Jay Cutler – August 13, 2017
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Sunday, August 13, 2017
QB Jay Cutler
(How have you done out here and how do you determine progress this quickly?) – “Talking with (Head Coach) Adam (Gase) … Obviously, going to the right spot, and footwork and all of that stuff is factored into it. Just kind of how I feel in the pocket, how comfortable I am. Yesterday, I felt like the tempo was really fast. Everything was kind of sped up for me. I saw the field well. I was just moving a little faster than I should. So today felt, I told Adam it felt a lot better. Everything was slowed down. I felt a lot more comfortable, I was moving in the pocket. It’s just going to take playing football to really get to where I feel really comfortable.”
(What do you want to do on Thursday in the second preseason game? Do you want to start, play like two or three series? Ideally, what would you do on Thursday?) – “Whatever (Head Coach) Adam (Gase) wants. We’ll talk to Adam. We’ve got a few more days until we get there. (We’ll) see how everyone else is feeling, see how the (offensive) line’s feeling and we’ll make a decision whenever we feel good about it.”
(Are you anxious to get in that preseason game?) – “I am. I am. Just being behind some of these guys and missing most of training camp, missing OTAs, I think it’s important for me to get some valuable reps out there, feel good and get some positive stuff on tape with some of these guys.”
(You talk about learning your guys. How is that process coming along with the wide outs?) – “It’s coming. I think the good thing about these guys is they’re really open. They’re really receptive. They want to get better and they’re smart football players. (This is) a high IQ football team. When I say something, they’re right on the same page. They get it, they know what I’m talking about. So I think that’s been really positive for us so far.”
(You and WR Kenny Stills look to be getting a little chummy out there. Are you guys building a little bit of a rapport?) – “I like all those guys. Those top three (wide receivers), the tight ends, I’ve known Anthony (Fasano) forever, Julius (Thomas). You’re talking about guys that have been around football, know football (and are) smart players. They just want to get better, so (building rapport) is easy. You’ve got guys that run hard, want to get better each and every day. That makes my life 10 times easier.”
(Have you ever worried about pitch counts in a practice?) – “Pitch counts?”
(Like how many throws you make in a particular practice.) – “No, no. That’s never been something I really worry about. Tuesday I got here, or whatever day it was – Tuesday – I came out and practiced. I told (Head Coach) Adam (Gase) let’s kind of ease me in. Let me kind of get my toes in the water, then we can go from there; but yesterday and today we were full go and I think going forward, with the training staff, the weight staff, everybody in the building, Adam gives us so much time after practice to get ready for the next day, so we’ll be good.”
(Chemistry with receivers doesn’t happen over night. From you experience, how long typically do you take?) – “It could be three weeks, it could be three days. I don’t know. It’s just kind of when it clicks, it clicks. It’s like whenever you meet somebody new, right off the bat there’s a spark or sometimes it might take a little bit longer or it just doesn’t happen; but with these guys, it’s going to happen. These guys are good football players, they’re fun to be around. It’s an enjoyable process.”
(It is your second time obviously working with Head Coach Adam Gase. He’s kind of a night owl right, is that his schedule? What’s the latest you’ve worked with him?) – “We do FaceTime. I get out of here at a reasonable hour so I can get home and rest up; but we FaceTime late into the night if something pops up or if I’m not sure about something, he’s always right there and he’ll explain it. (Quarterbacks Coach) Bo (Hardegree) is the same way. It’s a group that communicates really well.”
(Has this experience been overwhelming and if so, is there any other way it can be coming out of retirement?) – “No. I mean the first couple of days, I think it was. You meet all of these new people. Coming from a place you’ve been for eight years, you kind of know everybody. There’s a new influx of people from year to year, but for the majority, you know everybody. Coming here the first couple of days, they’re a whirlwind. It’s just what it’s going to be. You just have to get used to it, like any other new experience. The longer you’re in it, the easier it is. It feels like I’ve been here for two weeks. I don’t think I’ve even been here a week yet. So I don’t know if it’s going fast or slow, but it’s going. (laughter)”
(What are your impressions of being on the same team now as DT Ndamukong Suh after going up against him for several years when he was with Detroit?) – “It’s a positive in my book. (laughter) He’s put me on my back a few times. He’s slammed me. He’s a tough player. I think that defense is good. They’ve got some players – impact players – in each area. The front’s going to be really good, so I’m glad he’s on my side.”
