The first snow of the year can come in without notice, silently falling to the ground whilst you unknowingly sleep. In the morning, the beautiful white snow blankets the earth and trees and its a signal a new season has finally arrived. This Saturday, a similar event happened...Kellen Moore, a four year NFL player, who had never played in a regular season game, came onto the field in the 2nd quarter of the Cowboys Jets game, and took his first snap as an NFL quarterback.. With that snap, and the ensuing play, the monkey was finally off his back. This monkey is the one that every wanna be analyst and naysayer kept saying about his four year stint in the NFL "He has never played in a regular season game."
Although I am not a true Cowboys fan, I have quietly been pulling for Moore to get a chance to play since he went to the NFL to pursue his dreams of being a quarterback. His first stop was in Detroit, where he sat alongside Dan Orlovsky, as they battled for bench position behind Mathew Stafford. With three years as Stafford's understudy, the Lions finally let Moore go to find a better pasture, where he was picked up by the Dallas Cowboys in early September. Once in the lone star state, his heel step went like this: practice squad, active roster, waived, practice squad and activated again. With some musical chairs going on at QB, I knew there could be a chance to for Moore to maybe get a chance to play this year. The Cowboys knew back up Brandon Weeden was not the QB of their future and the poker players in the Cowboys home office placed their chips on purchasing Matt Cassel. Jerry Jones and company were hoping he could get them back on track and with some wins per chance, maybe still make the playoffs.
For Cassel, he had 7 games to state his case why he should be the starting QB in Dallas, and unfortunately, with a 1-5 record, the Gods of Starting QB's spoke, and deemed him unfit. With Romo hurt again after being rushed back to soon, the Cowboy (and Bronco Nation fans alike) were putting social media pressure to give Moore a look to see what he could do...we've all heard the armchair QB's and ESPN analysts say the same things over repeatedly..."Even though he was a high school standout, was the winningest QB in college football history (at 50-3) and Heisman trophy finalist, he's not tall enough or fast enough to play with the big boys..."
At age 26, Kellen reminds me a lot of my childhood football idol, Ken Stabler (R.I.P., July 2015!). I never hear any of the analysts talk about Stabler sitting on the bench in Oakland for almost 3 full years behind Daryle Lamonica. Although their off field demeanors are not similar, Stabler and Moore have a very similar style of play at QB..Stabler was a little bit taller at 6'3" but both were/are southpaws with a great sling style arm...great for quick screen passes, outs to the side and longer throws requiring timing and touch, not so much strength....
They also both played/play the best while staying in the pocket, relying on their front line to protect them from the big time wrestlers wanting to slam them to the canvas ringside...The Snakes' knees were nimble in college and the first few years in the NFL, but injuries inhibited him from doing much scrambling after that. Kellen will never be known for his running speed and that third down threat will not come from his possible run, but from a perfectly thrown pass in an amazingly small area to his right on stride catching receiver. (Lest it be reminded to the "analysts" about the current state of NFL QB Colin Kaepernick, who was an analysts dream, having arm strength, size and ability to run like a gazelle).
Stabler came off the the bench at age 26 (2 days shy of his 27 birthday, on Christmas) to replace the Raider's Daryle "The Mad Bomber" Lamonica in the "Immaculate Reception" playoff game against the Steelers in 1972. His exciting style of play showed through even though they took a loss on the heartbreaking catch and ensuing crazy run by Franco Harris. Stabler's cool, but deeply competitive play under pressure showed his coach (John Madden) and the powers that be (Al Davis) that he had what it took to take the Raiders to the next level....and the Snake took the opportunity and never looked back (Tony Romo, beware of the Lamonica analogy).
He has been waiting very patiently for this moment. I have a feeling, now that Kellen is finally getting the same opportunity, he will take this opportunity the same way as Kenny did..and never look back...
** Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett announced this morning that Kellen will be starting his NFL game this Sunday, week 16 against the Buffalo Bills
***12/24/2015 Read ex-BSU coach Pete's and present day BSU coach Harsin's comments on Kellen Moore's start this weekend here:
****1/11/2016 Read article here with Dallas Cowboy's owner Jerry Jones, where he says "unequivocally, yes" when asked if he thinks Kellen Moore is capable of being the backup quarterback to Tony Romo in the upcoming year
Editor's note: What does this have to do with inventing and new products? Inventor's need to overcome adversity with persistence and determination and use their competitive desire to succeed, much like the struggle of pro athletes trying to get playing time as a starting QB.
Although I am not a true Cowboys fan, I have quietly been pulling for Moore to get a chance to play since he went to the NFL to pursue his dreams of being a quarterback. His first stop was in Detroit, where he sat alongside Dan Orlovsky, as they battled for bench position behind Mathew Stafford. With three years as Stafford's understudy, the Lions finally let Moore go to find a better pasture, where he was picked up by the Dallas Cowboys in early September. Once in the lone star state, his heel step went like this: practice squad, active roster, waived, practice squad and activated again. With some musical chairs going on at QB, I knew there could be a chance to for Moore to maybe get a chance to play this year. The Cowboys knew back up Brandon Weeden was not the QB of their future and the poker players in the Cowboys home office placed their chips on purchasing Matt Cassel. Jerry Jones and company were hoping he could get them back on track and with some wins per chance, maybe still make the playoffs.
For Cassel, he had 7 games to state his case why he should be the starting QB in Dallas, and unfortunately, with a 1-5 record, the Gods of Starting QB's spoke, and deemed him unfit. With Romo hurt again after being rushed back to soon, the Cowboy (and Bronco Nation fans alike) were putting social media pressure to give Moore a look to see what he could do...we've all heard the armchair QB's and ESPN analysts say the same things over repeatedly..."Even though he was a high school standout, was the winningest QB in college football history (at 50-3) and Heisman trophy finalist, he's not tall enough or fast enough to play with the big boys..."
At age 26, Kellen reminds me a lot of my childhood football idol, Ken Stabler (R.I.P., July 2015!). I never hear any of the analysts talk about Stabler sitting on the bench in Oakland for almost 3 full years behind Daryle Lamonica. Although their off field demeanors are not similar, Stabler and Moore have a very similar style of play at QB..Stabler was a little bit taller at 6'3" but both were/are southpaws with a great sling style arm...great for quick screen passes, outs to the side and longer throws requiring timing and touch, not so much strength....
They also both played/play the best while staying in the pocket, relying on their front line to protect them from the big time wrestlers wanting to slam them to the canvas ringside...The Snakes' knees were nimble in college and the first few years in the NFL, but injuries inhibited him from doing much scrambling after that. Kellen will never be known for his running speed and that third down threat will not come from his possible run, but from a perfectly thrown pass in an amazingly small area to his right on stride catching receiver. (Lest it be reminded to the "analysts" about the current state of NFL QB Colin Kaepernick, who was an analysts dream, having arm strength, size and ability to run like a gazelle).
Stabler came off the the bench at age 26 (2 days shy of his 27 birthday, on Christmas) to replace the Raider's Daryle "The Mad Bomber" Lamonica in the "Immaculate Reception" playoff game against the Steelers in 1972. His exciting style of play showed through even though they took a loss on the heartbreaking catch and ensuing crazy run by Franco Harris. Stabler's cool, but deeply competitive play under pressure showed his coach (John Madden) and the powers that be (Al Davis) that he had what it took to take the Raiders to the next level....and the Snake took the opportunity and never looked back (Tony Romo, beware of the Lamonica analogy).
He has been waiting very patiently for this moment. I have a feeling, now that Kellen is finally getting the same opportunity, he will take this opportunity the same way as Kenny did..and never look back...
** Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett announced this morning that Kellen will be starting his NFL game this Sunday, week 16 against the Buffalo Bills
***12/24/2015 Read ex-BSU coach Pete's and present day BSU coach Harsin's comments on Kellen Moore's start this weekend here:
****1/11/2016 Read article here with Dallas Cowboy's owner Jerry Jones, where he says "unequivocally, yes" when asked if he thinks Kellen Moore is capable of being the backup quarterback to Tony Romo in the upcoming year
Editor's note: What does this have to do with inventing and new products? Inventor's need to overcome adversity with persistence and determination and use their competitive desire to succeed, much like the struggle of pro athletes trying to get playing time as a starting QB.
