Saturday, August 20, 2011

Evan Moore shines early, leaves with possible concussion

Evan Moore caught two touchdown passes in the first half, but left the game late in the second quarter with a possible concussion. evan moore

Coach Pat Shurmur said Moore "got dinged'' and is undergoing further evaluation.

A concussion would be a concern, because Moore suffered one last year, in week two against Kansas City. The NFL is taking concussions very seriously, especially multiple ones. Moore came up slowly after a 17-yard catch over the middle and went to the locker room before halftime. He did not return and was not available after the game.

Before he left, he caught the two TDs, including an acrobatic, over-the-shoulder catch on a 21-yarder in the end zone from Colt McCoy in which he managed to keep his feet inbounds.

"That guy by far has the best hands on the team,'' said receiver Greg Little. "That catch was amazing.''

Moore caught a 2-yarder in the end zone to open the scoring and the 21-yarder that put the Browns ahead, 14-10, in the second quarter. The latter was first ruled an incompletion and then reversed after further review.

"Evan is definitely a weapon,'' said McCoy. "He's a big target and he creates mismatches. I thought he played excellent. He got some good balls and then we got him out of there.''

Moore's preseason success has been even more welcome considering that Ben Watson has been bothered by injuries. Watson suffered a concussion the first week of camp and sat out Friday with a hamstring injury. Watson was the Browns' leading receiver last season with 68 catches for 763 yards.

Act like you've been there: Little had a superb first half, making a leaping 12-yard catch on the opening TD drive and then catching 13-yard TD to increase the Browns' lead to 21-10. But Little celebrated the score by kicking the ball into the Dawg Pound, about eight rows up.

That prompted Shurmur to give Little a lecture on the sideline, placing his hand on his shoulder and presumably setting him straight about the kick.

"I told him, 'you tarnished a great effort by booting the ball in the stands,''' said Shurmur. "I don't expect to see that again.''

Little said he regretted it, but was just so excited to be back playing and scoring again.

"I do regret it because of the negative scrutiny it brings,'' said Little, who wasn't flagged. "I want to be known as a team player.''

Another hobbled back: Backup running back Brandon Jackson left the game in the third quarter with turf toe and did not return. The injury is a concern because Peyton Hillis is nursing a sore hamstring and Montario Hardesty is still easing his way back in from his knee surgery. The Browns play Thursday night in Philadelphia.

After Friday's game, Shurmur indicated Hardesty will play against the Eagles. "We'll put him back in live action with a solid week and a half (of practice) under his belt.''

Sheard's big play: Jabaal Sheard showed flashes of the big-play ability the Browns projected when they drafted him in the second round. On the Lions' opening drive, Sheard not only forced running back Jahvid Best to cough up the ball after a 1-yard gain, he recovered the ball to set up a TD.

Sheard also forced an incompletion on the next drive when he chased Matt Stafford out of the pocket. He chased Stafford again on the next play, but it was wiped out by a holding call.

Source:

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2011/08/evan_moore_continues_a_preseas.html

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