AFC Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

• CBS Sports analyst and former agent Joel Corry writes that a potential solution for the Dolphins and CB Xavien Howard would be to give him a raise this year by taking money from future years of his contract. 
• However, if Howard isn’t on board with that option and maintains his desire for a new deal; and if the Dolphins don’t want to set the precedent of redoing a deal with four years remaining, Corry thinks a trade might be the only option. 
• He adds an acquiring team probably wouldn’t be able to get away with not altering Howard’s contract. 

Jets

Jets HC Robert Saleh was recently asked by SI’s Albert Breer about what he takes from his time working under 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan.

 “The trend is offensive guys, right? Everyone wants to have the next offensive guru,” Saleh said. “I think what people lose with all these guys is their leadership skills. There’s a difference between being able to call plays and actually lead a football team, period. And that’s with any coach. And I think where Kyle separates himself from all of them, is his ability to lead and establish a style of play and a standard. When you watch that team, watch the Niners, even last year, when you turn on the tape, there are common denominators that you see over and over again, you see the work, the effort, the attention to detail, the energy. It explodes off the tape, and it starts at the top with Kyle. I’ve been very fortunate with Pete Carroll, Gus Bradley — I know he didn’t have the results, but he’s a phenomenal leader above anything else — and having Gary Kubiak as a head coach, and then Kyle, I’ve been lucky. Just to be able to watch those men operate and be themselves and create a standard, understand that it’s not just X’s and O’s that win football games, but the big picture, that’s where I think I’ve been very, very fortunate, to be able to take a little bit from all of them, but to keep it within the things I value.”

Saleh elaborated on his statement and the culture he wants to build with the Jets.

 “When the tape turns on, what do you see?” Saleh explains. “A lot of times what you see is the messaging of the organization. And what I’ve been very fortunate with, I’ve been around guys who inspire people to play football. They’re already motivated. This is the perfect line, I heard it from [Mike] Vrabel once—Football players are motivated to play, but can you inspire them to do more? It’s absolutely true. They want to play. They’re motivated, because they want to make money, they want to play in the NFL, they want to be great, they want to build their name. They want all that. But can you inspire as an organization? And not just an individual person, the entire organization has to put in the effort to inspire these young men to step outside their comfort zone and do more.”

Patriots

• Jim McBride reports that the Patriots have parted ways with co-OL coach Cole Popovich on Friday. Carmen Bricillo will now be the Patriots’ full-time offensive line coach after performing alongside Popovich last season.  
• Mike Reiss says the decision is related to the COVID-19 vaccine and NFL guidelines.