In this week’s edition of the NFL Notebook, we take a look at the possibility of the Bennett Brothers in the New England locker room, examine the state of the other AFC elites with three insiders as free agency looms, get some insight into Kyler Murray from a unique source, and answer a really good question we got in last week’s BSJ Q&A. But first, we look at the historical precedent for veteran receivers returning to New England.
1. When the news broke Friday the Dolphins were set to release Danny Amendola, it set off a natural round of speculation regarding a potential return to New England — the first guy I thought of was Deion Branch. In 2010, Branch returned to the Patriots by way of trade four years after he was dealt to the Seahawks, proving that if you can gain separation and play multiple receiver spots, you can go home again. But what about the things Amendola said on the way out the door? you might wonder. Well, things were pretty bad when Branch was shipped out of town in 2006, and any bitterness involving his departure was forgotten when he returned in 2010. Branch was younger then (31) than Amendola is now (33), but the connection with Brady was still strong. Ultimately, while I’d lean toward New England going in another direction, the precedent for a receiver return is still there. It’s going to be fun to watch how this all plays out.
2. We got a great response a few weeks ago when we got an opinion from three other writers around the AFC East on the state of the team they cover, so we decided to put a variation on the same theme this week with some thoughts from writers who cover the three other teams who made the AFC divisional playoffs.
Colts: Zak Keefer, Indy Star — The Colts like where they’re at, mostly because life has calmed down – they followed up one of the most hectic offseasons in franchise history with what is expected to be one of the quietest. Last winter, they were stained by the Josh McDaniels fiasco, wrestling with what to do with a top pick in the draft and still wondering if Andrew Luck’s shoulder would ever heal.
“I’ve gotten so used to chaos and dysfunction,” GM Chris Ballard joked at the combine.
Those questions answered – behind Luck’s resurgence, the Colts rebounded from a 1-5 start to finish 10-6 and make the divisional round of the playoffs – they are very much a team on the rise in the AFC. Loaded with salary cap room, the Colts have been tossed around as a possible destination for just about every big-name free agent. In reality, the team will be far more selective, likely targeting a wide receiver not named Antonio Brown and help in the secondary.
“That culture starts with the guys in that locker room, it’s not open to just anybody,” coach Frank Reich said recently. “That locker room is not just open to any great player. You've got to be the right guy, the right player, you've got to want to join the other players on this team on the mission that we’re on, to get to the top of the mountain.”
Chargers: Eric Williams, ESPN — Chargers GM Tom Telesco adheres to a philosophy of drafting and retaining foundational players in building a championship roster, with free agency used selectively to fill voids where needed. This offseason likely will not be any different, as the Chargers will look to retain core players like linebacker Denzel Perryman, safety Adrian Phillips, nose tackle Damion Square and cornerback Jason Verrett. As for the draft, the Chargers likely will look to add defensive linemen and linebackers to a defense torched by the Patriots in the postseason. With quarterback Philip Rivers and running back Melvin Gordon heading into the final year of their deals, Telesco also could look to get contract extensions done for both before the start of training camp at the end of July.
I wouldn't pass the drug test. Lol. Been on that @wizkhalifa diet. Kush & OJ https://t.co/0llLqPQvAu
— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) October 2, 2018
