Cutler condenses full arsenal into potential final preseason appearance
Miami Dolphins quarterback Jay Cutler needed just over one quarter of play in the team's third preseason game to show his coaches, teammates, and fans what they can expect this season.
Cutler stayed true to himself in what was likely his final preseason action. In limited play, the recently unretired 34-year-old showed that despite his imperfections, he'll be a perfectly adequate replacement for - if not an improvement on - the injured Ryan Tannehill this season.
The bait
Cutler was forced into a brief early retirement this offseason, after finishing the 2016 campaign with four touchdowns to five interceptions and two lost fumbles in just five games played.
Early in the first quarter, the carefree gunslinger showed some of what scared teams away when he was strip-sacked by Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Vinny Curry. Offensive guard Laremy Tunsil deserves his share of the blame for the blown block, but with everyone focused on Cutler, it was a play much too similar to what fans had come to rightfully fear.
The switch
Shortly after spotting the opposition an early 7-0 lead as a result of his fumble, Cutler demonstrated his ability to quickly erase mistakes.
Jay Cutler 72 yard pass to DeVante Parkerpic.twitter.com/aZUSEl2gb3
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) August 24, 2017
Just two drives after the costly fumble, the deep toss led to the first of running back Jay Ajayi's two touchdowns on the night, as he quickly finished off the drive with a two-yard score.
The pass showed Cutler's big-play ability and the benefits that come with a short memory and the false sense of invincibility.
His willingness to take risks is what best differentiates Cutler from Tannehill, and should be appreciated by the team's wide receivers and offense as a whole.
Next Gen Stats: Tannehill threw into tight coverage at NFL's 3rd lowest clip among 40 qualified QBs last year. Cutler 5th highest frequency.
— Evan Silva (@evansilva) August 25, 2017
The prestige
Cutler simplified things for his final play of the night, coming on the opening drive of the second quarter.
Lined up just short of the Eagles' goal line, Cutler dropped back and delivered a perfect strike to fellow new addition, tight end Julius Thomas.
It was a peaceful and successful close to what had been an up-and-down appearance from Cutler, as he left the game with his team in the lead.
A fitting end indicative of what's likely ahead this season.