AFC East Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

Dolphins DB Bobby McCain explained that converting to safety has been a “different challenge” but is confident he can “get it done.” 

“Being in the middle of the field is definitely a different challenge,” McCain said, via Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. “But I can get it done.”

McCain expects to have more leadership responsibility at the safety position. 

“Being able to be a master communicator and be that vocal leader that I am,” McCain said. “Being that guy that guys will listen to and get lined up and they know I’m going to be on my Ps and Qs, they know I’m not going have any mental errors, and know I’m not going be lined up wrong and be able to do the right thing all the time.”

• Barry Jackson writes that Mark Walton has a “real chance” of beating out seventh-round pick Myles Gaskin and securing the No. 3 running back job.

Jets

Jets veteran DT Steve McLendon says he tried to convince RB Le’Veon Bell to report to the team in time for OTAs.

“I talked to him and I told him, ‘You understand this place is different than Pittsburgh,’” McLendon said, via NorthJersey.com. “I said, ‘You need to get back so you can understand the quarterback and the situation.’ . . . I told him, ‘The media is gonna get you if you don’t come back.’ That’s the truth. I did tell him that.”

“I know there’s been a lot of people saying, ‘Why is he not here? Because he was paid,’” McLendon added. “Listen, man, he’s not an All-Pro, Pro Bowl running back for no reason. Sometimes people prepare differently. Would we love him here? Yes. But when he comes here and he’s rocking and rolling and helping us get to where we want to go this season, ain’t nobody going to be thinking about it. And I know I’m not.”

Patriots

New Patriots WR Demaryius Thomas tells TMZ Sports that he realizes how lucky he was after being involved in a serious car crash earlier this year.

“I could have been gone,” Thomas said. “…I wake up every morning and thank the lord above. And, just thankful for just not even just being able to do what I do — being able to talk, walk, eat, all those things that we forget about on a daily basis.“