AFC Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reports teams have been calling the Dolphins about CB Xavien Howard because Howard wants a raise even though he has four years left on his five-year, $75 million extension.
• Per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Dolphins DE Emmanuel Ogbah has reported to mandatory minicamp but is still seeking an extension as he enters a contract year, as his agent Drew Rosenhaus confirms: “We would like to get an extension done. We’ve approached the Dolphins about that. That’s as much as I can say.”
• Dolphins HC Brian Flores said he isn’t sweating potential new contracts for Ogbah and TE Mike Gesicki: “If we can get them done. If we can’t, we can’t. We’re always looking to do what’s best for the organization.” (Michael Giardi)
• Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa said practicing in the rain on Tuesday was beneficial: “It was really good. We’re going to have to play in conditions like that. It was good for our guys to compete in the rain. Overall, it was an alright day.” (Jeff Darlington)
• Tagovailoa also said he is emphasizing being aggressive in minicamp, which is part of why he had five interceptions in practice: “You want to be smart, but if there’s a time to make mistakes, now is the time.” (Darlington)

Jets

• Jets HC Robert Saleh said mentioned LT Mekhi Becton will not participate in minicamp but should be ready for training camp: “We’re very confident he’ll be ready to go (by training camp). He’s just got a little nagging foot injury. It’s not worth it to put him out there and make something so small a lot worse.” (Ralph Vacchiano)
• Becton thinks he is playing at a good weight right now and maintaining that is an area of focus for him. (Costello)
• Becton is also impressed with first-round QB Zach Wilson: “He’s going to be a problem. He’s really good.” (Vacchiano)
• Saleh noted the team wasn’t interested in signing QB Nick Mullens because they wanted to give QB James Morgan and QB Mike White more reps: “We felt these young quarterbacks deserved an opportunity to showcase who they are.” (Vacchiano)
• Jets WR Jamison Crowder said he doesn’t resent taking a pay cut: “You’ve just got to realize this thing is a business. It is what it is. It’s a business. I’m here now. I’ve got to get out there, build a connection with the QB and do what I can to help out the offense.” (Vacchiano)
• Crowder mentioned both he and second-round WR Elijah Moore can coexist in the same offense: “I like him, man. He’s a heck of a ball player. I definitely think if we can get things right with our offense, everybody can eat. Everybody can have a successful season.” (Vacchiano)
• Jets G Greg Van Roten believes first-round G Alijah Vera-Tucker has a bright future: “I’ve been impressed. He’s big, he’s strong, he’s smart, he’s incredibly athletic. You get why the Jets wanted him and why they traded up to get him. He’s a kid you look at and say ‘This guy could play for a long time.’” (Vacchiano)
• Van Roten added Saleh has brought fresh air into the organization: “You feel like that weight has lifted and hope has come back into your building.” (Vacchiano)

Patriots

Patriots OLB Matt Judon said he already knows what his role will be with his new team.

“You’ve got to execute the game plan … And you’ve got to know where your help’s coming from and you’ve got to know the type of leverage and support you have,” Judon said, via Jim McBride of the Boston Globe. “So, it’s give and take. If you want to be a runner, a ball carrier, you’ll get hit like a ball carrier. Stay in the pocket and you just have a little more protection. So, you just have to know who you’re dealing with, what you’re dealing with, and try to prevent that as much as possible.”

Judon added his goal is to win, and that’s why he signed in New England.

“I’ll always want a chance to win,” he said. “Championships, divisional championships, Pro Bowl, Super Bowl. I just want to win. I want to continue to add to my legacy and also add to the legacy that the Patriots have. And I think if I continue to just have fun with the game and not make it more business, just continue to have fun, continue to be a little child playing like I was with my two older brothers, I think I can do that.”

• According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, a torn quad hurt CB Stephon Gilmore‘s trade market and the Patriots may not want to give him a new contract since he is 31 years old.
• Patriots HC Bill Belichick doesn’t think Gilmore will participate in minicamp and didn’t have much else to say: “Yeah, I don’t expect him to be here and we’ll just focus on the guys that are here.” (Michael Giardi)
• Patriots S Devin McCourty said he doesn’t think Gilmore missing minicamp will be an issue: “When he comes in, I don’t think we have to change much. He fits in where he fits in.” (Giardi)
• Belichick mentioned QB Cam Newton is benefitting from a full offseason with the team: “Cam’s way ahead of where he was last year at this time, no question.” (Doug Kyed)
• Belichick also said he isn’t worried about first-round QB Mac Jones‘ lack of experience compared to the rest of the quarterbacks: “Mac has the least amount but he’s learning quickly.” (Giardi) 
• Newton mentioned Jones has the right mindset so far: “He’s holding himself accountable. That’s all you can ask from a young player.” (Giardi)
• Newton also said he is getting more comfortable in the offense after struggling last year: “It was up to me to learn it as much as possible, and I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to learn it as much as I can. Latter part of the season, it caught up to me, I was thinking too much.” (Albert Breer)
• Patriots LB Dont’a Hightower said he never thought about retiring despite opting out last year: “All them rumors you had me feeling somebody was trying to kick me out. … It was literally just for the season. If I had it to do over I’d do it again.” (Tom E. Curran)