AFC Notes: Bills, Dolphins, Patriots

Bills

Bills rookie QB Jake Fromm addressed the text messages that surfaced a few months ago in which he said “only elite white people” should be able to purchase guns. Fromm told reporters that these messages are not indicative of his character and he hopes he’ll be able to earn trust through his actions from here. 

“That’s not where my heart is,” Fromm said, via Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN. “The one thing that I want to do here on this earth is love God and love people, and I fell short of that. I want to make amends and really be better from here on out so that I can earn their trust and really bring something to this football team.”

Dolphins

• Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald writes that the decisions of receivers Albert Wilson and Allen Hurns to opt-out of the 2020 season, combined with the release of CB Cordrea Tankersley, leaves Miami with $24.7 million in cap space.
• Jackson still says that it would be surprising if the Dolphins signed a free-agent to a big-money contract, but notes they would consider signing DE Jadeveon Clowney or CB Logan Ryan on a reasonable deal.
• The Dolphins are also expected to sign a veteran wide receiver or two in the next few days, according to Jackson. This will consume some of the cap space, as well as the use of about $2.5 million needed to sign a 16-player practice squad.
• Jackson notes that with LG Ereck Flowers on the COVID-19 list, the Dolphins have been using rookie fourth-round G Solomon Kindley at left guard in walk-throughs.
• While Kindley could always be moved to the right side, Jackson mentions that it appears to be Jesse Davis and Robert Hunt competing at right tackle, and a four-man competition between Davis, Hunt, Danny Isidora and Shaq Calhoun at right guard.
• Jackson believes that Michael Deiter remains an option at right guard, though the Dolphins are opting to try him out at center.
• Regardless of what veteran receiver is added, Jackson says that he is eager to see what receivers Gary Jennings and Isaiah Ford can bring to the slot receiver position.
• Jackson names a list of free-agent receivers who the Dolphins could pursue including Dez Bryant, Paul Richardson, Jordan Matthews, Jarius Wright, Tavon Austin, Chris Hogan, Demaryius Thomas, Ryan Grant, and Taylor Gabriel.
• He also notes that RB Malcolm Perry has been asked by the team to learn the slot receiver position.
• Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald writes that the Dolphins are highly unlikely to sign a veteran receiver such as Antonio Brown, Dez Bryant, or Josh Gordon.

Patriots

With quarterbacks Brian Hoyer and Jarrett Stidham both ready to compete for the starting job, Cam Newton knows he has work ahead of him in New England as he joins a new team and returns from injury in 2019.

“Just right now, for me, the season’s not here yet, so I do still have time,” Newton said, via Zack Cox of NESN. “Working with the training staff here as well as having all the outlets at your disposal to get better and be as confident as (can) become opening day or when the team may need you, I think that’s the most important thing. As far as how I feel right now, I feel amazing. I feel great. Probably not any different from any other person who’s in that locker room right now. So I’m extremely optimistic about that. But through it all, it’s just putting yourself in the position to be in the best shape and have your body in the best possible situation when you actually need it. At this particular time, sir, I’m full-go.”