Not ready to break out the party hats just yet
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by S4G
12/17 Matt Moore, an undrafted rookie free agent, that didn't make the cut on the Dallas Cowboys, has led the Carolina Panthers to a win against the NFC West Champions - the Seattle Seahawks - but why am I not ready to think my ride on the Carolina Panthers bandwagon (which is looking pretty roomy right now) is going to take me to the promised land?
Carolina won the battle of the clock (owning the ball for over 35 minutes), the offensive line held the #2 sack defense to no sacks, Steve Smith got the ball when it was needed, John Kasay kicked a pair through the uprights (despite missing one earlier in the game), the Panthers pounded the ball, and the defense got to the quarterback and caused turnovers. It was a Panthers fan's kind of game all around.
I confess that I was pretty much resigned to the idea of Carolina losing out. The last three games of the season were against Division Champions. Vinny Testaverde is showing his age (as expected), David Carr is getting booed by the hometown crowd (which was desperate for another win), and the "#3" quarterback on the roster coming into the game with a well below league average rating of 21.1 - I was a little concerned. Especially with the defense apparently falling asleep and trying to mail it in of late. But the Panthers have given this fan something to hope for (let me have it, it's all I have for now). But...
I am not ready to believe that an 8-8 season is still possible - and yes, I would be almost excited as a Dolphins fan yesterday if they make it to 8- this year. Next week brings the NFC East Champions Dallas Cowboys to Bank of America stadium. With Carolina winning yesterday, and Tony Romo failing to produce that last minute-heart-stopping-clutching-victory-from-the-jaws-of-defeat rally yesterday, the Cowboys will be hungry. There may even be some factor of something to prove against the Black Cats, why? Because Carolina seems to beat the Cowboys in playoff games - but this isn't a playoff game, and the Panthers have not always fared so well against Dallas in the regular season. I'm not even thinking about the trip to Tampa to close out the season yet.
Matt Moore just earned himself an invite back to the Panthers training camp next year, and I will get to savor this for another five days.
- As you said, cut by the Cowboys.
So basically Matt Moore has never been wanted by anyone since he left High School but he kept showing up. He's got a high QB IQ and some skills so I think he can be a decent QB in this league, at least a solid back up.