AFC East Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

• According to ESPN’s Cameron Wolfe, special teams will be the deciding factor for the final running back position on the roster between rookie Myles Gaskin and AAF veteran Kenneth Farrow. 
• Wolfe says undrafted free agent WR Preston Williams was impressive during the spring and could earn a roster spot if he keeps it up during camp. 
• Wolfe lists TEs Nick O’Leary and Clive Walford as being on the roster bubble. 
• Other under-the-radar candidates to make the roster include former AAF DE Joey Mbu and UDFA LB Terrill Hanks, per Wolfe.

Jets

Jets HC Adam Gase says the team will be careful with RB Le’Veon Bell, who is coming back to football after taking more than a year off from the sport. However, Gase expects Bell to be just fine once he gets going.

“Everybody is different. I’ve seen guys coming off ACL’s, some are a little bit slow as far as their movements go,” Gase said via NFL Media’s Kevin Patra. “Some guys jump in and it’s like they never left. It’s just that everyone is different, I think some of it is the mental mindset and how they approach it, if they’re worried about anything. ‘Can I do this anymore? Am I going to be able to do this?’ I don’t think (Bell’s) concerned about that. He’s in great shape, he’s been studying the offense this summer and I think he’s ready to go. It’s been a long time and I think he’s excited.”

• Per Darryl Slater, Jets HC Adam Gase said S Marcus Maye suffered no setbacks during the spring and the goal is to have him ready to play Week 1. 
• The Jets announced former OT D’Brickashaw Ferguson and LB Calvin Pace will join the team as scouting fellowship interns.
• The Jets are also bringing on Hines Ward, David Clowney, Stephen Bravo-Brown and Damon Wilson as interns under the Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship. 

Patriots

• According to the Athletic’s Jeff Howe, his sources have told him that Patriots executive Nick Caserio is not actively trying to force his way out of New England. 
• Howe adds there’s no internal rift among the Patriots’ key decision-makers. 
• Howe says the Patriots have operated as if they expect WR Josh Gordon to be cleared by the NFL for the season. Howe says the NFL has not returned his request for comment. 
• Howe mentions Patriots fourth-round QB Jarrett Stidham looked as good during the spring as any rookie passer he’s seen. However, Patriots QB Brian Hoyer is likely locked into the backup job. 
• Howe notes that HC Bill Belichick will start the year as the de facto defensive coordinator and call the plays on that side of the ball. Patriots LB coach Jerod Mayo could get more work in that area as the season progresses.