AFC Notes: Dolphins, Jaguars, Jets

Dolphins

Dolphins LT Laremy Tunsil admitted that his 2017 performance left a “horrible taste” in his mouth.

“It was a bad taste — a horrible taste,” Tunsil said, via the Palm Beach Post. ” … I knew I could have been better. Now I’m here, a new season, a new person. Let’s get it.”

While many thought Tunsil was going to be a plug-and-play left tackle in the NFL, the former first-round pick says he never looked at it that way.

“I never assumed it was going to be easy,” Tunsil said. “Playing left tackle at the highest level of football, I never thought it would be easy.”

Tunsil added that he’s looking forward to a new season and another opportunity.

“A new season, a new person,” Tunsil said. “Let’s get it.”

Jaguars

Mike Kaye of First Coast News takes a look at the Jaguars’ guard and center positions.

• No surprise, but Kaye lists C Brandon Linder, G Andrew Norwell and G A.J. Cann as locks to make the team.
• Players who are likely to make the team, according to Kaye, include C Tyler Shatley and G Josh Walker.
• This leaves Chris Reed, Brandon Thomas and Sean Hickey as long shots to secure spots on the active roster this summer.

Jets

Jets first-round QB Sam Darnold says he’s “embraced” the talk of possibly being the team’s savior.

“I embrace it,” Darnold said of being viewed as a savior, via the New York Daily News. “But I understand every single day that it’s a process to come in here and earn respect. I’m not going to come in here and demand it.”

While it’s clear there are high hopes for Darnold in New York, HC Todd Bowles mentioned that they have no plans to rush him to start Week 1.

“He’s going to learn it as he goes,” Bowles said. “We’ll make that determination (about the Week 1 starter) through preseason and see where we are at the end of it. But we’re not holding him back. We’re not rushing him at the same time.”