Running Back Mewelde Moore – Steelers 2011 Free Agent
Free Agent Classification: UFA (unrestricted free agent)
2010 Salary Estimation: $1,475,000 Base – $1,925,000 Cap Charge
Analysis: We motor on with our breakdown player by player of each of the Steelers 18 free agents and up next up for analysis is running back Mewelde Moore. Moore signed a three year deal with the Steelers early on in the free agency period of 2008 and has been a “do everything” type player for the Steelers since. His primary role during his Steelers career was on third downs and also spelling either Willie Parker or Rashard Mendenhall for a series here and there. He also logged four starts in 2008 when Parker was injured and played a huge role in some early wins that season against Jaguars and the Bengals. In 3 regular seasons with the Steelers, he has carried the ball 208 times for 805 yards with 5 touchdowns. He also chipped in 87 regular season catches for 678 yards with 3 touchdowns.
While he is not the best in the league at blitz pick-up and blocking, he is certainly above the line in his recognition and execution. He has his off times like any back, but has been pretty reliable in that area as a 3rd down back over the years. He always seemed to make the big 3rd down play just when the Steelers needed it the most and it happened several times during the 2010 season as 10 of his 26 receptions resulted in first downs and 3 of those same 26 catches went for 20 yards or more.
Future: Moore is currently an unrestricted free agent and still on the right side of 30. The Steelers reportedly have had some dialogue with him since the Super Bowl about re-signing, but nothing concrete or eminent. He is a Mike Tomlin kind of guy, but is enetring his 8th season and could cost around 2 million plus against the cap, should the Steelers strike a deal with him. Including the playoffs, Moore still logged less than 300 offensive snaps in 2010 and Isaac Redman has developed nicely into a back that could be relied on more in a 3rd down role in 2011. The Steelers also have 2010 draft pick Jonathan Dwyer on the roster and a few other bodies will likely surface via either the draft or as undrafted free agents to add to the competition. The Steelers will need every penny of salary cap money and may not be able to pay Moore what he thinks he deserves. Moore also might get a look or two via free agency as well. You just never know. As we sit here in early March, I would say Moore has a about a 30% chance of being back in black and gold in 2011. The cheaper his price tag, the more his chances improve of course.
Other 2011 Steelers Free Agents Analysis
Trai Essex
Doug Legursky
Greg Warren
Dennis Dixon
Tony Hills
Chris Hoke
Ryan Mundy
Anthony Madison
Keyaron Fox
Nick Eason
Jonathan Scott
Daniel Sepulveda
