AFC Notes: Broncos, Dolphins, Patriots

Broncos

Broncos RB Jamaal Charles tells Troy Renck of Denver Channel that he’s “doing everything” including cutting on his surgically repaired knees and is back to his normal self.

“I am doing everything. I have been cutting the last couple of days with the guys during the offseason workouts. I feel like the way I am cutting that I am back to the normal me, man. It feels good to be moving around again,” said Charles. “I have been knowing this the whole offseason (that the knee was fine). Nobody can take nothing away from me except God when my time is up. I am still 30 years old. I still have a lot of special stuff to do.”

Charles added that he’s looking forward to proving people wrong this season in Denver.

“When people say you can’t do something, you want to prove them wrong. That’s always been on my mind since I signed with the Broncos,” Charles said. “The last time I had to prove people wrong was when I came back from ACL (surgery) and when I came back from hurting myself here in Denver (on Sept. 14, 2014). We played New England (next) and I had an incredible game (92 yards rushing, 15 receiving, three touchdowns). I like proving people wrong. It keeps the fire going, it keeps the spark going. I am excited about just getting back to where I was before.”

Dolphins

• A source who’s very close to Dolphins C Mike Pouncey tells Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald that the expectation is that Pouncey will be ready for the regular season opener, barring a setback.
• Pouncey has dealt with hip issues the past few years, but Jackson’s source mentioned that he was also in discomfort from a bacterial infection in his inner thigh that required treatment.
• Jackson reports that the Dolphins inquired about free agent C Nick Mangold a month ago, but haven’t called him recently.
• However, should Pouncey get hurt again, Jackson says that they’re more likely to go with internal options such as Kraig Urbik, Ted Larsen, or Anthony Steen.
• A Dolphins’ source tells Jackson that rookie DTs Davon Godchaux and Vincent Taylor don’t appear ready to be rotation players.
• According to Jackson, the rookie with the best chance of starting is likely second-round LB Raekwon McMillan.
• Miami is expected to open training camp with Ted Larsen and Jermon Bushrod as their starting guards.

Patriots

• Mike Reiss of ESPN believes Patriots RB Brandon Bolden is a “long shot” to make the active roster since the team brought RBs Mike Gillislee and Rex Burkhead during free agency.
• Reiss writes that Bolden could be “squeezed” off the roster with Gillislee, Burkhead, and James White all “locks” to make the team and Dion Lewis and D.J. Foster both in “good position.“