PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Lance Moore thought his playing career might be over in the fall of 2005. A training camp in Cleveland came and went without the undersized wide receiver earning a spot on the 53-man roster. The finish line wasnt in sight, but the horizon was approaching.Then the phone rang. The rebuilding New Orleans Saints had an open spot on the practice squad and a need for playmakers, even if the 5-foot-9 Moore didnt exactly fit the mould.They gave me a chance when nobody was really giving me a chance, Moore said.The marriage lasted nearly a decade. Moore repaid New Orleans confidence with nine productive seasons, catching 346 passes — the fifth-most in team history — while helping the beleaguered franchise to its only Super Bowl title.Moore never wanted to leave. Yet he understands the reality. After injuries slowed him in 2013, Moore knew his $2.5 million salary was a luxury the Saints no longer wanted to afford. When the phone rang to say goodbye, Moore didnt complain. How could he have known back in 2005 hed stick around this long?I have a special place in my heart for that organization, Moore said. Things didnt end there the way I wanted to but its a business first and foremost and I understand that. I definitely have love for them.Moore has to push that fondness off to the side on Sunday when the enigmatic Saints (4-7) visit Moore and the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4), who scooped up the 31-year-old veteran two weeks after New Orleans let him go. Though Moore is on pace for the fewest receptions in a season since he became a regular in 2007 — hes won over his new teammates with his attention to detail.He can do a little bit of everything, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said.Originally slated to take over the slot position left by the departure of Jerricho Cotchery, Moore has found himself as the football equivalent of duct tape. If theres a need on a given play, the Steelers will find a way to make him fit.Hes a low maintenance guy, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. Hes extremely professional. Hes smart. He comes with good ideas. He knows all of the positions. Hes very versatile in that way and weve had to utilize him in that way because he is playing with some young people.Moore is less vital part than accessory these days, but he can live with the trade-off. Pittsburgh is winning, which is the main reason he chose to sign a two-year deal with the Steelers in March. His numbers might have been better somewhere else, but hes long since passed the time where ego played a factor in his decision-making.Mention to Moore the Saints have struggled without him and he offers a quick correction.Its not all about me, he said. I wasnt the only guy that was there last year that is not there this year. Theres a bunch of guys that arent there. I never wish a lack of success on them. Theres a lot of my friends there. I want to see them do well.Just not on Sunday. Moore spent the early part of the week giving the Steeler wide receivers a thorough rundown of the leaky New Orleans secondary, which is 27th in the league against the pass. Tomlin called Moore a minor resource, which may be understating it a bit. Moore caught hundreds of passes from Drew Brees, probing defences for soft spots and finding ways to fit into tight spaces.While Moore doesnt know the Saints offence as well as Brees, the gap is narrower than most think.He was extremely intelligent, great football I.Q., Brees said. Just so smooth. Just knew how it was supposed to look, knew how it was supposed to feel.The fit hasnt been quite as snug in Pittsburgh. Moore dealt with a balky hamstring at the end of training camp and lost the starting slot receiver job to Justin Brown. He scored a meaningless touchdown in a loss to Cleveland but added an important 3-yard score in a Monday night victory over Houston that kickstarted the Steelers current 4-1 stretch.Moore admits he has no clue how hell be used during a given week. The emergence of rookie Martavis Bryant has further jumbled an already crowded picture. The competitor in Moore wants to be on the field. The realist knows its out of his reliable hands.In a way, Moore is back where he started. He was a graduate assistant at Toledo when the Saints reached out back in 2005. Hes taken on a similar role for receiving group where hes the elder statesmen. Hes fine with the arrangement so long as Sunday ends with the Steelers inching closer to their first playoff berth in three years.I want to win, Moore said. Im not going to try to be Superman on Sunday, nor should anybody else.NOTES: Bryant (illness) did not practice on Wednesday. ... Tackle Marcus Gilbert (ankle) and nose tackle Steve McLendon (shoulder) were limited.___AP NFL websites:
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www.twitter.com/AP_NFL . Still, Inter moved one point ahead of Parma in the race for fifth place and the final Europa League spot. Udinese remained 14th, 11 points above the relegation zone. Inter was beaten 2-1 by Atalanta at home on Sunday and has won only seven of 16 matches at the San Siro this season, as the squad seems to still be searching for its identity under new owner Erick Thohir and first-year manager Walter Mazzarri. . The Twins announced Thursday the 28-year-old Albers cleared waivers. He will join the Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization.
http://www.chelseafcproshop.com/Kids-Pedro-Jersey/. Messis father, Jorge Horacio Messi, is apparently still under investigation for an alleged 4 million euros ($5.3 million) in unpaid taxes from Messis image rights from 2007-09. Messis public relations firm confirmed Spanish media reports that the state prosecutor has asked for Messi to be dropped from the investigation that began in June 2013. . Amaro broke the NCAA all-time record for receiving yards in a season for a tight end with 1,352 during his junior campaign, eclipsing the mark of 1,329 set by Rices James Casey in 2008. . Francis told several hundred members of the European Olympic Committees that when sport "is considered only in economic terms and consequently for victory at every cost .Ted Kravitz brings you all the news following an incident packed qualifying session in China. Nico Rosberg secured his first pole position of 2016, in stark contrast to the other side of the Mercedes garage in Shanghai where Lewis Hamilton will start last.And while qualifying may have been dry, but proving his commitment to bringing you the news, Ted braves the rain during his tour of the paddock, even if he does have a slight umbrella incident. Click play on the video above to watch Qualifying Report Nico Rosberg on pole in China, where Lewis Hamilton starts last Watch the Chinese GP on Sunday - LIVE ONLY on Sky Sports F1.dddddddddddd. The race starts at 7am, with build-up underway from 5.30am. Or watch without a contract for £6.99 on NOW TV. Also See: Qualifying report: Nico on pole, Lewis last When to see the Chinese GP on Sky ' ' '
