AFC Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Ravens

Dolphins

Dolphins HC Brian Flores knows that the future in Miami likely depends on how much QB Tua Tagovailoa progresses next season. As a rookie, Tagovailoa was a little tentative at times, and much of the focus this offseason has been enabling him to be more aggressive with better weapons on offense and empowering him in practice to take advantage. 

“I think practice is a time where — not just at the quarterback position, but at every position — you test the waters and see what works, what doesn’t work so that you can go back, learn from it, make adjustments and try to improve,” Flores said, via Mike Glardl of NFL.com. “We’re going to see if we can fit some throws in and then there might be a minor adjustment that we need to make (in order) to make the play. How do you know that if you don’t make the attempt?”

After a hard day in practice where the young quarterback threw several interceptions, Flores commented on the situation and how he would help the second-year player get back on track.

“I don’t think Tua is going into a shell,” Flores said after the practice. “I think — look, I tell him to continue being aggressive. … It’s using this time to practice pushing the ball downfield, then we’ll make the adjustments and the corrections. Then we’ll go at it again the next day. That’s the normal progression of how this goes.”

Jets

Jets OL coach John Benton says that despite not wearing pads yet, first-round OL Alijah Vera-Tucker has shown strong signs of being a great offensive lineman during camp.

“Very positive, we don’t have pads on yet so there’s a lot of boxes to be checked,” Benton said, via NewYorkJets.com. “But right now, he’s been able to check every box. He’s willing to learn the scheme. Impressive athletically and he seems to fit right in with the guys. He’ll definitely be in the running, provided he passes the physical tests when we put the pads on. But all indications are good.”

Ravens

Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins is the favorite to win the starting job this season, yet he says that he isn’t changing his approach to the offseason.

“Nothing has changed,” said Dobbins, via RavensWire.com. “Nothing has changed with my approach. Nothing has changed. I’m going to come in and work hard, like … Let me think of a good comparison, a good example … I am working like I didn’t get drafted, like I’m not even on the team, like I am a guy off the streets, coming off the streets, working for a spot. So, that’s how I’m approaching it. There’s nothing different, and I’m just here to help the team win. That’s what I’m here to do. I’m working hard.”