Dolphins quarterback Jay Cutler’s performance against the Saints on Sunday could be euphemistically described as “casual,” with one specific Wildcat play serving as fine recap of his game.
Cutler, lined up on the outside, had a hand on his hip as running back Jay Ajayi received the snap and fell down for no gain. Saints cornerback Ken Crawley didn’t perceive Cutler to be a threat, so he shifted his position inside:
Though everyone had a hearty laugh about how Cutler is being paid $10 million to gain a 29th-ranked 5.85 passing yards per attempt (just behind Mike Glennon, who’s been taken behind the barn in Chicago and shot), Dolphins head coach Adam Gase clarified today that his quarterback was supposed to be that apathetic, in order to avoid getting hit. From the Miami Herald:
“As soon as he steps forward they can knock the ... I won’t say it. They can hit him,” Gase said. “If he steps back or doesn’t move, now you’re looking at a different kind of penalty.”
Cutler mustered the energy to defend himself, too:
Glad that’s settled, Jay. What about the plays in which you were supposed to do something?