IMPACT ROOKIE- MATT MOORE (CAROLINA PANTHERS - QB)

By Ralph Mancini, NFL Draft Bible Senior Writer

Jake Delhomme’s week three elbow injury not only marked the end of the road for the seven-year NFL veteran’s 2007 campaign, it was also the death knell for Panthers head coach John Fox in his season-long struggle to find the right signal caller to right the ship of a punchless offense gone astray.

Second stringer David Carr was flat out disastrous in his feeble attempt to lead Carolina as he went on to average a paltry 4.3 yards per pass attempt. The ageless 44-year-old Vinny Testaverde proved to be much more effective, but found it rather difficult to make back-to-back starts due to his inability to bounce back from weekly bumps and bruises.

With the season already in shambles, Fox finally decided to see what he had in undrafted rookie quarterback Matt Moore who had the unenviable task of trying to penetrate a playmaking Seattle Seahawks defense in week 15.

Coming off an embarrassing 37-6 drubbing at the hands of the Jacksonville Jaguars the week prior, most Panthers fans had every right to expect a similar fate against Mike Holmgren’s pass-happy crew.

Moore, however, had other plans. The Van Nuys, California native put together an efficient, mistake-free performance, completing 19-of-27 passes for 208 yards in spearheading his team to a stunning 13-10 victory.

In addition to avoiding turnovers despite treacherous winds which kept the game scoreless during the first three quarters, Moore successfully put the ball in the hands of game-breaking wide out Steve Smith who recorded six receptions for 72 yards.

“I just couldn’t get the play out of my mouth…Guys were like, ‘Come on! Come on!’” said Moore while describing how he panicked and froze while calling a play in the huddle at the end of the first half.

The 23-year-old’s brief moment of trepidation could easily be understood, considering he was nothing more than a training camp long-shot in his short-lived, pre-season audition for the Dallas Cowboys.

The rookie free agent showed positive signs as a member of America’s Team and completed 21-of-29 passes for 182 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. But despite that, Dallas released Moore on Sept. 1.

How ironic that Moore would end up facing off against his former team in his second professional start--a Dallas team also led by an un-drafted triggerman in first-time All Pro Tony Romo.

Although Moore did toss an interception and was sacked five times, he also threw his first NFL touchdown--an 11-yard strike to Smith. Hefollowed that up with a 57-yard pass play to Smith, which put kicker John Kasay in position to connect on a 25-yard field goal, as Carolina cut the Cowboy lead to seven points late in their 20-13 loss.

Projected as a day-two selection by the NFL Draft Bible, the lanky 6’ 3” 195-pound passer has the ability to throw deep, as well as the mental acumen to masterfully go through his progressions and often throw very catchable balls to his receivers.

Moore showed further evidence of his physical gifts in week 17 by exhibiting the poise of a 10-year veteran, hooking up with his targets on 15-of-24 pass attempts for 174 yards with two scores and one interception.

With the offense in the hands of youngsters Moore and running back DeAngelo Williams, the Panthers finally began showing some promise as they went on to outscore the playoff-bound Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 31-23.

While Moore’s late-season heroics don’t in any way guarantee him the starting quarterback role in 2008, one can be sure that the resilient field general will not be intimidated by the prospect of having to compete with the 33-year-old Jake Delhomme for the number one spot on the depth chart.

The gritty rookie faced much bleaker options when suffering a leg injury during his sophomore season at UCLA in 2003. In his absence, Moore’s starting position given to Drew Olsen. After taking a year off from football, the strong-armed multi-sport athlete enrolled at Oregon State where he established himself as the unquestioned leader of coach Mike Riley’s high-octane attack, and capped of his college career by throwing for 3,022 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2006.

Named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month for December, Moore has all the makings of the next Carolina quarterback to one day return the Panthers to the big game.

STOCK EXCHANGE

By The Fantasy Trader, NFL Draft Bible

There is one playoff opponent that cannot be controlled and that is Mother Nature. The weather affected games in New England, Pittsburgh, New York and Cleveland last week. The reason my team is going to the Super Bowl is because I found the nerve to bench Tom Brady for Kurt Warner. The decision was the hardest one I ever had to make in fantasy and I finally pulled the trigger at 12:50. My team won by 13 points. Brady put up a 3 and Warner a 23. The playoffs bring out the owner in you. Are you a loyalty owner or a survival owner? Here are a few guys that are putting that question to the test.

WR Roddy White– was a waiver wire steal this year and has served as the missing ingredient to a bunch of fantasy playoff clubs. White has had weeks of 27 and 30 points and faces the 27th ranked defense in the Arizona Cardinals. Must start right? White managed just one catch for four yards last week. He has not clicked with quarterback Chris Redman. I say start him and hope that last week was more of the Buccaneers doing than White’s inability to get open.

QB Tony Romo – is dating Jessica Simpson. Who cares? Do you really think she is distracting him? I am sure Tony has done just fine throughout his dating life. Now his thumb injury is another story. Romo owners are concerned and I have seen him benched for quarterbacks like Brett Favre and David Garrard. You need to stay the course with Romo. I expect a big day from him and TO against the weak Panthers passing defense.

RB LaMont Jordan – will help try and mend the hearts of Justin Fargas owners. The problem here at that Dominic Rhodes is back and the possibility of sharing carries exists. Jordan came out with 3 straight 25 point weeks in a row and disappeared. I would not get involved in the running back situation in Oakland.

WR Isaac Bruce- is showing there is still something left in the tank. Bruce had 4 catches for 72 yards last week and gets a depressing Steelers secondary this week. I guarantee that Anthony Smith will not start. This could be Bruce’s last home game and he should go out with a bang. He is an ideal choice as a third WR or flex option.

RB Clinton Portis- has a real hard time getting any love from his owners. He fell in the draft because of previous injuries. He was supposed to eventually lose his job to Ladell Betts, but the man just keeps producing. This week the decision revolves around facing the number 1 ranked defense against the run. The Vikings are tough, but I say go with loyalty on this one. Start Portis over any wide receiver.

QB Carson Palmer- threw for 6 TD and scored 37 fantasy points the last time he faced the Browns. Since the weather has turned ugly, Palmer has been in a free fall. I would not expect the same results against the Browns this time around. The Bengals have show little life as of late and Cleveland needs this game. This time we take survival and Mother Nature over loyalty.

TE Tony Scheffler- is the hottest tight end not named Jason Witten. Scheffler grabbed seven balls for 100 yards and a TD last week against the Texans. He seems to be Jay Cutler’s next choice after Brandon Marshall. Without a secondary WR, teams have started to clamp down on Marshall, leaving Scheffler open. He should also benefit if the Broncos are without Daniel Graham or Brandon Stokley this week.

WR Steve Smith- has been one of the biggest fantasy busts this season. In his defense he has had Vinny Testaverde and David Carr throwing him passes all season. He had eight catches with Matt Moore at the helm. Look for Smith to reward the owners who have been waiting since week 6 for a TD.

RB-Brandon Jacobs- with never replace Tiki Barber with his ability to catch the ball, but he runs like a horse. Jacobs should have a big day against the Bills 22nd ranked run defense. The Giants really need this game and with tough weather condition in Buffalo look for Jacobs to handle a heavy load.