AFC East Notes: Bills, Jets, Patriots

Bills

Bills RB Christian Wade said he has “come a long way” after converting from playing professional rugby in England. 

“I’ve definitely come a long way,” said Wade, via France24.com. “I remember we had seven plays to learn by the end of the week. Now I’m learning 60 plus plays in a day. I’m going in the right direction.”

Wade said he has put “all my energies” into learning the Bills’ playbook. 

“The playbook for me has been my main focus. I’ve been like this is the only thing that is going to stop me playing this game,” said Wade. “I definitely focus all my energies on it. To be honest it’s probably been one of the easier things to pick up because of all that energy and motivation I put into it.”

Wade said he has had to adjust to taking handoffs and is still learning blocking schemes. 

“It’s the other things, like taking the hands-offs, different footworks and stuff that are probably catching me off guard a little bit. Obviously you’ve got the protections as well. Something that in rugby we weren’t allowed to block. That’s still something I still need to come across properly. I know in training there are certain people I’m not picking up because I’m just not used to having to digest that type of information.”

Jets

There’s only so much the offensive line can do during spring practices, which are done in only shorts and helmets with no pads and no contact. However, Jets G Kelechi Osemele says the line is “exactly where we need to be right now” as they learn HC Adam Gase‘s new offense.

“Obviously we’re going to have to feel it out when the pads come out, because it’s completely different without pads right now, so it’s too early to tell,” Osemele said via Olivia Landis of the team’s website. “But we have the technique that we’re being taught to be able to handle anything.”

Patriots

Former Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski appears to be enjoying retirement, as he’s dropped down to 250 pounds from his playing weight of close to 270. He said he’s going to enjoy having his first August off in forever, but didn’t deny that once the season started there would be some things he would miss.  

“There’s definitely going to be times when you miss it and everything,” Gronkowski said on the Rich Eisen Show. “I would always say that it’s still the offseason right now. I mean I can’t really say how I’m going to feel about it when the games start rolling around and everything. You know, I just felt like it was time. I feel really good right and it was just definitely something I felt like it was the right time and the right thing to do. To have that load off your back, I mean I’ve been playing football for 15 years straight in a row of that grind. Just relaxing right now feels good.”

When asked what would happen if QB Tom Brady called and asked him to come back, Gronkowski was all jokes. 

“Call me when you get to the playoffs,” Gronkowski quipped.