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NFL 2012: a banner year for rookie quarterbacks

Encouraged by the success of Carolina’s Cam Newton and Cincinnati’s Andy Dalton last season, five teams hand the offensive controls to five players fresh out of the college ranks.

12. Kellen Moore, Detroit Lions

Rick Osentoski/AP
Detroit Lions quarterback Kellen Moore (17) rolls out to pass during the second half of an NFL preseason football game in Detroit, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012.

  • By Ross Atkin Staff

Undrafted free agent

Pro status: 3rd string

College: Boise State

6 ft., 197 lbs.

Hometown: Prosser, Wash.

QB rating in the preseason: 52.7

Yahoo! Sports has called Moore “the most dissed college football player in the BCS era.” Why? Because after four years as a starter at Boise State, where he led the Broncos to 50 wins, the most ever by a college quarterback, he went undrafted. The pros have reservations about his size, his arm strength, and college credentials compiled against less-that-elite competition.  Still, Moore is a winner, and he showed his ability to rise to the occasion during the Lions’ final preseason game against Buffalo. Needing to play well to make the cut for the team’s 53-man roster, he turned in his best performance, completing 17 of 30 passes for 211 yards. The Bleacher Report website says the resourceful lefty is “custom-made to be an adequate backup.” Time will tell if he can realize higher aspirations.

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Mark Sappenfield
Editor

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