AFC East Notes: Bills, Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Bills

• The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia says it’s hard to predict if Bills C Mitch Morse, who has been missing practice as he works back from his fourth career concussion, will be ready to play Week 1. 
• Morse has been ramping up his work to the side, but Buscaglia says concussions are unpredictable and nothing is guaranteed until Morse is cleared to strap the helmet back on. 
• Buscaglia mentions the Bills likely prefer either Spencer Long or Jon Feliciano at center to Russell Bodine, and Bodine has been getting work because of the injuries to the other two. 
• If the Bills make second-round OL Cody Ford‘s move to guard permanent, Buscaglia expects them to sign or trade for a backup offensive tackle.
• Buscaglia believes Bills WR Ray-Ray McCloud has the inside track for the last receiver spot on the roster. 
• Buscaglia notes International Pathway player Christian Wade might fit best at returner because of his experience reading the open field in rugby. 
• Buscaglia thinks free-agent addition TE Tyler Kroft is likely to start the season on the PUP list as he works back from a broken foot. 
• Bills RB T.J. Yeldon has started taking more reps on special teams in an effort to improve his chances at a roster spot, per Buscaglia.

Dolphins

• According to Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post, the Dolphins resisted the idea of cutting or trading WR Kenny Stills when the topic was broached before the season. 
• However, Schad says it’s reasonable to wonder if the team will reconsider given Stills’ recent comments about Dolphins owner Stephen Ross.
• Stills criticized Ross on Twitter for holding a fundraiser for President Donald Trump’s 2020 campaign. 

Jets

• Yahoo!’s Charles Robinson suggests that Jets C Ryan Kalil chose New York over other teams, which is a positive sign for new GM Joe Douglas. 
• Robinson adds Kalil’s main contribution will be as a veteran presence and organizing the protection to help take more off young QB Sam Darnold‘s plate. 
• Robinson mentions that while big-ticket free-agent addition Le’Veon Bell is obviously expected to play a major role at running back, the Jets are high on RB Ty Montgomery and have a role planned for him, including some two-back sets. 
• Robinson notes the Jets believe TE Chris Herndon, once he’s back from his four-game suspension, and G Kelechi Osemele will be crucial factors for the team in 2019. 

Patriots

Patriots LB Kyle Van Noy has flourished in New England after coming to the team via trade back in 2016. Patriots HC Bill Belichick‘s defense has been a perfect fit for Van Noy after he struggled in the more traditional 4-3 the Lions used to run. Van Noy has put his talents on display in joint practices in Detroit this week. 

“Kyle’s done a good job for us,” Belichick said via Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press. “Kyle’s a versatile player. He fits well into our scheme. The scheme that he was in before I think was maybe not as good a fit for him, similar to when we got [linebacker Rosevelt Colvin] from the Bears. Sometimes some players fit in one situation and one scheme a little bit better than others.”

• According to ESPN’s Field Yates, Patriots WR Cameron Meredith‘s deal is for two years and $2.02 million. 
• The deal includes no signing bonus, base salaries of $720,000 and $820,000 in 2019 and 2020, an $80,000 workout bonus and $400,000 total in per-game roster bonuses in 2020. (Mike Reiss)
• The deal also includes a split salary of $448,000 in 2019 to protect the Patriots if Meredith is injured again. (Nick Underhill)
• The Athletic’s Nick Underhill writes that while it wouldn’t necessarily be a surprise given how his camp has gone, it would be notable if 2018 second-round CB Duke Dawson was cut by the Patriots. 
• Underhill notes Patriots RB Sony Michel is looking smoother and more comfortable catching passes out of the backfield.