Inside The Bills

Matt Moore back with Dolphins

He was one of the few free agent quarterbacks that was being considered by other NFL clubs, but Matt Moore won’t make it to the free agent market.

NFL.com’s Jeff Darlington is reporting that Moore has re-signed with Miami. The deal comes just hours after WR Brian Hartline re-signed with the Dolphins for a reported 5 years and $31M.

Moore not Tannehill at QB for Fins?

The Miami Dolphins drafted Ryan Tannehill eighth overall in last month’s NFL draft, but according to team owner Stephen Ross he’s expecting his veteran incumbent to start under center in 2012.

Ross told NFL.com at the league’s spring meetings in Atlanta that Moore will probably be the starter come this fall.

“I don’t think they’re going to rush (Ryan Tannehill) into anything,” Ross said. “He’s going to have to win the starting job. I think Matt Moore will probably be the starter, and I wish him the best.”

It’s not exactly a shocking development. Moore showed he was very capable at times, especially against Buffalo’s defense. Two of his top three passer rating performances in his 12 starts in 2011 came against the Bills with ratings of 133.3 and 122.3 in the two meetings with Buffalo. Those were only trumped by a 147.5 rating in a win against the Chiefs. Here are his combined stats against the Bills in 2011.

Record: 2-0
Passing: 24-40 (60%) – 377 yards – 5 TDs – O Ints
Yards per attempt: 9.43
Pass plays of 25 yards or more: 5
Rating: 130.9

In all likelihood the team will not throw Tannehill to the wolves in his rookie season unless the Dolphins season goes up in flames in terms of wins and losses. If and when the team shows it can’t contend expect to see the Texas A&M product on the field.

Moore a game time decision?

Dolphins starting QB Matt Moore is listed as questionable, and sounds very much like a game time decision for Sunday’s game with the Bills.

“He threw the ball better,” said Dolphins interim head coach Todd Bowles after Friday’s practice. “We still got to wait until Sunday just to make sure there’s no lingering effects. We’ll wait and see.”

Moore was limited in practice both Thursday and Friday. If he can’t go Sunday, backup and former Bills first-round draft choice J.P. Losman will get the start.

QB Moore, LT Long questionable

Dolphins QB Matt Moore and LT Jake Long are far from sure things for Sunday’s game with the Bills.

Both were listed as questionable by the team on Friday. Long did not practice on Friday after participating on a limited basis Thursday due to a back injury sustained in last Sunday’s game against the Eagles.

Moore is recovering from a concussion suffered last Sunday as well. He did not practice Wednesday, was limited on Thursday and Friday.

Starting RG Vernon Carey was also limited for a third straight day in practice with an ankle injury. He too is questionable as is starting TE Anthony Fasano with a rib injury. He’s questionable.

Report: Moore to start for Miami

Dolphins QB Matt Moore has been cleared of concussion-like symptoms and will start on Sunday against the Bills.

That according to the Miami Herald’s Armando Salguero, who wrote the following in his blog.

QB Moore gets most of reps

Dolphins starting QB Matt Moore returned to practice Thursday for Miami and took most of the starter’s reps.

That according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Omar Kelly.

QB Moore doesn’t practice

Dolphins starting QB Matt Moore did not practice on Wednesday, but has not been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Bills.

Interim head coach Todd Bowles confirmed that J.P. Losman took the starter’s reps in practice Wednesday, but did not say that Moore has been ruled out of Sunday’s game.

“It’s still early in the process,” said Bowles. ”It’s Wednesday. He’s being evaluated and honestly I couldn’t answer that until we find out what the evaluation is on Matt (Moore) later on. We’ll have a better idea then.”

Moore, who suffered a blow to the head and neck spasms was forced from last week’s game against Philadelphia and was replaced by Losman. He was present at practice, which is an indication that he passed concussion testing. If a player does suffer a concussion they usually are sent home to rest.

If Losman gets the start it’ll be his first NFL start since the 2008 season while still with the Bills.

Losman could start Miami

With the Dolphins coming to Buffalo this week there’s a chance there will be a bit more intrigue than initially expected for two teams that are out of the AFC playoff race. That’s because there’s a chance that J.P. Losman may start for Miami on Sunday.

Losman stepped into the Dolphins lineup Sunday in the loss to the Eagles after Matt Moore left with what’s been reported as a mild concussion. Losman went 6-10 passing for 60 yards in relief of Moore.

Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano shed some light on Moore’s condition at his Monday press conference.

“Matt Moore yesterday when he came out of the game expressed on the sideline I think some concussive like symptoms so we have to go through the process and that’s what we’re doing right now. We’re going through the process. We’ll continue to do that and see where we go,” Sparano said. 

Losman has not made an NFL start since the 2008 season with the Bills in the giveaway loss to the Jets 31-27 at the old Meadowlands.

Carolina QB off the market

After it became more costly to make a play for Washington QB Jason Campbell and Denver QB Kyle Orton after both were tendered at the first round level, another young signal caller that showed promise last year is effectively off the market.

The Carolina Panthers tendered QB Matt Moore at the highest possible level meaning it would cost another NFL team a first and third-round pick to sign Moore away from the Panthers. That according to the Panthers blog which confirmed the tender with Moore himself.

Moore made five starts for the Panthers last season and won four of them including impressive victories over Minnesota and on the road against the Giants. He threw for just over 1,000 yards after appearing in seven games with 8 touchdowns and 2 INTs. Moore was part of the same quarterback class as Buffalo’s Trent Edwards.