Matt Moore – December 14, 2016
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Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Quarterback Matt Moore
(Was it more nerve-wracking the birth of your child or coming in on Tuesday, 11 o’clock, ready to go?) – “Everything was good. Obviously, the baby, everybody is healthy, everybody is good and I’m here ready focused on the Jets.”
(What has your week been like? Describe the roller coaster. Is that the right term?) – “Yes, any time you have a kid, it probably throws a little wrench in there. But no, it’s been good. It’s been pretty normal. Monday, it was nice to have the day off and then kind of got rolling. It’s been really normal, to be honest with you.”
(Son or daughter? And what’s the birth weight?) – “The birth weight? That’s very specific. It’s a boy. He’s just under seven pounds.”
(What’s his name?) – “Wyatt.”
(Like Earp?) – “Just like Earp.”
(In the delivery room, were you thinking about football a little bit in the back of your mind? Be honest…) – “No, no. I was focused on my wife and the baby. You’re having a kid, it doesn’t happen all the time. So I was wearing that hat at the time.”
(This week doesn’t happen all the time either though. What’s it like for you?) – “It’s an opportunity. I’m just focused on getting better and winning one game. So that’s where my head is at. I’ve done this before, so like I said, I’m just trying to jump in and have these guys and myself really not miss a beat. I’m just preparing for one game and one focus.”
(How much has the experience or just instincts of having done this before have you ready where you know you have a short week…?) – “Yes. I mean having … Like you said, just having that experience, knowing what to expect, knowing the schedule and how quickly things happen and what’s about to happen on Saturday with the game and everything. Having done it obviously makes it easier. Having been around for a while and obviously watching guys prepare and being with Ryan (Tannehill) for so long, that helps. Like I said, playing and being around for a while definitely helps.”
(When you saw that hit could you imagine that QB Ryan Tannehill didn’t tear everything in his knee?) – “I actually didn’t see it. I didn’t see the hit, but I saw his reaction and I knew it was tough. But after seeing it on tape, yes, it’s pretty crazy. So I don’t know where he’s at with everything, but he’s a tough guy. He’ll be back full force I’m sure.”
(The center/quarterback exchanges, where are you with that and do you feel comfortable in your communication now with C/G Anthony Steen?) – “Yes. There are no issues with any of that. We work on that. It’s something we do every day. As far as communication goes, that’s normal. It’s part of playing the position, so I have no issue there.”
(Head Coach Adam Gase said that you usually don’t have a problem with any plays and say, ‘Yes, let’s run it.’ You had no problem running it for QB Ryan Tannehill and you had no problem running them for yourself.) – “I can’t speak for Ryan. We’re different; but yes, because Gase will ask what do you like and what do you not like, whatever. The easiest answer is just call it and I’ll make it work or we’ll move on. But I have this fear of asking for something specific and having it not work out, so I just let him call it and we’ll make it work.”
(From your teammates to Offensive Coordinator Clyde Christensen today, the word ‘gunslinger’ keeps coming up. Do you embrace that?) – “I think you have to. I think it’s a compliment. It’s just how those guys see it and that’s fine. But like I said – I think Sunday I answered a question like this – but I’m trying to execute the offense and those guys can call it whatever they want to call it.”
(Is this the biggest start of your career? Beyond being the next start, is this the biggest start?) – “It’s the next start. (laughter) Sorry.”
(You haven’t started a game in five years. What’s this week like for you?) – “It’s exciting obviously. My routine during the week as the backup quarterback and now, there is really not much change other than obviously I’ve talked to (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase more. I’ve probably talked to (Quarterbacks Coach) Bo (Hardegree) a little more. But nothing crazy has changed. I’m obviously excited. It’s an opportunity to win another game and keep us going in the direction we’re going.”
(How much quality time with Wyatt do you figure you’ll have this week?) – “I’ve got to make time. That’s very important. I’m not sure how much, but it’ll get done.”
(The ‘gunslinger’ term, where does this come from where you’re not afraid to air it out? Where does that come from?) – “I don’t know. I think part of it is probably my college offense. We were playing for Mike Riley. We threw it down the field a bunch. So I think that’s just how I was brought up in competitive football. It has just kind of been my style and what I like to do; but again, we’re trying to execute what’s called and I’m going to do my best to do that. So that’s how I’d answer that question.”
(How would you kind of, like a big picture, how would you describe your whole career journey to this point?) – “It’s been good. I don’t know. I think I’ve filled my role the best I could and I’ve had opportunities to play and it’s gone well. There have been some tough times. There have been some good times, and this is another opportunity. I’m lucky I’m surrounded with a great team. I’ve got great guys on offense to work with, and like I said, I’m focused on the game plan, executing and moving forward that way.”
(Head Coach Adam Gase says he has plays for you, but he’s got to know you pretty well. You’re like in his back pocket the whole time right?) – “Yes, we’ve got a great relationship. We talk all the time, so yes. He knows. I don’t worry about that at all.”
(It’s been so long. Did you at any point think, and unfortunately it took an injury to get this opportunity, but did you at any point think, ‘Maybe I won’t get this chance again.’) – “I don’t really think that way. I think in this game, there’s always that chance. There’s always an opportunity. I think I was just always ready. I don’t know if I had thoughts of whether it would happen or not happen. But I just tried to stay ready for a situation like this, and here we are.”
(You’ve had a lot of opportunities to move on the last five years, does this reward your loyalty? Is this something that…?) – “It could’ve happened anywhere else too.”
(But this situation.) – “Sure. That I don’t know. I don’t know. I came back for whatever reasons I did, and this is my role on this team right now, and that’s just how I’m approaching it.”
(What has QB Ryan Tannehill said to you since the last few days?) – “ Just normal conversation. He was asking me – I saw him just now – he asked me how today went. He’s in there. I’m sure he’s in there grinding and finding ways to help offensively. But it’s been normal.”
