The Bell has rung. As Rich Cimini of ESPN.com tweets, Le’Veon Bell has arrived at the Jets‘ facility in advance of tomorrow’s mandatory minicamp. There was never a chance that Bell would fail to show up for minicamp, but given the drama that has followed him from Pittsburgh to New York, it’s still noteworthy, if for no other reason than to see how he will interact with new head coach Adam Gase.
Now for several more items from the AFC East:
- Speaking at Jim Kelly‘s annual charity golf tournament this morning, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he believes that a new stadium is essential to the stability of a franchise (via Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic). With respect to the Bills specifically, Goodell made it very clear that team ownership will need to address the club’s stadium situation at some point in the near future to keep the Bills in Buffalo. Goodell has made similar remarks in the past, but the article — which includes more of Goodell’s comments — are well worth a read for Bills fans, as it also details the unique challenges that ownership faces in meeting Goodell’s demands.
- Brian Flores is making a strong first impression with the Dolphins, as Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes. A number of players are less than keen on the old-school mentality and the demanding nature of the new coaching staff, but others are enjoying it, and Flores himself has drawn rave reviews. Players have lauded the rookie head coach both publicly and privately, which is a bit more meaningful for Flores than it might be for another HC. The Dolphins are in full rebuild mode, so Flores will be judged not necessarily on wins and losses — at least not for a year or two — but on how his players respond to him and compete for him.
- In the same piece linked above, Jackson notes that the Dolphins are taking a wait-and-see approach with several players entering the final years of their contracts like RB Kenyan Drake and WR Jakeem Grant.
What’s Goodell going to do, move the team against their will? If the Bill’s are happy with their stadium why does the NFL care? Or is this a coordinated PR move in concert with the owners? Yes, by all means threaten a passionate fan base!
Greed lives in the NFL!
No. But he’ll allow the owner to move the team. Rams, Chargers, Raiders, and the Jags play half their games overseas. Clearly, new stadiums are more important than passionate fan bases. It sucks, but it’s the truth.
W’s & L’s always count for a HC. Look no further than AZ for proof on that front.
I get it, but that team was expected to compete, as unrealistic as that may appear in hindsight. And although Wilks generally had the support of his players, he definitely appeared out of his depth at times.
I’ve always been a Bears fan but I have been to games in Buffalo (during December) and those fans are fantastic. There is a tight community feel there that is only duplicated in Green Bay. I would build two stadiums if that is what it would take to get that moron Goodell to shut up and retire.