AFC Notes: Bills, Jets, Patriots

Bills

Bills co-owner and president Kim Pegula said she got an opportunity to wear a headset for the team’s Week 17 game last year. Pegula explained that she came away with a real appreciation for what it really takes to coordinate an NFL game.

“He said to me, ‘If you really want to know what’s going on on the field, you need to be on the headset,’” Pegula told Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News. “I’m like, ‘Oh, am I allowed to be on a headset?’ So I picked a game after we had made the playoffs. I peeked in, they had the headset for me, and my reaction was, ‘Oh, my gosh!’ Organized chaos is all I could say. I’m sure they all knew exactly what everyone was saying at the same time. But just listening on the headset really gave me an appreciation for what it really takes — whether you’re an offensive [coordinator], a position coach or the head coach — and for the time, the speed of everything that’s happening and the decision-making that you have.”

• Bills QB Josh Allen on SiriusXM NFL Radio about the upcoming season: “(Bills fans) are just so happy to be around each other, and hang around each other, and watch some good football…..we’re looking forward to playing this year.”  (Sal Capaccio)

Jets

• On Friday, Jets HC Adam Gase told reporters that they “gotta figure out a way to get to a good place” with disgruntled S Jamal Adams: “Tough part of the business…one of best players working through things with the organization. Gotta figure out a way to get to a good place.” (Rich Cimini)
• Gase said his relationship with Adams is good, despite the recent report of issues between the two: “My relationship with Jamal has been good since the time that we’ve gotten here. To me, we’ve always gotten along well (on and off the field).” (Kim Jones)
• As for Adams’ trade request, Gase said: “Anything that’s gonna deal with communication with Jamal will stay between us. That’s how we’re operating in-house and keeping our locker room tight.” (Kim Jones)
• Gase did make it clear that he wants Adams to remain in New York: “Yes, I want Jamal on our team.” (Kim Jones)

• Brian Costello of the New York Post points out that July 28’s start of training camp is the next “key date” to watch regarding Jets S Jamal Adams‘ trade request. 
• Adams would be fined $40,000 per day for missing time after the first five days of training camp and can be at risk of missing an accrued season should he fail to report. 
• As for Adams possibly landing a new deal with the Jets, Costello writes that the safety has “no leverage” given that he is under contract for two more seasons and the current uncertainty for the league’s 2021 salary cap situation.
• Regarding the possibility of the Jets trading Adams, Costello says New York has “no intention” of dealing him and it seems “unlikely” that Adams would sit out 2020 since it would prevent him from gaining an accrued season toward free agency. 
• Costello believes a sufficient trade package for Adams would be a first-round pick and a starting-caliber receiver or edge rusher. 
• Costello could also see a package of “premium” draft picks within the first three rounds being enough to land Adams.

Patriots

Hilton Alexander, the trainer for Patriots WR Mohamed Sanu, says the veteran receiver is “way ahead” of the curve in his return from ankle surgery.

“I would tell you he’s probably faster, quicker, leaner and in better shape now than prior to the surgery,” Alexander told ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “I would say he’s way ahead of any doctor’s knowledge or prediction where he would have been at this point. Way ahead of the curve.”

The Patriots traded for Sanu last year, but he wasn’t able to have the kind of impact many expected. 

“I think he knows he was a shell of himself toward the end of the season. He wasn’t in the position where he could do the best he could and be able to offer that Mohamed Sanu that everybody has grown to love all those years in Cinci and Atlanta,” Alexander said. “I know the fans didn’t get a chance to see 100 percent Mohamed Sanu. I promise you, that is a huge chip on his shoulder now.“