Matt Moore Unsure of Future With Dolphins

[Daytona Fin]

Moore will become an unrestricted free agent in March. His final game under contract will be Sunday when the Dolphins (8-7) host the New York Jets (3-12) at Sun Life Stadium.

Moore spent the past four seasons in Miami, including the last three years as Tannehill's backup. But Moore doesn't know if Sunday will be his final game with the Dolphins.

“I’ve enjoyed everything about my time here,” Moore said Friday. “I’m not sure if that’s going to end or if there’s a new chapter. I don’t know yet. When that time comes, I will figure it out then.”

Moore said he "absolutely" plans to play in 2015. He's just not sure of his destination. Moore, who made $4 million this season, is considered one of the top backup quarterbacks in the NFL.

But there could be several factors working against Moore returning to Miami. For starters, the Dolphins do not have a lot of cap space going into next season. That will make it challenging to re-sign key free agents such as Moore, starting defensive tackle Jared Odrick and starting tight end Charles Clay.

Miami also is further convinced Tannehill is the answer at quarterback than the team was two years ago when it last signed Moore as an insurance policy. The Dolphins may not want to spend a high amount again on a backup quarterback next season. Tannehill will have started all 16 games for the third straight season, while Moore has completed just 2 of 4 passes for 21 yards this year.

Moore said he understands the business and is “aware of possible change” with the Dolphins next season.

“If the situation is right, that will happen,” Moore said of coming back. “If there's a situation elsewhere that is intriguing, it might also happen. ... I’m going to kind of feel my way through it.”

http://espn.go.com/blog/miami-dolph...015?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

 

[FearTheBeard]

What a waste of $4m...if you lose your starting QB you're not gonna go deep in the playoffs anyway. Waste of resources when you're paying a guy $4m to sit on the bench.

Edit: Actually a cap hit of 5.5 million....you can get a solid starter for that number.

 

[uk_dolfan]

would love Matt back at a much cheaper price but I know the reality is he could compete to start or at least could be a well paid backup to a marginal starter elsewhere

good guy, good dolphin and I will wish him well

 

[Daytona Fin]

I think it's time to cut bait , unless he wants to come back for pennies on the dollar which I doubt.

 

[Austin Tatious]

He's not starter material. He's a good team guy and I appreciate his attitude while he was here. He's not a great fit for this offense. The problem is we don't have another capable backup. You may not make the playoffs with your backup but you do need to get to get through a few games for non-season ending injuries. So, if you let him go, we need someone able.

 

[DKphin]

At 5mil./yr, I would be a little unsure too.

 

[Bob512]

Classy comments from a classy guy. I hope we can keep him at a lower number....but the realities are that he will wind up somewhere else.

 

[ozman]

WV MVP. Maybe he can go back up Matty Pudding

 

[BAdkins159]

Would love to keep him. We are a hit away from disaster next season without a solid backup. 5.5 mil cap hit is rough though

 

[phins_4_ever]

It is quite pathetic how little respect Moore gets from Dolphins fans. The guy has done nothing but add value to this team be it through play (2011, 2012) or as a teammate. According to Tannehill they had a great relationship and he got a lot out of Moore. A great backup is as valuable as a great starting QB. How much lack of depth can hurt us we saw on our injuries in other departments. It is hard to find a good quality backup.
And a backup does not mean loser by definition. Many QBs who were/are backups can lead teams into the playoffs if they are called into action. I think the most famous example happened in 1999. The St Louis Rams were destined to go to the Superbowl. Huge preseason favorites. Starting QB Trent Green was hurt in preseason and out for the season. In came a QB who went undrafted, went to the Packers but never made the roster even as a backup. He stocked shelves for $5/hour and hooked up eventually in the Arena League. He played in the NFL Europe in Amsterdam.
And that QB was named as a backup to Trent Green by default because the two QBs he lost out to the previous year (Bono and Banks) were released. I remember the tearful press conference by Vermeil when Green went out. The Rams dropped to a prediction of not even making the playoffs. That year became what we know today as "the greatest show on turf" and a Superbowl win for The Rams.
But we don't have to look as high as Warner.

How about Jack DelHomme? Another "loser" to success story. He may not have won the Superbowl but barely missed out.

Sometimes QBs are just put in bad situations and even famous coaches like Holmgren, Marruicci and Reed miss out on QBs. I certainly don't know if Moore ever could lead us deep into the playoffs. Nobody else knows either. What I do know is that while a Miami Dolphin he was of great value to this organization and I definitely would have trusted him if Tannehill would have gotten injured.

It also shows a lot of arrogance to say "he would never lead us deep into the playoffs" if you are a fan of a team where we already have forgotten what it actually means to go deep into the playoffs. Our last playoff win is now almost 15 years behind us. But that is not deep. How about deep as in 2 playoff wins? Or with a bye to equalize one win? 1992!!!!!!! 22 years ago we went the last time deep into the playoffs. Since then no QB has led us anywhere in the playoffs.
And it seems quite the arrogance if your team has failed two years in the row to win a game of importance to even make the playoffs.

The reason why Moore was paid that high was the fact that the Dolphins believed in him to be the QB who can continue if Tannehill gets hurt. He was not here to replace him. He was our insurance policy. Some may think that Moore would have been better than Tannehill, some thought differently. And then you had those who saw Moore as a constant threat to Tannehill and simply want him gone because of that. In my opinion with Moore as a back up we had a pretty good 1-2 punch at QB.

I certainly hope that Moore stays. He knows the system. He knows the team. He has a good working relationship with Tannehill. It would be very shortsighted to just let him go.
If he goes I wish him good luck though I fear that the Jets will not let the opportunity slip to just grab him. That would be awful and I have to change my mind and don't wish him good luck.

Before anybody says "Moore would not do anything for us if Tannehill gets injured" may want to re-evaluate that statement considering that we haven't had a QB who led us anywhere in decades.

 

[HarryBagpipe]

Have you guys seen the list of upcoming FA qbs? Woof. A team like zona would be wise to pick him up as insurance depending on how Palmer rehabs. Cutler will prolly be available and maybe a team can get Bradford from the rams but after that its all back up caliber players that will be available. Moore should find a good spot somewhere.

 

[J. David Wannyheimer]

Matt Moore would be an instant upgrade for 2 teams in our division.

 

[enigmatics]

At 5mil./yr, I would be a little unsure too.

Except he's not under contract next year, so your comment is irrelevant.

 

[Hayden Fox]

True pro that could start for teams in the league.

 

[J. David Wannyheimer]

I don't want to see him on the Jets or Bills. Just being honest there. I sincerely hope that a team like Minnesota takes a flier on him instead. Teddy B is playing really well for a rook, but there will be injury concerns with him, I think.