Cutler begins comeback at practice
Miami’s new quarterback getting to know teammates as he shakes off the rust
DAVIE, FLA.— Jay Cutler woke up in his hotel room Tuesday morning and didn’t know where he was. Then the fog cleared and he realized it was time to go back to work.
The Miami Dolphins’ new quarterback practiced for the first time since December, marking the start of his comeback from a brief retirement. Rust removal included 11-on-11 drills and one-on-one conversations as he learns the names of teammates.
When the workout ended, the 34year-old Cutler said he had no second thoughts about deciding to renew his working relationship with coach Adam Gase and return for another season.
“It felt right,” Cutler said. “Going into work and getting here and going through the motions of the practice, it felt good. I told Adam thanks for bringing me in. It’s fun to be back out here.”
Cutler, who parted with the Chicago Bears in March, agreed to delay his fledgling network TV career when he signed a $10 million (U.S.), one-year contract with Miami. He’s expected to start in place of Ryan Tannehill, who is out with a knee injury likely to sideline him for the entire season.
Cutler took the practice field wearing jersey No. 6, his number since high school, after reserve quarterback Brandon Doughty agreed to give it up.
When Cutler began to throw, he looked light on his feet and quick and accurate with his passes while showing good arm strength.
Same old Jay, said Gase, who was the offensive co-ordinator when both were with the Bears.
“He remembers basically everything with the offence,” Gase said. “He said he felt good and he’s not going to sugarcoat anything with me. He felt just right back in it.”
He underwent season-ending right shoulder surgery last December, but said his arm felt good and will need only a couple of days to be 100 per cent. His timing will take a little bit to come back, he said, and the 31-degree morning temperature was hotter than he’s used to.
Cutler’s best moment came in individual drills, when he threw a 45yard tight spiral that hit Jakeem Grant in stride at the goal line. Grant, a second-year reserve, described the moment as a dream come true.
“Everybody in the locker room grew up watching Jay,” Grant said. “It’s an honour for him to be on the team.”
Cutler might not know Grant’s name yet, but he seemed intent on getting to know everyone quickly. He spent much of practice engaged in steady conversation with backup quarterback Matt Moore, quarter- backs coach Bo Hardegree and even Tannehill.
“It’s a tough situation for Ryan,” Cutler said. “He has been great and supportive. He just wants to help this team win games.”
At the Buffalo Bills training camp, receiver Anquan Boldin says he doesn’t have anything to prove and is instead focused on leaving a legacy as he begins his 15th NFL season one day after signing with the Bills.
Boldin deemed the Bills to be a good fit and dismissed the notion the team can’t be considered a contender despite being in the midst of a 17-year playoff drought. The 2015 Walter Payton Man of the Year also welcomes the role of being an onand off-field mentor to Sammy Watkins and Buffalo’s young crop of receivers.
Boldin showed no indication even at 36 years old of having lost a step during his first practice Tuesday. He spent the entire off-season waiting to land a job.