Moyer Plays Role Like Star for Seattle

LOS ANGELES —  There he is, standing on the sideline early in the first quarter Sunday at the Coliseum--Seattle Seahawks defensive back Paul Moyer.

A specialist.

First and 10, Raiders. Relax Paul, it’s too early.

Second and six. Moyer adjusts his chin strap. Not yet, though.

Third and six. Moyer looks to the coaching staff, gets the nod and trots onto the field.

Raider quarterback Jay Schroeder goes back to throw. Wide receiver Mike Alexander breaks into the open.

Schroeder throws. Moyer reacts.

He times a flying body slam. As the ball touches Alexander’s hands, Moyer arrives with full force.

Incomplete.

Moyer’s job is done.

Who was that face-masked man?

After six years with the Seahawks, Moyer has found his niche. He has no dreams of stardom, or even any thoughts of cracking the starting lineup.

Moyer has one main job, to prevent first downs.

Moyer participated in only 14 plays on defense in Seattle’s 24-20 victory over the Raiders. Eleven were third-down passing situations, his specialty.

“Basically my job is to help us get the football back,” said Moyer, a graduate of Villa Park High School. “That doesn’t necessarily mean interceptions. We just have to stop the other team.”

It’s the same job Moyer was hired to do when he signed with the Seahawks as a free agent out of Arizona State in 1983. But it took a year as a starter to realize that being a role player was a lot more fun, not to mention a little bit safer.

When Moyer joined the Seahawks, he was a backup to strong safety Kenny Easley, who played in five Pro Bowls. Needless to say, Moyer didn’t get a whole lot of starts.

However, his abilities as a nickel back and on special teams kept him on the roster for three seasons. All the time, he watched Easley and learned.

“Kenny and I became really good friends,” Moyer said. “He took me under his wing. He taught me that intensity can carry you a long way in this game.”

Moyer’s chance came near the end of the 1986 season when Easley was injured. Moyer started the final five games, all of which the Seahawks won.

“We were the hottest team in the league, but missed the playoffs because of a tiebreaker,” said Moyer, who was an All-American safety at Fullerton College. “And I learned I could play in this league. Up until then, I wasn’t too sure. But they came at me and I held my own.”

Easley returned the following year and Moyer went back to the bench, a little more confident.

Before the 1988 season, Easley retired because of kidney problems and Moyer took his spot. He intercepted six passes and was fifth on the team with 73 tackles.

But during training camp this year, Moyer was plagued by injuries. He missed two exhibition games with tendinitis in his knee, then sat out another exhibition game after hyper-extending his back.

The injuries cost Moyer his starting spot to Nesby Glasgow. Moyer went back to playing in passing situations and on special teams.

However, he began to realize the benefits of role playing.

“It may prolong my career,” said Moyer, one of 21 players from Orange County high schools currently in the National Football League. “There is not so much wear and tear. I don’t have to worry about pulling guards or fullbacks coming at me. I can do what I like best, play the pass.”

Moyer also can take care of running plays when needed.

In the first quarter Sunday, the Raiders had a third and 11 at the Seattle 49. Schroeder scrambled from the pocket and appeared to have enough room to get the first down.

But Moyer stopped Schroeder cold at the 39, one yard short of the first down.

“I put a little extra into it when I know they’re close to the first down,” Moyer said. “If a guy is five or six yards short, I may just grab on to him. But, if he’s close to the stick, I let them have it. It’s my job.”

Orange County Pros

Players currently in the National Football League who attended high school in Orange County.

Player/Team Pos. School Yrs. NFL Steve Beuerlein (Raiders) QB Servite 2 Mark Boyer (Colts) TE Edison 5 Hoby Brenner (Saints) TE Fullerton 9 Richard Brown (Rams) LB Westminster 2 Dave Cadigan (Jets) T-G Newport Harbor 2 Steve DeBerg (Chiefs) QB Savanna 13 Chris Dressel (Chiefs) TE El Dorado 5 Carl Harry (Redskins) WR Fountain Valley 1 Emile Harry (Chiefs) WR Fountain Valley 3 Mike Horan (Broncos) P Sunny Hills 6 Norm Johnson (Seahawks) K Pacifica 8 Bill Kenney (Redskins) QB San Clemente 11 Duval Love (Rams) G Fountain Valley 5 Paul Moyer (Seahawks) S Villa Park 7 Brian Noble (Packers) LB Anaheim 5 Andy Parker (Chargers) TE Dana Hills 6 Mike Piel (Rams) DE El Toro 1 Turk Schonert (Bengals) QB Servite 10 Keith Van Horne (Bears) T Fullerton 9 Larry Williams (Chargers) G Mater Dei 4 Dave Wilson (Saints) QB Katella 8