AFC East Notes: Bills, Dolphins, Jets

Bills

• Per ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques, Bills GM Brandon Beane said RB LeSean McCoy was “frustrated” at being released and the decision was a tough one: “We made a tough decision today … As difficult as it was, we always have to make what we think is the best decision for our team.”
• Beane told reporters the team did its “due diligence” on a potential trade for McCoy but came up dry: “Yes we looked around for the right fit, but we did not find that and we didn’t do that until the 23rd hour.” (Chris Brown)
• Beane added a release would give McCoy the chance to choose his own destination: “He’s earned that.” (Louis-Jacques)
• The Bills will now employ a New England-style rotation with their three remaining running backs: third-round rookie Devin Singletary, Frank Gore and T.J. Yeldon. (Joe Buscaglia)
• The Bills are interested in re-signing veteran CB Captain Munnerlyn after Week 1 to avoid having to guarantee his entire salary. (Louis-Jacques)
• The Bills were hoping to re-sign CB Ryan Lewis to the practice squad. (Louis-Jacques) Lewis was claimed by the Colts Sunday. 
• Bills officially signed seven players to their practice squad. (NFLTR)

Dolphins

Dolphins HC Brian Flores denied that Miami was tanking despite its moves so far in 2019 like trading OT Laremy Tunsil.

“This game means a lot to me,” Flores said, via Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald. “I wouldn’t disrespect the game with that. We’re not. We’re going to try to win every game. . . . We’re going come out, work hard, we’re going to fight. We’re going to play hard and try to win every game. That’s what you do. This team is motivated. We’ve got some talented players. We’re going to go out there and try to win every game.”

• According to the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson, the Dolphins were planning to either cut WR Kenny Stills or trade him for a fifth-round pick if he wasn’t included in their mega-deal with the Texans. 
• Flores said trading Stills was not related to his activism or politics, saying the deal with Houston was something Miami “could not turn down.” (Adam Beasley)
• Tunsil is seen around the league as a top-five left tackle by many and no worse than the top of the second-tier of left tackles. (Albert Breer)

Jets

• According to Pro Football Talk, former Jets third-round DE Jachai Polite racked up over $100,000 in fines for tardiness and other violations during his time in New York.
• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer says the Jets were considering CB Justin Layne with the pick they took Polite with. Layne was taken 15 picks later by the Steelers. 
• Jets officially signed seven players to their practice squad. (NFLTR)