When the Detroit Lions signed wide receiver Lance Moore as a free agent, it was greeted mostly with a yawn.

Then the media saw him on the field looking smooth. Then his new teammates started talking about the 31-year-old veteran.

Here are five reasons Moore was a good signing:

1. He can catch the ball. He has a knack for getting separation from defensive backs. It’s a special and crucial trait. He’s got enough speed and he’s got great hands.
   
   
2. Much has been made of his knowledge of the Lions offense. He played for the New Orleans Saints for seven seasons through 2013. That offense is quite similar to the one installed a year ago by coach Jim Caldwell and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi. So not only does he know the routes, he can help other Lions wide receiver — even Calvin Johnson — understand them. And, yes, it’s big but still he has to catch the ball which he does.
   
   
3. He’s good at helping out his new teammates. It’s not like he’s keeping all this knowledge to himself.
   
   
4. He was cheap, signing a one-year $1.05 million deal plus he didn’t play much for Steelers last year so his legs are relatively fresh.
   
   
5. Moore has worked with Ryan Broyles and Ameer Abdullah returning kicks and punts. So he could have double value.
   
   

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Pre-order her new book “Game of My Life Detroit Lions” which will be be published in October on Amazon.com. Also order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here.)