QB Moore likely to start Thursday

DAVIE, Fla. — Miami Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore, the likely starter at Baltimore on Thursday, is undoubtedly the one everyone will watch. But this situation is nothing new, or nothing he can’t handle.

“Matt just comes in with a different level,” right tackle Ja’Wuan James said. “I don’t know if (it’s) energy or presence.”

Moore would be making his fifth start in Miami’s last 11 games, and his seventh appearance in the last 12 games.

Moore was 2-2 as a starter last season, in relief of Ryan Tannehill, and finished the job of leading Miami to a 10-6 record and its first playoff appearance since 2008. Moore started the 30-12 wild-card loss at Pittsburgh. He was 6-6 in 2011 after Chad Henne was injured.

He’s been here before.

So with Miami (4-2) riding a three-game winning streak, its defense playing well and its struggling offense showing signs of life, there’s no great concern about Moore.

“He’s still the guy in here every day that’s talking trash,” wide receiver Kenny Stills said. “Every time you see him throw a good ball, he’s screaming, ‘Dimer!’ or doing the shots fired (pose). He really just enjoys his job. He loves being here. It spreads to everyone else on the team.”

There is, however, concern with Baltimore (3-4) because the Ravens are a physical team, and those are the types that have caused Miami problems in recent years, with the two games against the New York Jets this season being the most recent example.

Running back Jay Ajayi should be able to gain some traction against a Ravens run defense that’s last in the NFL at 145.3 yards per game. Of course, the Jets entered last week allowing 138 rushing yards per game and held Ajayi to 51 yards rushing and the Dolphins to 53 yards rushing.

Fortunately for Moore, and head coach Adam Gase, the wide receivers and tight ends became a major factor last week, accounting for all four touchdowns among wide receivers Kenny Stills (two touchdowns) and Jarvis Landry (one touchdown) and tight end Anthony Fasano (one touchdown).

Still, this promises to be a physical game, and Moore, who was knocked silly in the wild-card game by Pittsburgh linebacker Bud Dupree, must protect himself.

And the pass protection must protect Moore. After all, if Moore goes down the Dolphins are in a bad situation with newly-signed David Fales serving as the backup.

Other than that, things should be OK with Moore, who many regard as a gunslinger. He likes to throw downfield, which the receivers love, and his aggressive mentality seems infectious.

“He’s an electric guy,” offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen said. “He comes out there and he’s the pied piper. He takes the young guys under his wing. He’s a popular guy in the locker room, and I think that his energy is contagious.”