Tag: Matt Moore

Chiefs QB Blaine Gabbert expounds on Andy Reid’s greatness

#Chiefs quarterback Blaine Gabbert explained his affinity for Andy Reid after workouts concluded on Thursday.

The Kansas City Chiefs wasted little time signing veteran quarterback Blaine Gabbert this offseason. The Missouri native is considered a top-tier backup at the game’s most important position, which was a need for the Chiefs after Chad Henne announced his retirement after Super Bowl LVII.

Chiefs starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes has gone down with injuries in the past, and even though he’d prefer to play through pain, there was a clear need for a solid backup entering the 2023 season. Gabbert is a former 2011 first-round pick and was a starter for several teams early in his career. He brings experience and a hunger to prove himself to the franchise.

Gabbert gave an update on his progress through training camp and appreciation for head coach Andy Reid while speaking with reporters on Thursday.

“First and foremost, he’s a great person,” the veteran signal-caller said of Reid. “The biggest thing he lets you kind of be you. And as you’ve seen over the course of the years, he doctors a play call to a specific guy, Alex [Smith] to Patrick [Mahomes], Matt Moore, Chad [Henne], kind of bits and pieces here the last few years. So as a play caller, coach Reid does a great job. The coaching staff does a great job having kind of a plan for each and every guy. But yeah, I mean, his track record speaks for itself. He’s a great coach.”

Gabbert has passed for over 9,000 yards and connected on 51 touchdowns in his career. He’s already built a friendship with Chiefs receiver Justin Watson dating back to their tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while he served as Tom Brady’s backup.

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Virginia men’s lacrosse is not shying away from the chance to three-peat as National Champions

On the cusp of a dynasty in Charlottesville, UVA lacrosse has all the tools it needs for a third straight NCAA title.

It’s difficult to repeat as a champion in any sport. It’s even harder to three-peat, but that’s what Lars Tiffany and the Virginia men’s lacrosse team is setting out to do this season. The Cavaliers won the whole shebang in 2019, and — after an unexpected break in 2020 because of the pandemic — lifted the trophy again on Memorial Day in 2021.

Depending on who you ask, the three-peat has been successfully executed in men’s college lacrosse two or three times. Johns Hopkins (1978-80) accomplished the feat first. If you ask Syracuse fans, they’ll tell you the Orange did it 1998-90, but the NCAA vacated the 1990 win and would like it if we pretended it never happened. Princeton was the last team to win three straight NCAA tournaments, taking home the titles from 1996-98.

So can the Cavaliers follow in the footsteps of these legendary programs? Virginia enters the 2022 season atop the national polls and return a significant core from the team that won it all in 2021. Tiffany, now in his sixth season in Charlottesville, is cautiously optimistic and approaching the season more openly than he did after the 2019 title.

Heading into the 2020 season, Tiffany was emphatic that his team put the past behind them and not dwell on repeating or defending the title. Now, after the unexpected COVID disruptions and some conversations with well-known sport psychologist Dr. Bob Rotella, he’s changed his tune a little.

“We’re having a lot more fun with our recent history as opposed to, ‘don’t talk about it, deny it,'” Tiffany told media on Wednesday afternoon. “Instead, if we want to make reference to last year and what we did last year, let’s enjoy that and embrace it.”

Everyone will be gunning for the Hoos, so here’s why they have what it takes to join the elite three-peat company as their season kicks off Saturday against Air Force (1pm, ACC Network Extra).

Carolina Panthers: Should they consider signing a veteran QB?

The Carolina Panthers currently have one of the most unstable quarterback rooms in the league.

In less than two weeks, the Carolina Panthers will travel to the home of the Indianapolis Colts for a pair of joint practices and an exhibition matchup. But other than the expected lessons to be learned—with a little gauging and iron sharpening to be done—is there something else the team can take away from their preseason partners?

On Monday, the Colts announced upcoming foot surgery for their starting quarterback Carson Wentz. Wentz, who was acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles back in March, is expected to miss 5-12 weeks, leaving the hopeful AFC contenders in quite a difficult spot.

Indianapolis must now turn to the rest of the quarterback room, one whose predominant (and maybe only) feature is professional inexperience, in a season where they’ll look to clinch a second consecutive postseason berth. So should head coach Matt Rhule and the Panthers take this is a warning from afar of sorts moving forward?

Well, they could given the youth of their own at the position, making sense for a potential move for a more proven, veteran backup quarterback.

In pertinence to this development, Carolina won’t have the trustiest of options to look to in the event that starter Sam Darnold is injured and misses time. While they aren’t exactly in the Colts’ position, as they’re further behind in a rebuilding process by comparison, there won’t be many games to be won with either P.J. Walker or Will Grier—both of which have lacked composure and results in their limited relief outings—under center.

Darnold could benefit as well. To say his time with the New York Jets was an unstable storm filled with unfortunate setbacks and organizational brain farts is an understatement.

From Adam Gase’s missteps to the lack of help from the front office and to his ghostly sightings and infamous case of the kissing disease, Darnold was hardly in a balanced situation in his first three NFL seasons. The only positive backing for Sam, it seemed, was the tutelage of longtime pigskin slinger and sideline clipboard holder Josh McCown.

McCown, who took the former third overall pick under his wing in 2017 and 2018, could possibly be a lifeline for Carolina, if they decide some additional mentorship will help bring Darnold along. Or maybe another vet, perhaps former Panther Matt Moore, could suffice as a low-cost, high-security signing.

Whether or not this is even an avenue the team’s brass will explore, it’s certainly a scenario worth mentioning, especially considering the volatility at quarterback the Panthers are dealing with right now.

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Chiefs announce flurry of new roster moves on Saturday

The Chiefs have added several players to the 53-man roster ahead of Week 17’s game with the Chargers.

The Kansas City Chiefs have announced a number of roster moves ahead of their Week 17 game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

The team was expected to make several moves with a number of starters expected to sit out on Sunday and they didn’t disappoint. In total, four new players have been activated to the 53-man roster. The Chiefs announced two standard elevations, a COVID-19 replacement, and more roster moves on Saturday.

Andy Reid hinted that Matt Moore would be elevated to back up Chad Henne. Moore started two games for the Chiefs in 2019 when both Henne and Patrick Mahomes were injured. He had a 1-1 record, completing 51-of-91 passes for 659 yards and four touchdowns to no interceptions.

In addition to Moore, the team elevated veteran offensive lineman Patrick Omameh from the practice squad. Omameh had just joined the team last week but has the ability to play both tackle and guard.

Former first-round draft pick DeAndre Baker, who had used up all of his standard elevations, was designated as a COVID-19 replacement for Anthony Hitchens. He’ll likely be in the mix to start the game alongside players like BoPete Keyes, Antonio Hamilton and Rashad Fenton.

The player signed to the 53-man roster for the Chiefs was none other than Gehrig Dieter. The four-year veteran can play any receiver spot for Kansas City, so it makes sense to have him available with the team set to rest players like Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins.

To make room for Dieter, the team released free-agent TE Ricky Seals-Jones. He never had much of an opportunity to play for the Chiefs as a healthy scratch most weeks. Last week he had a chance to play some special teams snaps, but didn’t seem to stand out in his opportunity.

One move the team didn’t make this week was to officially activate Dorian O’Daniel from injured reserve. That means they’ll only have Willie Gay Jr., Darius Harris and Damien Wilson available at the linebacker position this week. That’s a pretty thin group, so I’d expect to see a lot of subpackage personnel this week.

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Chiefs QB Chad Henne will try to recapture his youth in first start since 2014

Chiefs backup QB Chad Henne discussed his upcoming start against the Chargers on Wednesday.

The Kansas City Chiefs made it official on Wednesday, announcing that backup QB Chad Henne would be the starter against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 17.

While many suspected this was a strong possibility, it was officially announced at the start of the practice week. Henne first received word that he could get the start after the conclusion of the Week 16 game against the Atlanta Falcons. He has been preparing as such ever since.

“Well, kind of through the grapevine, kind of after the game,” Henne said of how he learned he would be starting. “Mike Kafka said, ‘Hey just be ready’ and then he gave me the phone call early yesterday and kind of just got the game plan going and so excited about the opportunity.”

This upcoming game will mark Henne’s first start since joining Kansas City back in 2018. It’ll actually be his first start since an abysmal 2014 campaign with the Jacksonville Jaguars. That year, the Jaguars had drafted Blake Bortles and Henne even admitted that he was on a “short leash” that season.

“Yeah, absolutely. I mean, it’s been a while,” Henne said. “It’s crazy to think my last game was 2014. I mean I got all my games in when I was young and then I had like a five or six-year span where I didn’t get any playing time or just like some playing time just when we were up or down, but I’m really excited.”

The Chiefs, however, don’t want Henne to focus on his last start. Andy Reid wants the 35-year-old quarterback to go out there and recapture his youth on Sunday.

“Yeah, well listen, I think he’s excited,” Reid said. “I always tell him, ‘Act like you’re 20. Try to remember those days and feel it.’ So, he’s all in. He’s excited, so a great opportunity for him. I mean, these guys love to play the game. That’s the neat part about it. It’s not like guys are ducking out of playing, they all want to get in there and go, but that’s a decision that I had to make there. But Chad’s very excited.”

Henne isn’t taking this opportunity lightly, either. There are only 32 starting quarterbacks each week and he knows the type of responsibility that comes with it. He knows that he has a chance to help his team achieve a 15-1 record for the first time in franchise history.

“I mean, it’s cool,” Henne said. “Anytime you get an opportunity to go out there and be the starter in the NFL, you don’t take it for granted and play like you’re 20.”

Henne has made spot appearances twice for the Chiefs so far this season. He won’t be worried about rust, especially when he’s already scored a touchdown this year.

The coaching staff has shown confidence in not only Henne’s ability as a passer but also his athleticism at the ripe old age of 35. They called a zone-read play in the red zone against the Broncos in Week 7 and Henne scored on the play.

“I was like ‘Are they serious right now? We’re going to run some zone right here,'” Henne quipped. “But hey, whatever they call as a quarterback, you try to make the best of it and make it work.”

Don’t expect an unfamiliar looking offense from Henne and the Chiefs on Sunday. The team won’t do much differently with Henne involved. He might not air the ball out as much as Mahomes does and they might lean on the run game a bit more, but this will virtually be the same offense that Mahomes has run all season.

“Yeah, I mean, there are definitely some different nuances, but for the most part it’s just what we’ve been running all year,” Henne said. “So, I have to be prepared if Patrick were to go down in a game and be able to run the offense, Coach Reid is not going to change anything in-game, so we kind of kept very similar offense to what we’re going to prepare for, for the Chargers, and go out there and execute.”

Another thing that Henne is also looking forward to in his opportunity to start —  the role reversal with QB Patrick Mahomes.

“It’ll be great,” Henne said. “I mean, he’ll be in the game plan, he’ll study the film, he’ll give me some tips, but he’ll be in it, very involved and he’ll help me out just like Matt (Moore) and I helped him out.”

Alongside Henne, a number of young players in the Chiefs’ building will likely get the opportunity to start for the first time. That fact has the building buzzing with excitement and no one is more excited to help lead those players than Henne.

“I’m excited about the group that we’re going to have out there,” Henne said. “You know, should be fun on Sunday.”

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Chiefs announce QB Chad Henne will start vs. Chargers in Week 17

No more questions, the Kansas City Chiefs will rest Patrick Mahomes in Week 17.

Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid said on Monday that he planned to rest some starters against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 17. We now have official confirmation on at least one player who will sit out.

On Wednesday, the team announced that backup QB Chad Henne will be the starter against the Chargers in Week 17.

“Chad (Henne) will go ahead and play, yeah,” Reid told reporters. “And there’s a good chance that Matt (Moore) is up, but we’ll see when it’s all said and done how that all works out.”

Henne, 35, has been the backup quarterback for Kansas City during the past three seasons. This will be Henne’s first game started since the 2014 NFL season, back when he was with the Jacksonville Jaguars. This year, Henne had an opportunity to play in Week 7 against the Denver Broncos and Week 8 against the New York Jets. He’s played 22 offensive snaps between those two games, totaling five completions on six attempts for 30 yards. He also rushed for a score against the Broncos in Week 7.

Henne spent most of the 2019 season on injured reserve, giving way to Matt Moore, who started two games in place of Mahomes that year. It appears that Moore could be called up from the practice squad this week to play backup to Henne.

Henne getting the start in Week 17 means that Mahomes’ regular season is over. He’ll have finished the season with a career-best 390 completions for 4,740 yards, 38 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also added 62 carries for 308 yards and two touchdowns — a career-high in both carries and yards. Those will be the numbers that he’s judged on in this year’s MVP race, which has become increasingly close in the final weeks of the season.

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Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes explains QB room COVID-19 safety protocols

Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes shares his thoughts on the COVID-19 protocols he follows and the other Chiefs quarterbacks.

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The 2020 NFL season was expected to be different from past years, with the global pandemic ongoing. Recent surges have affected the league schedule, most recently delaying the AFC North division clash between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. Another notable case from Week 12 featured the Chiefs’ opponent this upcoming Sunday, the Denver Broncos, who lost their entire quarterback room the night before a game.

The Broncos are expected to have Drew Lock back for their matchup in Kansas City, but the incident raised flags around the league. Chiefs starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes shared his thoughts on the current team protocols that he follows along with the other Chiefs quarterbacks during Wednesday’s press conference.

”Yeah, I think we do a great job,” said Mahomes. ”We’re actually in a different room than we have been in years past, a much bigger space. It’s kind of where they used to have staff meetings at and so we’re spread out and there’s only a certain number of guys that can be in that room together so that we have the proper amount of distance between each other. Whenever Coach (Andy) Reid or Coach (Eric) Bieniemy comes in there for some of our meetings, we’ll send people out and they’ll virtually meet with us and they’ll still be a part of the virtual part of the experience, but it won’t be where it’s too congested in the room. Even with that, we still wear our masks and do all that different type of stuff, but I mean it’s something you have to stay on top of. Just like not playing a football game, I have Brittany at home who’s pregnant and high-risk, so I try to stay on top of that as much as possible.”

Along with Mahomes, the Chiefs carry quarterbacks Chad Henne and Matt Moore; the latter is currently on the practice squad. Mahomes would go on to explain the room alignment per meeting.

“We have five spots, so there’s four desks and one desk that’s like the main one for the coach to sit at,” Mahomes explained. “So we have five spots and that works whenever it’s just the QB’s and Coach (Mike) Kafka, but obviously when Coach (Eric) Bieniemy and Coach (Andy) Reid come in there we have to send people out.”

The setup the Chiefs currently have seems to be doing a good job of keeping the room safe. Earlier in the season, practice squad QB Jordan Ta’amu tested positive for COVID-19, but his test resulted in no further positive tests, in part because of the diligence of those within the QB room.

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Gallery: Everson Griffen’s 2019 season with the Vikings

It was reported on Wednesday that Everson Griffen had signed a deal with the Dallas Cowboys. Here are photos from his 2019 campaign.

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Report: Chiefs to re-sign QB Matt Moore on one-year deal

Moore will be back with the Chiefs for the 2020 NFL season.

The Kansas City Chiefs are bringing back another one of their backup quarterbacks from 2019, this time it’s the one who actually played in games.

According to a report from Yahoo Sports’ Terez Paylor, the Chiefs have agreed to terms to bring back veteran QB Matt Moore, who started in place of Patrick Mahomes for two games in 2019.

Developing…