The only acceptable statement if Fox is retained...

[neverlosethefeeling]

Jake would be a really nice backup for a lot of teams, including us. If he would set aside his pride and mentor Moore, I think he would be worth keeping around. But since Fox will likely name Delhomme the starter next year, which is asinine, this team is done.

I don't think it has anything to do with Jake setting aside his pride. It has more to do with Fox. Jake's been mentoring Moore even when Moore's been the backup. You can't blame Jake for wanting to compete.

[unicar15]

I'm prepared for a sh*tty season next year and for us to hire a coach a year too late.

Shannahan will be hired already

Holmgren will be at the Browns

Cowher will be at Tampa, Houston, or maybe Cleveland as a wildcard.

This is just such a freaking joke. I don't give a rats ass if Fox and Cowher have similar styles. They DON'T have similar resumes and that is what matters.

[therealmjl]

I agree 100%, and I have my shovel ready.

[twylyght]

Something interesting that I heard on the post-game radio show that I have yet to hear mentioned. Mick Mixon et al were doing their damnedest verbal gymnastics to "not mention names" with respect to the QB drama that has played out this season. Mixon went as far as to say "do not write in exclaiming this to be a controversy" with as much awkward shuffling of words to front and back-step his committments to hope to avoid sounding like a company man while keeping his job safe to the powers that be that would be listening.

One would expect that from the annointed play-by-play guy for the team. However.... one comment that caught my ear was this: While interviewing Moore in the post-game show and alluding to possibly becoming a star in this league, Mixon emphatically asked, "Will you be willing to put in the work!?"

That crystallized a lot of comments in the past for myself insofar as Fox's reluctance to pull the trigger on the QB situation. Insider posters on this board have repeatedly stated that Moore didn't know the playbook worth a damn and that his work ethic was suspect. Mixon's comment was the closest I've heard to having this put out there for public display.

I had also read on this board that Moore was a terrible interview and that it was even painful to hear him stumble through it. Yesterday was not the case for me. He simply stated that any decisions regarding the starting QB position were not his to make. He doesn't care about being a star. He cares about winning. After that, the announcing team was left to go back to their evasive statements about the "what-ifs" regarding of whether Moore had been put in the starting lineup earlier in the season. Only Eugene Robinson was man enough to name names and state it plainly.

So while we're doing our prognostication for the off-season, I will go ahead and add my two cents. IF Moore puts up another solid performance against the Saints for the season finale, then Fox (who will be back with his coordinators) will have a LOT of pressure to name Moore as the starter for next season. If the announcers' booth is any indication as it has been in the past, they are feeling the heat big time in the wake of Moore playing so well in the face of playoff contention teams late in the season.

Whatever Moore's work ethic may be, he hits receivers in stride, throws the ball away when no play is to be made, scans the entire field of play for all opportunities to keep forward progress going, is aware and mobile enough to extend the play and avoid the sack when the pocket is collapsing, and simply gives this team the best chance to win out of our options at QB right now. The remaining things to be seen are how he handles the spotlight of being THE GUY (especially in adverse conditions) and if the perception of his work ethic bears out during the post-season and next season's play. Essentially, his character will be seriously tested. If he holds up, then we may well have found a QB that will perfectly compliment a Fox team. As much as we hate waiting, time will have to bear this out.

[SCP]

Whatever Moore's work ethic may be, he hits receivers in stride, throws the ball away when no play is to be made, scans the entire field of play for all opportunities to keep forward progress going, is aware and mobile enough to extend the play and avoid the sack when the pocket is collapsing, and simply gives this team the best chance to win out of our options at QB right now. The remaining things to be seen are how he handles the spotlight of being THE GUY (especially in adverse conditions) and if the perception of his work ethic bears out during the post-season and next season's play. Essentially, his character will be seriously tested. If he holds up, then we may well have found a QB that will perfectly compliment a Fox team. As much as we hate waiting, time will have to bear this out.

Has Jake ever thrown a ball away when there was no play to be made?

[Zod]

Does throwing it to the other team count?

[Sandy Claws]

If I were JR I would ensure Matt was the leading candidate for starting QB or I would fire Fox with a quickness.

How do you know that JR isn't insisting that Jake be the "guy"?

[SCP]

I think it does to Jake. Maybe all these years he has been confused. It could be quite confusing when the coaches say "Throw it away if nobody is open."

[DeathFromAbove]

Saw a quote from 89 that seemed like he'd want Moore to continue starting...

[Sheldon Wolowizard]

There's no way Jake is named the unquestioned starter for next year. That would be like the Titans promising the job back to Kerry Collins.

I just don't see any way that this happens. Unless Moore comes out and throws seven INTs against N.O. next week. But even if that happens, I think they just decide to get a QB in the draft as opposed to just giving the job back to Jake.

If Moore throws 7 ints next week I think he cements his starter spot. I mean, look what it did for Jake.

[rico6]

Why Can't Fox just get fired? J-Rich get's some edge man!

[pantherpain]

If Moore throws 7 ints next week I think he cements his starter spot. I mean, look what it did for Jake.

Give Fox more time to get into Matt's head and they can reach that goal.

[Munkey]

If Moore throws 7 ints next week I think he cements his starter spot. I mean, look what it did for Jake.

Throw in a couple fumbles, he might get signed for 30 mil for the year in the uncapped season.

[panthers55]

Something interesting that I heard on the post-game radio show that I have yet to hear mentioned. Mick Mixon et al were doing their damnedest verbal gymnastics to "not mention names" with respect to the QB drama that has played out this season. Mixon went as far as to say "do not write in exclaiming this to be a controversy" with as much awkward shuffling of words to front and back-step his committments to hope to avoid sounding like a company man while keeping his job safe to the powers that be that would be listening.

One would expect that from the annointed play-by-play guy for the team. However.... one comment that caught my ear was this: While interviewing Moore in the post-game show and alluding to possibly becoming a star in this league, Mixon emphatically asked, "Will you be willing to put in the work!?"

That crystallized a lot of comments in the past for myself insofar as Fox's reluctance to pull the trigger on the QB situation. Insider posters on this board have repeatedly stated that Moore didn't know the playbook worth a damn and that his work ethic was suspect. Mixon's comment was the closest I've heard to having this put out there for public display.

I had also read on this board that Moore was a terrible interview and that it was even painful to hear him stumble through it. Yesterday was not the case for me. He simply stated that any decisions regarding the starting QB position were not his to make. He doesn't care about being a star. He cares about winning. After that, the announcing team was left to go back to their evasive statements about the "what-ifs" regarding of whether Moore had been put in the starting lineup earlier in the season. Only Eugene Robinson was man enough to name names and state it plainly.

So while we're doing our prognostication for the off-season, I will go ahead and add my two cents. IF Moore puts up another solid performance against the Saints for the season finale, then Fox (who will be back with his coordinators) will have a LOT of pressure to name Moore as the starter for next season. If the announcers' booth is any indication as it has been in the past, they are feeling the heat big time in the wake of Moore playing so well in the face of playoff contention teams late in the season.

Whatever Moore's work ethic may be, he hits receivers in stride, throws the ball away when no play is to be made, scans the entire field of play for all opportunities to keep forward progress going, is aware and mobile enough to extend the play and avoid the sack when the pocket is collapsing, and simply gives this team the best chance to win out of our options at QB right now. The remaining things to be seen are how he handles the spotlight of being THE GUY (especially in adverse conditions) and if the perception of his work ethic bears out during the post-season and next season's play. Essentially, his character will be seriously tested. If he holds up, then we may well have found a QB that will perfectly compliment a Fox team. As much as we hate waiting, time will have to bear this out.

I think you are right about how things happened. I don't think that Fox is unhappy with Moore as much as pleasantly surprised. He may play better than he practices or prepares. Fox may have held out because he didn't have any indications that Moore was ready but when he did put him in, he has steadily improved and most importantly, the team has won. And in the end winning is all that matters.

Still while Fox is pledging his undying allegiance to Moore, I would want Moore to do what DeAngelo did after talking with Testaverde. Take everything to a higher level both in preparation, practice, and attitude. Do everything to justify being the number 1 quarterback. Give everything emotionally, mentally, and athletically to be the best he can be. Prepare as well and practice as hard as anyone in the league. He has shown he can do the job in a game situation. Now he can show he that understands the defensive schemes and can change audibles to get favorable matchups and spread out the defense. That will require doing lots of film work and book work so that in OTAs he shines instead of struggles as in years past.

I think that Moore has an excellent chance to be a starter in the league. But this should signify the beginning of his journey instead of the cornation. Against New York he showed he could make the throws and lead the team, now, it is up to him to make the next steps to continue to improve so that he clearly is the best option to start on the team.