AFC Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

• When asked if he’s concerned if QB Tua Tagovailoa has regressed, Dolphins HC Brian Flores said it’s a team effort and he’s not going to pin it on one player. Flores did add: “Tua has got to play better as well. He played well during the course of the season.” (Barry Jackson)
• Flores said of OC Chan Gailey and Tua’s relationship: “I think Tua has made a lot of improvements over the year under Chan’s tutelage. Tua has made a lot of improvement and really developed over the course of the year.” (Josh Tolentino)
• Tua also discussed working with Gailey this season: “Our relationship is really good. Our partnership with what I want called – I think it’s really good. I didn’t put us in good situations. There was a lot of miscommunication on that first drive for us. We need to be better with opening up games.” (Josh Tolentino)
• Regarding this transition from college to pros, Tagovailoa said: “Everyone is just better in the NFL. There’s no days off. You’ve got to prepare every week like it’s a big game…it’s a bitter taste in our mouth. That’s not the way we wanted it to go down.” (Josh Tolentino)

Jets

• ESPN’s Rich Cimini expects the Jets to try harder to keep S Marcus Maye this offseason after losing top free-agent WR Robby Anderson last offseason. 
• Cimini adds he doesn’t see the Jets re-signing WR Breshad Perriman, but they could bring back LB Neville Hewitt or OLB Tarell Basham as low-cost keepers. 
• As for QB Sam Darnold, Cimini thinks the Jets will slow-play their hand to see what kind of interest they get from teams looking to trade up to No. 2. Ultimately, though, a new staff likely means it’s the end for Darnold in New York, per Cimini. 
• CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora says the Jets are expected to include college coaching candidates in their search for a new head coach. They were interested in Iowa State’s Matt Campbell before hiring Gase and should have interest again. Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald and Florida’s Dan Mullen has also been mentioned.
• NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero mentions Seahawks OC Brian Schottenheimer could also be a target for the Jets. He was with the team as an offensive coordinator from 2006-2012. 
• Sam Darnold said of Gase: “I love Adam, love him as a coach but that’s not my decision.” (Brian Costello)
• Jets S Marcus Maye told reporters after Sunday’s game that he would like to return to New York, but it’s not up to him. (Brian Costello)

Patriots

• ESPN’s Mike Reiss notes the Cardinals also appeared to have a good amount of interest in WR N’Keal Harry before the Patriots took him with the last pick in the first round, which is something to remember for future trades. 
• Patriots QB Cam Newton said of his future in New England: “I have my desires. I know what my heart is saying. I know the thing that who I am. But as far as that, I can’t really speak on it right now. Just my time here in New England has been a blessing. … “Just see how it goes and I’ll go from there.” (Doug Kyed)