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Game vs. Cowboys special to Moore
QB befriended Dallas' Romo in training camp
STAN OLSON
solson@charlotteobserver.com
PANTHERS_SEAHAWKS_21
Just because Carolina Panthers quarterback Matt Moore is buddies with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo doesn't mean he can give us the scoop on Romo's high-profile love life.
A smiling Moore said he didn't know if Romo would bring Jessica Simpson to Dallas' game at Carolina on Saturday night.
"I don't know who it'll be," he said, the smile widening. "I stay out of that; I talk football with Tony; that's about it.
Romo also has been linked to such pop culture luminaries as Carrie Underwood and even -- shakily -- to Britney Spears.
"It's funny, with whoever he's dating, he's still a normal guy to me," Moore said. "I know it's hard to see that, but he's just a down-to-earth, pretty good dude."
When it was suggested that as Carolina's new starting quarterback, Moore might soon be capable of moving in the same circles, he neatly sidestepped the rush.
"I'm married ... I've got my Jessica Simpson at home," he said.
Moore and Romo got to know each other during Dallas' training camp this year. Romo was the acknowledged starter and Moore an undrafted rookie from Oregon State, but they bonded quickly.
"During camp we were together a lot, in meetings and on the field and stuff," Moore said. "We'd just talk, and he's just like any of the other guys here. Any knowledge that he has, he'd give it to me and try to help me out. He's just a great guy to learn from. I haven't talked to him in a while."
Maybe not, but after Moore's first appearance in a game, during Carolina's Oct. 7 win in New Orleans, one of the first congratulatory text messages he received was from Romo.
Moore had hoped to remain a Cowboy, hanging out with Romo and another good buddy, backup quarterback Brad Johnson.
However, Dallas decided to go with two quarterbacks and waived Moore, telling him it hoped to bring him back on the practice squad.
Instead, Carolina pounced and brought him to Charlotte.
"We obviously liked him because we signed him after the draft," Dallas coach Wade Phillips said Wednesday of Moore. "He was a priority guy as far as signing someone.
"We toyed back and forth with keeping three quarterbacks and may have made a mistake there."
Cowboys players also saw good things in the rookie.
"I thought Matt was a talented guy and that he had a strong arm," said tight end Jason Witten.
"I thought he had a chance because he picked up on things pretty quickly ... I think he learned a lot of things early on and what this league was about."
Now Moore is preparing to face his old friends, better known as America's Team.
"I'm looking forward to seeing Tony and Brad, because I spent a lot of time with those guys," Moore said, and then he laughed. "Those defensive guys; it'd be nice to see them, but I'd kind of like to stay away from them.
"They're big and fast and very good at what they do. Our offensive line will do a great job, but I've got to be aware. They've got guys coming from all over; (defensive) ends playing linebackers and linebackers playing safety ... Just a bunch of crazy stuff."
Moore plans to approach the game with 100 percent focus. Then afterward, maybe he'll ask Tony how Jessica's doing.
Panthers in playoffs? Bank on it
It might seem as if the Panthers are a long shot to make the playoffs, but if they win their final two regular-season games against Dallas (12-2) and at Tampa Bay (9-5) to finish 8-8, it's pretty much clear sailing to the postseason. Here's a scenario that would work for them:
ON SUNDAY ...
• Philadelphia (6-8) beats New Orleans (7-7)
• Washington (7-7) beats Minnesota (8-6)
THEN ON DEC. 30 ...
• Dallas beats Washington (8-7)
• Chicago beats New Orleans (7-8)
• Denver beats Minnesota (8-7)
In this scenario, the Panthers (8-8), Vikings (8-8) and Commanders (8-8) would be tied for the NFC's sixth and final playoff spot, and Carolina would win the tiebreaker.
See, simple.
If you want to book a flight in advance, the Panthers would be on the road in the first round of the playoffs the weekend of Jan. 5-6. Probably against Seattle. Or maybe Tampa Bay.
Travel safe.
pat sutherland
QB befriended Dallas' Romo in training camp
STAN OLSON
solson@charlotteobserver.com
PANTHERS_SEAHAWKS_21
Just because Carolina Panthers quarterback Matt Moore is buddies with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo doesn't mean he can give us the scoop on Romo's high-profile love life.
A smiling Moore said he didn't know if Romo would bring Jessica Simpson to Dallas' game at Carolina on Saturday night.
"I don't know who it'll be," he said, the smile widening. "I stay out of that; I talk football with Tony; that's about it.
Romo also has been linked to such pop culture luminaries as Carrie Underwood and even -- shakily -- to Britney Spears.
"It's funny, with whoever he's dating, he's still a normal guy to me," Moore said. "I know it's hard to see that, but he's just a down-to-earth, pretty good dude."
When it was suggested that as Carolina's new starting quarterback, Moore might soon be capable of moving in the same circles, he neatly sidestepped the rush.
"I'm married ... I've got my Jessica Simpson at home," he said.
Moore and Romo got to know each other during Dallas' training camp this year. Romo was the acknowledged starter and Moore an undrafted rookie from Oregon State, but they bonded quickly.
"During camp we were together a lot, in meetings and on the field and stuff," Moore said. "We'd just talk, and he's just like any of the other guys here. Any knowledge that he has, he'd give it to me and try to help me out. He's just a great guy to learn from. I haven't talked to him in a while."
Maybe not, but after Moore's first appearance in a game, during Carolina's Oct. 7 win in New Orleans, one of the first congratulatory text messages he received was from Romo.
Moore had hoped to remain a Cowboy, hanging out with Romo and another good buddy, backup quarterback Brad Johnson.
However, Dallas decided to go with two quarterbacks and waived Moore, telling him it hoped to bring him back on the practice squad.
Instead, Carolina pounced and brought him to Charlotte.
"We obviously liked him because we signed him after the draft," Dallas coach Wade Phillips said Wednesday of Moore. "He was a priority guy as far as signing someone.
"We toyed back and forth with keeping three quarterbacks and may have made a mistake there."
Cowboys players also saw good things in the rookie.
"I thought Matt was a talented guy and that he had a strong arm," said tight end Jason Witten.
"I thought he had a chance because he picked up on things pretty quickly ... I think he learned a lot of things early on and what this league was about."
Now Moore is preparing to face his old friends, better known as America's Team.
"I'm looking forward to seeing Tony and Brad, because I spent a lot of time with those guys," Moore said, and then he laughed. "Those defensive guys; it'd be nice to see them, but I'd kind of like to stay away from them.
"They're big and fast and very good at what they do. Our offensive line will do a great job, but I've got to be aware. They've got guys coming from all over; (defensive) ends playing linebackers and linebackers playing safety ... Just a bunch of crazy stuff."
Moore plans to approach the game with 100 percent focus. Then afterward, maybe he'll ask Tony how Jessica's doing.
Panthers in playoffs? Bank on it
It might seem as if the Panthers are a long shot to make the playoffs, but if they win their final two regular-season games against Dallas (12-2) and at Tampa Bay (9-5) to finish 8-8, it's pretty much clear sailing to the postseason. Here's a scenario that would work for them:
ON SUNDAY ...
• Philadelphia (6-8) beats New Orleans (7-7)
• Washington (7-7) beats Minnesota (8-6)
THEN ON DEC. 30 ...
• Dallas beats Washington (8-7)
• Chicago beats New Orleans (7-8)
• Denver beats Minnesota (8-7)
In this scenario, the Panthers (8-8), Vikings (8-8) and Commanders (8-8) would be tied for the NFC's sixth and final playoff spot, and Carolina would win the tiebreaker.
See, simple.
If you want to book a flight in advance, the Panthers would be on the road in the first round of the playoffs the weekend of Jan. 5-6. Probably against Seattle. Or maybe Tampa Bay.
Travel safe.
pat sutherland
