Kyle Moore Emerging Quickly

With 10 days of training camp in the books some trends are starting to emerge and some trends are continuing. 

One of those continuing trends is the stock of the Buccaneers 2009 Draft Class.  Not just because first round pick Josh Freeman is showing leadership and keeping a firm grip on the starting quarterback position.  Not just because third rounder Roy Miller is continuing to develop into a dominating physical presence inside.  Not just because seventh rounder Sammie Stroughter could be an opening day starter.

The big boost to the power of the 2009 draft class is the player showing the most improvement during training camp of all the 2nd year players:  2009 fourth round defensive end Kyle Moore.

Moore has been a consistent force from the right end position during camp.  He shows no signs of the nagging injuries which haunted his rookie year.  And he looks every bit the part of an emerging difference maker.

His improvement shows the faith placed on him by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will reap deep rewards.  Those rewards are easy to see --  without such faith, the Buccaneers would not have one of defensive tackle Brian Price, wide receiver Arrelious Benn, cornerback Myron Lewis, or wide receiver Mike Williams, opting instead to draft another defensive end with one of those 2010 picks.  Considering all four of those players have worked their way into the two deep (with two possibly starting on Week 1), the value of Kyle Moore and the importance of his emergence becomes obvious.

Solid play by Moore can also bring another benefit -- Tim Crowder can continue to backup Stylez White, putting the Buccaneers top two sack producers in a rotation at right defensive end.  Keeping the pressure coming from the right puts the heat right in the quarterback's face and will help the Buccaneers improve their defensive performance in 2010.

Watch for Moore (#94, left defensive end) on the first defensive series Saturday night against the Dolphins.  It could be the next piece of a nasty pass rush falling into place.