AFC East Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

Dolphins DE Tank Carradine is embracing the opportunity he has in Miami, where a rebuilding team offers a wide-open depth chart and the opportunity to make his mark in the NFL. 

“When you bounce around you definitely wait for that perfect opportunity to get on a team that believes in you,” Carradine said via Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. “Sometimes you get on teams where they believe in you, things happen and then they have a change of heart about you as a player. You can go out there, make a couple of mistakes and they are ready to move on. You’re not their guy no more. You’ve got to be their guy. Sometimes it’s not that you’re not good enough, it’s that you don’t fit the system. They don’t like how you’re rushing on the edge. You don’t bend low enough.”

Jets

Ian Rapoport reports that the Jets are hiring Ravens assistant director of pro personnel Chad Alexander as their new director of player personnel.

• Adam Schefter reports that the Jets have hired former Colts’ VP of player personnel Rex Hogan as assistant General Manager.
• According to SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano, the Jets are even more confident in QB Sam Darnold privately than they are publicly. 
• Jets HC Adam Gase has been impressed with how Darnold continues to learn and not repeat mistakes even though he’s in his second offense in as many NFL seasons. 
• While there might not be a Pro Bowl player besides RB Le’Veon Bell, Vacchiano says the Jets are confident they have enough talent between TE Chris Herndon and WRs Robby Anderson, Quincy Enunwa and Jamison Crowder to be effective on offense. 
• Vacchiano adds the Jets are one injury away from a “disaster” at cornerback, and even if everyone remains healthy the position is a weakness for New York. 

Patriots

Nick Underhill of the Athletic posted his latest 53-man roster projection for the Patriots on Monday.

• Some of the notable cuts for the Patriots include QB Danny Etling, WR Braxton Berrios, WR Dontrelle Inman, OL Brian Schwenke, DT David Parry, DE Shilique Calhoun, DE Derek Rivers, S Obi Melifonwu and P Ryan Allen.
• Underhill has WR Demaryius Thomas opening the year on the PUP list with WR Josh Gordon and TE Ben Watson being placed on the suspended list.
• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer says he wouldn’t be surprised if Patriots vice president of player personnel Nick Caserio and director of college scouting Monti Ossenfort both leave New England after their contracts are up in 2020.