Bears coach Fox wishes Cutler well with Dolphins
BOURBONNAIS - Former Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler coming out of retirement Sunday to sign with the Miami Dolphins is still a hot topic at training camp.
"I think it's great," Bears coach John Fox said. "I texted him, giving him well wishes, and I'm excited for him. It's another opportunity, and that's all guys can ask for. I know everybody here wishes him nothing but the best."
Cutler has not played football since suffering a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder last November. But he has a strong relationship with Dolphins head coach Adam Gase, who was the Bears' offensive coordinator in 2015 when Cutler posted the highest passer rating of his career.
"He's familiar with that offense," Fox said. "It's very similar (to what Gase ran in Chicago), and there's some carry-over for sure. He's a sharp guy."
Cutler started 15 games for Fox's first Bears team that finished 6-10 in 2015, but only five games for last year's 3-13 squad.
"I was happy with him both years, although I wouldn't say I was happy with our seasons," Fox said. "But he was a smart, tough guy who worked hard, and when we parted, we wished we could've won more games, and I'm sure he feels the same way."
Tight end Zach Miller had a breakout season in 2015 (34 catches, 439 yards, 5 touchdowns) with Cutler throwing to him.
"I knew he had a lot of football left," Miller said. "Obviously he's a great friend of mine. To have him back in football is cool for me because I get to watch him play. Hopefully he'll ball out."
Miller said the Dolphins are getting a gem in Cutler.
"They're going to get a (heck) of a quarterback, in my opinion," Miller said. "I talk to him quite often. He texted me, 'I'm doing it.' That made me happy. I texted him, 'I'm ear-to-ear, man.'"
Catching on:
Though he has started 30 games since the Bears drafted him in the fifth round (142nd overall), safety Adrian Amos has yet to intercept a pass.
That's part of the reason he's battling to keep his job from the advances of 2016 fourth-round draft pick (126th overall) Deon Bush, who started six games in the second half of his rookie season, and this year's fourth-round pick (112th overall) Eddie Jackson.
"For me, it's really like any other year," Amos said. "Nothing is guaranteed. You've got to earn your spot, earn your keep.
"There's so many good players. It's probably better that this year there's a lot more competition. That just shows we'll have a lot of depth coming forward this year."
Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has a plan to improve Amos' ball skills.
"Just throw him a thousand balls," Fangio said. "Balls that are realistic, not just playing catch. Breaking off the deep zone and breaking to the sideline and catching the ball. Breaking on an inside cut.
"Playing catch isn't going to get it done. You've got to make it football (situations), like during the game."
Down and out:
Eric Kush, the Bears' top backup at both guard positions, will miss the season after suffering a torn hamstring. He was scheduled for Tuesday surgery and has been placed on injured reserve. Undrafted rookie offensive lineman Brandon Greene was signed to take his place on the roster.
With one starting guard, Kyle Long, still far from 100 percent following off-season ankle surgery, Kush was valuable insurance after starting four games last season.
Veteran Tom Compton and first-year player Will Poehls both have taken first-team reps with Long out and the other starter, Josh Sitton, missing the first week on paternity leave.
Starting center Cody Whitehair took some snaps at guard, his original position, with backup Hroniss Grasu getting some first-team snaps at center.
Linebacker Willie Young (groin) did not practice, while running back Jeremy Langford (ankle) was limited to individual work.
Backup kicker Andy Phillips was waived and undrafted rookie wide receiver Alton Howard was signed.
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