AFC East Notes: Bills, Dolphins, Jets

Bills

• Bills HC Sean McDermott confirmed C Mitch Morse has exited the concussion protocol, per the Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia.

Dolphins

Dolphins QB Josh Rosen acknowledged losing the competition for starting quarterback to Ryan Fitzpatrick didn’t feel great. However, he’s confident in the progress he’s made since being traded from Arizona and that it’s only a matter of time until it ultimately pays off. 

“When (Dolphins HC Brian Flores) told me Fitz was going to get the job he told me I made a lot of good progress,” Rosen said, via Hal Habib of the Palm Beach Post. “And I think it’s only time that this team is mine.”

The Dolphins flipped a second-round pick to the Cardinals during the draft for Rosen and it would make sense from a development perspective for Rosen to start so Miami can see what it has before next year’s draft. However, Flores says Rosen’s development is important to the team and he can still improve from the sidelines. 

“His development is something that we as an organization, it’s a top priority,” Flores said. “I think sitting at times helps you develop. Hopefully that will be the case here. . . .“I think he’s improved greatly over the course of training camp. This is a young kid who works extremely hard, it’s important to him, he’s talented. But playing quarterback in this league takes some time. He’s in a new offense. I think he’ll get there. . . . When? I don’t know. A lot of that’s up to him. He knows that.”

• Rosen says he’s “substantially” better than he was three weeks ago, let alone one year ago. (Armando Salguero)

Jets

Add the Jets to the list of teams with uncertainty at kicker. After letting Pro Bowler Jason Myers walk in free agency, New York signed Chandler Catanzaro, only for him to retire during training camp. Plan B, Taylor Bertolet, has not established a hold on the job, going 5-8 on field goals and 2-4 on PAT’s during the preseason. 

“He hit the ones under 40,” Jets HC Adam Gase said via Manish Mehta of the NY Daily News. “We were late coming out twice. That doesn’t help a kicker when we’re trying to get in rhythm. We’re just going to keep going through with the personnel department and see what they’re thinking and make a decision on what we want to do going forward.”

All three of Bertolet’s missed field goals came in the finale against the Eagles Thursday, with misfires from 53, 56 and 49 yards. Bertolet was signed for his strong leg, but knows he needs to be consistent to stick with the team. 

“It was definitely frustrating,” said Bertolet. “We had some tough kicks…. But that’s been my (modus operandi). I’ve kind of been the guy who makes long kicks. That’s part of the reason why our coaching staff had confidence to put me out there. That’s usually kicks that I make. And I’m looking forward to correcting that.”

• According to SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano, the Jets aren’t believed to be serious contenders for Texans LB Jadeveon Clowney by other league executives: “I’m not sure how much the Jets really want him, or how much (Clowney) wants them. It’s hard to see (Jets GM) Joe (Douglas) going crazy for a player like him, especially just for a year. It doesn’t look like there’s a match.”
• NJ.com’s Mike Kaye and Matt Stypulkoski write that the Eagles and Jets could swap backup pass rushers, trading Josh Sweat for third-round rookie Jachai Polite.
• The Eagles drafted Sweat in the fourth round last year, but he’s been outperformed by other backup pass rushers in camp and could use a fresh start.
• The Jets need help at pass rusher and have not been impressed by Polite, who was drafted by former GM Mike Maccagnan. Philadelphia could take a chance on Polite’s talent and try to develop him.