Opinions were divided about Kellen Moore coming out of Boise State: Some said Moore simply lacked an NFL arm (not to mention NFL size and NFL athleticism) and could never cut it at the next level. Others said the NCAA’s all-time winningest quarterback had the intangibles that cold-eyed NFL talent evaluators couldn’t see.
Based on Moore’s performance in the Lions’ preseason opener against the Browns, it appears that those who say Moore can’t play in the NFL are right.
Moore, who signed with the Lions as an undrafted free agent, entered Friday night’s game late in the second quarter and promptly led the Lions on a three-and-out. And that would be the theme of the rest of Moore’s night.
Overall, Moore led the Lions on seven drives, and five of them ended in punts. One ended in a field goal, but Moore didn’t really have anything to do with that: The drive was powered by running back Joique Bell, who marched the Lions down the field with runs of 14, 21, 13 and three yards on four straight plays. Like Moore, Bell was a celebrated college player who went undrafted (Bell won the Harlan Hill Trophy as the best player in Division II college football), but unlike Moore, Bell actually did something on Friday night to suggest he might have a place in the NFL.
Moore got two-plus quarters to prove his doubters wrong, and he did nothing with that opportunity. Moore went 4-of-14 for 40 yards, with no touchdowns and an interception on the Lions’ final offensive play. It’s hard to see Moore having a future in the NFL.