J’Mon Moore was on a similar trajectory last preseason as a rookie. Through two games, drops plagued him. A year later the story hasn’t changed. However, Moore did start to put something together in week three of the 2018 preseason when Green Bay faced Oakland. On Thursday, it will be week three and the Packers are facing the exact same team Moore bounced back against a year ago. Can he do it again and save his place on the roster?
In that game, Moore caught four passes for 64 yards. More importantly, he didn’t have a drop. It was by far his best outing all season.
Right now, Moore is still waiting for that breakout performance. Meanwhile, other Packers receivers are starting to emerge including undrafted guys like Allen Lazard and Darius Shepherd. Moore may be a former fourth-round draft pick but that alone doesn’t reserve him a spot on the final 53.
Moore’s issues appear to be mental. Athletically, he has all the tools to be an NFL receiver but he can’t seem to catch a clean ball consistently. If it’s a confidence issue, that can be fixed with a big game or even just a big catch.
“The biggest thing with me I think is just relaxing and letting it ride, letting me be me,” Moore said following the preseason opener against the Texans. “Sometimes I’m out there playing and my mind is someplace else or I might be too anticipating, too antsy. I just gotta relax and be who I am. They drafted me for a reason.”
Since the first two preseason games, Moore has rebounded with solid showings at practice. Will they translate to another bounce back game vs the Raiders? We will find out Thursday.
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Brandon Carwile was a Cheesehead at birth. His dad grew up attending games at Lambeau and passed on the legacy. He has covered the Packers for over five years and currently works with packerstalk.com. Find him on twitter at @PackerScribe.
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2 responses to “Can J’Mon Moore Bounce Back Against the Raiders Again?”
Given all the receiver talent the Packers seem to have, it would be a waste to spend a roster spot on someone who is just not getting it done. “Bounce-back practices” after stinking it up in live play is absurd.
Bye Bye time. As a person I wish him all the best, he’s making this decision a simple one for GB. With Shepherd and Lizard-(o) playing as well as they are and actually using their hands to catch a football, this is an easy decision. CUT BAIT, and lets fish with the guys who are producing thus far.