AFC East Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

Last week, Dolphins QB Josh Rosen was firmly behind Ryan Fitzpatrick in the competition to be Miami’s starter. Since then, Rosen has made up quite a bit of ground. Still, the second-year passer says he’s not paying attention to where he stands at what point.

“That’s irrelevant in my head,” Rosen said via Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald. “Just trying to compete with all the quarterbacks, but also try to compete on the field, have fun. Because the one thing that coach was stressing in the meeting was, we’ve put a lot of work in. Been a lot of really tough, hot, long training camp days. The scrimmage is supposed to be fun. Football, it’s a game. We all have a job to do and we’re taking it seriously, but I was excited to come out here and have fun, play football.”

Dolphins HC Brian Flores said he’s seen an improvement in Rosen since he mentioned Fitzpatrick was in the lead. 

“He’s made some improvement really across the board,” Flores said. “It’s things a lot of people don’t see. Better footwork, better mechanics in the pocket, better decision-making. I know I said he was leading the way the other day, but let’s be clear there’s still a lot competition and a lot of time left. Today is a big day to showcase the improvement guys have made.”

Jets

So far, Jets new DC Gregg Williams has been the polar opposite of last year’s defensive boss HC Todd Bowles. Williams isn’t shy about loudly calling attention to mistakes made by players on his defense. 

“It kind of forces you to play at a higher level,” S Rontez Miles said via ESPN’s Rich Cimini. “I love it. Ain’t nobody sneaking past.”

“I wouldn’t say it wasn’t the case (last year), but it wasn’t enforced as much as it is now,” Miles added. “I feel like sometimes the foot got taken off the pedal, you know what I mean? I feel like this year is all gas, no brakes.”

• Cimini says he would be surprised if the Jets were serious shoppers for Redskins OT Trent Williams given his age and the price he’d likely command. 
• Cimini lists both RBs Trenton Cannon and Bilal Powell as potential bubbly players. 

Patriots

Patriots TE Ben Watson says he has a different appreciation for HC Bill Belichick and his unique style now that he’s on his second stint with the team. Watson played in New England the first six years of his career before leaving in 2010. 

“I definitely have a different appreciation for him than I had 15 years ago,” Watson said on SiriusXM NFL Radio, via ESPN. “There are many ways he hasn’t changed. Sitting in the team meeting room, he says a lot of the same things, because they are still true. Being much older than I was before, I’m able to appreciate that a lot more — a lot of the coaching, and embrace it in a way I wasn’t before. I can also see him separate from the coach, he does enjoy himself, he does smile, he does do all those things as a young player you thought he never did.”

• According to the Boston Globe’s Ben Volin, there’s “some doubt” Patriots OT Isaiah Wynn will be ready to play Week 1. 
• The Patriots have been using G Joe Thuney and former practice squad OT Dan Skipper at left tackle in Wynn’s place so far. 
• Per Michael Giardi, Patriots QB Tom Brady would have been content just getting a pay bump in 2019 and not signing an extension beyond that.
• Brady’s extension creates $5.5 million in additional cap space for New England. (Adam Schefter)
• The two years added on to Brady’s deal are void years by the team. (Field Yates)
• Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore echoed the high expectations he and the team have for the secondary in 2019: “I’ve never had as much trust in a secondary, or the defense, as I have in these guys. It allows us to play fast.” (Mike Reiss)
• Reiss says QB-turned-WR Danny Etling has a good chance at the practice squad this season even if he’s a longshot for the final roster this season.