Preseason loss muddles Jaguars’ QB quandary
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Jay Cutler’s night started by getting an ovation from Miami Dolphins fans just for taking the field, and ended with him giving a shout-out to Mark Bowen.
That’s the surgeon who fixed his right shoulder after his season with the Chicago Bears ended last December.
Cutler’s shoulder is just fine, and that’s about all Miami had to cheer about. Ryan Mallett (University of Arkansas) threw for 113 yards and a touchdown, Josh Woodrum ran for two more scores and the Baltimore Ravens beat the Dolphins 31-7 on Thursday night in the second preseason game for both teams.
“Dr. Bowen in Chicago, nice job,” Cutler said, with a thumbsup for emphasis.
Cutler played the first two series for the Dolphins, his debut as injured starter Ryan Tannehill’s replacement in Miami. He was 3 of 6 for 24 yards , some of it in a no-huddle tempo, and his highlight play was one that didn’t count. Facing a thirdand-16, Cutler stepped up and found DeVante Parker for what would have been a 31-yard gain — one erased by a holding flag.
“Thought he was good,” said Dolphins coach Adam Gase, who also coached Cutler in Chicago. “First time out. Looks like we really weren’t apart for a year. His tempo was really good.”
Cutler took a big hit on his last snap, courtesy of the Ravens’ Za’Darius Smith. He got up without any problem, then switched his helmet for a baseball cap and headset.
“I was kind of glad to get that one out of the way,” Cutler said.
Ravens starting quarterback Joe Flacco isn’t expected to play until Week 1 of the regular season because of back woes, and Mallett played the entire first half.
“I thought he did good,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “He got out of trouble a few times. He made a few throws.”
Mallett completed 13 of 22 passes, getting intercepted twice — both on passes intended for Quincy Adeboyejo. The first pick was by Xavier Howard on a ball lofted down the left sideline and overthrow, the other coming when Cordrea Tankersley ripped the ball out of Adeboyejo’s hands after he had to reach back to make a catch on a quick slant.
“I think I played better,” Mallett said. “There’s still plays to be made.”
Bucs 12, Jaguars 8
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Blake Bortles’ career in Jacksonville could be nearing an end.
Coach Doug Marrone opened up the team’s quarterback job after Bortles’ latest inconsistent performance Thursday night, giving Chad Henne a chance to start.
“I’m looking for someone who is going to lead this offense,” Marrone said. “I’m not happy with the performance. … Everyone saw it out there. Whatever you want to call it, I’m still trying to evaluate who the best person is at that position.”
Bortles completed 8 of 13 passes for 65 yards in a 12-8 preseason loss to Tampa Bay and headed to the sideline after four possessions that ended with punts. He missed Allen Robinson on two plays, including a woefully underthrown ball down the seam.
“Just didn’t make a whole lot of plays,” Bortles said. “Missed a couple of throws down the field, and we were very stagnant as an offense.”
Henne got some work with the first-team offense, fueling speculation that Bortles had lost his grasp on the job. Even though the move had been planned beforehand, it gave the appearance that Marrone and football czar Tom Coughlin had wavered in their commitment to Bortles. Marrone confirmed it after the game.
“We’re going to figure this thing out,” Marrone said. “It’s just simple. I’m not going to try to make this thing complicated. I’m looking for the best person to lead our offense.”
Marrone and Coughlin had publicly supported Bortles all year, even picking up the fifth-year option in his rookie contract. But Marrone pulled the third overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft last week following two interceptions. Marrone said Bortles’ “arm looked tired.” Bortles denied having any issues.
Bortles doesn’t have a touchdown or a turnover in two preseason games.
“It’s hard to not hear people booing,” Bortles said. “But if they’re cheering or booing, it’s kind of irrelevant, at least for me it is. I think you’ve got to treat adversity and prosperity the same way. They’re not booing for no reason. They’re booing because you didn’t do your job.”
Henne’s first pass should have resulted in a touchdown, but Keelan Cole dropped it at the goal line. Henne finished 6-of-10 passing for 44 yards.
*Jameis Winston continued his solid preseason, completing 21 of 29 passes for 196 yards for Tampa Bay.
Winston had two passes dropped, including what would have been a 43-yard touchdown strike to Mike Evans in the first quarter.
The Buccaneers scored on their first three possessions, getting a short touchdown run from Doug Martin and two field goals from Nick Folk. Tampa Bay dominated Jacksonville in two quarters that featured mostly starters, outgaining the Jags 240-59 and looking like the much better team.
Eagles 20, Bills 16
PHILADELPHIA — Of all the high-profile players making debuts in a new uniform, Eagles cornerback Ronald Darby was most impressive.
Darby intercepted former teammate Tyrod Taylor’s pass and returned it 48 yards and also broke up two passes in his first game since Philadelphia acquired him from Buffalo last week, and the Eagles beat the Bills Thursday night.
Alshon Jeffery, a former Pro Bowl wide receiver signed by the Eagles in the offseason, caught his first pass from Carson Wentz and finished with two receptions for 23 yards.
Bills cornerback E.J. Gaines also had an interception in his first game since coming from the Rams in a trade last week. Gaines picked third-string quarterback Matt McGloin, who has struggled in two preseason games.
Wideout Anquan Boldin, a three-time Pro Bowl pick recently signed by the Bills, caught one pass for 5 yards.