Cutler coming back

QB will try to help inept Dolphins offense.

DAVIE — Jay Cutler will be back at quarterback when the Miami Dolphins attempt to rebound from their worst shutout loss in 20 years.

That was the easy answer for coach Adam Gase on Friday in the aftermath of the 40-0 debacle at Baltimore on Thursday night.

More challenging will be fixing the fundamental problem Gase identified as at the root of what he accurately termed “the worst offense in football.”

The numbers bear out that assessment. The Dolphins’ offense was as inept with backup Matt Moore at the controls in a thoroughly ineffectual performance against the Ravens as it was for much of the season before Cutler left last Sunday’s game against the Jets with a rib injury.

The way Gase explained it, too many players don’t have their heads in the game.

“We’re not putting the work in. That’s what it comes down to,” Gase said. “You

can’t remember it, you shouldn’t be in the NFL. At the end of the day, guys gotta actually take this stuff home and study it. They’re not going to just learn it all in meetings. We gotta find guys that’ll actually put forth effort to actually remember this stuff, and really it starts with our best players.”

Although the Dolphins have a winning record (4-3), Gase said: “I’m pissed. I’m tired of this. Tired of the offense being awful. And guys need to get their heads right. Coaching staff needs to do a better job because obviously our players not knowing is a direct reflection on them.”

Without mentioning anyone by name, Gase did seem to point in the direction of running backs, including starter Jay Ajayi and Damien Williams. He made it clear the problem wasn’t all about the inability of the offensive line to provide protection and open holes.

“A majority of the time the offensive [linemen] at least know who to go to and know what to do,” Gase said. “We gotta get the other guys to know what to do, too. They can’t block the running back’s guy. Running back, we never blocked the right guy. I don’t even know if we know who we got. So … we gotta get that fixed.”

The running game was nonexistent against the Ravens, producing only 45 yards while averaging 2.4 yards a carry. Ajayi averaged 1.8 yards on 13 attempts (23 yards).

“We gotta stop trying to hit home runs all the time. How about take the 4, 5 yards that we’re going to get,” Gase said. “That’s on the running back. Do your job. That’s what you gotta do. It’s not hard.”

Dolphins players were off Friday and won’t return to practice until Tuesday.

Asked if he might consider a shake-up such as last season, when he cut three offensive linemen after a poor performance in a loss to Tennessee, Gase said: “Who are you going to get? It is what it is. But at some point, guys have got to realize that it takes a little effort outside this building to actually be good.”

“Offensively, it’s a joke,” he continued. “We’ve got too many guys that don’t want to take it home with them.”

Meanwhile, Gase didn’t hesitate to say Cutler, who sustained cracked ribs Sunday against the Jets, will be back as the starting quarterback when the Dolphins play host to Oakland on Nov. 5.

“Yeah, he’s playing,” Gase said. “He could have played [Thursday night].”

Moore, who sparked the stirring 31-28 comeback victory against the Jets, couldn’t get the offense firing Thursday. Moore finished 22 of 44 for 176 yards, no touchdowns, two interceptions — both of which were returned for touchdowns — and a 47.2 passer rating against the Ravens.

As to where he will look for a solution to the overall malaise of the offense, Gase said: “I’m going to play the guys that know what to do. Might not be happy — the fan base might not like it, but oh well. We’re the worst offense in football. It’s hard to go lower than that.”

Injury update

Gase confirmed that guard Anthony Steen had surgery for his foot injury but gave no timetable for his return. Safety Nate Allen, who left in the second quarter with a calf injury, likely won’t play against the Raiders, Gase said.

Gase also said it was his decision to hold out receiver DeVante Parker (ankle) because of limited practice time. With Steen out, Jesse

Davis started at left guard, and in Gase’s view, “did all right. I didn’t see him being the main culprit for anything that was really causing a lot of issues.”

There may be some help coming on the line with guard Ted Larsen (torn biceps) eligible to be activated from injured reserve. Gase said Larsen may practice next week but indicated it’s unlikely he’ll be ready to play against Oakland.

Alonso’s hit

Gase defended linebacker Kiko Alonso for the hit that knocked Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco out of the game with a concussion. Flacco was running for a possible first down before sliding feet first when Alonso delivered a hit that knocked the quarterback’s helmet off, drawing an unnecessary-roughness penalty.

“When he’s sliding, his body is not like a true slide that you normally see. He’s kind of half in, half out,” Gase said. “So it’s a tough play to tell a guy what to do. … I don’t think Kiko was trying to do anything maliciously.”