NFL Notebook: 32 thoughts as the league takes a break for the next month

Going around the league, starting nearby in the AFC East as NFL teams button things up for vacation ahead of training camps next month...

Bills

In a player that will be watched for years to come because the Patriots passed on drafting him and instead traded down, CB Kaiir Elam intercepted Josh Allen when there was a miscommunication with Jamison Crowder.  

“You can already tell, he just listens. He pays attention,” safety Micah Hyde told reporters. “I don’t know necessarily who he was coached (by), his upbringing, all that type of stuff, but they definitely taught him well, coached him well, because he’s all ears. You can tell as I’m saying stuff, he’s taking mental notes. That’s how Tre’Davious (White) was when he first got here. He was battling on the football field, which ‘K’ is doing, but also just learning from his mistakes and learning from the older guys.”

Dolphins

Obviously taking the QBs out of the discussion, but the Dolphins could make a convincing argument for having the most dangerous division trio when it comes to Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Mike Gesicki. All are very fast for their positions, and they have Cedric Wilson. Would you take Stefon Diggs, Gabriel Davis and Dawson Knox? I wouldn't.

By the way, tell 'em, Brian Urlacher.

Patriots

Why did the Patriots feel the need to sign center Darryl Williams, a former Chiefs practice squadder? It's a good question considering the team has David Andrews on an extension, James Ferentz as the veteran failsafe, and promising UDFA Kody Russey. Sure seems like just insurance/building-in rest for Andrews heading into camp. He hasn't been able to go full in practice yet, and Ferentz won't bring much to the roster at the end of the day. Russey could use some competition, and he's gotten it now.

Jets

Zach Wilson and some teammates will be getting a house together for three days in mid-July to prepare for camp. “I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s going to be the routes, the two days of throwing that’s going to be the most beneficial,” he told reporters. “It’s going to be us stuck in some house together for three days, just getting to know each other and hanging out, talking, just like we do. I think that’s going to be more important than anything.”

Ravens

QB Lamar Jackson said the team told him that trading WR Marquise Brown was a possibility before he was shipped to Arizona, but he was still shocked when it happened — and his social media activity at the time reflected that.  “I was kind of like, hurt, because that’s my boy,” Jackson told reporters.

Bengals

Despite playing each other in the Super Bowl, the Bengals will host the Rams for joint practices before the preseason finale. Zach Taylor worked for Sean McVay previously. 

Browns

ProFootballTalk.com reported "the NFLPA currently is bracing for a recommendation by the league of 'unprecedented' punishment of Deshaun Watson. Whatever the specific penalty, the union will mobilize to defend Watson, as it is required to do by the federal duty of fair representation. ... According to the source, the union’s defense of Watson will take specific aim at the league’s handling of Commanders owner Daniel Snyder, Patriots owner Robert Kraft, and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

Steelers

With Stephon Tuitt retiring, 2021 5th-round pick Isaiahh Loudermilk will be on the spot to fill a huge void. The Steelers were awful against the run last year, allowing 5.0 yards per carry — the worst mark in team history. Four teams ran for over 200 yards against them.

Texans

Jalen Pitre, the 37th overall pick out of Baylor, has been one of the standouts in offseason practices and seems to be on his way to starting. Coach Lovie Smith has raved about him.

Colts

The team that saw Andrew Luck retire at age 29 was dealt a little bit of blow when starting strong safety Khari Willis, 26, retired to join the ministry. But they do have options. Julian Blackmon has recovered from a torn Achilles tendon and has been on the field. The Colts also signed veterans Rodney McLeod and Armani Watts in free agency, and added safety Nick Cross of Maryland in the third round of this year’s draft.

Jaguars

Coach Doug Pederson and the Jaguars have been impressed with the weapons for QB Trevor Lawrence. They've added wide receivers Christian Kirk and Zay Jones, and tight end Evan Engram. Running back Travis Etienne missed all of last season with a Lisfranc injury but has made a full recovery.

Titans

Tennessee Titans rookie wide receiver Treylon Burks has reportedly missed some practice due to asthma, but has shrugged off the concerns. “I don’t really worry about them at all,” Burks told reporters. “Everyone is going to have setbacks. It’s just how you come back and attack it and keep going.”

Broncos

Denver has a lot of receiver depth, which could allow some talented WRs like Kendall Hinton and Travis Fulgham being able via trade.

Chiefs

Seems like KC feels good about its offensive reload with WRs Marquez Valdes-Scantling and JuJu Smith-Schuster, along with the drafting of Skyy Moore. “They have a nice connection with Pat (Mahomes) up to this point,” Andy Reid told reporters. “I’m curious to see what it’s like with the live ball and all that, but I wouldn’t expect it much different than what I’m seeing. And everyone else working in there, too.”

Raiders

Count Brandon Bolden as one ex-Patriot who thinks Vegas won't just be Patriots West with Josh McDaniels at the helm. “This is something totally different,” Bolden told reporters. “Josh is going to put his own spin on things. Are there a few things we learned along the way because I was there with him a lot of that time? Sure. But we’re not trying to be New England. We’re the Las Vegas Raiders, and that’s what we’re going to play as.”

Chargers

Khalil Mack should form a formidable duo with Joey Bosa this season. “He’s very smart. He’s a smart rusher. He thinks about a lot of things. Sometimes, he probably gets too far in his head because he knows so much,” Mack told reporters. “He has so much knowledge about the game. It’s going to be fun to kind of break down film together, watch each other and figure this thing out together.”

Cowboys

The Cowboys haven't had their top three receivers at practice this offseason as CeeDee Lamb (hamstring), James Washington (foot sprain) and Michael Gallup (torn ACL recovery) have been out, but should be ready by camp.

Giants

Kadarius Toney, the team's 2021 first-round pick, has not been made available to the media since the middle of last season. Joe Judge kept offensive lineman Isaiah Wilson off limits last season.

Eagles

UDFA WR Brittain Covey, who was a favorite of the Patriots draftnik community (including our own Kevin Field), made a big impression in the offseason. "He’s got a lot of potential," TE Dallas Goedert told reporters. "He’s smart in his route running. He was probably the one who stood out the most."

Commanders

Washington is certainly having some sort of run here, for the all the wrong reasons. First Jack Del Rio was fined $100,000 by Ron Rivera for his Jan. 6th comments, and now the team was fined $100,000 and stripped of two offseason workouts next year because of excessive contact in practice. Rivera let his team have it after one recent hit, according to reporters. Safety Jeremy Reaves leveled receiver Dyami Brown during a non-padded practice. “We just got to be careful and work with each other,” Rivera told reporters. “The last thing we want is somebody to be hurt.”

The Cowboys and Texans were also fined for similar violations. 

Bears

Third-round WR Velus Jones Jr. has already made an impression on fellow WR Darnell Mooney. "He can fly. He can be a playmaker for sure for us," he told reporters.

Lions

Devin Funchess, a second-round pick of the Panthers in 2015 who has 21 touchdown receptions but hasn't played in the league since 2019, is trying a comeback ... as a tight end. Think N'Keal Harry is taking note?

Packers

Sammy Watkins is making a comeback of sorts with Green Bay and coach Matt LaFleur, who had him with the Rams in 2017, feels Watkins is in a good spot. “I don't think his game has fallen off at all since we were together in 2017,” LaFleur told reporters. “A little bit has been maybe a lack of opportunity, but I think he’s a guy that’s out there working hard, and he’s going to be a big part of our offense.”

Vikings

Minnesota seems to be very pleased with the bookend rush pairing of Danielle Hunter and Za'Darius Smith. "He’s loving it,” Mike Smith told reporters of Hunter's response. “The package we have where we see Z rushing up the middle and doing that type stuff, now D is getting to do it. He’s like a kid in a candy shop.”

Falcons

Third-round QB Desmond Ridder has impressed early during the offseason behind starter Marcus Mariota. “He’s light years ahead of most other young quarterbacks from the neck up,” coach Arthur Smith told reporters. 

Panthers

WR Robbie Anderson, who the Patriots kicked the tires on via trade, tweeted recently that he was contemplating retirement. He's also changed his number from No. 11 to No. 3, and the spelling of his first name from “Robby” to “Robbie." Ok ... “It represents new beginnings,” Anderson told reporters. “That’s how I feel in a lot of aspects in my life. A lot of growth, elevation. And you know, it’s saucy.”

Saints

New Orleans still isn't sure how long they might be missing RB Alvin Kamara due to his February incident when he was arrested and charged with battery after an incident at a Las Vegas nightclub on the eve of the Pro Bowl.

Buccaneers

Man, Bart Scott still does not like Tom Brady all that much.

Cardinals

Three-time Pro Bowl center Rodney Hudson was missing from minicamp, leading to fears he could retire at age 33. Arizona doesn't have many good center options.

Rams

Matthew Stafford still isn't throwing passes after an elbow procedure after the Super Bowl, but he's expected to get some work with his receivers right before camp in July. 

49ers

Jauan Jennings has generated a lot of buzz in offseason practices while rookie Danny Gray has been dealing with a hamstring injury.

Seahawks

Pete Carroll continues to say, with a straight face, that the team is fine with Geno Smith and Drew Lock at QB. "Geno's still ahead -- you can tell that -- but it's not going to be too much for Drew to be caught up," Carroll told reporters. "By the time we get through camp, he'll be there. He's really bright. It makes sense to him. He's really sharp in the huddle and at the line of scrimmage and all of that, so it's just time that he needs ... We're in good shape at the position and we just have to see what happens."