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Tuesday, December 20, 2011
A Dolphinshout Out to Matt Moore
Posted by Patrick Tarell at 7:16 PM
Miami Dolphin fans and media have been fixated on the QB position. The ramped negative connotation is, winning games now will have an adverse affect on the draft. The players claim to ignore the media and go about their business as if the written word all around them has no bearing on what they think or how they perform.

Matt Moore has been given reluctant praise for his recent performance but is summarily dismissed in speculation about the future. The truth is, Moore in his 5th season, is not the journeyman QB most fans to think. Forced to start the final 8 games as a rookie in 2007 for Carolina due to injuries to Jake Delhomme and David Carr, his 67.0 QB rating was not good, but he held his own.

He spent the entire 2008 season on IR with a broken fibula. 

He broke out in 2009 starting the final 7 games after injuries to Delhomme and Josh McCown. He ended the season with a 98.5 QB rating and played so well the Panthers cut Delhomme after the season and declared Moore the starter.

A concussion in the 1st game of the 2010 season derailed his chance to lead the team. After drafting Jimmy Clausen, the Panthers were eager to play the rookie and when Moore played poorly the week following his concussion he was benched. When Clausen proved incapable, Moore returned as the starter only to separate his shoulder and finish the season on injured reserve. He was cut when Carolina drafted Cam Newton.

Moore has started 32 games with a 17-15 record in those starts. Moore is 5-5 with the Dolphins after losing his first 3 starts. While Moore is in his 5th season, he is only in his 2nd as a starter due to injuries. In October, Moore had a QB rating of 65.3, in November, 112.7, in December, 91.5, clearly this is a QB playing at a high level after a rocky start with no off-season and few 1st team reps prior to Chad Henne’s injury.

Those are the numbers and the history, it is important to put them together and analyze whether Moore has shown more than a cursory glance at being the Dolphins starting QB in 2012. It is also important to understand how Moore’s performance will play a part in the Dolphins 2012 draft strategy.

The common knock on Moore is that he has not won any significant game this season. It would seem that any victory after a 0-7 start would be significant but the only opponent deemed worthy of that title would probably be the Philadelphia Eagles. Moore and the Dolphins did not perform well in that game after the injury to left tackle Jake Long. This leaves Moore with two games against the vaunted Patriots and the hated Jets to win over the city of Miami.

The next two weeks will be defining moments in Matt Moore’s NFL career. Not too much pressure! How Moore performs and how the Dolphins respond to his leadership will not only dictate his future but how the Dolphins approach the off-season as well. If the Dolphins come out of at least one of those games victorious and if Moore leads the team on a final victory march, the tale will be told.

There is no need for predictions, it is simple, lead the team and show the character that has been lacking in Miami since number 13, and the city belongs to Matt Moore. Crash-and-burn and Miami will be looking for another solution to the endless void at QB.

Nothing is ever that simple and one concern cannot be overlooked, injuries. The history shows a propensity for injury as Moore has already ended 2 seasons out of 5 on IR. This is the big unknown because very player in the NFL is one hit away from IR. QB is the one position where injury can lead to complete devastation; one look at the Colts shows how true that is.

It is clear no matter how Moore ends the season, Miami must draft a QB, but Moore’s performance will speak volumes on how the Dolphins approach the off-season. If Moore shows he can lead the team to wins in these career defining games he will be Miami’s starting QB next season and perhaps mitigate drastic moves to improve their position in the draft.

If Miami loses badly, Moore will still be slated as the starter, but his replacement will be drafted early, no matter the cost and he will have lost his chance to be a franchise QB and all the windfalls that come with the title.

Here’s a Dolphinshout out to Matt Moore!

Take your chance young man and show the world what you’ve dreamed of as a child, beat the Patriots and the Jets and leave nothing on the table. This is your time.
Labels: AFC East, Matt Moore, Miami Dolphins, NFL, Patrick Tarell
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Comments (25)
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+1
Riverdog · 11 weeks ago
I have no problems with MM being the starter next year, but that doesn't mean I want the Dolphins to pass on an early QB prospect. If Miami drops down any further in the draft they will need to move up in the draft to get someone worth while. I know the best thing for the team is to lose the next 2 games. There is simply no way that I can hope for them to lose these up coming games. Maybe it's something in my DNA, I can't stand to lose even if it would help the cause.
Reply1 reply · active 10 weeks ago
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docisfree · 10 weeks ago
I too am torn between draft placement and my innate hatred of losing- especially to our biggest rivals. I have to go with winning. I also hope for Moore to get the credit he deserves, beating one or both would give him (and the team as a whole) a major boost in confidence for next season. The biggest downside, besides draft position, is that this would encourage Ross to keep Ireland. I am a firm believer in allowing rookie QBs time to become acclimated to NFL systems by sitting a year or two. Moore could fill the role of starter and mentor and even improve enough to be "the man". The post suggests that he still has a good deal of upside, and I would have to agree. Thanks for that shout to Mr. Moore.
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Patrick · 11 weeks ago
RdG, I think Miami fans are afraid Moore will come out and light it up on Patriots and Jets and the front office will not draft a QB. I'll bet the majority of the fans would rather have the Dolphins lose then to have the FO come out of this season thinking the QB position is solid.
Reply1 reply · active 11 weeks ago
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Riverdog · 11 weeks ago
After talking to a few people that I see on the street wearing dolphin gear the feeling has been the same. Lose the remaining games to secure a better draft position and draft a QB in that spot. I can't blame them. As you said if the FO thinks MM is the answer we will see another Offensive lineman drafted. RT is my guess. 

We have now moved to far down in the draft with the win last Sunday to secure the very top QB prospects in this draft. My guess is 4 and possibly 5 QBs will be gone before we draft. Some of those teams have signed long term deals with QBs that are not playing very well. The Jags, and Bills come to mind in that category. Long team deal or not those 2 teams need a QB not to mention the teams that will take a QB for sure. I think we will be looking at Kellen Moore of Boise St. or Landry Jones of OU and one of them could be gone also. 

Any more wins and we will simply be moved out of the chance to draft the name brand QBs and still I want Miami to beat the tar out of NE and Jets.
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Rey · 11 weeks ago
As the ghost of Dolphins Christmas past, Matt Moore will either blow out his shoulder, retire and go smoke ganja in Hawaii or India, or become the Republican Presidential nominee and take the next two years off. As the ghost of Christmas future, Matt Moore will show strongly against the Patriots and outright beat the Jets (who will still make the playoff due to the collective ineptitude of the remainder of the AFC) and be a strong returning starter for the Dolphins. In our Christmas stocking in the draft (run by Jeff Fischer and Ireland) will be a QB who will be allowed to learn under the tutelage of the coaching staff and work his way into a solid long term starting role, and an explosive pass rusher to bookend Cam Wake as Jason Taylor becomes the host of Dancing with the Stars. 
A Merry Dolphin Christmas to all and to all......a Good Night!!! 
Rex Ryan purposely cast as the grinch, and Bill Belichek as scrooge in the preceding movie.... 

BIGREY OUT!!!
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thorny · 11 weeks ago
I personally would rather see this team kick the crap out of the Patsie's and Yets more than anything. I do not care about the draft order and it is silly to do so. Besides if Moore continues to perform I would prefer for him to remain the starter and I have NO PROBLEM WITH THAT. Let him play 

We do still need a Qb out of the draft, we got a good one this year but yet we have not seen him play. I can't let go on Irelame, look instead of grooming Delvin, they signed JP Loserman???? Great another bone headed maneuver from Irelame. 

This team hopefully will not blow it on the draft. I hope they trade up for a good Qb.
Reply1 reply · active 11 weeks ago
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Iam305Jules · 11 weeks ago
You and me both...
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+1
Iam305Jules · 11 weeks ago
Patrick... I hadn't even heard of Moore when the Fins got him, so I read up on him and what I liked was the fact he had had a good TD/INT ratio right up to his injury... but all this time I thought it had been a cuncussin. 

I was looking out for his turn under center during the pre-season and he understandably looked like a fish out of water but he had just joined Miami and it was after all, pre=season. Henne wasn't throwing INT's this season but he wasn't leading much either, when Moore got his call, I felt positive about it and now, I feel even better, so let me jjoin in in shouting out to Matt Moore, the Miami Dolphins Quarterback... at least for this season.
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Patrick · 11 weeks ago
One thing to keep in mind is the rookie salary cap makes it not such a burden to draft a 1st round QB even if a team has one under contract. In the past a team would be stuck if they drafted the wrong guy and paid him a bundle, but now they can just sign another. It means being in the middle of the pack in the NFL is the absolute worst position if a team is to ever get better at the QB position. The better teams already have the guy and the bad teams can draft them year after year. 

Perhaps the fans don't understand why they are feeling the unthinkable and wanting their teams to lose. In the back of their mind they know middle of the road only leads to more middle of the road...
Reply2 replies · active 11 weeks ago
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13kvFINS · 11 weeks ago
Unless a Danny @ pk 27, Aaron Rodgers @ 24, or a UDFA like Romo who THIS REGIME acquired while @ Dallas falls in your lap :) !! 

GOFINS!!
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kansasfinfan1 · 11 weeks ago
If somehow the Colts win in the last 2 weeks; and its the Rams are atop at number 1 in the draft, then we may be able to trade up to go and get Luck. This approach will be costly to get him probably at least 2 number 1s and 2 next year. Another approach is; we can trade up with one of the other teams in front of us, that do not need qbs and get either Barkley or RG3? 
Anyway we slice it we still need a franchise qb and not just a game manager but it is nice to know that Moore is a very competent starter for now until that guy is ready to go. I just hope we don't trade away too much because we still have other concerns on offense and defense.
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+1
louise.wilson · 11 weeks ago
You have a real problem in understanding the whole picture. MM is at the mercy of two factors. Protection and receiving. He can be 100% performance with his ability on the ground but the team can let the defense squash him if they want. The receivers can drop balls, and miss routes if they choose. If the team wants him they are going to perform 100% to protect this man at all costs and grab those balls like their careers depend upon it. In the pocket, out of the pocket, the QB's life depends upon his team. Now watch the next two games very carefully. See if those muscles lock on for protection. Those receivers do their job. And no flags are thrown for loss of yardage.
Reply1 reply · active 11 weeks ago
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Riverdog · 11 weeks ago
Are you saying Patrick has a real problem understanding the whole picture ? You're kidding us right ??? 

" And quit worrying about the draft. Ross already knows who he wants. He picked him out half way through the season. " ( Ross is having trouble everywhere he turns in the NFL circles at this time. ) How in the world does HE know who to draft ? C'mon Man...
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0
louise.wilson · 11 weeks ago
And quit worrying about the draft. Ross already knows who he wants. He picked him out half way through the season.
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Iam305Jules · 11 weeks ago
Maybe I should'vve added a question mark at the end of my question, so here it is, encore, rephrased and with a question mark: I thought I read Moore's stats , especially his TD/INT ratio had gone bad after he suffered a concussion, but until then they had been pretty good, true or false?
Reply1 reply · active 11 weeks ago
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Patrick · 11 weeks ago
Sorry Lou, I thought it was rhetorical... If you're talking about when he was at Carolina in his 4th season, he got concussed in the 1st game. Came back and sucked, so yes I think there is a correlation.
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Riverdog · 11 weeks ago
Before MM came here, the only thing I knew about him was one year he played pretty well and the next year not so well. I didn't know any other than that. 

When the dolphins picked him up, I thought Ireland is simply going after a warm blooded QB to fill an opening.
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Beach Potato · 11 weeks ago
I certainly think Matt is starter material. I still want a QB early in the draft. I just want/need to beat the Jets. 
Lets see what the defense gives up this sat against the Pats. Hope it snowing to beat the band and NE has to run the ball against our run defense. Thats our chance to get this game in the W column. Winning is the most important product of this team right now, let the draft play out later. ''Winning'' says Charlie!!
Reply1 reply · active 11 weeks ago
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13kvFINS · 11 weeks ago
Snow actually helps the pass game and hurts the run game!! (Brady says he ""prays for snow every week""),receivers know where they're goin sending DBs fallin all over themselves, while in the run game OLineman have minimal footage in trying to move planted DLineman and the RBs can't cut as they may need to,(especially if it get's cold & icey)...
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Riverdog · 11 weeks ago
Patrick !!!! Check your face book messages please...
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drg · 11 weeks ago
Patrick, 

Nice post. I doubt Moore could become the franchise QB we need, but he seems to be very capable of keeping us competitive while a rookie develops. With a full offseason and an improved OL, I could easily see us making the playoffs next year if he stays healthy. 

Other than Washington (and us), there aren't any teams that will absolutely draft a QB early in 2012. Even with another win, we will still likely draft around 12-13 and I could see RG3 potentially dropping to us there. Trading ahead of Cleveland or Washington is an option too. We aren't catching Seattle in the win column. They're the only other team likely to be hunting for a QB early next year. 

Even if Moore wins one or two of the remaining games, I would hope that we will identify the best QB in the draft not named Luck and do everything possible to get him. Who knows? Maybe Indy sticks with Manning and there is a bidding war for the first pick. Stranger things have happened.
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Patrick · 11 weeks ago
Louise, are you Home when you write this stuff? If so, welcome brother...
Reply1 reply · active 10 weeks ago
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13kvFINS · 10 weeks ago
Are you sayin what I think you're sayin??
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Otto · 10 weeks ago
I love the last statement!
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morris · 10 weeks ago
People talk about the Denver defense and how they deserve much credit. They ... but the defense played so well as when Orton was under center. Tebow is a number, of course, is not impressive, but his presence, and only about their power has increased, that the defense plays, where they are one of the best in the league, because Tebow is taking over. whatever, we can get more info on http://www.tebowformvp.com/, thanx
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