AFC East Notes: Bills, Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Bills

The Bills made QB Josh Allen a top-ten pick in 2018 largely due to the potential he displayed in college. The team has tried to make sure Allen gets the experience he needs to develop that potential, playing him in both preseason games so far. Allen says there’s “nothing like live reps” to develop and he’s aware he has a ways to go. 

“I wouldn’t say that I’m at any point that I need to be at all,” Allen said via Nate Mendelson of the team’s website. “There’s still a lot of work that I got to do and continue getting better. The team’s getting better and I’m getting better. That’s all I can ask for, really.”

Dolphins

• The Miami Herald’s Armando Salguero notes the Dolphins have 60 players on their current 90-man roster who are eligible for the practice squad. 
• A source tells NFL Trade Rumors that free agent WR Jawill Davis worked out for Miami in recent weeks. 

Jets

Jets RB Le’Veon Bell won’t see his first live NFL game action until Week 1, which the veteran running back is fine with. Though he hasn’t played in a regular-season game since 2017, Bell dismissed the idea of preseason being necessary for him. 

“I’m completely fine with it,” Bell said via Manish Mehta of the NY Daily News. “I don’t think getting four plays in the preseason is going to help me for Week 1. It’s going to be me just getting prepared and practicing. When the regular-season game comes, I’ll be ready.”

To replace reps in a game while still getting re-accustomed to the physicality of football, Bell has worked with his defensive teammates in practice. Especially with a player of Bell’s caliber, most defenders will be cautious, but Bell has had discussions about how to increase the intensity in practice while keeping everyone reasonably safe. 

“Give me a little thud or a pop,” Bell said. “(Don’t) really take me to the ground. It’s fine. I don’t really have to ask it. Because now I’m giving it to them. So, guys are prepared for it… If I’m trying to deliver a blow, guys don’t want to hit the ground (either). So, they’re going to give me a little something back. So, we got a mutual understanding.”

• Jets LB Brandon Copeland missed practice after hurting his thumb. The team announced yesterday he was also suspended four games, which was why his role on the defense had been reduced recently per HC Adam Gase: “It’s unfortunate. He’s one of those guys that has been impactful…. We know the verdict. We kind of had an idea of what was going on.” (Mehta)

Patriots

• According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Patriots third-round RB Damien Harris has “reinforced” the team’s belief in him, showing a hard-charging running style and pass-catching ability. 
• NESN’s Doug Kyed believes Patriots WR Demaryius Thomas has a “strong chance” of making the 53-man roster given the team’s timing in taking him off the PUP list. 
• Kyed adds OT Dan Skipper and 2018 second-round CB Duke Dawson are on the bubble, though both would potentially be claimed if put on waivers. 
• Kyed mentions there’s some logic to keeping WR Josh Gordon on the non-football injury list for the first six weeks of the season to see how he handles his reinstatement. 
• However, Kyed believes Gordon will be activated before the start of the regular season. 
• Any potential discipline from the NFL for Patriots S Patrick Chung, who was indicted on cocaine possession charges, won’t come until after his legal situation is resolved. (Ben Volin)
• Chung’s trial is expected to begin next spring. He could be facing a four-game suspension from the NFL, per Volin. 
• Regarding the charges, Chung could be facing anywhere from seven years in jail to just probation and fines if there aren’t any prior incidents. (Michael Giardi)