AFC East Notes: Bills, Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Bills

Bills second-year QB Josh Allen is taking a larger share of responsibility for the offense heading into 2019.

“Last year, I don’t think I did enough, with everything going on — first year in the NFL and a lot of people pulling you in different directions,” Allen said via John Murphy of the official team website. “This year, I sat down with ‘Dabs’ (Brian Daboll) and went over what I like, what I didn’t like. And he’s trusting me in that mindset. If there’s a play that he wants to call, and I don’t like it, he’s not going to call it. So, it’s developing that trust.” 

Dolphins

• According to Barry Jackson, the Dolphins cut undrafted CB Tyler Horton this week because Horton informed Miami that he would like to pursue a law enforcement career in his hometown of Fresno, California.
• Per Barry Jackson, Dolphins HC Brian Flores said injuries to WRs Brice Butler and Kenny Stills weren’t serious.

Jets

Jets QB Sam Darnold said he’s had good communication with recently signed RB Le’Veon Bell and the running back is “very eager to learn” their offense. 

“It’s very good to have him back there and communicate with him, and he’s very eager to learn, which is really good and we are excited to have him out there,” said Darnold, via Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. 

Jets QB Sam Darnold said he doesn’t know how long it will take to build chemistry between himself and RB Le’Veon Bell.

“I don’t think there’s necessarily a certain time period that you can put on it,” Darnold said via Pro Football Talk. “It’s just kind of when we click, we click. If you remember last year, me and Robby (Anderson) clicked a little bit later in the year. So, there’s no telling on when it will happen. Hopefully, it’s a little earlier than that. I think, me and Le’Veon, we get along well. So, that’s kind of the first step in building that relationship. It’s good to kind of go on the same page with him and just see how he kind of runs routes and how he runs out there. I haven’t seen him really run and it was good to kind of see him run some routes and throw the ball to him a little bit.”

• NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport says Philadelphia’s Joe Douglas is the presumptive favorite for the Jets’ general manager position but adds not to discount Seattle’s Scott Fitterer. 
• Mike Garafolo echoed that he’s heard positive buzz for Fitterer. 

Patriots

New Patriots DE Michael Bennett said he is excited to join New England and mentions looking up to previous players like Richard Seymour, Ty Warren, and Vince Wilfork. 

“I used to love watching Richard Seymour, Ty Warren – just so many great players here,” Bennett said, via Ryan Hannable of WEEI. “I just liked watching them. The opportunity to get a chance to play here, follow those guys, it’s just amazing. There’s always been a lot of great D-linemen whether it were Vince [Wilfork]. I’m just happy to be here.”

Bennett also said there are “high standards” around the Patriots and added that “everything is good” since he signed. 

“Everything is good,” Bennett said. “Got great coaches, great players around. Definitely high standards out here. That’s what I’m used to as far as teams. It’s good to be out here and the opportunity to play with so many great players on defense as far as [Dont’a] Hightower and just everybody is just really good.”

• Jeff Howe of The Athletic points out that Patriots’ first-round WR N’Keal Harry got “a lot of work” with the first-team offense during Tuesday’s opening day of mandatory minicamp. 
• Howe mentions that the Patriots’ coaches are “making it hard” on Harry and he has often lined up against CB Stephone Gilmore.
• Bleacher Report’s Mike Freeman writes that sources in the league, including on the Patriots, feel confident that once football season gets going “you can count on” TE Rob Gronkowski getting the itch and returning to play.