Offense perks up with Moore replacing Cutler
MIAMI GARDENS — Everyone can see it. Matt Moore might not actually be any better than Jay Cutler, but the Dolphins’ offense comes to life for the former.
Moore came in when Cutler exited with a concussion and led Miami back from a 20-7 deficit to tie Sunday’s game against the Bucs on a 61-yard pass to Kenny Stills with three minutes remaining. While the Dolphins ultimately lost 30-20, Moore once again put himself in position to take over the quarterback job.
“Us knowing Matt and his history and who he is as a guy, it pumps you up when he gets in because he’s gonna give you his all and he’s gonna let you know he’s giving his all,” running back Damien Williams said. “What can you do more for a guy who you know is gonna give you his all? You’re gonna give him your all.”
Moore completed 17 of 28 passes for 282 yards and had the touchdown to Stills, giving him a 106.5 passer rating. He also had a 1-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Fasano early in the third quarter that was nullified by Fasano being flagged for pushing off.
Miami’s three longest pass plays of the day came off Moore’s arm: Stills’ touchdown, a 49-yard strike to Jarvis Landry and another pass to Stills for 45 yards.
Before his departure, Cutler went 6-for-12 with three interceptions and threw for 83 yards.
With Cutler currently in the NFL’s concussion protocol, Dolphins coach Adam Gase declined to commit to a starter for the upcoming game at New England.
Dolphins thought they had a safety: Dolphins defensive tackle Jordan Phillips sacked Bucs quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick for what appeared to be a safety in the fourth quarter.
The Dolphins were trailing 20-13 and it could have been a pivotal moment. But officials ruled the play a seven-yard sack and Fitzpatrick down at the 1-yard line. Gase challenged the call. “We felt like (Fitzpatrick) ran into his own (offensive lineman) and by the time we touched him that he was in the end zone,” Gase said. “We thought we’d take a shot with the challenge, and it didn’t turn out the way we wanted.”
The NFL’s former head of officials, Mike Pereira, said on Fox, after the ruling: “I really question them staying with that call.”
In the Dolphins locker room, there was some dismay about the call.
“Watching the replay, my personal opinion is that it should have been a safety but I don’t make the call,” Ndamukong Suh said. “It’s not my business to worry about that.”
“I thought it was a safety,” said fellow defensive lineman Cameron Wake, who was pushing a Bucs linemen back into the end zone on the play.
“They don’t talk to me very much so I don’t know. I saw the replay and it looks like a safety to me. But, it wasn’t. So, moving on.”
Another Dolphin was muttering that the league likely will apologize for the mistake, but that it won’t matter.
After a punt, the Dolphins took over the ball at the Tampa 43-yard line, but that drive stalled with no points after Damien Williams was stopped on a 4th-and-1 at the Bucs’ 34.
“We just control what we can control,” safety Reshad Jones said. “We can’t ref the game and be players. The refs made the call and it is what it is.”
Gase has no problem cutting Maualuga: In a season of embarrassing off-field snafus, the Dolphins ran into another one Saturday morning with the arrest of linebacker Rey Maualuga on a battery charge.
Maualuga, who the team signed in August after losing second-round pick Raekwon McMillan to a knee injury, was taken into custody shortly before Miami players were expected to arrive at the facility for a walk-through, and the team wasted no time cutting him.
“That was the decision we came to,” Gase said Sunday. “Wasn’t very hard.”
Maualuga was a starter, but played only about 40 percent of the defensive snaps the past two weeks because Miami didn’t use him when it was in its nickel defense. He had 23 tackles in six games.
Undrafted rookie Chase Allen replaced him in the starting lineup against the Buccaneers.
As a ninth-year veteran, Maualuga was thought to be one of the more stable elements of the Dolphins’ locker room. He was a solid player and was very popular with his teammates.
“It’s sad, man,” safety Michael Thomas said. “That’s my guy. I hate to see that happen to anyone. I’ve reached out to him just trying to make sure he’s alright and I’m waiting for a response.
“He’s a likable guy, great teammate, great in the locker room, worked hard on the field. There wasn’t too much not to like about him. That’s tough.”
Suh and Wake also expressed disappointment over Maualuga’s situation, but declined to say much about his departure.
“I don’t know the whole situation, the whole story,” Suh said. “I’ve heard bits and pieces of it. I think Rey is a great guy. I’ve known him since 2004. I think he’s smart. Unfortunately, some people make mistakes, but I don’t know the whole situation so I can’t really comment on it.”