AFC Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

• Michael Girardi notes that QB Ryan Fitzpatrick was the starter for 72 of the last 80 games that new Dolphins OC Chan Gailey has coached in the NFL.
• Girardi also mentions that while Fitzpatrick is a team leader in Miami, the Dolphins are expecting rookie QB Tua Tagovailoa to earn the starting job.
• Defensively the team is hoping to improve their pass rush with their free-agent additions and Girardi also says that the Dolphins have high expectations for CB Byron Jones, whom the team spent the most money on in free agency this offseason.
• Dolphins TE Mike Gesicki said Tagovailoa: “…I think that what you guys see from him – just kind of being super positive and a great kid and excited to be out there working – I think that’s kind of the same thing that I’m able to grasp from him as well.” (Michael Giardi)

Jets

Jets second-round WR Denzel Mims believes blocking is the strongest element of his game and is something that should help as a receiver in the NFL. 

“I can say the strongest part of my game is really my blocking,” Mims said, via Jetswire.com. “I am a guy that really loves to block and I take pride in that. You got to block for your running backs and your quarterback because if I want the ball and I want them to be able to trust me, I feel like I need to think the game when it comes to blocking first. Then, I will be able to catch the balls.”

• Per ESPN’s Rich Cimini, one of the things Jets GM Joe Douglas is hoping to instill from his time with the Ravens is their success with undrafted free agents. New York gave DE Bryce Huff the largest guarantees of their undrafted class and his former Memphis HC Ryan Silverfield thinks he can make the team: “I don’t believe he’s an every-down player quite yet, but he’ll find a way to make the roster and contribute because he does have a unique enough skill set — speed to power.”

Patriots

Regarding the Patriots’ altered offseason program, CB Jason McCourty says they’ve been unable to build chemistry with their new draft picks. 

“I think that’s the part that (expletive) right now,” McCourty said, via Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald. “We don’t get a chance to — obviously, we have our virtual meetings — but you don’t get a chance to be in the building, get to know the new guys and catch up on what’s gone on in the offseason and really kind of build that chemistry right now.”

As for McCourty’s recovery from groin surgery, the veteran said he feels “pretty good” but is in no rush to return.

“I’m just taking it step by step. Obviously, with everything going on, it’s been a process where there’s nothing to rush back to because you can’t see anything in the very near future,” said McCourty. “There’s no practice to look forward to, there’s no minicamp to look forward to, so I’m feeling pretty good and just working every day to get better.”