The Patriots aren’t real busy but the rest of the AFC East is a veritable poopstorm.
A quick reset on the activity.
JETS: Thursday, we learned they are re-signing running back Bilal Powell, who the Patriots expressed interest in and also picked up former Saint Khiry Robinson. That came after losing Chris Ivory to the Jaguars. They also brought in Matt Forte, an aging but very productive player who’s a threat on the ground and in the passing game. He’s not in a position to be leaned upon too heavily. About that passing game. With the Jets and last year’s quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick making no progress on getting him back, Gang Green is ogling Colin Kaepernick and Brian Hoyer. They also released wideout/kick returner Jeremy Kerley and tight end Jeff Cumberland. Defensively, they lost their best run-stuffer, Damon Harrison, who went to the Giants. They also missed out on Olivier Vernon who went from the Dolphins to the Giants.
BILLS: The Patriots are reaching out to oversized slot receiver Chris Hogan, a tough, bigger-than-normal slot guy who is probably a backup plan if the Patriots miss out on Mohamed Sanu. Hogan is a restricted free agent. The Bills already lost linebacker Nigel Bradham to the Eagles. The Bills re-signed guard Richie Incognito while two players they released – Mario Williams and Leodis McKelvin – went to the Dolphins and Eagles respectively. Speaking of the Dolphins …
DOLPHINS: With Mike Tannenbaum in charge the Dolphins are trying to make a splash to reinvigorate their always bored fanbase. They signed Mario Williams, traded for linebacker Kiko Alonso and Byron Maxwell and untethered Vernon, who went to the Giants. Miami lost running back Lamar Miller to the Texans. In the Alonso-Maxwell trade, the Dolphins moved back five spots in the first round. So they grabbed two expensive players with diminishing returns AND moved south in the first round.
Odd. You’re caught up.