Dolphins far more enjoyable with Matt Moore than Jay Cutler

The Miami Dolphins will turn back to Jay Cutler when he is cleared of his concussion but the team is so much more enjoyable with Matt Moore at quarterback.

Nothing changed on Sunday when Jay Cutler did not return to the field in the second half. The offensive line was the same, the receivers and tight-ends were the same as well. Only Matt Moore was different.

Cutler was not having one of his “FedEx Player of the Week” games. Not for Miami anyways. Three interceptions and one touchdown was enough to keep the Buccaneers in the lead and Miami still in striking distance. Then Matt Moore happened.

Yes we all remember the Matt Moore experiment. A come from behind win against the Jets when Cutler breaks a few ribs and a follow-up start against the Ravens that gave the team another blowout shutout loss. Cutler came back a week later and everything was supposed to be right again.

But it wasn’t was it?

Matt Moore is not consistent enough to be a full-time starter but there is something about this offense when he is in the game. A change of speed on the field. It is as if the Dolphins players play faster. He plays faster than Cutler.

We all see this. Cutler drops back to pass, moves a step or two and off his back foot tosses a seven yard pass. Line up and repeat. Cutler has no emotion. Of course we all knew this. He has no passion. Of course we all knew this. He also doesn’t have the arm strength that we expected. With Cutler Miami takes very few shots downfield.

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Now Matt Moore is different. He moves with conviction in the pocket. He runs up and down the field to congratulate his players. He drives the team with emotion and confidence and the rest of the team feeds off of that energy. When Matt Moore is in the game the Dolphins play harder. The lineman block a little better because they know Moore will buy them some extra time. Cutler doesn’t do that.

More often than not Cutler will get rid of the ball instead of trying to extend the play. Moore will try to extend the play before getting rid of the ball. Cutler will drop back and under pressure step away on his back feet to avoid the contact, Moore stands in the pocket, sets his feet, and takes the hit.

Matt Moore isn’t the answer to the Dolphins offensive woes and he is not going to be the season savior who leads the team to six consecutive wins and a post-season birth. Neither is Jay Cutler. The difference between the two on the field is quite different but one player makes about $2 million and the other makes $10 million per season.

What Matt Moore does bring is energy and excitement and he can lift the crowd with a seam pass or a pocket escape while Cutler gets booed after a five yard completion. See Moore is showing a lot more awareness. Moore makes time for his progressions whereas Cutler checks off the first sign of trouble.

On Sunday Cutler had a clear first down within his grasp if he would simply run the ball. Instead he threw it incomplete and squandered a first down opportunity. Moore, later in a similar situation, opted to throw as well but he set his feet before throwing the ball. They converted.

The debate is as simple as any other debate with this team. Who should start? Matt Moore or Jay Cutler. Gase will not bench Cutler but he should. He should ride out the rest of the season with Moore and let him play the highs and the lows and hope for more highs. Unlike Cutler Moore has a better chance at making the big play and he isn’t afraid to air the ball down field. Cutler used to be like that but now he has become far too cautious. That would be great if it was helping his turnover rates. It isn’t.

All things being equal I would rather finish the season with some excitement rather than watch Cutler simply go through the motions to hurry himself into retirement again.