Matt Moore – December 20, 2016
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Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Quarterback Matt Moore
(What is it like to know you control your own destiny?) – ”That keeps the message simple. We’re just focused on one week at a time. That’s the message again this week. We’re in here and working to win one game. That’s kind of the mentality we’ve had. I’m sure it’s the mentality we’ll keep.”
(You’ve been here long enough to have a Rex Ryan team ruin your season. Are you familiar with all of those opportunities that he’s played spoiler?) – “I’m sure if you bring them up, I can recall; but, that’s this league. The league is competitive. Anybody can ruin or make a season at any time. Again, we’re focused on ourselves and working to get better for this week.”
(What did you learn about yourself in that last start – your first start in five years?) – “It’s been awhile and you can go out and still play and execute and make the plays that need to be made. There was some good stuff. There was some stuff to learn from. Stuff like that.”
(What surprised you about that game last week?) – “I don’t know. I felt pretty good. We were pretty prepared. I don’t know if anything really surprised me.”
(You had former Dolphins RB Larry Csonka tweeting about you Saturday night, drawing comparisons to the perfect season team when QB Earl Morrall came to the rescue. Are you too young to be flattered by it?) – “I know enough about it and that’s obviously a nice comment, for sure. That’s pretty cool.”
(Was there a part of your game where you felt more of the rust than any other part of your game?) – “Maybe early on. I think we completed the first ball but we started a little slow, I think. I wish that wasn’t the case, but we kind of got into a rhythm there, I think in the second quarter.”
(So mentally there was no rust?) – “I really felt good. (It’s a) credit to the coaches for the preparation and practice. I really felt good. The guys around … The guys on the offense were doing a good job executing so it went pretty smooth.”
(This team hasn’t had a lot of success in Buffalo. I think the last time you won there was the 2011 season. What do you remember about that game and why is it so hard to win up there?) – “It was snowing that game, I remember that. You’re right. Somebody just told me that today, it’s been awhile. Look, it’s a competitive division. That’s a tough place to play. It comes down to execution. In the past, we haven’t executed very well. Hopefully that’s not the case this time.”
(It’s been kind of a road block for you guys. In 2013, if you beat them, you’re in the playoffs. Would it be all the more rewarding to get through them to get into the playoffs?) – “Again, it’s a one week at a time mentality. We’re not worried about the past; not worried about the future. We’re worried about right now.”
(How do you assess where this team is in terms of big-play capability?) – “Well, we had a couple of them the other night so I think the opportunities are there whenever. Again, it comes down to execution. When you get the chances to take those shots, we have to hit them. I think we have the guys that can make those plays and hopefully we see more of that.”
(How much has the respect-the-run factor, when they stack a bunch of people up there, allow for the big play?) – “Credit that to the o-line and the guys running the ball. They want to load the box and it only gives the guys outside better opportunities. That’s a big part.”
(Is there a key to throwing an efficient and effective deep ball?) – “I have no idea. I don’t know. You have to have the right coverage and the right matchup and let it go. If you’re talking mechanics, I’m sure there is; but I can’t break that down for you.”
(You seem to put a lot more air under the ball…) – “I’m sure a lot of coaches will tell you that. ‘Give them more air and it gives the receiver time to adjust.’ That’s all I’ve got for that.”
(Do you expect Buffalo to do anything crazy different, or Head Coach Rex Ryan just does what he does?) – “He’s always had good teams – good defenses. They’re going to have a package, I’m sure, that they’re going to believe in and they’re going to execute it well. Then again, it falls on us to execute and answer. (He’s a) good coach (and they have a) good defense.”
(How do you like the fans up there?) – “The fans? They love their ball up there. It’s awesome. It’s a great atmosphere. It always has been.”
(I imagine your phone must have lit up on Saturday night. What was the message that had the most special part in your heart? Like is there somebody who reached out that you hadn’t heard from in a long time?) – “There was a lot. It was good to hear from old coaches. (Former Oregon State Head Coach) Mike Riley texted me, which was nice. My old high school coach (Dean Herrington) texted me, which was pretty cool. Then, obviously, friends and family and everybody was excited, so it was good.”
(Did you get to talk to former Dolphins and Jets QB Chad Pennington on Saturday? He was at the game.) – “I did not. I heard he was at the game but I didn’t get a chance to see him.”
(You’ve been around TE Dion Sims for a while. Is he the same player he was when he arrived or how has he improved? Where have you seen the progression?) – “I think just all around, he’s gotten better. He was put into some positions last week, obviously, where he could make some plays; and that was good. But the guy is a grinder. He works, so it is no surprise that he’s only getting better and is going to get better.”
