| Bills DE Kyle Moore can no longer be overlooked. He is creating a name for himself around the league. (US Presswire) |
Throughout his entire football career, Bills DE Kyle Moore has been overshadowed by his high-profile teammates on the defensive side of the ball. In college at USC, he took a back seat to LBs Brian Cushing, Clay Matthews and Rey Maualuga. In Buffalo, he plays behind DEs Mario Williams and Mark Anderson.
Moore doesn’t mind flying under the radar. If he continues playing like he has, he won’t be an unknown commodity for much longer.
The fourth-year pro has been impressive along the defensive line since entering the starting lineup in Week 10 and in the process has begun to make a name for himself in Buffalo.
“It worked for me at USC and it’s worked for me now,” Moore said of staying out of the spotlight. “I was overlooked by all those other guys and I was still out there making my plays when I needed to make them. When it’s my opportunity and it’s my turn I’ve just got to do the same thing.”
Moore was buried on the team’s depth chart earlier this year but never lost hope. His big break came when Chris Kelsay -- who already was replacing the injured Anderson (knee) -- suffered a neck injury prior to Buffalo’s Week 10 game against New England, and Moore made enough plays to remain a big part of the rotation even when Kelsay returned in Week 12. Kelsay aggravated his previous injury in Buffalo’s loss 20-13 loss to Indianapolis on Sunday, making Moore the unquestioned starter opposite Mario Williams.
Moore picked up his first career sack in Buffalo’s Week 9 loss to Houston Texans. He had another strong game in Week 10 against New England before a terrific performance against the Miami Dolphins in Week 11. Moore was arguably Buffalo’s best all-around defensive end in the 19-14 win over Miami, registering one sack and setting up another by Shawne Merriman after he collapsed the pocket. In Week 12, he had one quarterback hit and helped the Bills produce one of their best defensive performances of the season. The Bills have been near the bottom of the league against the run all year long, but they held the Colts to just 87 rushing yards.
At 6-foot-6, 243 pounds, Moore has a terrific burst around the edge and enough power to give opposing offensive tackles fits. He’s been a welcome addition to a unit that has had a difficult time living up to its lofty expectations this season.
“Kyle has really made a lot of improvement,” Gailey said. “Kyle’s played the run a lot better. We always knew he could rush the passer pretty good, but he’s learned to play the run a lot better and that’s been a boon for our football team.”
Moore’s recent success has been a long time coming. He originally was a fourth-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2009 but battled injuries in each of his first two years in the league. He was cut by Tampa prior to the start of the 2011 season and ended up on the Detroit Lions’ practice squad before he was rescued by the Bills last December.
“It was a very humbling experience,” Moore said. “You go from not playing to being on the practice squad to making whatever ... I still have my practice squad contract in my room. I look at that thing everyday -- I’m not going back to that, there’s no way. I don’t want to.”
If he keeps it up, that should be the last thing he has to worry about.
For more updates on the Bills, follow correspondent Mark Ludwiczak on Twitter @CBSBills and @MarkLud12.