Moore Trouble?

by DavidH22 on Nov 21, 2011 9:50 AM CST

Although a few weeks ago many of us looked at Thursday’s matchup with a sense of ease, now I don’t think anyone is breathing easy at the prospect of playing the Miami Dolphins on Thanksgiving Day.

The last time these two teams met on Thanksgiving, Quincy Carter’s 8-3 Cowboys were destroyed 40-21, while Jay Fiedler had a career day. Now the Cowboys will be playing against another journeyman quarterback in Matt Moore, whom we all should remember well.

Like Tony Romo, Moore was an undrafted free agent. As a rookie in 2007, he played decently in pre-season for the Cowboys, going 29-21-182-1-0. I can recall the debate online as to whether the Cowboys should keep Moore, but with one relatively unproven quarterback already on the roster (and as the starter to boot), I recall that the team installed veteran Brad Johnson as the official backup and tried to sneak Moore onto the practice squad. But to no avail. The Carolina Panthers signed him a day later, and we all wished Moore well.

When Jake Delhomme was injured later that season, Moore was thrust into the starting position and acquitted himself quite well, and even got to face his old team in Week 15. He led the below .500 Panthers to a close loss against the 12-2 Cowboys, going 28-15-187-1-1. Moore was sacked five times. Over the next few years with the Panthers, Moore went 7-6 as a starter on some bad teams and garnered a 73.9 passer rating, not too shabby.

Moore signed with the Miami Dolphins this past “off-season” as Chad Henne’s backup. But of course Henne went down with a season-ending injury a few weeks into the season and Moore took over a winless team. The losing continued for a bit but the Dolphins were clearly improving as a team. We’re all aware now that Miami is on a 3-game winning streak, and Moore is a big part of this resurgence. Over the last three games, Moore has gone 70-50-603-6-1, for a 120 rating.

The Cowboys defense should be wary of the unassuming quarterback of whom they’d probably never heard before they start looking at film tomorrow. If former first rounder Rex Grossman can throw for nearly 300 yards and 2 TDs, why not Moore? Especially with a Dallas pass rush that is often non-existent, and with a banged-up secondary that struggles at times.

Welcome home, Matt Moore. Let’s hope that DeMarcus Ware and company will carve you to pieces.

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Comments

I hated that he was cut

Looking back on it who did they keep instead. Brad Johnson, way over the hill as he showed later. At other positions, they kept McQ, and some other pieces of crap. If you find a QB that can play, you keep him, even if the position numbers don’t add up.

by Docchain on Nov 21, 2011 10:03 AM CST reply actions

I think he could have been groomed as our future QB, or traded for picks

He is a lot like Romo, in that he takes a lot of chances that will either be a TD or an INT. Of course he is no where near as good as Romo and even though he is trending up, he is do for a couple picks. Anyone who thought the Skins would lay down was mistaken. No matter what the record is, NFC East teams come to play.

by 2tightendpkg on Nov 21, 2011 10:27 AM CST up reply actions

+41

I do believe that T New will be just the man for the job with Sensi or Scan with one too.

Optimissum Prime sees nothing but the best for America's Team!!!

by Cowboys_Attack on Nov 21, 2011 10:37 AM CST up reply actions

When I saw Moore and Thanksgiving

I thought you meant Herman.

by Leon on Nov 21, 2011 10:28 AM CST reply actions

No easy games

Face it. Just because there’s an “easy” stretch of schedule does not mean they are easy games.

This past game was a nice wake up call, division rival or not, following a blowout win. Blowouts are nice. Makes you feel good, no nervousness, etc… Reality is, sometimes things click on fire on all cylinders; other times, they don’t. Defenses and special teams save you then. Again….sometimes they don’t. Games often come down to one or two key plays.

I am not impressed with the Dolphins. Granted, they’re on a 3 game streak. Great for them. Look at the highlights, though. They’ve got plenty of issues. They’ve also had some extremely lucky and goofy things go their way.

If we keep on playing mistake free football, we win. Win out through the Tampa Bay game and we have the division. We can lose the last two even though we need to beat the Eagles in our own stadium. We can play second stringers @Giants if they’re not in the race for a wild card spot. If a W for them then means they’re in as a WC team, we need to beat them. Period. Finishing off a division rival is always critical. Like salt in a wound.

by MGlover54 on Nov 21, 2011 10:39 AM CST reply actions

Ummm...

“Win out through the Tampa Bay game and we have the division. We can lose the last two even though we need to beat the Eagles in our own stadium.”

No. You said it yourself, we may need to beat Philly in our yard. Scenario exists for them to take the division. So us winning out through TB alone does not ensure the division crown. It may, but it’s not a lock, as yet. Besides, just curious, but how can the “lose the last two” work with “need to beat the Eagles”?

Generally, yeah, like the thoughts expressed in your comment, especially finishing “off a division rival is always critical”. Always.

Cry 'Havoc!'

by tanstaafl on Nov 21, 2011 11:23 PM CST up reply actions

Two more wins (Miami and TB) puts us at 8-4

while the Giants play the Packers and Saints, and you have to assume they’ll lose one of the two, going to 7-5. We’d have a one game lead and play them twice, and head-to-head matchups trump division and conference records. Even if we win the next two, we’ll have to keep playing, plus, we’re a young team, rebuilding under a new HC who didn’t have an offseason; we’ll need the experience.

"How 'Bout them Cowboys!"---Jimmy Johnson

"...and the Cowboys...STUN the Bills!"--ESPN MNF

by ScottB1985 on Nov 22, 2011 2:23 PM CST up reply actions

Leave it to the damn Dolphins to show how un-awesome our win over the Bills was

Still not convinced the Dolphins are that good, though yesterday taught me to never underestimate any opponent. The Cowboys should still win and not have too difficult a time doing it.

Football Fever is in full swing.

by Grady90 on Nov 21, 2011 2:04 PM CST reply actions

Staying Humble Grady

That’s the key. Realizing your own shortcomings, that is also another key.

Key’s to what you ask?

The mentality needed to not overlook any opponent regardless of record.

anyone can beat anyone in the NFL.

If the Head coach doesn’t start making better decisions with playcalling, clock management, and game decisions, we won’t get to the promised land.

"Amongst the enemy's Lair, there will always be a DallasPalace!"

by DallasPalace on Nov 21, 2011 9:21 PM CST up reply actions

Keep in mind....

the Phins started drives on the Bills 4 yard line and 34 yard line and also blocked a punt for a TD. So the final number may be a little inflated.

by TheCowboyFan on Nov 22, 2011 2:14 PM CST up reply actions

the only reason I think we will win (maybe easily)

is because we generally bring our A game on thanksgiving. We play pretty damn well on Turkey day. There is probably a MASSIVE home field advantage when you consider the opposition usually has to travel 1000+ miles to get here on a short week and they don’ t get to see their families.

by foyesboys on Nov 22, 2011 5:06 PM CST up reply actions

We kept Nate effing Jones instead of Moore.

Jerry is the end all in Dallas.

by football mensa on Nov 21, 2011 8:34 PM CST reply actions

Who?

Football Fever is in full swing.

by Grady90 on Nov 23, 2011 1:13 AM CST up reply actions

I know

wouldn’t it be nice, Mensa, to have Moore backing Romo, like we should have right now?

"Amongst the enemy's Lair, there will always be a DallasPalace!"

by DallasPalace on Nov 21, 2011 9:24 PM CST reply actions

It would Palace.

Jerry is the end all in Dallas.

by football mensa on Nov 21, 2011 9:28 PM CST up reply actions

I was

scratching my head when I saw that they placed him on waivers, and hoped he would make it through. Garrett deserved seeing Carolina swoop him up.The whole fiasco was just another “learning” scenario for Garrett I guess. I hope that Garrett doesn’t have to keep “learning” after Thanksgiving.

God, the player decisions this team has made are very questionable.

"Amongst the enemy's Lair, there will always be a DallasPalace!"

by DallasPalace on Nov 21, 2011 9:42 PM CST reply actions

Actually Palace the player decisions on this team have been nothing short of pathetic and embarrassing.

Jerry is the end all in Dallas.

by football mensa on Nov 21, 2011 10:04 PM CST up reply actions

Well, um

Garrett’s supposed to fix all that, right?

"Amongst the enemy's Lair, there will always be a DallasPalace!"

by DallasPalace on Nov 21, 2011 10:10 PM CST reply actions

hehe mensa & palace i've pondered

the thought on some of the player personnel for many yrs now… it is what it is i guess.. any of u know what happened to rudy carpetner? he seemed pretty decent from what i’d seen.

by DarkKnight88 on Nov 22, 2011 4:15 AM CST reply actions