AFC Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

• Dolphins’ HC Brian Flores confirmed that GM Chris Grier has been taking trade calls for QB Josh Rosen as well as other players and believes that other teams are doing the same as the cut day approaches. Flores also added that Rosen has gotten better over the course of training camp. (Cameron Wolfe)
• Dolphins’ DE Emmanuel Ogbah discussing defending QB Tua Tagovailoa in practice, noting that you have to contain him because can scramble, is mobile and throws the deep ball really well. (Wolfe)
• Dolphins’ S Eric Rowe mentioned Tagovailoa’s arm and improvements: “He has an arm. He can put the zip on the ball. I’ve noticed through camp he’s gotten a lot better with his eyes.” (Joe Schad)

Jets 

From the moment training camp started, Jets first-round LT Mekhi Becton was wowing teammates with his size. But the 6-7, 370-pound Becton has shown he’s not just a member of the all-Getting Off The Bus team with his performance during camp that included a few highlight-reel blocks. 

“He’s a strong guy. For his size, he moves pretty well,” Becton’s primary practice opponent, Jets OLB Jordan Jenkins, said via Brian Costello of the New York Post. “If you don’t bring it every play, you’re going to get thrown out of the club.”

“He’s got the tools to handle everything,” Jenkins added. “Once he mentally knows he can dominate everyone that lines up against him, it’s going to be a scary sight for people going against him.”

Patriots

• Former Patriots’ WR Sean Riley was waived when the roster was cut from to 90 to 80 and has returned for a workout. If it goes well he is likely a candidate for the practice squad. (Mike Reiss)
• Patriots’ HC Bill Belichick says that the kicking competition is close between veteran K Nick Folk and rookie K Justin Rohrwasser. (Reiss)
• Belichick also mentioned the release of veteran WR Mohamed Sanu: “Just didn’t work out. Have a lot of respect for Mo. He tried very hard. We tried hard. Don’t think it’s anybody’s fault.”
• As for the Patriots looking to acquire a certain player via trade, Belichick said that there is “a lot less shopping of players” going on in the NFL.
• Patriots’ QB Cam Newton on being named a team captain: “Words can’t even explain when I heard. It was almost expected, but not from me.” (Doug Kyed)
• Newton also spoke about what it felt like when he found out that he was named the starting quarterback: “That’s another emotion that’s hard to kind of explain in words. But I’ve had it planned since I’ve been here just to be the best player I can possibly be.” (Jim McBride)
• Newton also says that the Patriots’ offense has big things in store this season: “The most exciting thing is nobody knows, and you’re still not going to know … you’ve got to tune in and see.” (Karen Guregian)