Matt Moore – December 17, 2016 (Postgame)
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Saturday, December 17, 2016
Postgame – at New York
Miami Dolphins QB Matt Moore (as transcribed by the New York Jets)
On his performance tonight…
When you come out with the win, all is well. But there are some things we have to look at and clean up for sure. But overall I think communication was pretty good against a good defense. The execution was there for the most part. Again, there are some things to clean up. When you get a ‘W’ against a divisional team on the road, that’s what you want.
On his feelings before the game…
There were some nerves. I’d be lying if I said there weren’t some nerves. Maybe it showed early. We started off slowly, but then we got into a groove in the middle part of the game. But once we got going, all of that negative stuff wore off. A couple of guys made some big plays and then we got on a roll. Credit to those guys for getting us going. The blocked punt, Jarvis Landry’s touchdown, all of it. It was pretty awesome down there getting stops at the goal line and then making something happen. Guys didn’t give up. That made it easier on me.
On if the defense’s focus on stopping the running game gave him opportunities…
Yes, like I said, it’s a good front. There were opportunities. Then it turned into a pressure game midway through and we had to have some answers. We did. We wanted to run the ball and again it was tough. But it allowed us to make some plays in the passing game. Once those guys got the ball in their hands, it was pretty impressive.
On how he feels after starting a game after such a long time…
I’m fired up. It’s a great feeling. We’re definitely going to enjoy it. I’m going to enjoy it and get ready to get back to work. We have another game next week. Our focus will be to win that one, but it feels great.
On his week after having a child last Monday and getting a divisional win on the road tonight…
It’s wild, but that’s the way it goes.
On his conversations with Ryan Tannehill during the game…
He was awesome, and I expected it to be that way. We talked about a few little things like IDs on the defense, what he saw from the sidelines, how he saw the backside cornerback playing. ‘Hey if you see this again, we could probably get this look.’ Extremely helpful, and I expected that. That’s who he is.
On the significance of a career-high four TDs in his first start in five years…
It’s a team win. I didn’t run 70 yards on Landry’s touchdown. So credit the guys that made the plays. Is it a good thing? Absolutely. But there’s no way that happens without those guys.
On the Kenny Stills play and the reaction after it…
We had max protection and they brought cover zero up. The defense wins those situations a lot of times. Just to execute the way we did…Kenny’s running. We blocked as many as we could. They brought one extra. To hit it was a big play. I think it was a third down. So I was just fired up. It’s good stuff.
On if he’s been around a team like this who started slow, yet are winning despite many injuries…
No I haven’t been around a team like this. Guys understand that they are truly on a team. We’ve had the ‘Next Man Up’ motto and guys have stepped up and filled in tons of ways. I think along the way all three phases have started to help each other out. Tonight that punt block sparked everything. Then we got the scoop and the score, which is a bonus. So it’s good right now. We just need to keep the focus and keep moving forward.
On how playing the whole game tonight will help him next week and in the future…
All of the obvious reasons – the experience, the reps, seeing the looks and throwing the ball in the game – all of those things. We’re going to learn from the film. That’s going to give us some things to work on this week. Anytime you can get competitive snaps in this league, it’s only going to make you better. So it should help moving forward.
On the nerves and the speed of the game…
I didn’t notice the speed of the game. I knew what to expect from that perspective. But maybe I felt nerves a little bit. It’s nice to complete your first ball. We had the quick out to MarQuis Gray, so that was good. But speed of the game was not an issue.
On what it means to be the backup for so long and to have the chance to lead this team to the playoffs with two more wins…
It’s something. We’re focused on one at a time. That’s been our whole mindset. Obviously guys know what’s on the table and the possibilities that are out there. But we’re focused on one thing at a time. Like I said, we’re going to enjoy this one and get back on the grind next week.
On if he had a chance to absorb this week…
There will definitely be time to reflect about this week tonight and tomorrow. I’ll relax for a second and then get moving again. It’s on to the next one, but there will be time for that for sure.
On his approach on the fact that he is the QB of a team very much in the playoff chase…
I don’t’ know how to answer that other to say that we’re focused on one game at a time. I think we’ve had the results we wanted because of the guys’ mindset. That’s also my mindset. One week at a time. Do everything you can to win one game and the rest will take care of itself.
