Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Melvin Ingram claims he doesn’t see Miami Dolphins quarterback Jay Cutler as a threat in their upcoming matchup, but a former MVP-winning quarterback has words of encouragement for embattled QB.
On Friday, the Miami Herald‘s Barry Jackson shared a recent conversation with Rich Gannon in which he broke down what playing in Miami could do for Cutler’s career and legacy.
“I just think it’s a great opportunity for Jay Cutler,” he said. “This is the best team he’s played with by far. You look at the defense and perimeter people and Jay Ajayi. I think it’s a really good situation, a once in a lifetime opportunity and a chance to change the opinion of a player that quite frankly fizzled out at the end of it in Chicago. This is a chance to create a legacy for himself and rewrite the script on who he was as a player and a leader.”
Gannon continued to identify some of Cutler’s weaknesses and what he needs to do this season to overcome them.
“Regardless of who he played with in Chicago, his production late in games concerns me. His accuracy, I think he can be a very accurate guy. He’s got the arm talent. He’s not afraid to stick it in a tight window. He still has some athleticism and ability to move and escapability in the pocket. Still pretty athletic back there,” he said. “He’s seen it all. His ability to process information, his history with Adam (Gase), is important. He finally has got a really good running game and he’s got some perimeter people he can hang his hat on.”
Finally, Gannon discussed how the difference between a repeat playoff appearance and a losing season may hinge entirely on how Cutler performs.
“The difference between a 10-6 team and 6-10 isn’t that much. Can Jay take care of the football? Can Jay direct a two-minute drive at the end of the game to win it? That’s what you need to see out of him,” Gannon said. “It’s going to be really important that he plays well first two three games, that the team gains confidence in him.”
Gannon has put a lot of pressure on Cutler to succeed, but he wouldn’t have come out of retirement to join the Dolphins if he wasn’t ready for it.
Although Cutler has shown all the talent necessary to be a successful quarterback in the NFL, perhaps all he needed was a change of scenery to finally put it all together.
