Advanced statistical metrics aren’t kind to every player. But they revealed little but raves for safety Rahim Moore’s performance in 2012, which saw arguably more improvement than anyone else on the Denver roster.

But the nature of his position — and of playoff football — is that an entire season of outstanding play can be overshadowed by one gaffe at the worst possible moment. That’s why the perception of Moore is defined by a misplay on a deep pass from Joe Flacco to Jacoby Jones, and not on a season’s worth of steadiness and growth.

If fans stew over such an error, it’s one thing. That can be harmless, as long as the player ignores the chatter. What matters is whether Moore gets over it and re-focuses on what’s next — and according to Champ Bailey, he already has.

“Let’s go try again, that’s pretty much his mentality,” Bailey said Monday. “I don’t think it affected him as much as people think. Because he got so much better last year. I can’t wait to see him improve this year.”

Few understand how much one play can affect perception than Bailey. He has been so stellar as a cover cornerback for so many years that when he allows a touchdown — as he did when beaten deep by the Ravens in the first half of January’s playoff loss — it’s as much of a shock to the system as stepping into 9-degree chill without wearing a shirt.

Bailey understands that it’s the exception, rather than the rule, that everyone remembers. That’s convenient, but it doesn’t tell an accurate picture.

“People want to talk about one play — like I said, even with myself, you can’t define somebody off one play,” Bailey said.