Quarterback Matt Moore embracing backup role

Written by Matthew Cannata
Matt Moore, the backup quarterback of the Miami Dolphins, is finally embracing his role. This isn't to stay that he wasn't before but now, he fully understands his place on the team.

Some might wonder why it took him so long to understand his place on the Dolphins but remember that this was a guy who was bounced around before coming to the Dolphins. Then in 2011 when quarterback Chad Henne was injured, he came in and led the team to a 6-3 record after a 0-7 record, which was enough for him to be awarded the team MVP award.

Going into 2012, many assumed Moore would be the starter even after the Dolphins drafted Ryan Tannehill with the eighth pick in the first round of the NFL Draft. The nation saw quarterbacks coach Zac Taylor break the news to Moore on Hard Knocks that Tannehill would be the starting quarterback. Since that point, Moore has barely seen the field.

More specifically, Moore played in two games in 2012 and in 2013, he played only a part of one game. Both times were when Tannehill had to leave the game due to injury.

“I would love it if we won every game, and I never played,” Moore said. “That means Ryan is killing it. But limited time, getting in late in the year is tough. You know that’s the role of the No. 2 quarterback. That’s just the way it is.”

Moore now understands that his job is to push Tannehill and help him improve, especially with a new offense under Bill Lazor, which he is very excited about.

“The organization has been great, and living here sure hasn’t been bad,” Moore said at the end of the Dolphins’ minicamp last month. “I just do my job and try and succeed. Everyone has that competitor in them, and at this level, you have to understand your role. This is it. I’m here to push Ryan and challenge him and compete the best I can. I’ll be ready at a moment’s notice and be ready to do well.”

Moore is entering the final year of a two-year contract he signed in 2013 and will earn approximately $5.5 million, one of the highest figures on the team. At 30 years old, it remains to be seen if he would get a starting opportunity somewhere else in the league next year or if he would be content with staying in Miami at a lower figure to be Tannehill’s backup for the next several years. Regardless, the Dolphins have him this year and are in good hands if Tannehill were to ever have to leave a game. 

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