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SPORTS Tuesday 8 augusT 2017

Gase: Cutler didn’t delay retirement to stand on sideline

Ramping up Cutler’s arm a contender for the starting
strength may take longer, job after a drama-free con-
Gase said. versation with Gase about
“I’m sure he wasn’t in the the need to sign Cutler.
backyard throwing a hun- “It was very simple and
dred balls a day,” the straightforward,” he said.
coach said. “It wasn’t very Hollywood.
Cutler said his two sons and And I get it.”
pickup basketball games Receiver Kenny Stills said
at his alma mater, Van- that while Moore is “our
derbilt, helped him stay in guy,” there’s no quarter-
shape. back controversy among
He missed time last year the players.
with a sprained right thumb “We’re confident in the
and a labrum injury that re- people upstairs to do the
quired season-ending right right thing for this team,”
shoulder surgery in Decem- Stills said.
ber, but said he’s healthy Still to be determined is how
now and confident his arm quickly Cutler can shake
will be fine. off the rust and lingering
“It’ll come back pretty doubts about his attitude,
quickly,” Cutler said. “I’m toughness and decision-
not worried about the making, all of which were
throwing part. Getting used often questioned in Chi-
New Miami Dolphins quarterback Jay Cutler speaks at a news conference during an NFL football
training camp, Monday, Aug. 7, 2017, in Davie, Fla. to the guys and the more cago.
Associated Press detailed stuff, that’s what He went 51-51 as a Bears
By STEVEN WINE said Cutler, wearing a polo March after eight seasons, we’re going to have to hit starter. Among his team-
AP Sports Writer shirt bearing the Dolphins and was then hired by Fox the fast-forward button mates was guard Jermon
DAVIE, Fla. (AP) — New Mi- logo. “I know Adam very as an analyst to work in its on.” Bushrod, now with Miami.
ami Dolphins quarterback well; I know the system. No. 2 NFL broadcast booth. The acquisition of Cutler “I know the guy,” Bushrod
Jay Cutler won’t play in the And you’re talking about “The last four months I’ve has potential to divide a said. “I’ve seen how he is in
team’s exhibition opener a playoff team with a lot of been in a different mindset, locker room where Moore the huddle. I’ve seen how
Thursday, but look for him really, really good players getting ready for the Fox enjoys strong support, es- he is in the locker room.
to be starting soon enough. and a lot of potential.” deal,” Cutler said. “I was pecially after he helped Mi- The message portrayed by
“He didn’t come out of re- Cutler is expected to leap- pretty good with where I ami clinch a playoff berth some of the major broad-
tirement to stand on the frog longtime Dolphins was in my life; I was around while Tannehill was side- casting networks isn’t what
sideline,” coach Adam backup Matt Moore for the the kids a lot and felt pretty lined last December. we see or feel.
Gase said. starting job while Tannehill content. But Gase is popular with “People are going to have
Cutler missed Monday’s remains out with a left knee So I went back and forth on his players and said he ex- things to say. But if you win
practice because it took injury that likely will sideline this. My wife talked me into plained to them why he games, nobody says any-
place as he landed in him for the entire season. it more than anybody else. wanted Cutler. thing.”
South Florida to sign a $10 Gase reached out to Cut- ... I think she got tired of me “I was very upfront with ev- The Bears went 9-23 the
million, one-year contract. ler shortly after Tannehill being around the house.” erything,” Gase said. “We past two years, but coach
The 34-year-old Cutler de- was hurt Thursday and said In 2015, Cutler had a ca- felt this gave us an oppor- John Fox said he was hap-
cided to delay the start the former Bear needed reer-best quarterback rat- tunity to have two really py with Cutler both seasons
of his network TV career no persuading to launch a ing while with Gase, who good quarterbacks on our and excited for him to get
for the chance to replace comeback. then joined the Dolphins. team. We wanted to make an opportunity in Miami.
Ryan Tannehill and be re- But Cutler likened the con- What will Cutler’s learning sure if something hap- “He was a smart, tough
united with Gase, his former versations with Gase to col- curve be with the offensive pened, we weren’t going guy who worked hard,” Fox
offensive coordinator with lege recruiting, saying the scheme? to have a falloff. I think our said.
the Chicago Bears. decision to return was dif- “I’m pretty sure he’s al- guys understand that.” “I know everybody here
“A situation like this doesn’t ficult. ready got it,” Gase said. That includes Moore. He wishes him nothing but the
come along very often,” He parted with the Bears in “He’s good.” said he still considers himself best.”q