Turkeyday Food for Thought: Learning Patience from the Success of Matt Moore
by Revshawn on Nov 24, 2011 11:30 AM EST
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Once there was a man in Carolina who salvaged a season thought completely lost. A man who with the brief time he was here, restored faith in our team and hope for the future. He was a man who was constantly held back in the depth chart due to the incompetence of John Fox and injuries beyond his control. A man we knew that if given the chance to play games and develop, he could become a starting quarterback in the NFL.
I'm talking about the most heartbreaking release of 2011, Matt Moore. I always believe that he received a bad rap with our team. Of all the players ever hurt by our propensity to play old veterans instead of talented ones during the John Fox era, Matt Moore is the most important. Now that he has gone to Miami, we are beginning to see the kind of talent he's capable of in producing stat gaudy wins against Kansas City, Washington, and Buffalo. Six touchdowns and 1 interception in the last three games with over a 70% completion rating. Absolutely astounding.
As a Panthers fan, I can't help but wonder what would have happened if Matt Moore had been given a better shot. When Matt Moore went 4-1 in the latter end of the 2009 season, he should have been our trusted starter. There should have been no question about it and Jimmy Clausen shouldn't have been drafted when he fell to us in 2010. Matt Moore had been with the team for four years. He was a veteran. He had paid his time on the depth chart and now it was time to receive his due. Instead, John Fox ripped him out of the starting lineup after two games and then threw resident pretty-boy Jimmy Clausen into the fire. The results could be seen from a mile away: Disaster.
So the Panthers go 2-14 for the rest of the season. Instead of letting Matt Moore develop in a starting situation, the Panthers decided to move on from him too quickly and it helped contribute to our terrible season. It's most important that we as fans learn from the mistakes that John Fox made during his reign and not rush to a conclusion with Cam Newton. We need to give him time to develop under center. Sure, his career hasn't started out the way we wished in terms of wins and losses. He hasn't delivered in the clutch when we were looking for one last score to win the game. However, he has genuine talent and we've got to give him time to develop it, an offensive line to protect him, and talented receivers that can't only catch his balls but also make plays after the catch.
I know quietly in the back of all our minds the questions have been brewing. How good will Cam Newton really be? How many seasons should we wait until we try to give Cam some competition if he disappoints? How long should we wait before we talk about replacing Ron Rivera? Does this coaching staff really have what it takes to build a Super-Bowl caliber team? Can they repair our defense?
The sad fact of the matter is that the question doesn't matter. We've taken Cam Newton as our QB and Ron Rivera as our Head Coach we owe it to them to give em 3-4 years to take command of this team and make it their own. The NFL is a passing league and Newt is going to have to show consistent improvement in that area if he's going to be a success. As it stands today, he has thrown 12 touchdowns as opposed to 14 interceptions through 11 games. While his 9 rushing touchdowns have helped make up the difference, we would be kidding ourselves if we think they'll be available in the playoffs without a consistent passing attack. He's got to continue to get better.
The 2011 season might as well be an extended training camp. We tried to kid ourselves earlier in the season when Cam Newton had a pair of 400 yard games and we went toe to toe with Green Bay, but that's what this season has always been. We're like a raw turkey without it's seasoning. Sure it may look good, but it ain't ready. Chef Rivera needs to take this Caturkey into the kitchen and add ingredients from the free agency and the draft. It needs to take a few years to sit in the oven and bake. Then when the aroma draws us in from the living room to catch a peek at our delicious treat, we might realize that we have a Super Bowl feast to enjoy for years to come.
Happy Thanksgiving Panther fans! It's been a joy to hang out with you all. While we give thanks for other things besides football, let us also give thanks in advance for the future successful seasons that surely must be coming. In the meantime, I'm sure we'll all be quietly rooting for Matty Moore during the game tomorrow. Have a good one.
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How I miss Matt Moore
The guy has talent. It’s a shame he couldn’t find a permanent spot on this team, love him as a player.
Don't start that Clausen vs Moore thing with me again, OldhamA. Even indirectly.
I told you all last year that Moore had the stuff to do what he’s doing now.
Winning when it doesn't matter, or his forte.
You tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is 'never try'. -Homer Simpson
by Swamp Panther on Nov 24, 2011 1:40 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Playing well and winning after the 'Fins season is already lost....
"If ya ain't first, you're last."
- Ricky Bobby's Dad
"There is no evidence that the tongue is connected to the brain."
-Frank Tyger
by KaiserBromley on Nov 24, 2011 3:08 PM EST up reply actions
That is exactly what I said verbatim wasn't it?
You tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is 'never try'. -Homer Simpson
by Swamp Panther on Nov 24, 2011 4:56 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Woooow, taking what I said a little far aren't we?
"If ya ain't first, you're last."
- Ricky Bobby's Dad
"There is no evidence that the tongue is connected to the brain."
-Frank Tyger
by KaiserBromley on Nov 25, 2011 11:29 PM EST up reply actions
Im glad Moore is doing well but I still dont think he would have won us more games this season because of our horrible D. I can think of 3 games off the top of my head this season where Cam did go clutch and the D lost us the game. Well the 1st game was the Jags, he delivered a TD strike in the final moments and we won, against the Saints he got us ahead with 2 minutes to go and our D let it go against Brees, he tied it in the 4th qtr against the Lions but the D failed again. And against the Vikes, it was 4th and 13, he delivered a strike to Lafell and got us in field goal range to tie it but Mare choked. Cam has also been great on 2 point conversions, infact Cam is 2/2 on 2 point conversions and both are even pass plays.
I agree with you though, once Cam has a full season of games under his belt he will be deadly
Just a point of order
Moore wasn’t yanked he got a concussion than hurt is throwing shoulder and was placed on ir.
by jai6y6 on Nov 24, 2011 12:06 PM EST via mobile reply actions
But he shouldn't have been playing in the first place because of his concussion Week 1.
"If ya ain't first, you're last."
- Ricky Bobby's Dad
"There is no evidence that the tongue is connected to the brain."
-Frank Tyger
by KaiserBromley on Nov 24, 2011 3:09 PM EST up reply actions
While I agree with you that Moore got a raw deal (and I’m really happy to see him playing well for Miami), if Jimmy hadn’t played last year and if we’d have done better that 2-14, would we have Cam now? It’s funny how things turn out and I do believe Newton has a massive future with us; it would be a shame if he’d gone to Denver/Buffalo instead.
by rassling on Nov 24, 2011 12:07 PM EST via mobile reply actions
If we don’t go 2-14 Fox is probably still the Carolina coach because of the impending lockout. Probably just a one-year extension to see how the team would turn around.
Beyond that, the top of the 2011 draft minus quarterbacks contains guys like Von Miller, AJ Green, Patrick Peterson, & Julio Jones, all of which would’ve filled a need going into this season (Miller at LB is questionable but TD’s knees have been a question for years).
Extending even further, maybe Andrew Luck comes out if he’s going to Denver with the #1 to work with Elway; if he does, maybe Newton falls to us anyway & we trade down for a change.
Good for matt moore
hes with a team with some idea how to run an offense. last year, our oc didnt have a clue. cam did come out fast, but once teams get game tape they make adjustments. I for one think this offense will keep getting better. remember, no offseason. i think they worked mostly on offense in preseason. they couldnt foresee all the injuries on def. they will fix the def. next season.
I dont think Clausen qualifies as a pretty boy
Just sayin
by Nevar on Nov 24, 2011 12:13 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Some might think that speedo pic qualifies him as such.
Not I, though. Just sayin.
No offense Rev, because I respect your opinion here, but it kinda sounded to me that you make Cam out to be a terrible QB this season. I mean, MM was good for us, and I am happy he has caught on in Miami. But the fact is, if I had the chance to pick between MM and Cam Newton, I would pick Newton every second. Cam is working himself into the NFL game. He is a rookie, and is going to make and has made some of the same mistakes MM made when he was a rookie. But I see Cam being a far better QB than MM will ever be because of the full breadth of talent and raw potential Cam brings to the table.
Cam has already exceeded our expectations, and quite frankly, I have a hard time blaming our losses on him. Our defense has let us down far to many times when we have needed them this season. Cam has done far more than any of us expected, and he is only a rookie. Not to mention the fact we have played far better teams than Miami has so far with MM at the helm for them. I don’t think we need to worry about Cam not getting better. To me that is a slightly ridiculous thing to think that he won’t get better.
Like I said, I am very happy that MM is catching on in Miami (we will see if he hangs onto the job though). But I would repeat last season honestly, if it meant giving us a franchise QB who can get us to SB’s in the future. Honestly, I don’t see MM being able to do that. I wish him the best though, and I hope he becomes the QB Miami needs him to be.
Proud Member of Cat Scratch Reader and coiner of the (minus Bowers) meme
I don't mean to make Cam Newton look like a bad guy. His talent is obvious for us all to see.
I’m talking strictly in terms of wins and losses when I say that he hasn’t performed to expectations. When he opened the season throwing a pair of 400 yard games, we had a lot of reason to start getting hyped up. It’s early in the season, Jon Beason and Thomas Davis are kicking rear, we’ve got two star tight ends, we might do something special. But now that we’re 2-8 and the Panthers have started on a downward spiral due to bad luck and injuries, a lot of the lunatic fringe part of our franchise over on the Charlotte Observer seen intent on us joining the Suck for Luck sweepstakes.
It’s just what I said in my article. It’s too early for us to see how our team is going to shape out for the future. We should try to pull the plug on Cam Newton too early to satisfy the weirder, more knee-slap reaction prone part of our fanbase. Cam truly has talent, but he’s got to continue to develop it and become a consistent passer to succeed in the playoffs. Our coaching staff has to do their part and surround Cam Newton with a dominant O-Line, add another star wide receiver for Steve Smith, and keep our running backs within the organization and start using them better. We’ve got to build a defense that is going to give Cam Newton some help so that he doesn’t have to continue breaking rookie records trying to win games.
Cam and Rivera both need at least 3-4 years before we start talking about pulling either of their plugs. We’ve started on a journey when we drafted Cam Newton at #1. Regardless of where that leads us, we need to pursue it hard and finish it.
Brandon Thompson is the new Jacoby Ford. You better pick him Panthers or you will be doomed to relive the 2010 season over and over again in the Twilight Zone.
Barring injury or arrest, Newton is here for the next decade.
"Nah, you look like Elijah Wood." - danmerqury
Turkey Food for thought - CLARIFIED......
Let’s start with Miami…
They have a very solid defense, solid offensive line, solid receivers plus they have now figured how to use Reggie Bush effectively . This only makes it easy for an average at BEST QB as Matt Moore perform well in that system.
Unlike Panthers, they have a Non -existent Special team. Atrious Defense which is a JOKE, Weak offensive line, Non-consistent receivers minus Steve, In order words, Panthers is an extremely Weak and Bad team
The Good Key thing going for Panthers is that they have CAM NEWTON…..and they better RESPECT and build around him asap.
There are very few QB in the league right now including Aaron Rodgers if added to the current Panthers team can do better than what CAM is actually doing. I would even argue will have a worser record considering the current Panthers nucleus is very weak.
So to be clear, Matt Moore is lucky to have landed in a team that is not as BAD as the Panthers and he should make the best of his opportunity but i don’t consider Matt More as a Top end QB. He’s an average and will only be able to MANAGE games….
For the RECORD, Matt Moore will NOT be Miami future QB…They will finally draft their QB of the future in 2012 Draft…
I was agreeing with you until you said
they had a solid OLine. Only the lt, who has underperform and up and coming center who will only get better and an decent lg. Both the rg and rt sucks ass, they need replacement their very bad. Both teams OLine is inconsistent at best.
by adam carter on Nov 26, 2011 2:24 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I was so pissed when we drafted Clausen for exactly this reason
I truely believed Matt could be an NFL QB. He makes all the throws. I was at the Vikings game in 2009 when he went up against Favre and we destroyed them. It was awesome. I think it was unfair last year with Matt. He had a tough first game, then started the next week despite a concussion, and led us to our only good offensive performance of the season (against the 49ers). I really liked Matt, and I think he got a bad rap as well. I’m really happy to see him succeeding in Miami, and I hope he goes on to be very successful.
"The way y'all are lollygaggin around here with them picks and them shovels, you'd think it was 120 degrees...can't be more than 114."
by SouthernPanther on Nov 24, 2011 12:20 PM EST reply actions
We haven't won a road game since Moore carved up the Giants at their place, 2 years ago.
Hopefully, that ends Sunday.
Just give the ball to Deangelo Williams.
The Colts have messed around with this ‘speedy’ panzy offense for far too long. It’s about time we showed them what happens to their running game when you used undersized defensive tackles that can be pushed around like spare baby toys.
Brandon Thompson is the new Jacoby Ford. You better pick him Panthers or you will be doomed to relive the 2010 season over and over again in the Twilight Zone.
Moore was our starter
There’s no way that Fox ever starts a rookie without injuries to his main QB.
In my opinion, the reason last season was so terrible is that Fox is a great coach IF he has control over personnel.
The Panthers front office went young, and Fox refused to adjustment his game plan.
Honestly, if the lockout wasn’t going to happen, there is no way Fox would have coached last year.
Call me when the season matters….
Proud member of the Panthers Mafia!
Saving The Environment One Green Comment at a Time
'We got to learn to stick in the knife and turn it - Ron Rivera aka BAMF
ding ding ding
"If ya ain't first, you're last."
- Ricky Bobby's Dad
"There is no evidence that the tongue is connected to the brain."
-Frank Tyger
by KaiserBromley on Nov 24, 2011 3:11 PM EST up reply actions
One thing I gotta disagree with you on Rev;
Of all the players ever hurt by our propensity to play old veterans instead of talented ones during the John Fox era, Matt Moore is the most important.
Have to argue CJ is the most important to have suffered from Fox’s style.
One other thing, I don’t think there’s any doubt Cam gets better. There’s a better chance of Rick Perry being elected President than of Cam not getting better and better as time progresses.
"If ya ain't first, you're last."
- Ricky Bobby's Dad
"There is no evidence that the tongue is connected to the brain."
-Frank Tyger
But I'm happy for Matt Moore.
Although he’s only continuing his career trends. Plays well when there’s really nothing to play for, other than respect. I’ll give him that he’s playing well, and I’m glad, but let’s see how he does if MIA goes through TC and preseason and begins the season with MM as their undisputed starter next year.
"If ya ain't first, you're last."
- Ricky Bobby's Dad
"There is no evidence that the tongue is connected to the brain."
-Frank Tyger
by KaiserBromley on Nov 24, 2011 3:16 PM EST up reply actions
Charles Johnson and Hardy both got the screw.
Those were pretty bad too. Hardy was even worth because it was so plainly obvious that he was a good player. John Fox even took him out of the defensive lineup during the preseason and Hardy still blocks a field goal or a punt. Can’t remember which.
Brandon Thompson is the new Jacoby Ford. You better pick him Panthers or you will be doomed to relive the 2010 season over and over again in the Twilight Zone.
What pisses me off about Fox:
He’s totally adjusted the Denver O to accommodate Tebow yet he rigidly stuck with Foxball with Clausen. Absolutely maddening. (and yes Clausen is a WCO passer and we had no running game last year)
"Nah, you look like Elijah Wood." - danmerqury
That really, really, really pisses me off too.
"If ya ain't first, you're last."
- Ricky Bobby's Dad
"There is no evidence that the tongue is connected to the brain."
-Frank Tyger
by KaiserBromley on Nov 25, 2011 11:30 PM EST up reply actions
Of course we got Cam out of it.
"If ya ain't first, you're last."
- Ricky Bobby's Dad
"There is no evidence that the tongue is connected to the brain."
-Frank Tyger
by KaiserBromley on Nov 25, 2011 11:30 PM EST up reply actions
How is it revisionist?
There are those of us on this board who long held that Moore had the talent to be a winner (as he was with us in 2009), but got no support from the Panthers. We knew he was capable of this kind of performance, and said so at the time. I for one have revised nothing I’ve felt about Moore.
Were you here on the blog that day when the Panthers released Matt Moore? It was like someone had stabbed us in the heart. We were moping around for a good bit that day. I for one am quite happy to see Matt Moore winning three games in a row. I hope he makes it four today.
Brandon Thompson is the new Jacoby Ford. You better pick him Panthers or you will be doomed to relive the 2010 season over and over again in the Twilight Zone.
I feel good for Matty
He’s definitely great at making the most of his opportunities when there’s no pressure on him.
Problem is he falters when there’s something on the line… but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve a long career as a backup because the man is a class act.
Matt was never the long term answer
James hit the nail on the head, Matt is afantastic backup capable of filling in for stretches but not the type of player you would build a franchise around.
Good luck to Matt but i don’t think it would be prudent of the dolphins to proclaim Matt thier franchise QB. Alot like Ryan Fitzpatrick and Matt Cassel, Good fill in players but players that are unlikely to lead you to the superbowl
by West Aussie Lyall on Nov 24, 2011 10:32 PM EST reply actions
moore will be remembered as a guy who had good stretches here
but if the guy is truly a long term starter in miami, he starts there game 1 this year, not chad henne. same goes for charlotte, if hes got the goods then he makes the case known in practice in 08 and supercedes fan favorite jake and gets into the game because he brings the goods all the time. he didnt, theres the answer.
theres nothing shameful in being a SOLID backup, and if backup is a dirty word then call him a solid #2. he has arm strength, that pass to bess yesterday was sick, along with that early one to marshall. I still remember his sick pass downfield in the 07 saints game after magic hands got hurt, jake delhomme was shown on camera after yelling at moore because he wasnt playing within the system, this shows moore has balls too. wish it would have traslated earlier in 08, but it didnt…and so the saying goes “it is what it is”.
"..and we have scott may coming back this season.." bob johnson quote before the start of 07-08 season, when he didnt even know his own players name.
I'm a Matt Moore Fan and thought he wasn't given an adequate chance
But I’m pretty content with the way things turned out with the Rivera coaching staff coming in and Newton as the franchise QB. I agree with others above; Moore is a proven fantastic back-up & team player and it’s great seeing him play well with Dolphins.
Y'know I just read the post itself.
It’s a little terrifying.
"Nah, you look like Elijah Wood." - danmerqury
I've watched a little bit of Moore and the Dolphins.
And he’s an average QB, nothing more than a solid backup capable of managing the game with a strong defense, running game, and a bonafide #1 WR. Put any pressure on him and he’ll crack. He still makes boneheaded decisions with the ball, yes even during that 4-1 stretch, we just didn’t want to see it, myself included.
That said the point Revshawn is trying to make is still valid, we need to be patient with Newton and Rivera and give them the tools they need to be successful, which they really don’t have this year. If we still have questions in a few years time, then we can talk about replacing them.
Yes I'm a dude.
by Flowing Willow on Nov 25, 2011 12:26 PM EST reply actions
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