Dolphins aren't as bad as they seem - Cutler

DAVIE, Florida (AP):

Jay Cutler wore the beginning of a beard on Wednesday, perhaps because there's no time to shave when you're trying to figure out how to score a few points.

The whiskers framed a rueful smile when someone suggested to Cutler that the Miami offence has struggled this year.

"That," he said, "is an understatement."

In the wake of a 20-0 loss to New Orleans, the Dolphins (1-2) rank last in the NFL in points and yards per game, yards per play and third-down conversions. They've scored two touchdowns in three games and hope to break out Sunday against the Tennessee Titans (2-2).

While Cutler doesn't sugar-coat the situation, he said it's not as awful as it seems.

"On the outside, it looks like all the walls are falling and we're really bad, and there's no hope and no prayer for us," he said. "But we're close. We're right there. If we clean up a few things here, we can be a competitive team offensively."

Cutler acknowledges he has been part of the problem. He appears unsettled in the pocket and has often responded to pressure with awkward footwork, which has led to erratic or weak throws. As a result, he ranks 29th in yards per attempt and 25th in quarterback rating. In short, he lined up as a flanker and didn't twitch a muscle when the ball was snapped.

"That's what they told me to do sit there, don't get hit, don't touch anybody, don't move," he said, breaking into another smile. "I feel like I executed that one."