Cutler, Dolphins receivers work on rapport
Miami Dolphins quarterback Jay Cutler appears to be on course in his comeback.
In a joint practice with the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, Cutler fired pinpoint passes and appeared comfortable as he progresses toward his regularseason debut. He threw one interception to recently acquired Eagles cornerback Ronald Darby right before the conclusion of the session, which otherwise marked a solid step forward for the veteran quarterback.
Cutler completed well more than 50% of his passes, most of which were short to intermediate throws, and fed his targets in stride. Not bad for a player who signed with the Dolphins on Aug. 6, ending his brief retirement.
“I’m really comfortable with these guys,” Cutler said. “Situations like this ( joint practice) are really good for me and for the receivers and O-line, just knowing how we’re going to kind of react in game-type situations.”
Cutler was set to become an NFL analyst for Fox but decided to return for a 12th NFL season after the Dolphins began seeking a replacement for Ryan Tannehill, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and opted for season-ending surgery.
Miami and Philadelphia will have another joint practice Tuesday before their matchup Thurs- day night in Week 3 of the preseason.
Although Cutler has been working with the Dolphins for two weeks, Monday’s session was just his second showdown against a defense other than his own team’s.
He made his preseason debut Thursday night against the Baltimore Ravens but played for just two series, completing three of six passes for 24 yards.
“Everything is good now,” Dol- phins wide receiver Jarvis Landry said. “Just for the simple fact that he has played in the system before, so he knows all the checks. He knows where guys are supposed to be. So now it’s just getting used to our body language when we get in and out of breaks.”
Cutler is still establishing a rapport with Landry, who led the Dolphins with 94 catches and
1,136 yards last season, after targeting DeVante Parker on four of his throws Thursday. In Monday’s practice, Landry caught a pair of touchdowns in Miami’s goal-line drills and added several more during the seven-on-seven portion.
There is still, however, a great deal of work for Cutler and his receivers to do. This was, after all, a practice in which both teams did not tackle to the ground and hits on the quarterback were prohibited.
But for a team hoping to reach the postseason in consecutive years for the first time since
2001, Cutler’s first few weeks with the Dolphins are a positive sign.
“I feel fresh,” Cutler said. “Whenever you go through the whole spring throwing, throwing and throwing, the body gets a little torn. Right now, I feel really balanced and fresh. It feels good.”