AFC East Notes: Bills, Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Bills

• Per Chris Brown, Bills HC Sean McDermott says C Mitch Morse has exited the concussion protocol and should be ready for Week 1: “We have full confidence in our medical staff and in Mitch and I’m sure he’ll tell you he’s ready to go.”
• McDermott said the team would take its time determining second-round OL Cody Ford‘s best position between guard or tackle: “We’re just going to take it one practice at a time. We’re comfortable with him at both positions.” (Joe Buscaglia) 

Dolphins

• According to Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post, Dolphins DT Vincent Taylor was waived despite playing well in limited snaps the past two seasons because he wasn’t the best fit for new HC Brian Flores‘ defense. 
• The Dolphins’ first option for replacing OT Laremy Tunsil at left tackle is to shift over Jesse Davis from the right side, per Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. 
• If Davis moves to left tackle, that would push sixth-round OT Isaiah Prince into the starting slot at right tackle.
• Recently-acquired OT Julien Davenport could also be an option once he acclimates to the playbook. Flores said the team is excited to develop him: “He’s big, he’s athletic, he’s got good length. He’s a good, young tackle. We’re excited to have him.”
• The Dolphins also traded for G Danny Isidora from the Vikings, and he’ll compete with rookie UDFA Shaq Calhoun to start at right guard. 
• Dolphins LB Jerome Baker says the players haven’t asked Flores too many questions about the mass exodus of players out of Miami: “I’m sure everybody is tempted to ask. But you don’t want to go ask him. You never know if you’re next.” (Barry Jackson)

Jets

• Per the Athletic’s Connor Hughes, Jets HC Adam Gase says both WR Robby Anderson (calf) and CB Trumaine Johnson (hamstring) are “trending” towards playing Week 1 after practicing in full Monday. 
• The Jets hired Hines Ward as an assistant coach after Ward worked with the team in an unofficial capacity through training camp. (Manish Mehta)

Patriots

Patriots rookie WR Gunner Olszewski made a strong impression on the Patriots the past few months. The rookie undrafted free agent was transitioning to wide receiver for the Patriots after playing cornerback at Division II Bemidji State (Minnesota) in college.

His background, skillset and work ethic reminded many of Julian Edelman, but the roster math wasn’t in Olszewski’s favor. New England actually told him he was being cut before a last-minute trade opened up a roster spot for him. 

“It was a roller coaster. That’s the best way to describe it,” Olszewski said via ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “For one second you think, ‘I don’t know what’s going on.’ The next second, ‘I’m a Patriot.’ At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter how it happened. What happened is I’m a Patriot now. I’m just proud to be here, and proud to go to work.”

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer says the Patriots willingness to release veteran Brian Hoyer and go with fourth-round QB Jarrett Stidham speaks highly of the rookie.
• Breer believes Patriots OC Josh McDaniels is open to taking other head coaching opportunities and won’t wait in New England until HC Bill Belichick retires.