Key time for QB
Dolphins want to get Cutler in sync with offense.
The Dolphins, starting with coach Adam Gase and filtering through the entire 90-man roster, have steadfastly maintained that training camp wasn’t the time to measure progress as a group. Training camp, they said, was simply a time to get better.
That changes next week. The Dolphins, fresh off a 31-7 preseason loss to Baltimore, travel to Philadelphia for two days of practices against the Eagles before playing the Eagles in the all-important third exhibition game, the ultimate preseason measuring stick.
To that end, perhaps the most pressing tasks facing the Dolphins over the next week are fully integrating quarterback Jay Cutler with the offense and finding an answer at middle linebacker, where the season-ending knee injury to rookie Raekwon McMillan has thrust Mike Hull into the starting role.
If the Dolphins work through those two issues over the next week they’d seem to be well positioned for the Sept. 10 season opener against Tampa Bay.
The first-team defense performed reasonably well in two possessions Thursday against the Ravens. Cornerback Byron Maxwell caused two fumbles and cornerback Xavien Howard had an interception. The run defense gave up 12 yards on three carries.
“It was good to see that first-team defense,” Gase said.
Still, it’s believed they want to add a linebacker soon. Former Dolphin Kelvin Sheppard, who worked out for Miami earlier this week, signed with Chicago on Friday, eliminating him from consideration.
The Dolphins’ offense, which punted on both possessions Cutler led, was less successful Thursday. That first group only made one first down, partly because it faced a 3rd-and-16, and 2nd-and-11
“It was probably good for him to get hit and to have to move in the pocket. He did a good job there.” Adam Gase, Dolphins coach
“You’ve got 90 guys on the sideline, you’re trying to find guys, it’s not easy.” Adam Gase, Dolphins coach
due to penalties.
Cutler, who has been with the Dolphins for less than two weeks, finished 3 for 6, passing for 24 yards.
Running back Jay Ajayi (two carries, minus 2 yards; one reception, 11 yards), two days removed from concussion protocol, showed the same bullish traits from a year ago, especially on a 19-yard run that was negated due to a holding penalty.
The offensive line was spotty, which was somewhat understandable considering center Mike Pouncey (hip), right tackle Ja’Wuan James (shoulder) and guard-center Kraig Urbik (back), all likely starters, didn’t play. Jesse Davis started at left guard, Sam Young at right tackle, and Jake Brendel at center.
Gase said Urbik’s status meant guard-center Anthony Steen couldn’t start. Steen was the only other healthy center and had to serve as backup, and that pushed Davis into the starting five.
“Once Kraig Urbik wasn’t going to play, we just wanted to make sure that we didn’t have two centers [Brendel and Steen] on that starting line,” Gase said in reference to the Dolphins already being down two centers with Pouncey and Urbik sidelined.
“We wanted to make sure that we were good throughout the game.”
Special teams had a blocked punt as a result of an early snap, and two muffed kicks. Gase suggested the special teams chaos was a result of a 90-man roster instead of the 53-man roster teams have in the regular season, leading to less cohesion on those units.
“You’ve got 90 guys on the sideline, you’re trying to find guys, it’s not easy,” he said. “We had 10 guys on the field on the one where we snapped it [early]. That was a disaster. We had a fumble. It’s just unlike our special teams.”
Things fell apart when the backups played what was basically the final three quarters. The Ravens outscored the Dolphins 31-0 after falling behind 7-0.
Perhaps that makes a statement about the Dolphins’ depth. For now, though, the priorities are getting the passing game and pass protection in sync during their time in Philadelphia. And, defensively, addressing the middle linebacker position.
Gase, known for his work with quarterbacks, seems pleased with Cutler thus far.
“It’s going to take game experience,” he said of working in a news quarterback. “It was probably good for him to get hit and to have to move in the pocket. He did a good job there, and he made some good throws.”