How David Moore finally found the end zone with the Bucs
TAMPA — Dave Canales wanted to hug and strangle David Moore at the same time.
The veteran wide receiver started to celebrate his first touchdown in three years too soon in the Bucs’ 34-20 win over the Packers last Sunday in Green Bay. He had the ball stripped from his right hand as he broke the plane of the end zone, nearly costing Tampa Bay the score.
Moore knows better, of course. But even Canales, the offensive coordinator who got him another chance, couldn’t stay angry with Moore after the touchdown was confirmed following a replay review.
“I was so happy for him,” Canales said. “Green Bay being one of the spots that had him for a while and just didn’t want him — that was a special moment and a really scary moment, almost getting the ball punched out.
“All of us were about to strangle him on the sideline there. I was really happy. My wife, Lizzy, was really happy for him, too. That’s one of her guys, too. It was a special moment.”
For Moore, it was a 52-yard touchdown but so much more, too. It was the first time he’d reached the end zone since the 2020 season, with Seattle.
“It really was just a blessing,” Moore said after practice this week. “Battling all year, staying at it, trying to be there for the team and be there whenever they need me. It was just really big for me, and the team, too, as well. It was really just a happy moment to get to celebrate with the guys I’ve been battling with, (who) were picking me up when I was down and vice versa. It was just huge for me.”
The touchdown gave the Bucs a two-touchdown cushion with 6:30 remaining. Moore also had a 16-yard reception during a late second-quarter drive that resulted in a go-ahead field goal.
In between touchdowns, Moore had to battle just to get back on the field, let alone the end zone.
After four seasons with the Seahawks, where he caught 14 touchdowns, including six in 2020, Moore played two games with the Broncos in 2021 and one with the Packers in 2022 before beginning this season on the Bucs practice squad.
Reuniting with Canales, who was the wide receivers coach with the Seahawks when they drafted Moore out of Division II East Central University in Oklahoma in the seventh round in 2017, the 28-year-old is trying to make the most of his opportunity.
“(It’s) a great story of a guy who, for two years, really struggled and bounced around a couple of places after he left Seattle and really had a hard time finding a home,” Canales said. “But that (familiarity with Moore) is something that was near-and-dear to my heart.”
In addition to his skill, experience and understanding of the offense Canales is implementing with the Bucs, Canales appreciates Moore’s upbeat, team-oriented personality.
You see what he can do after the catch, but really, just as a man, for our group — even during the stretch where we had lost six out of seven — he was a steady, constant smile,” Canales said. “He was checking in on guys. He just floated around and really is a connector. It’s bigger than that, and I think that comes from his gratitude for having another place where he gets a chance.”
The Bucs have been looking at young receivers Trey Palmer and Deven Thompkins to take over the third receiver role behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin ever since Russell Gage went down with a season-ending knee injury in the preseason.
Godwin was glad to see Moore get his chance in that role against the Packers.
“D-Mo, he’s been a great presence in our locker room,” Godwin said. “Me and him have gotten closer over the year, so seeing him get his opportunity at a place (Green Bay) where he has played in the past, then you call a simple little out route and (he) took it the distance, right? I think it just shows his value as an experienced guy, as a vet in this league who has a good amount of experience, and (is) ready to fill in whenever he is needed.
“It’s a lesson of perseverance for a lot of young guys, but just more so another example of guys stepping up when their number is called on our team. We have a bunch of guys ... on our roster that can do that. It’s just a matter of getting the opportunity to.”
Injury update
Bucs coach Todd Bowles had little to report on Friday. He said he expects to have just one player be a game-time decision but would not name who. All the players were at practice during the window the media was allowed to watch. Defensive lineman Will Gholston (knee/ankle) was the only player limited on Thursday. Receiver Chris Godwin, who missed Thursday’s practice for rest, was back on the field Friday.
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