going to be another Al Davis track-star draft pick. Another guy who can run fast in a straight line. Holy shit was I wrong. Jacoby Ford was a great surprise with his explosive playmaking ability and ultra-sure hands in clutch situations last season. This kid has blown him out of the water. The consistent ability that Moore has to beat defenders and come up with the ball is astounding. He is not big nor is he tall at 6’0″, 195 lbs. but he plays like a guy who’s 6’5″, 240 lbs. His fearlessness on the deep routes and over the middle is quickly earning him the number one spot on this team as well as becoming Carson Palmer‘s favorite target. With weapons like Moore and Ford at the wide out position our vertical passing game could be getting ready to explode and take off to heights we haven’t seen since Rich Gannon was at the helm. The only thing that bothers me about this current receiving corps configuration is the addition of T.J. Houshmandzadeh at the slot. I’m certain this was meant to be Palmer’s security blanket, given the history between the two, but I really believe that using Heyward-Bey in the slot would pose such a speed threat to opposing secondaries that it would give defensive coordinators fits. Depth chart issues aside, this is the kid to watch on this team. Palmer has only been throwing for us for a couple weeks and he’s already exhibited unconditional trust in this young man to make plays. I can’t wait to see how this relationship develops.
Oakland Raiders Musings 