I’m OK with New QBs
Written by Matt Moore
Tuesday May 04 2010
I knew we needed some new blood and that the team was going to take a quarterback. It’s been real quiet in the quarterback room with just me and Hunter Cantwell. So when Clausen fell as far as he did in the draft, I kind of figured it would be a serious possibility that the Panthers would take him.
Hey, I thought it might happen and it did and honestly I didn’t think too much about it. Right now I’m the starting quarterback and I hope to keep it that way. The best guy is going to play, whoever produces and puts the team in the best position to win ballgames is going to be the one out on the field, that’s the way this league works. I understand that. All I’m focused on doing is what I’ve been doing. I’m not worried about what everyone is talking about as far as my playing time.
The best way to answer those questions is with the way I perform on the field.
That’s how the NFL works. There’s always someone up and coming who wants your job. It always comes down to field production, and that’s how it should be. I know if I’m not producing, they’re going to find someone who will. The benefit is that having someone behind you pushing you lights that fire and makes you a better player. Not that I didn’t already have it, but it’s good and reinforces that someone is always chasing you. So just make sure you put your team in position to win every time you take the field so there are no questions.
I was kind of excited to get the new guys in during mini-camp last week. I was excited to meet them. I knew Jimmy was a SoCal kid who put up big numbers at Notre Dame. Tony came on strong last year at Cincinnati and did really well there. I was excited to just meet these guys and get to work with them and have a little more conversation in the quarterback room.
I met Jimmy and Tony on Thursday, the first day of mini-camp. Both were kind of quiet and wide eyed, just like all the new guys. I got to watch them play a little bit. Clausen is a little more advanced I think, he came out of a similar system at Notre Dame. He’s a very sharp kid, asked all the right questions, and very accurate. Pike is like all the guys coming from a spread offense who need to learn new terminology and everything. It was good to get those guys in here and interact with them a little bit.
Both can really throw the ball, and don’t forget about Hunter Cantwell. He has a rocket for an arm and he’s in the mix here, too. The quarterback room is going to be young, but with quality guys. I’m just excited for the season, happy we got through mini-camp with some good things to work on. I’m excited to get to OTAs and training camp and get to work.
When I first got here I had Jake Delhomme and a lot of older guys, they were always offering to lend me a hand. I know how much I appreciated it, so that’s the way I want to be with these guys. They can come to me for anything.
We ended mini-camp with a little scrimmage type deal, offense and defense on the field, plays called in from the sideline. The guys responded really well and there were some big plays made on both sides of the ball. The last play was a deep ball to Steve Smith and it was great to be out there making plays and end mini-camp on a high note.
Matt Moore is a quarterback with the Carolina Panthers. His blog for www.playerpress.com runs at www.mattmooreqb.com.
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Matt, I knew the first time I saw you play that Carolina had a special person on their team. Like may others, I called for you to go in at the first of last year after game 5 and I bet Coach Fox wished he had made that change now? Your style reminds me of a combination of Tom Brady and Brett Favre and that's not a bad thing either. I like to see you sling the ball down the field so keep the long shots going and impress the fans because I know you will this season. I'm wishing you the best of luck in 2010/2011 and hope you keep the fire burning all year. Thanks for being a team player!!
Matt right now you have everything and more working in your favor right. You have experience in this system, a 75% success rate as a starter, and most importantly Smitty is your biggest fan. I think one of your biggest strengths is your level-headed approach to the game. You won't let the occasional interception break your mental stride. This is the difference between a good QB and a great QB and you definitely have that. Dude you have it in the bag ..You have a strong running game, the best WR in the league, a level head and a strong arm. Don't let the hype from the media about Jimmy Clausen/Tony Pike try to fool you .. Jimmy is a rookie, he is going to be great, but not this year. Jimmy is going to need time to adjust to the speed of this game, even Peyton Manning and Joe Montana did. I truly believe you will rise to the challenge and prove to Fox that this is your team. Just keep doing what you were doing and forget about everything else..
u got this matt! section 504 at bank of america stadium has your back!
Look forward to Jimmy being youre back for the next 10 years.
Matt, I'm looking forward to you taking this team to the next level. I know you will and not worried who is behind you. I am glad they are behind you but know you are the man for the job. Handle your business! ;)
Matt I was at your 1st game against the Seahawks. I thought you managed the game well. I also believed from that moment you would be our next QB. You have new tools and I think you will utilize them well. JC will have to bring his "A" Game to challenge you for this spot. Keep doing well and don't look back. As the Raiders say. "JUST WIN BABY!!!!"
To me there's no competition. I re-watched some of Matt's work last year. And he looks awesome. I'm on board. I'm a Panther's fan first, so I want the QB who offers the best chance to win it all. I have no doubt Matt is that QB. Let's go shock the world Matt!!!
Your attitude is awesome, man. Keep it up. I owe you one for delivering me a birthday present on December 20th last year. I told my friends all I wanted was a Panthers victory, and it was definitely one of my better birthday nights in years! Keep playing how you have been and I have no doubt you'll be a starter for years to come!
The reigns are yours Matt, and we're all pulling for ya. As long as you don't let the Clausen hype get to you, you'll be fine. You were on fire last year throwing to mostly blocking tight ends for targets. Armanti Edwards is a freakin baller if he can get the routes down, and Lafell has some good potential. If these guys pick up the system as fast as they run, you'll get to opt out of the pro bowl to be fresh for next years superbowl! Good luck Matt, and GO PANTHERS!
Amen to that
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