The Detroit Lions have added depth to their receiving corps. The team announced Tuesday that it had agreed to a one-year deal with veteran wide receiver Lance Moore. Moore spent the 2014 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers where he had 14 receptions for 198 yards and two touchdowns.
Moore reunites with Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi. Lombardi was with the Saints from 2007-2013, working as an offensive assistant from 2007-09 and then as the quarterbacks coach from 2009-2013. Moore was a member of the Saints through that entire stretch. During his tenure with the Saints, he caught 346 passes for 4,281 yards and 38 touchdowns. His best season came in 2012 when he caught 65 passes for 1,041 yards and hauled in 6 touchdowns.
At the very least this signing makes the wide receiver competition in camp one of the more intriguing positions. Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate appear to be the only locks as #1 and #2 receivers, respectfully. Corey Fuller, Ryan Broyles, T.J. Jones, Jeremy Ross and Moore will all be battling for the #3 receiver spot. The Lions also have Andrew Peacock, Skye Dawson, Vernon Johnson, and Erik Lora on the roster, but those players are expected to compete for practice squad positions.
Prior to signing with the Lions, wide receiver Golden Tate compared himself to Moore in Lombardi's offense: “I watched some tape on the Saints over the last few years and just looking at that — I haven’t talked to coach Lombardi that much — I see myself being a Lance Moore type of player, but just more explosive and able to do a few more things,” Tate said, via the team’s website. “That’s exciting, because Lance Moore caught a lot of balls and he’s a terrific player that did a lot for the Saints."