AFC Notes: Joe Douglas, Jets, Patriots

Joe Douglas

New Jets GM Joe Douglas tells Albert Breer that he could see himself working through the summer break by himself while everyone is away from the team. 

“Part of me hopes that I’m the only guy in the building so I can just grind,” Douglas said. “But I’m sure there’s gonna be people here and probably on the business side. Even if I’m the only guy on the football side, there’ll be people in on the business side I can just walk down say hellow, maybe share a cup of coffee with some people, get to know them a little bit better.

“It’ll just be more of a working summer for me.”

Breer guesses that new additions like assistant GM Rex Hogan, director of player personnel Chad Alexander and senior advisor Phil Savage will be on hand to help Douglas.

• Regarding their recent additions to the front office, Douglas said it is important to “build depth” throughout the organization: “You need to build depth in an organization at all spots and that includes the front office.” (Ralph Vacchiano)

Jets

Jets RB Ty Montgomery said he is excited to have a fresh start in New York. 

“I’m trying not to get ahead of myself, but I’m excited for what lies ahead,” said, via Ethan Greenberg of the Jets’ official site. “I love being on this team, I love the guys on the team. We have a lot of fun every day, talking a lot of noise. Real, real competitive atmosphere, so it’s a lot of fun.”

Jets’ RBs coach Jim Bob Cooter said Montgomery “works really hard” and has been able to execute their offense well in practice this offseason. 

“He comes in and works really hard,” said Cooter. “He’s a pro, he knows his way around the NFL. He’s a smart guy. He knows how to learn things and take them straight to the practice field and execute them. He’s able to line up inside, outside, all over the field. He’s been a good guy for me to have in the room to work with and for us to have as an offense.”

Patriots

• Greg Bedard of Boston Sports Journal reports that the Patriots are “livid” with Jack Easterby and his departure for a high-level position with the Texans “totally pissed them off.
• According to Bedard, the Patriots aren’t happy with how Easterby handled his departure overall and his attempt to hire away Patriots directly of player personnel Nick Caserio.
• Bedard mentions that members of the Patriots organization were upset when Easterby let it publicly be known that the prostitution charges against owner Robert Kraft “did not sit well” with him and factored into his departure.
• Easterby actually returned for the Patriots’ ring ceremony and his reported attempt to convince Caserio to follow him to Houston was the “final straw” for some, according to Bedard.