AFC Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa clarified on statements he made earlier this offseason regarding lack of knowledge when it came to certain aspects of the Dolphins’ playbook.

“What I’m saying is that I didn’t actually know the playbook necessarily really, really good; and that’s no one else’s fault but my fault,” said Tagovailoa via Mike Glardl of NFL.com. “Our play calls were simple when I was in. I didn’t have alerts and checks, whereas now, feeling more comfortable, I can kind of maneuver my way through these things now. The emphasis for us coming out to this first day of minicamp was just to be aggressive and push the ball downfield. Obviously you want to be smart; but, if there is a time to make mistakes, now is the time to make mistakes. We’re trying to see what we can fit in the hole, what we can throw within coverages, come into the film room and then learn from it.”

Jets

• The Jets announced they will have joint practices with the Eagles and Packers.
• The Jets have until the end of business on Thursday to sign franchise S Marcus Maye to a long-term deal but negotiations have essentially stopped. (NFLTR)

Patriots

Patriots fourth-round RB Rhamondre Stevenson turned heads earlier this summer at OTAs and minicamp for his size and just how smooth he was at that size. Patriots RB coach Ivan Fears compared him to LeGarrette Blount, which is fairly high praise considering how good Blount was in New England. But he also cautioned that Stevenson has to prove he deserves a role and the Patriots haven’t hesitated to redshirt rookies in the past. 

“We’ve got some pretty good players, so he’s going to have to beat somebody out if he’s going to get on the field. We’re not just going to give him a free ride,” Fears said via ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “If he doesn’t earn it, he gets to watch. That’s what happens. This is going to be determined by him, not by committee.”

One example is Patriots RB Damien Harris, who played sparingly despite being a third-round pick in 2019. Now, however, Harris is looking at being the clearcut starting back for New England entering 2021. 

“Damien works extremely hard at all phases — certainly his conditioning and training, running game, passing game, protection, route running, catching the ball,” Patriots HC Bill Belichick said. “He’s got a lot of skill and he can contribute in a variety of ways, and he’s looking to upgrade where he is in every area.”

• Reiss notes that Harris and Stevenson should be locks for the roster, which leaves James White, Sony Michel, Brandon Bolden and J.J. Taylor competing for perhaps only three roster spots barring an injury. 
• The Eagles announced they will have joint practices with the Patriots and Jets in training camp. (Zach Berman)