Is Matt Moore Truly Ready to Take Over in Carolina?

For those of us that live in Carolina, the talk for the last two years or so has been whether or not Matt Moore can truly be a starting quarterback. Jake Delhomme, the recently released quarterback of our lone trip to the Super Bowl, has steadily been on a decline over that same time period. Now, Delhomme is a Cleveland Brown, and Matt Moore has been handed the starting quarterback position for the Carolina Panthers. Is he ready? Every single thing that you can find says that he is. Think about it. Matt Moore stepped in a few years ago and led the Panthers to a 2-1 record to end the season all while compiling rookie of the month honors. Granted his numbers were not phenomenal, but it was highly encouraging.

Then came last year.

Delhomme had a season that will go down as one of the worst in recent memory and finally got hurt. Moore took over for Delhomme and all he did was lead the Panthers to a 4-1 record while compiling a quarterback rating near 100. Say what you will about the young gunslinger...he wins football games. Truly he is an upgrade on Jake at this point in Delhomme's career.

When you look at the pieces around Moore, you have to like his chances. He has two of the top running backs in the entire game of football behind him to take off the pressure. He has Steve Smith and an emerging tight end in Jeff King. The only piece of the puzzle that is not in place is a second strong receiver to go with Smith. The offensive line is great as well. What is not to like about Moore and his chances this season?

Most of the haters are those that would say he has not truly been tested. I say hogwash. Moore has been tested repeatedly and has responded each and every time. The kid can flat out play and he throws the ball as well as anyone in the NFC. He is mobile, and he controls the game well. Moore is going to be the big story in the NFL this football season.

I hope the NFC South is ready, because Matt Moore and the Panthers surely will be.