Sunday, May 20, 2012

Moore: Talk of not being a true starter 'gets annoying'

Photo: Kevin Tsui, Flickr 

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Matt Moore is excited about the changes to the Dolphins' offense this year, and he'll be even more excited if he's the one running it.

Moore started the majority of the Dolphins' 2011 games at quarterback, tossing 16 touchdowns to nine interceptions and rushing for two scores. He boasted an efficient 60.5 completion percentage in leading the Dolphins to a 6-3 finish to the season.

Moore was named the team's 2011 MVP.

Miami, however, drafted a signal-caller -- Ryan Tannehill of Texas A&M -- at No. 8 overall this year, and many are speculating Tannehill could find himself in a starting role sooner than later.

Moore, 27, has never entered a season as the designated starter, as he's constantly battled the label of being a solid backup but not a starter.

"When I hear it over and over 100 times it gets a little annoying," Moore told the Palm Beach Post in May. "I just try to win ballgames and do my best. They'll talk about me when they need to talk about me."

Miami brought in veteran David Garrard to add to the offseason quarterback competition, though he hasn't played in a game since 2010. That, combined with the fact that the Dolphins don't want to rush Tannehill, puts Moore in the driver's seat to at least start the season on the field.

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