So we’re hearing all these great things about Matt Moore, and I’m glad about it. I think Jake has two more years left before, at the age of 36 or something like that, Moore takes over the same way the undrafted free agent Romo did for the former #1 overall pick Drew Bledsoe. However, Jake is back this year. Last year he was coming off a bad 2006 and half the critics were predicting Carr to beat out Jake. Well Jake got off to a great start, and then got hurt. Carr proved to us that he wasn’t even in Jake’s league, so he’s gone. Now Jake’s arm is stronger and he has more weapons. The writing is on the wall that Moore is the future of this team. Jake knows there’s no time like the present, however, and this year he’s going to prove it. He knows that a couple red zone interceptions will have people calling for Moore. He also knows he’ll have more weapons in the passing game than he’s ever had. So this year is Jake’s year to get it done and win it all. You know he, Smitty and Moose already have the timing and chemistry down. Now it’s time to show the rest of the football world that Moore is impressive in camp, but this is still Jake’s team.

You’re right about that. I just hope the attention Moore is getting is motivating to Jake. I hope he realizes that what happens to other QBs can happen to him if he thinks the status quo will be good enough. What I like is that I know Jake is a self-motivator, so I’m not worried about it, either. I’m excited that Moose compliments Moore, because that kind of talk was missing last season. Last season had finger pointing in training camp. This year, there is more encouragement, teamwork and cohesion. Moose is one reason for that, and a vote of confidence from Moose is motivating to a young UFA like Moore.

but remember…moose is coming from grossman and kyle orton..so maybe his view is skewed alittle? j/k its good news

Moose played with some horrible QBs. There is one real positive I like, though. Moose made it to the Superbowl again. He was never a burner, and he hasn’t lost a step anyway. Running routes, catching passes and blocking are learned skills, and you know he hasn’t forgotten how to do that. He also has the bitter taste of losing two superbowls, and now being paid like he’s too old to be a number one. He knows he deserves #1 money, but he’s not complaining. He’d rather just win. He’s going to win. He reminds me a lot of Art Monk. When they needed Monk to catch 50 passes, he did. When they needed him to catch 106, he did. Although many said he was never a dominating threat, he was the unquestioned starter on four superbowl teams, three of them winners. Well Moose is the same way. He’ll do what is asked, he’ll do it better than you thought he could, and his leadership and dedication show up more on the win column than the stat page.

This brings me back to Moore, the original subject of this post. Moore played for a 7-9 team hurting for morale, commitment and mental toughness. In that scenario, he went 2-1 as a starter. Now he gets to see real pros, watching Jake throw to Moose and Smitty. He gets to see hungry, watching position battles at nearly every position on the team except #1 receiver and QB. He even gets to see inspired, as an earlier post talked about how Basanez, who wants to be the #2 guy, emulates Vinny’s professionalism and game time preparation, even though he doesn’t expect to play. Let’s be honest, we don’t just have new talent, there is a new attitude, perspective and new expections in Carolina. That’s going to be the main difference that propels us to 13-3 this year.