Detroit Lions: Another ex-Patriot among newest signings
The Detroit Lions added two more players to their roster on Sunday. Among them is yet another ex-New England Patriot, this time at defensive back.
When the Detroit Lions made Matt Patricia the new head coach of their franchise earlier this year, it was believed he’d add a few of “his guys” to both the coaching staff and the roster in the offseason. Being a member of the New England Patriots for 14 years, Patricia surely knew more than a few former Pats that he could pull from.
Halfway through his first training camp, Patricia and fellow former Patriot, Lions general manager Bob Quinn, have added several former New England players to their squad in Detroit. In fact, quarterback Matt Cassel, running back LeGarrette Blount, wide receiver Chris Lacy, defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois plus linebackers Jonathan Freeny and Trevor Bates are all ex-Pats.
Well, now you can add yet another former Patriot as the newest member of this Lions team under Patricia’s limited reign. That newbie being veteran defensive back Sterling Moore, whose signing was reported by the Detroit Free Press on Sunday.
The 28-year old was an undrafted rookie free agent out of SMU back in 2011. After a brief stint with the Oakland Raiders, Moore played his first two seasons in the NFL with the Patriots. Patricia was the safeties coach during Sterling’s rookie season and was promoted to defensive coordinator the following year.
Moore has bounced around the league ever since, landing with the Dallas Cowboys for three seasons following his time in New England. He’s also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills, and most recently, the New Orlean Saints.
Entering his eighth season in the NFL, Moore actually posted his best year in 2016. He recorded career-highs in tackles (56), pass defends (13) and tied his rookie total in interceptions (2) despite only playing in 13 games for the Saints that year.
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The Lions also inked safety Marcus Cromartie to a deal in order to add more depth to their secondary. Undrafted out of Wisconsin in 2013, Detroit is Cromartie’s seventh NFL stop in six years. The cousin of former NFL players Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Antonio Cromartie, the 27-year old safety has a career total of 21 combined tackles and three pass defends as a professional.