Panthers' Moore aims to be ready

Undrafted rookie QB in line for possible Sunday snaps behind Carr, Testaverde

Until last Sunday, Matt Moore was the Carolina Panthers' Other Quarterback, the young guy that often was dressing nearby while the media crowded around Jake Delhomme and David Carr.

But there have been changes along quarterback row.

Delhomme is lost for the season, and Carr is recovering from a back injury, although he is expected to play Sunday at Arizona. The team also picked up 43-year-old Vinny Testaverde this week, who is two decades older than Moore.

Still, Moore is suddenly in the mix, taking snaps with the first team this week along with Testaverde, because there is no one else to do so. If called upon Sunday, Moore says he will serve.

"I think I could do the job," said Moore, whose brief work against New Orleans included a 43-yard completion. "I think I'd be able to manage the offense and put us in positions we want to be in."

Although Carr and Testaverde likely would play ahead of Moore, the surprise is that he was even asked the question.

"It's a little overwhelming," Moore said. "But I've learned, and so many people have told me things change in this league pretty quickly. I'm kind of just going along for the ride right now and trying to get myself where I need to be if I need to play this week."

For Moore, it's been a long yet rather quick trip. A California boy, he signed with UCLA, but dropped out of the Bruins' plans when he injured as a sophomore.

Moore started 24 games for the Oregon State Beavers, finishing fourth on the school passing-yardage list and earning all-Pac-10 honorable mention as a senior.

None of that got Moore drafted. He signed as a free agent with Dallas for $15,000 and had a solid training camp. He completed 21 of 29 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown in exhibition games. The Cowboys wanted to keep him, but when they tried to sneak him through waivers, the Panthers pounced.

On Sunday, Moore played his first series in the NFL -- seven snaps that led to a field goal.

"Dave went down and someone handed me my helmet and said, 'Here you go,' " Moore said. "It was a little nerve-racking, but I had to get over it quick; just go out there and not make a big mistake."

Later, Dallas quarterback Tony Romo sent a text message.

"He said it took him four years to throw his first pass -- it took me four games," Moore said, smiling. "He just told me to keep it going."