Cutler interview by Sun Sent.

January 25, 2006

From the mouth of Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler

So maybe Jay Cutler's stock might be rising faster than the Miami Dolphins can keep up with. Maybe the dude from Vanderbilt has proven he deserves to be picked within the top 10 of the Draft.

That still doesn't mean the Dolphins can't find a way to draft this guy. At this point, however, it might become a matter of how much the Dolphins would be willing to trade to get to Cutler -- if indeed he's the guy they'd want to draft.

With the No. 16 pick, Miami likely isn't in good enough shape to get Vince Young, Matt Leinart or even Jay Cutler. But before we count out these candidates, we can at least hear what one of them has to say.

Here's an interview from Jay Cutler that took place at today's Senior Bowl practice. Also, feel free to post questions for me to ask at the Senior Bowl -- even if it doesn't have to do with the quarterback position.

Without any further babbling, here's what Cutler had to say Tuesday:

How much are you treating this like an audition for NFL teams with so many coaches and scouts on hand?

You can?t really worry about that. I have too many other things going on right now, with interviews, learning the playbook and the media. I?m just trying to do the best I can.

Are you surprised by all the attention you?ve got in the postseason?

I don?t know. I think I had a great season in the SEC. I think I performed well. We did the best we could with what we had. But I?ve been doing it for four years, so I expected it. It?s nice to be recognized.

When you made the decision to come back, did you expect this?

I knew it was there. I?ve been working hard for the first three years. In our last year, we had a lot of potential. We had a lot of guys coming back and we had some newcomers coming up that could definitely contribute. We started off hot. We were 4-0 and got things going a little bit. Right now, just getting invited to the Super Bowl is going to be fun.

Are you looking at this as a way to raise your stock?

Yeah, kind of. But you can?t really get caught up in that. You need to get out there and perform. You need to learn the plays, be on time and do the things I need to do. So it?s in the back of my mind. But right now, I?m just trying to stay focused.

How do you feel like you performed?

Yesterday, I was a little shaky. I was throwing the ball a little erratic. But today, I settled down a little bit. We felt a little more comfortable with the play-calling so we performed a little better today.

How did the Florida game help raise your stock?

It was an ESPN game, so a lot of people saw it. That probably wasn?t even one of my better games. I?ve played a few better games throughout the year. But that being on TV at the Swamp, and us putting up that many points against them, I?m sure it helped.

What do you need to do to distinguish yourself?

I just need to be consistent. I need to do what I do ? good footwork and deliver the ball on time. Everything else will take care of itself.

Have you met with the Miami Dolphins yet?

Yeah. It lasted about 30 to 40 minutes. It was basic questions, feeling me out, seeing my personality. It was a good interview. They just want to get to know you. They just got off of their season and they just got done with their whole thing. So the head coaches don?t really have time to evaluate players. It?s just a give and take situation.

Are you enrolled this semester?

No, I?m done. I graduated in December.

What?s your degree in?

Human organizational leadership and I have a minor in communicational studies.

What do you do with that?

It?s like a business degree. How organizations work. How they structure things. How people evolve through organizations and stuff.

Does any of that training help in this process?

I don?t? know, I guess. You just need to evaluate each team and what they need and what their strengths and weaknesses are, what they?re looking for in a player. It?s a lot of different things.

When you came out of high school, was this something you thought could happen?

You always dream of it, but it?s a long, hard road. Especially at Vanderbilt. We had a lot of ups and downs. I just stay positive, stay the path, and I?m happy that I?m here.

Do you ever throw the ball soft or is every pass hard?

If it?s outside, it?s got to be there. You?ve got to put it on the money. Those crossing patterns though, you?ve got to take a little off of it.

Did they take your measurements?

6-2, 223 pounds.

Is that optimal shape?

It?s good enough, I suppose.

At Vandy, how tough is to make good decisions when you?re behind in games?

Yeah, probably all five of our wins came in the fourth quarter. So there are times when I can?t always sit back there and check down. I need to try to force a ball in there. But at the next level, I?ve got to learn to live for the next play. Sometimes, throwing the ball away and giving the defense an opportunity can be the best thing.

How did the meeting with the Dolphins go?

It went well. It was like any other interview. They just asked me questions, what I like, what I dislike, my personality. It was good.

People talk about you as a possible match for the Dolphins. Do you hear those things?

Yeah, it?s fun. They?ve got a first-round pick kind of high. So it?d be a great opportunity. But I?m not worried about it right now. I?m just trying to do my job out here.

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That's it from Jay. Again, feel free to post questions for me to ask at Senior Bowl workouts. I'll try to get to as many as possible.

Thanks!

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