AFC East Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

When Dolphins QB Ryan Fitzpatrick presumably starts for Miami on Sunday against the Ravens, it will mark the eighth different team Fitzpatrick has started for in his NFL career. Fitzpatrick, a seventh-round pick by the Rams in 2005, has started for the Rams, Bengals, Bills, Titans, Texans, Jets and Buccaneers in his 14 years in the NFL.

“You know it is [rewarding],” Fitzpatrick said via Alain Poupart of the team’s website. “It’s something that’s never been done before. Just in terms of who I am and the career I’ve had and the different places I’ve been, this means a lot to me. I think being able to do it here with a younger group where it’s going to rely so much on communication and I’ve got to make sure I’m at my best on every single play, whether it’s during the play or before at the line of scrimmage. I’m going to put a lot on myself this week to make sure everything goes smoothly. I think, in terms of me being in this spot and this place right now, I think my career has led me to this and I fit well in the role I’m being asked to play right now.”

• According to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, Dolphins QB Jake Rudock will make $20,000 per week on the practice squad. The minimum is $8,000.

Jets

New Jets K/P Kaare Vedvik doesn’t believe his struggles during the preseason with the Vikings were “mechanical” issues. 

“It’s not so much mechanical,” Vedvik said, via Rich Cimini of ESPN. “I just went one-for-four. I think it’s as simple as that. Anything more into it is just over-analyzing a problem that doesn’t necessarily exist.”

Jets RB Le’Veon Bell told HC Adam Gase to not “hold back” with calling plays towards him in Week 1 and feels he could carry the ball “50 times” in Sunday’s game if need be. 

“I can carry 50 [times] if you ask me,” Bell said, per Cimini. “When I say, ‘Don’t hold back,’ I mean literally that. I don’t want to go out there and try to sprinkle me in or anything like that. I’m ready to play football.”

Bell added that he is beyond excited to play in his first game since the 2017 season. 

“I’ve been waiting a long time for this moment. A lot of people are excited to see me play. Quadruple that, and that’s how I feel,” said Bell.

• Per ESPN’s Rich Cimini, Gase said WR Robby Anderson (calf) will play on Sunday against the Bills. 
• Gase was also hopeful CB Trumaine Johnson (hamstring) would be able to play as well.

Patriots

Patriots undrafted rookie WR Jakobi Meyers impressed throughout camp and the preseason on his way to earning a spot on New England’s final roster.

Meyers, a former quarterback in college, didn’t just excel in the mental aspect of reading defenses that the Patriots require from their receivers. He took every opportunity to soak up knowledge and learn both the slot and “Z” receiver positions to put himself ahead of the curve. 

“They always say the more you can do here, the better chance you got,” Meyers said via NESN’s Doug Kyed. “So, when I came here, I wasn’t really focused on just learning one spot. I just kind of wanted to learn the big picture play. So, now I just kind of remember the little details from just paying attention to (wide receivers coach Joe Judge) coaching other players. I was able to just pick up on little things here and there, and it’s helped me become better.”