Didn't see this posted, good article on our chronically under-appreciated right guard. http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/f...strives_for_perfection_in_every_part_of_.html GARY, Ind. - In the back of the Great Band Missionary Church, a white brick, one-story building with a pitched roof, stood the choir, a collection of 40 God-fearing, gospel-singing Baptist teenagers. The night's 90-minute concert was outlined in the programs, which were color-printed, folded in three and bordered with musical notes, per Jets right guard Brandon Moore's preference, for the bobbing, loving sea of faces. He planned the entire event in April 1998, his final act before matriculating to college, taking care to match spiritual hymns to biblical verses with a friend. Moore, a meaty lineman dressed in a black suit and tie, sat at the black, baby grand piano in front. "I was like, 'what the heck?" says Jason Johnson, then his offensive line coach at West Side High. "I never even knew he played." The perfectionist revealed himself as a pianist, capable of playing by ear or sheet music. He studied Chopin, Mozart and Kirk Franklin, mimicking their works on the brown wooden piano his great aunt, Johnsilena Parker, gave him as a gift when he was 10. Thereon, he cued up pitches, commanded notes and reveled as youth music minister. "That was the night I realized my baby was going to be something special," his mother, Brenda, says. "It was also the night I realized I could never work for him." Afield, as in life, Moore, 30, is the most demanding Jet, a quiet strategist in the midst of storming defenders. Since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2002, he has used natural leverage, hooking his hands inside opposing linemen to lift, squeeze and manipulate momentum through a position change, season in NFL Europe, and then the Jets. Now in his eighth year, those fingers, which swell in season, have brought him to the celebrated stage where coach Rex Ryan considers him "the best guard in the NFL." "He's come from nowhere," Jets coach Bill Callahan says, "but he's the epitome of the same guy everyday." His endurance is unquestionable. He can bench press 600 pounds, has played 95 consecutive regular season games and has yet to allow a sack this season for the 5-1 Jets. At 305 pounds, Moore maintains balance, standing stout in protection and exploding on pulls. He trusts his technique and hand placement, rarely abandoning form as he employs counterintelligence from his college days as a defensive tackle, readily identifying a pass rusher's path and finding ways to advance to another defender. "He has the biggest voice in this locker room when he chooses to speak," cornerback Darrelle Revis said. Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/f...rfection_in_every_part_of_.html#ixzz13FR5mzlB
Moore has gotten better throughout his career. He's, I believe having his best year so far this season and has been overlooked for the past few years. I was glad when he was re-signed after being let go, and shockingly for less than the other player we were trying to sign when he was initially let go. He's ended up as an undrafted free agent steal. There's probably 31 other teams that wish he was their RG at the moment. Again the guy has seemingly improved every year and has really come into his own. Ryan stating he's the best guard in the NFL isn't exactly a stretch (even though Ryan likes to talk up his players period). He's definitely among the top three RG's in the game right now and the most overlooked player on our offensive line.
Who overlooks him? I would hope that most jets fans know he is a key cog in our O line. At least the ones who pay attention... I also hear TV analysts talk him up everytime they bring up the Jets offensive line. Not as much as Ferguson and Mangold, but he does get the credit he deserves. He's talked less regarding our 2 pro-bowl O linemen, and more than Slauson and Woody, he's getting his praise.
I remember watching him play for the Scottish Claymores in NFL Europe. He was just making the transition to OL then, but he was clearly a talent.
Definitely the most underrated player on the team. I remember Collinsworth gushing uncontrollably over him during our home game against the Bengals last year.
I'll admit, I was a disbeliever until he proved me wrong last season. I can't believe we almost lost this guy over a few grand.
