Photo Credit: Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports
Most teams in the NFL have completed their second week of OTAs. While OTAs does not give a comprehensive review of the team, it’s still a good way to highlight certain players and teams. After going through the NFC, now its time to look at the AFC. The first group is the AFC East.
Buffalo Bills: Obviously one of the Bills most controversial players is LeSean McCoy and a minor injury kept his sidelined for OTAs last week. Fortunately, McCoy is eager and ready to find his place in Buffalo after coming from the Eagles. Like the Redskins, the Bills do not have a solid starting quarterback and instead are bouncing between Matt Cassel, EJ Manuel, Tyrod Taylor and Matt Simms. While head coach Rex Ryan will not give a straight answer on who is going to be starting; he made sure to announce that the quarterbacks will be competing to see who gets the starting spot. However, each quarterback got a chance to show off their abilities in OTAs. Marquise Goodwin was absent from OTAs last week due to flooding, but it was like he was never gone because he is already impressing. Rex Ryan also had a lot to say about their second-round draft pick, Ronald Darby, noting how hard Darby is working and that he is confident in his abilities.
Miami Dolphins: Unlike most teams in the NFL, the Dolphins had perfect attendance for their OTAs which is practically unheard of. Even Ndamukong Suh made an appearance during OTAs which is unusual for Suh. Suh didn’t even show up for Detroit’s OTAs, but after Suh’s incident last year, he needs all of the positive publicity he can get. With Ryan Tannehill’s big paycheck, all eyes seem to be on him and Tannehill impressed, making sure to throw passes to multiple receivers. Another breakout star during OTAs was the Dolphin’s first-round draft pick, Devante Parker. While Parker had to have foot surgery today, during OTAs, Parker was impressing, including Tannehill. Another surprise performance at OTAs was by TE Tim Semish who was a late pick-up out of NIU. At 6 foot 8 and 267 pounds, Semish is going to be a machine if he plays as well as he did in OTAs.
New England Patriots: The New England Patriots are not looking great for OTAs, unfortunately. As if they don’t already have enough to worry about, Jimmy Garoppolo is starting to look questionable. Garoppolo had a total of 5 interceptions in one day as well as 12 incomplete passes and there was a lot of pass-dropping, most notably by Rob Gronkowski. Even though it is unclear if Tom Brady will be participating in the first four games of the season, he was present at OTAs and participated in them. Overall, it was not the offensive line’s day in New England. The defense was looking relatively good with Jamie Collins shining along with Logan Ryan and Bradley Fletcher. Fletcher should be looking forward to playing an important role in the defense after the Patriots lost 4 of their 5 cornerbacks.
New York Jets: Like a few other teams, the New York Jets have quarterback issues. Even staff has clashed with the offensive coordinator, Chan Gailey wanting Geno Smith to be the starter but head coach, Todd Bowles made sure to note that there is no starter at the moment. The Jets drafted QB out of Baylor, Bryce Petty, and Petty is a little shaky during OTAs. Fortunately, Petty is still learning and figuring out the offense so shakiness is expected. CB Dexter McDougle who missed his rookie season due to injury made his debut at OTAs. McDougle was confident in his OTA performance even saying: “They wouldn’t put me out there if they didn’t think I was confident enough to be out there, so I think it’s showing right now”. Another stand-out was backup QB Ryan Fitzpatrick who fractured his leg in December. Fitzpatrick is showing a multitude of improvement, even making a break from Darrelle Revis.
