AFC East Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

Following Sunday’s blowout loss to the Patriots, Dolphins HC Brian Flores told reporters that they’re still evaluating the quarterback situation, but Ryan Fitzpatrick remains the starter as of now. 

“Right now Ryan is still the starter,” Flores said. 

However, Armando Salguero reports the Dolphins will consider making a change at quarterback at benching Fitzpatrick in favor of Josh Rosen. 

• Dolphins owner Stephen Ross says the goal is still to be a playoff contender, even after they have traded away some notable players for future draft picks: “The goal isn’t to try to patch some holes to go 9-7 and make the playoffs. I want to compete for and win Super Bowls. We took an objective look at our situation at the end of last year and realized that we were a long way away from where we need to be. Our roster, salary-cap situation, everything. We’ve won 72 games in 10 years and that’s just not good enough. I take responsibility for that, and as I said back in March, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result. The moves that have been made were all made in the best interest in trying to build a championship organization.” (South Florida Sun-Sentinel)
• According to Alabama Media Group’s Joseph Goodman, Dolphins GM Chris Grier was credentialed for Alabama against South Carolina to potentially scout, among others, Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa.

Jets

• Per ESPN’s Rich Cimini, the Jets trade with the Patriots for WR Demaryius Thomas was the first trade between the two teams since 1991 when the Jets sent OT Kip Beach to New England for “future considerations.” Beach never played for New England.
• Injuries at wide receiver and Jets HC Adam Gase‘s familiarity with Thomas from their time in Denver helped provide the right circumstances to end the trade drought between the two teams: “I didn’t know if they were going to say no, but it seems like they’re football first — what’s best for the team. They had a lot of receivers and they were trying to figure out what to do with that roster spot.”
• Cimini writes people began to notice Jets QB Sam Darnold, out for three to seven weeks with mono, feeling under the weather as far back as last Saturday.

Patriots

• According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Patriots G Joe Thuney offers valuable flexibility to the Patriots by legitimately being able to play all five positions on the offensive line: “I’m an offensive lineman, and I just love playing the game.”
• Patriots CB Jonathan Jones, who just signed a three-year extension, said he was considering New England or the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2016. He chose the Patriots after seeing how former Auburn teammate Brandon King made the team as a UDFA the year before: “It’s about opportunity and that’s all you can ask for. Sometimes you look back on decisions that affect you for a lifetime. Who knows what it would have been the other way — better, worse — but I had this opportunity to come here … it’s a blessing.”