It’s no secret that when Lee Evans didn’t catch Joe Flacco’s pass in the end zone during the 2011 AFC Championship game, hearts across Ravens Nation were shattered.
In all fairness, leading up to that moment, Baltimore had plenty of chances to put the Patriots away. The Ravens forced three turnovers and held Tom Brady without a postseason touchdown pass for the just third time in 21 playoff games. After Evans’ drop, Baltimore had the ball, 3rd-and-1, from New England’s 14-yard line with 22 seconds and one timeout remaining.
My point in mentioning all this is to illustrate that even though the Ravens didn’t get the job done that day, they were going up against a tough defense. One of the unsung heroes of that defense was cornerback Sterling Moore, who not only broke up the pass to Evans, but the pass to Dennis Pitta on the very next play, forcing fourth down.
Since those gut-wrenching moments, Baltimore has experienced a Super Bowl championship, a dormant 2013 postseason, and a 2014 postseason that almost didn’t happen. But when it did happen, it seemed to end prematurely.
Injuries took their toll on the Ravens last year, especially among defensive backs. Baltimore placed five players on injured reserve that were either a cornerback or safety. That’s not normal.
Looking ahead to 2015, the Ravens’ need for cornerback depth is clear. Jimmy Smith was playing at a high level in 2014 before he got injured. Lardarius Webb played fine at the end of the season, but he too was fighting the injury bug. Asa Jackson was active in just seven games last year, but despite his talent, he’s only appeared in 14 out of a possible 48 games in his career.
Given the need for defensive back depth, where should Baltimore look for help: the NFL Draft or free agency?
How about both!
Even though multiple teams ahead of Baltimore need help at the same position, the Ravens should be able to select a quality cornerback in the first round. Considering how they’re usually tight against the cap and they seek to replenish depth at the position, trading up for a cornerback doesn’t make sense. A higher pick will carry a bigger cap number and it will cost picks (and therefore sacrifice depth) to move up.
With regards to the free agent route, there are three cornerbacks the Ravens may consider when the league year begins at 4 P.M. ET on March 10.
Brandon Harris, Davon House, and (yes) Sterling Moore are all cornerbacks that are currently 25 or younger and counted as less than $1 million against their teams’ salary caps last year. All of these players could help Baltimore win games, but Moore looks to be able to help the most.
In five NFL seasons, Moore has made the most of his limited opportunities. It wasn’t until this past season (with Dallas) that he saw consistent action. His play rivaled that of Darrelle Revis, who was once considered the best cornerback in football, and is still playing at a high level. Here’s a look at how the two compare:
Sterling Moore’s 2014 season (16 games played, 7 starts)
- 46 tackles
- 13 passes defensed
- 0 interceptions
- 1 forced fumble
- Cap number: $645,000
Darrelle Revis’ 2014 season (16 games played, 16 starts)
- 47 tackles
- 14 passes defensed
- 2 interceptions
- 1 forced fumble
- Cap number: $7 million
All in all, it seems like Moore represents what the Ravens look for: talent, drive, versatility, and late-game production, all at a fair price. Adding him to their roster won’t be easy, as he deserves a considerable raise and the Ravens already have 30 free agents to negotiate with. But given his potential and the talent he’s had to defend in the NFC East, I think he’s a player Baltimore should pursue.
Moore once stopped the Ravens’ quest for a Super Bowl title dead in its tracks.
Next season, he could be the one that helps them get back to the big dance.
