AFC Notes: Dolphins, Patriots, Titans

Dolphins

Dolphins HC Brian Flores did not commit to using RB Kenyan Drake more in 2019. 

“I think Drake is an explosive player,” Flores said via the Miami Herald’s Adam Beasley. “I’ve seen it first-hand, unfortunately. I think he’s a talented player. He catches the ball well. He’s a good runner. He runs hard. He does a lot of really good things.

“But I think, and I’ll say this to all of the players, they’re going to make the most of their … The opportunities they get on the field will be up to them,” Flores continued. “Period. If they practice well, if they’re smart, they work hard, they’re tough, they block, they catch the ball consistently, they hit the hole correctly, then they’re going to play. That’s all of the backs. That’s [Kalen] Ballage, that’s Drake, that’s period. By committee or workhorse, those are phrases that people throw out there but I think the guys who perform at practice and produce in games, those are the guys that are going to be out there.”

• Florida State DT Frederick Jones and Florida DL Khairi Clark will compete in the Dolphins’ local pro day on April 5.  (Barry Jackson)  

Patriots

• Mike Reiss writes that the stunning resignation of Patriots DC Greg Schiano on Thursday could leave Bill Belichick as the “leading candidate” to take over coordinator duties in 2019.
• According to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, the “early indications” are that Tom Brady plans to follow a similar routine as last year when he remained away from voluntary workouts to focus more on time with his family.

Titans

Titans GM Jon Robinson says they plan to start riding RB Derrick Henry from Week One on this year. 

“He proved that he can step in there and carry the load, and we’ll try to put that right back on him,” Robinson said, via TitansOnline.com. “We’ll certainly be mindful of the carries that he’s getting and the touches that he’s getting. But all those running backs and receivers, skill players, the more they can get the ball the more they like it.”