Bills’ Free Agency Pickup: CB Sterling Moore

Buffalo Bills’ CB Sterling Moore is set to have an important role with the team’s defensive schemes.

The Buffalo Bills made it known before the offseason started that they were going to work hard at keeping their defense in tip-top shape for this upcoming season. Since then, they’ve done nothing but fulfill that goal and that can even be seen as an understatement.

After having one of the better secondaries in the league last season, although a number of players under-performed, the Bills lost two cornerbacks this offseason. Leodis McKelvin, who was the Bills’ 2008 first round draft pick, signed a two-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles and has since emerged as their top cornerback. The Bills also saw Ron Brooks sign a deal with the Eagles, this one a three-year deal.

Two cornerbacks down, the Bills knew they needed to add some depth to that position. Switching back to the 3-4 defense — along with their additions at linebacker and defensive line — will easily give the Bills one of the better defensive fronts in the league. However, that won’t do them any good if they can’t stop teams from passing the ball, especially deep down the field.

Rob Ryan Gets to Work

With that being said, the Bills went to work. Hoping to use their draft picks for defenders up front and depth to their offense, the Bills started looking for talent in free agency. First, they went after Corey White, a cornerback who spent his first three seasons with the New Orleans Saints after the team drafted him in 2012 in the fifth round. He played under Rob Ryan, the Bills’ new Assistant Head Coach, from 2013-2014 with the Saints before playing last season with the Dallas Cowboys. Entering his fifth season in the league, he adds some needed veteran presence to a young defensive back crew.

I played with Rob (Ryan) a couple of years ago in Dallas, so I kind of have experience in the defense and some of the calls. There’s obviously a carry over, so the similarities are coming back.

Just one day later, the Bills made another free agency signing. This time, they grabbed Sterling Moore, another veteran cornerback who brings a lot of experience to the Bills’ secondary. Entering his sixth season with his fifth NFL team, Moore will be the first one to tell you that it has been tough to find a home in the NFL. He is hoping all of that changes in Buffalo and is taking his one-year “prove it” deal seriously.

One thing working in Moore’s favor is the same thing working in White’s favor: his familiarity with coach Rob Ryan. Sterling Moore worked under Ryan while he was with the Dallas Cowboys, who signed him off the New England Patriots’ practice squad in 2012. Rob Ryan was the defensive coordinator for the Cowboys at the time, before taking the job in New Orleans.

Sterling Moore commented on the influence Rob Ryan has had on his career and how it has helped him transition into the Bills’ defense:

“I played with Rob (Ryan) a couple of years ago in Dallas, so I kind of have experience in the defense and some of the calls. There’s obviously a carry over, so the similarities are coming back. … Rob is putting in a lot of calls that he’s carried with him (from) when he was in New Orleans and in Dallas. With him installing those plays, it definitely helps me because I have experience in that. It’s just kind of second nature.”

Moore’s Career in a Nutshell

Sterling Moore entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2011. After no one gave up a draft pick for him, Moore was signed by the Oakland Raiders and was later sent to the team’s practice squad. Without seeing any playing time for the Raiders, they later released him. Later in 2011, the New England Patriots added him to their practice squad, later bumping him up to the active roster.

Related Story: Should the Bills Sign Stephon Gilmore?

He made his NFL debut on November 13, 2011 against the New York Jets, where he played every snap for the Patriots. After switching between the team’s practice squad and active roster all year, he finally saw an opportunity in Week 17 of the 2011 season. He would see playing time against Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Buffalo Bills — as ironic as it is — and would record two interceptions, one of those being returned for a touchdown.

Moore also played a major role in their AFC Championship game against the Baltimore Ravens, where he broke up a pass late in the game to stop a touchdown by Lee Evans — another former Bills’ player. He would later be released by the Patriots in October of 2012.

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After his stint with the Patriots, Moore signed a deal with the Dallas Cowboys to replace the injured Orlando Scandrick. He appeared in the Cowboys’ final five games of the 2012 season. However, after the team drafted B.W. Webb in the fourth round, they saw no need for him anymore. They released him for a few months before bringing him back as the team’s fourth cornerback.

In 2014, Moore played 16 games for the Dallas Cowboys. He was the team’s starting nickel back while Scandrick was out with a suspension and then continued that role when Morris Claiborne went down with an injury. He led the Cowboys’ defensive backs with 14 passes defended.

Last season, he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was their nickel back for the first four games of the season. However, Alterraun Verner passed him on the depth chart, making him the new backup. He recorded one interception and 3 forced fumbles last season before signing with the Bills this season.

Moore’s Role With the Bills So Far

As stated earlier, the Bills have a lot of depth in their secondary. That’s not a bad thing, but it makes the decision on who to play each week that much harder for the coaching staff. With a lot of competition at the position, Sterling Moore is taking it very well. He sees his jumping from team-to-team as a head start against much of the younger guys and isn’t letting the competition effect his play on the field:

“I’m just doing my job. That’s the only thing you can do. Try to stay within yourself, know your game. I think that’s what I’m doing so far,” said Moore in an interview.

Currently, Stephon Gilmore and Ronald Darby are the clear starters for the cornerback position. However, the next man up is really the next “men” up. Behind Gilmore and Darby, the Bills have the following players to choose from: Nickell Robey, Mario Butler, Sterling Moore, Kevon Seymour and Corey White.

Of those players, only Nickell Robey and Mario Butler have experience with the Bills. Robey has been active for the past three seasons with the Bills, while Butler was active last season. Kevon Seymour is a rookie, who the Bills grabbed in the sixth round of this year’s draft. As mentioned already, Corey White and Sterling Moore are two of the Bills’ free agent signings this offseason.

All in all, I see the Bills utilizing Moore this season as much as possible. With Gilmore being injury prone so far in his career, there’s always a chance we need to dig into our depth for a starting cornerback. In the event that happens, knock on wood, the Bills have a list of players to choose from. And taking a look at his performance so far in minicamps and OTA’s, Moore will be one of their top choices.

As versatile as Moore is, he will no doubt be able to bring some unique aspects to the Bills’ secondary and spice their defense up when they need it. Take it from the man, himself:

“I’m a bigger corner. I may not be taller, but I’m thicker and I can run. I’m quick enough to put on the outside. I kind of got a combination of strength and quickness at the same time.”

Do you Billieve the Bills made a good decision on picking up Sterling Moore this offseason? Leave comments below!