AFC Notes: Bills, Dolphins, Patriots

Bills

A big part of Bills QB Josh Allen‘s early-season success has been the play of his receiving corps. Buffalo made a splash this offseason by going and getting WR Stefon Diggs from the Vikings. And Diggs’ presence has opened up even more room for John Brown, Cole Beasley and Isaiah McKenzie to be effective. 

“We believe and we trust our guys outside,” Allen said via the Buffalo News’ Mark Gaughan. “I don’t think there’s many teams that can keep up with all of them. That was just what was happening and what was working early on, and we just kept going back to it and had some success.”

Dolphins

• Per Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald, Dolphins RB Matt Breida isn’t concerned with his limited workload so far: “I’m not the type of guy that worries about how many carries I get.”
• The Dolphins had planned to incorporate running backs Jordan Howard and Breida more in Week 2, but it was again Myles Gaskin who had a majority of the carries, playing 49 snaps in comparison to Breida’s 16 snaps and Howard’s eight. (Joe Schad)
• Dolphins’ HC Brian Flores when asked about what he has seen from the team’s pass rush who managed to sack Bills’ QB Josh Allen just once: “Not enough. That would be my answer to that. I think we’ve got to do a better job as a coaching staff of putting them in a position to rush better.” (Michael Giardi)

Patriots

It’s been just two games, but it looks like Patriots QB Cam Newton‘s comeback tour is in full swing. That of course is bringing attention to the fact New England was able to sign him for the literal bare minimum this offseason, which is looking like the biggest bargain in all of sports. Newton of course is playing himself into a much bigger contract but that’s not what’s on his mind. 

“Surprisingly but true, and factual enough, if I do what I’m supposed to do, as I’m expected to, that will not be a topic of discussion moving forward,” Newton said on sports radio WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show” via ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “Money at this particular point in my career is not important. Let’s be honest: I’ve made money, but for everything that I play this game for, I haven’t received yet. And that’s why I’m playing. So it’s not about money, it’s about respect.”

Newton’s one-year deal can technically be worth up to $7.5 million including incentives. Almost no other quarterback signed for as little guaranteed money and this year’s top backup quarterback Marcus Mariota signed with the Raiders for that sum. But Newton wasn’t worried about maximizing his value, he was looking to land in the right place to revive his career. 

“I didn’t even want to keep going back and forth, for this and that. I said, ‘Let’s get the deal done. Let’s do it.’ For all it’s worth, it’s just going to pay dividends moving forward,” Newton said. “I do believe this: A wise man once said — and that wise man is my father — all blessings don’t come in financial means. So for me, if I do what I’m supposed to do, everything else will take care of itself.”

Newton was focused on the present and didn’t want to talk about the possibility of a contract extension with New England. He did say landing with the team has been exactly what he needed for his current phase. 

“I do admire and love the culture of the Patriots,” Newton said. “It’s been a place for me that’s been therapeutic. This is a place that has been kind of rather challenging for my growth. It’s making me better. And it’s been a place that has given me everything for my needs at this particular point of time in my life. Yet through it all, I’m going to let the cards shuffle the way they shuffle and do the things I can control.”

• Newton threw his support behind the wide receivers on the team when asked if he thought the Patriots should go looking for an upgrade: “I’ll say this – the answers are in that locker room.” (Mike Reiss)