David Moore Is Providing A Jolt To Bucs’ Offense

Like that morning cup of coffee or energizing can of Celsius, Bucs wide receiver David Moore has been that pick-me-up for the Bucs’ offense. Whether that is at AdventHealth Training Center at 7 a.m. livening up the mornings of his fellow wide receivers or simply bringing a positive locker room presence and attitude, Moore has been a glue guy who is quickly earning “more” playing time on offense.

He came through in a big way for the team with his 52-yard touchdown catch against the Packers, and he has come a long way since being a seventh-round pick by the Seahawks in 2017.

WR David Moore and OC Dave Canales Have A Strong Bond

Bucs offensive Coordinator Dave Canales has witnessed David Moore’s career up close, going back to his time serving as the wide receivers coach during Moore’s rookie season and coaching him up until 2020. Even when Moore bounced around the league in the following years, they both kept in touch. Their connection is something special.

“It’s really like a connection that’s kind of hard to explain because it’s so strong, the bond, just how he’s been there for me,” Moore told Pewter Report Thursday. “On and off the field since I’ve gotten in the NFL. Even when I took a year off, he still was there for me if I needed him. I love Dave unconditionally. He’s one of the greatest people that I have encountered, and I’m just glad to be back out here with him.”

Bucs WR David Moore – Photo by: USA Today

Canales was in the mood to share stories throughout his Thursday press conference, including the familiarity he has with David Moore, someone who is starting to emerge as the potential third wide receiver behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

“‘D-Mo’ [David Moore] and the familiarity I have with him – but also 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. But, that’s something that was near and dear to my heart,” Canales said. “I was the receivers coach and we drafted him in the seventh round out of East Central Oklahoma. To watch his growth as a young player, and then now… You talk about a positive guy – not just the football player.

“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. 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. I was so happy for him.”

David Moore’s touchdown catch at Lambeau Field came against the last team he got regular-season snaps for – the Green Bay Packers. In between the Seahawks and Bucs, he had cups of coffee with the Panthers, Raiders, Broncos, Packers, and Bears. After the game, Moore shared what the big play meant to him.

Canales also shared how big a moment it was seeing Moore score. “Green Bay [was] 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, Canales added. “All of us were about to strangle him on the sideline there [laughs]. 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.”

David Moore Battled To Get Here, Offers A Great Locker Room Presence

To get to this point, David Moore has had to battle. Yes, he has had to pack his bags a couple of times, but now he is here in Tampa Bay – and contributing. He was one of the other guys who stepped up this past Sunday, and it could be the turning point of a second chapter in the NFL.

Bucs WR David Moore – Photo by: USA Today

“It really was just a blessing,” Moore said. “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.”

Drafted back in 2017, the same year as Chris Godwin, each has plenty of experience in the league. Godwin talked about how Moore’s story is one of perseverance and how beneficial that is to the locker room on Thursday. “‘D-Mo’, he’s been a great presence in our locker room,” Godwin said. “Me and him [have] got in closer over the year, so seeing him get his opportunity at a place 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. ”

What Else Does David Moore Bring To The Bucs’ WR Room? Positivity And Energy

On a Bucs’ roster with plenty of young and still-developing wide receivers, David Moore brings a positive mindset that lifts up those around him. When asked about what he offers the room, Moore mentioned his mindset and how he approaches each day.

Bucs WR David Moore – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“I would say what I think of myself is I just come in with a positive attitude as [Canales] said,” Moore said. “But that’s just the way I was raised. Can’t just dome bad things or bad days or anything that happens bad, just pick it up and move on, you know what I mean?

“Don’t think about the past, just move on to the next thing coming ahead. Keep a smile on your face, that’ll brighten everybody else’s day. Everybody won’t think they’re down, so I just come into the room every day laughing, playing, trying to get everybody hyped. We got to be here at 630-7 [a.m. in the morning], it’s early. So come in with a positive attitude, the day will go by better.”

After cups of coffee with other teams, he is now the energy and the cup of coffee for the Bucs’ offense.

“[Laughs] I try to be,” Moore added. “We all have our days. Chris [Godwin] comes in, Trey [Palmer], everybody has their days. But they come in, somebody’s the coffee that day. Get me [and my energy], my coffee, now we all up.”