Boise State standout Kellen Moore, who grew up in Prosser, has agreed to a free-agent deal with Detroit, giving the Lions someone to develop behind starter Matthew Stafford and backup Shaun Hill.
Athletes First spokeswoman Savannah Wall confirmed the agreement on Monday after Moore wasn’t picked in last week’s NFL draft. Moore is represented by agent David Dunn, chairman of Athletes First.
Moore won 50 games in college, a Football Bowl Subdivision record for a starting quarterback, but wasn’t among the 253 players taken in the draft.
“Very frustrating process, but a great outcome in the end,” Moore told the Idaho Statesman. “Going into it, you felt very comfortable and confident that you’d get an opportunity to get drafted. Bottom line is it didn’t happen. But it’s kind of funny you end up where you’d love to go in the first place.”
Moore completed nearly 74 percent of his passes last season and finished his college career among the NCAA all-time leaders with 14,667 career yards passing and 142 career touchdown passes.
“I don’t think there will probably be a more motivated quarterback,” Moore said.
SURGERY FOR BILLS WR
Buffalo Bills receiver Stevie Johnson is scheduled to have what his agent described as “very minor” surgery to repair a groin injury that nagged the player for most of last season.
C.J. Laboy confirmed in an email that the surgery is scheduled for today in Philadelphia.
Johnson announced the news himself on his Twitter account, noting he wants to be 100 percent healthy heading into the season.
After he gained 1,004 yards receiving to become first in franchise history to have consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, Moore signed a five-year, $36.25 million contract extension.
RAIDERS’ QB CLUSTER
The Oakland Raiders are bringing in quarterback Jim Sorgi for a tryout today. Sorgi spent six seasons as Peyton Manning’s backup in Indianapolis.
The Raiders, who are looking for a veteran backup quarterback to play behind starter Carson Palmer, are also bringing in Matt Leinart this week.
HIT-AND-RUN TRIAL
Amy Senser, the wife of former Minnesota Vikings tight end Joe Senser, tearfully told jurors in her fatal hit-and-run trial that she thought she hit a construction barrel or a pothole, not a person, the night of the accident last August in Minneapolis.
“I remember being jolted by the front,” Senser testified. “Not exactly sure what had happened. I assumed I had hit something.”
Senser is charged with three felony counts of criminal vehicular homicide in the death of 38-year-old restaurant worker Anousone Phanthavong, who had run out of gas and was parked at the side of a freeway exit.
Each count carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
EXTRA POINTS
The New York Jets invited former Tennessee quarterback Matt Simms, youngest son of former Giants star Phil Simms, for a tryout at rookie minicamp this weekend. … The Dallas Cowboys added 21 undrafted free agents, including six offensive linemen and North Texas rushing leader Lance Dunbar (4,224 career yards, 313 in his final game). … Washington signed free agent linebacker Jonathan Goff, who played three seasons with the New York Giants before missing last season with a knee injury.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here
We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.