Prior to being selected by the Patriots in the third round of the 2016 draft, quarterback Jacoby Brissett wanted nothing to do with New England.
“I honestly did not want to be there,” Brissett said on the McCourty twins’ podcast (via Darren Hartwell of NBC Sports Boston). “When I took my visit there — my pre-draft visit — I was like, ‘Hell no. If one team drafts me, it better not be them.’
“And I’ll never forget, (offensive coordinator) Josh (McDaniels) called me on the phone on draft night and I didn’t have his number saved. That’s how bad it was. I didn’t even have his number saved in my phone. I was like, ‘Damn, man.'”
You can’t necessarily blame Brissett for feeling that way. Besides having to play behind one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time in Tom Brady, the rookie QB was also behind former second-rounder Jimmy Garoppolo on the depth chart. Due to suspensions and injuries to his teammates, Brissett ended up seeing time in three games (two starts) during his rookie campaign. The following year, the Patriots shipped Brissett to the Colts in exchange for wideout Phillip Dorsett.
“Honestly, that was my wake-up to the NFL, was being traded and then the next week, you’re out there in a game,” Brissett added. “It was like, ‘We don’t care how long you’ve been here. You’d better know how to play.”
Let’s check out some more notes from the AFC East…
- Speaking of Patriots quarterbacks, Cam Newton is in New England to complete his physical and finalize his one-year deal, reports NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). The reporter notes that the Patriots are confident in the quarterback’s “condition” and aren’t anticipating any issues with the physical. Injuries limited Newton to only a pair of games in 2019, forcing him to settle for a one-year, $1.75MM deal with New England.
- If the Dolphins are forced to trim their training camp roster, then Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald points to a handful of undrafted rookies who could get cut, including offensive linemen Jonathan Hubbard, Nick Kaltmayer, and Donell Stanley. Jackson also opines that a handful of veterans could be sent packing, a group that includes offensive linemen Adam Pankey and Keaton Sutherland, quarterback Jake Rudock, fullback Chandler Cox, and receivers Ricardo Louis and Mack Hollins.
- Connor Hughes of The Athletic did a somewhat similar exercise with the Jets, as he explored which players could be traded if New York gets off to a sluggish start. The writer points to wideout Breshad Perriman, linebacker Avery Williamson, running back Le’Veon Bell, defensive end Henry Anderson, and safety Marcus Maye as potential trade candidates.
- While Hughes believes that Adam Gase has received some underserved criticism during his tenure in New York, the writer also can’t envision the Jets head coach keeping his job if the team finishes with seven or fewer wins. Of course, there are plenty of scenarios where the Jets struggle and Gase does keep his job, especially if quarterback Sam Darnold misses more time in 2020.
Jets would have to suck royally for Gase to lose his job. Though the Jets have the problem where the Bills are all-in and Patriots/Dolphins are going to be competitive.
How exactly are the Dolphins going to be competitive?
Miami will be lucky to win 5 or 6 games next season.
Miami looked to have a determined mindset the second half of the season. The players looked competitive and seemed to buy in to the new staff. They have a new QB who, if healthy, could end up being a franchise guy and the division is up for grabs. If ever there was a time to be competitive, now is it. Don’t write them off so soon. Flores and Grier may get them in shape soon to compete. They won more games last year than a “tanking” team should have. Let’s see what they can do. If they’re ready this year, they may be ready next. At the least, I think they’ll work who they don’t want this year to compete next year when Tua could start.
Franchise QB.
Fortified the oline with Flowers Hunt Karras and Jackson.
Added a competent RB room with Howard and Breida
Added to the defense bringing in Jones, Van Noy, Ogbah, Grugier-Hill via free agency and added a slot corner and underrated interior guy in Davis from the draft.
That’s how they are going to be competitive. They’ve filled a lot of holes and improved in many areas.
@harden-westbrook-mvps
The Dolphins will win at least 7 games. They won 5 last year with practice squad level players and street free agents starting at several position. They finished the season going 5-4 beating two playoff teams.They upgraded the talent on their roster significantly this off-season. There is no way I see them being as bad as they were last year.
Josh Rosen to the Steelers please. Give the kid a chance to learn from a good vet, have a great coach and have a good line in front of him.
Rosen for a fifth and a seventh
I second that.
I second this too. Though I question Rosen’s leadership abilities. Is it possible to have someone else on offense be captain than QB?
Roethlisberger shouldn’t be in the nfl
No he should be in prison
Big Ben is not a good teacher. He has had a great football career, but is a bad person.
I don’t think it’ll cost that much, but yeah, it might not be that bad a deal.
Maybe just a 7th and I don’t care if it happens either.
One of those things that if it does happen I just say, oh word.
Simmons,
Go smoke some more of that cheap stuff. Steelers don’t need or want him. Worry about your Dolphins bud
Doubt the Dolphins take anything less than a 3rd for Rosen. With the extra roster spots and his fairly low cap hit the Dolphins would be better off keeping Rosen than trading him for a couple 3rd day picks.
This might be the last chance jacoby brissett gets to prove he can be a starting quarterback in this league
He’s certainly proven that he can be a spot starter at the very least. Brissett’s connection to Bill Parcells has opened doors in the past, it may help him in the future.
Unfortunately, I think Brissett’s ceiling is Tyrod Taylor. He can manage the game and carry a talented team to victory, but he’s not going to be the x-factor that transforms a squad into a Superbowl contender. We saw the Colts collapse as the weapons around Brissett went down last season, which explains why Indy was so uncompetitive down the stretch. The same thing happened in 2017. However, there’s a place for quality backups in this league and I’m sure any team would be happy to have an intelligent and experienced veteran presence in the QB room
I agree completely. Taylor isn’t so bad a consolation prize however.
People we’re on here to talk football.