Matt Moore stepped in for an injured Ryan Tannehill and made plays that won the game.
Matt Moore hasn’t had extended play since 2011 when he had a solid season.
It’s ironic that after years of most fans being very tough on Ryan Tannehill (myself included at times), now that he is out and Matt Moore is the starter, and we’d would like nothing more than have him back to finish the season.
The irony goes deeper.
Moore’s last game was against the Jets with Todd Bowles as his coach, and it ended up in a 19-17 win for Miami.
But, the reality of today is that Miami’s best season in years now hinges on the arm and leadership of backup Moore, who has 5 years of rust.
Moore hasn’t started a game in over 5 years and has had a pedestrian career of 13-12 as a starter. Yet, Moore will now return as a starter for a team that is making a playoff push with 3 games remaining against their AFC East opponents with two of the games on the road.
It’s about as tough a return he could have.
The Dolphins are 8-5 and will have to go on the road to play the Jets in New York this Saturday at 8:30p. To make matters even more difficult, Moore has a shortened week to get up to full speed with the first team offense. Adam Gase will shrink the playbook for Moore, but he can’t make it too small. The Jets have a talented “D” and a good, defensive-minded Head Coach in Bowles, and the best pay per head sportsbook know if Miami is too predicable with too small a play list, it will give the Jets a dangerous edge.
Moore has excellent footwork and the aggressive nature Gase wants.
Moore has a reputation of being a gunslinger, because he’s not afraid to throw it into tight coverage and small windows. The problem is, as witnessed in his last game against the very same Jets in 2011, his accuracy takes a large hit beyond medium range. This could cause turn-overs if he doesn’t reel in his gunslinger mindset on the deep routes.
It’s not to say don’t throw deep, but just be very, very careful.
If Miami is going to win with Moore against the Jets, the coaches are going to have to make sure he understands that he’s part of the puzzle and not the here to be ‘the man’.
Miami and Moore will be successful if he manages the game and limits mistakes.
This is one reason why the Dolphins need to be successful running the ball. Jay Ajayi‘s success will take the desire from the QB to do too much. Also, with Moore having excellent footwork and an ability to climb the ladder better than Tannehill, a dink and dunk passing game, along with an effective running attack, will cause the play-action to open up the deep ball when the defense creeps up too much and too often…and that will lead to easy points.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if this story line could end up a ‘Earl Morrall light’ ending? I know this type of talk might be too grand for some — and I get that mindset. But, it’s time we Fin Fans dream big, because it’s been too damn long since we’ve any reason to and I really miss the good ole’ days when we did. Go Fins!!!