QB Matt Moore Changes Panthers 2008 Draft Strategy

by Jaxon on Jan 7, 2008 3:44 PM EST in News Comment 2 comments

I’ve already posted once that many mock drafts have the Panthers taking a QB in the first round and that it didn’t make a lot of sense to me given the surprising play of rookie QB Matt Moore. Moore has the size, arm strength and accuracy to compete in the NFL. More importantly he has shown poise, leadership and good decision-making to warrant inclusion in the Panthers future QB plans. The
question is whether John Fox and GM Marty Hurney agree with that assessment.

It seems the rest of the NFL noticed since Moore was named offensive rookie of the month for December.

Moore, an undrafted free agent from Oregon State, went 2-1 during the final month of the season, completing 49-of-79 passes for 564 yards with three TDs and two interceptions.
He made his first career start against Seattle in Week 15, leading the Panthers to a 13-10 win by throwing for 208 yards. His 92.8 passer rating was the highest ever by a Carolina rookie in his first start. In the Panthers' season finale at Tampa, Moore passed for a pair of touchdowns to go with a 94.8 rating in a 31-23 win over the playoff-bound Buccaneers.

Fox and Hurney went after QB David Carr the last off-season to back up Jake Delhomme probably because they had a feeling Jake was showing signs of breaking down. They missed on evaluating Carr but you have to give them credit for getting somebody. I think they will look again for a veteran to back-up Jake if for whatever reason he can’t play a full season.

Consider the following stat:

Of the 12 teams that reached the playoffs, none received fewer than 12 starts from their starting quarterback. Of the four teams to earn first-round byes — New England, Indianapolis, Dallas and Green Bay — none were forced to start a backup quarterback.

If Fox & Hurney’s jobs are truly on the line next season will they put their jobs on the arm of Matt Moore if Jake cannot come back? They seem too conservative for that in spite of all the potential he shows. I don’t see a rookie filling the bill either. I expect them to cut David Carr prior to April’s draft and go after another free agent, maybe even Cleveland’ Derek Anderson. JP Losman is another option since he wants out of Buffalo but that will require some wheelin’ and dealin’ and Losman may not be ready to accept a back-up role.

You might think Donovan McNabb is an option but given the Panthers salary cap issues he is probably out of our price range. I imagine the Falcons will be big players in the free agent QB market this off-season. I would hope so anyway.

What free agent QB would you like to see the Panthers go after to back-up Jake next season?

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We absolutely do not need to bring in or worry about another QB for next season. Matt Moore is pretty good and he's a winner. Basanez knows the playbook and is a smart guy, meaning he could be a good #3. If he can beat out Moore for the #2, then Moore would be the best #3 in the league. Either way, with our salary cap issues, we don't need another QB. A couple seasons ago we went with only 2 QBs on the roster and a third on the practice squad. Jake will be good to go next year, and Moore and Basanez are good enough. Moore's stats show that he is a capable QB and be competitive in this league. In three years, he could easily take over as the #1 and continue our winning tradition.

I want to see us re-sign who we're gonna re-sign quickly so it's not an offseason distraction, find a way to go from the 3-4 to the 4-3 seamlessly, give the ball more to Goings in short yardage, bring in some OL to compete, and give Richard Marshall and DeAngelo Williams permanent spots on the starting roster.

by usana_gaines on Jan 8, 2008 9:35 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Mat Moore should backup Jake in 2008

The Panthers Have a #2 QB Mat Moore. I don't want to dwell on the past but in my opinion the Panther's beat the Cowboy's.
However, If Mat Moore has not wone the backup QB spot. Please tell me why!!!
I see Mat Moore becomming a starter at some point.
Don't get me wrong I still love Jake and I can't wait to see come back healthy. Knowing that if or when the Panther's need someone to step in at the QB spot, MAT is there.
As far as the draft and off-season goes, the Panthers need a stronger/quicker Front Line. Not just in starters. They need to build some serious depth to it. They need a front line second to none with back up that is just as good. (A line that works together like a well oiled machine), No make that two front lines. Eight to ten players that can work just as efective regardless who's in there.
Once they have that, I believe you will see great things happen.
Untill then the best we can hope for is that the big play makers (that we allredy have) stay healthy??? and somehow we get to 8+8 or at best 10+6
It must be verry hard for the people recruting players to pass up a QB, WR, RB, CB or DB. and pick Front Linemen. But in my humble opinion.
Win the battle up front and give the playmakes (we already have). a chance to make the play.
Running into a hole that is not there. Making the QB to try and force the ball in there. Is exactly what happened all to often in 2007. and in 2006, 2005, 2004, for that matter.

You wouldn't drive a 100,000 dollar sports car without insurance would would you?

The Panther's have had started with a good and even a very good frontline only to loose key players to injury. Then we move players around because they just don't have any depth.

Again we need eight to ten starters on the line that can all work together. Playmakers, that give the "Playmakers" the opertunity to make the play.

by mikeL57 on Jan 8, 2008 7:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs