AFC Notes: Colts, Dolphins, Jets

Colts

Colts STs coordinator Bubba Ventrone explained the difficulty of replacing P Rigoberto Sanchez, who recently underwent surgery to remove a tumor. 

“It’s obviously a very important position,” Ventrone said, via Kevin Bowen of 1075TheFan. “It controls field position. You are not going to replace a guy that is that talented. We have to find a guy who is hopefully experienced and has the ability to come into our system quickly and be able to do a good job with (Rodrigo Blankenship) in communication and obviously that operation is very important.”

Colts DC Matt Eberflus said he expects “big things” from LB Kemoko Turay within the next few weeks. 

“I think he’s coming around,” Eberflus said. “We expect to see some big things from him in the next few weeks. I think he’s starting to learn where he is and what works for him and where he’s coming off of his injury. I see progress in the 1-on-1 pass rush and in the practice reps.”

Dolphins

Dolphins OC Chan Gailey said they’re developing the team’s offensive identity “week by week.”

“I think it’s week by week,” said Gailey, via Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. “We’re one of those offenses that tries to take what the defense gives us. I don’t want to pigeonhole who we are offensively.”

Gailey feels the Dolphins are still running effectively and passing when needed. However, they still need to be “more consistent” in terms of execution. 

“I think we try to run the ball effectively, we throw it when we need to throw it. We’ve got to be more consistent with what we’re doing. If people are going to stack the box and we have to throw it, then we’re going to throw it.”

As for comparing Dolphins’ veteran QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and Tua Tagovailoa, Gailey said the rookie obviously does not have the experience as Fitzpatrick but is still developing very well. 

“Not to the level of Fitz,” Gailey said. “Very few people have that ability. He’s an amazingly smart guy and Tua hasn’t been in the offense six games yet. It’s like comparing apples and oranges. Is he where Fitz is? No, he is not. But has he come a long way and is he making progress? Yes, very definitely.”

• Per Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post, Tagovailoa said he wanted to play last week but the team elected to play it safe: “My hand got dinged on a pass. I wanted to play. But that was for the best. Looking forward to the longevity. I don’t want to put the team at risk.”
• As for whether he’ll play this week, Tagovailoa deferred to the coaching and training staff for the final decision: “I’m feeling good. I think that’s a question for Coach Flo and our trainer. You want to be able to play. But Flo and our medical staff have the best interest.” (Schad)

Jets

• Brian Costello of the New York Post writes the Jets are well-positioned to address their need at wide receiver in free agency, as they’ll have close to $100 million in cap space to go after whoever shakes free out of the group including Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, Lions WR Kenny Golladay, Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin, Bears WR Allen Robinson and Texans WR Will Fuller.
• Jets G Alex Lewis remained out of practice Wednesday for “not injury-related” reasons, per HC Adam Gase. (Ralph Vacchiano)