Dee Milliner - Pro Football Rumors

AFC East Notes: Patriots, Jets, Wilson

August 10th, 2014 at 6:11pm CST by David Kipke

The Patriots should be happy with rookie quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo‘s performance in his preseason debut against the Redskins, writes ESPNBoston.com’s Mike Reiss. Reiss believes the Eastern Illinois product could have already surpassed Ryan Mallett to become Tom Brady‘s backup. Let’s look at some other news from around the AFC East:

The Patriots remain uncertain regarding a return date for All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski, according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. Although his once-torn ACL was medically cleared for practice before the start of camp, the University of Arizona product has yet to participate in any full-contact work.
Jets cornerback Dee Milliner has suffered a high ankle sprain, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. As we reported earlier, Milliner, who was the ninth overall pick in the 2013 draft, was one of two Jets corners to be cut down by injury today. Rookie corner Dexter McDougle left practice to discover that he had torn the ACL in his left knee.
Elsewhere in the Jets‘ secondary , rookie safety Calvin Pryor is planning on making his NFL debut on Saturday against the Bengals, after being held out of the first preseason game due to a concussion.
As our own Rory Parks surmised earlier today, Jimmy Wilson will likely be the Dolphins‘ starting safety heading into September following incumbent starter Reshad Jones‘ four-game suspension. An AP report stated that Wilson took most of the snaps with the first team during today’s practice.

Dee Milliner, Dexter McDougle Injured

August 10th, 2014 at 1:49pm CST by Rory Parks

1:49pm: McDougle has torn the ACL in his left knee, the Jets announced (Twitter link via Brian Costello of the New York Post).

10:50am: Jets cornerback Dee Milliner, the team’s first round pick in the 2013 draft, suffered what appeared to be an ankle injury in practice this morning, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. Milliner, who was in obvious pain, did not put any weight on his leg as he was helped off the field. Rookie corner Dexter McDougle already left the field with a trainer earlier today (Twitter link), so three of the team’s top four corners–Milliner, McDougle, and Dimitri Patterson–are now injured. If these latest injuries turn out to be serious, the Jets will surely be in the market for a veteran corner.

Extra Points: Byrd, Murray, Smith, Jets

May 31st, 2014 at 1:05pm CST by Matt Feminis

Miscellaneous news and notes from around the league. . .

Saints safety Jairus Byrd underwent “optional” back surgery to repair a disc issue, according to Katherine Terrell of Nola.com. While head coach Sean Payton downplayed the seriousness of the procedure, Terrell’s colleague Larry Holder is skeptical, especially since Byrd just inked a six-year, $54MM ($26.3MM guaranteed) deal.
The Cowboys have acknowledged a contract extension for star receiver Dez Bryant is “a possibility,” but he’s not the only skill player on the roster in need of a new deal, as running back DeMarco Murray is entering the fourth and final year of his rookie pact. The Cowboys are a different team with Murray healthy, asserts ESPN’s Todd Archer, who considers what the team should reasonably be willing to pay to retain Murray’s services beyond 2014.
Eagles first-round pick Marcus Smith is working exclusively at Connor Barwin‘s “Jack” (left outside) linebacker position, which enables him to learn multiple responsibilities while honing his technique, writes csnphilly.com’s Matt Allibone.
Michael Wilhoite leads a group of 49ers linebackers vying to keep NaVorro Bowman‘s seat warm, writes Eric Branch on sfgate.com.
Who says fullbacks are a dying species? More love from Pro Football Focus, who tabs Collin Mooney as the Titans’ “Secret Superstar.”
With the departure of Antonio Smith, third-year defensive lineman Jared Crick has a chance to take on a more prominent role for the Texans, writes Dale Robertson in the Houston Chronicle.
The Jets have $23MM in cap space, notes ESPNNewYork.com’s Rich Cimini, who also states the team views Kyle Wilson as a slot corner, “nothing more.” Meanwhile, Cimini hears from scouts that Dimitri Patterson, projected to start outside opposite Dee Milliner, is actually better suited in the slot.
After losing Morocco Brown to the Browns, the Redskins have promoted Alex Santos to director of pro personnel, according to Zac Boyer of the Washington Times (via Twitter). Santos has spent the last six years as a pro scout.

AFC East Notes: Jets, Pats, Bills, Dolphins

May 24th, 2014 at 9:46am CST by Matt Feminis

When asked about the Jets’ perceived weakness at cornerback, ESPNNewYork.com’s Rich Cimini provided a blunt response: “I think fans need to come to grips with this sobering reality: The Jets believe they’re set at cornerback. I don’t agree with it, and I’m not sure [head coach] Rex Ryan does either, but [GM] John Idzik is done making significant moves at cornerback. He thinks Dee Milliner is a No. 1 corner, he invested $3 million in Dimitri Patterson and he drafted Dexter McDougle in the third round. Unless there’s a key injury, I can’t see Idzik importing a big name…”

Here’s some more AFC East notes:

The Patriots’ top four or five receivers appear to be set, but Masslive.com’s Nick Underhill takes a look at the competitors for the remaining roster spots. Among those on the bubble are second-year players Josh Boyce and Kenbrell Thompkins (who disappointed last season after being the talk of training camp), seventh-rounder Jeremy Gallon and size-speed prospect Mark Harrison. Underhill says, “There has been some speculation that Harrison could be tried out at tight end, and while he didn’t close the door on the notion, head coach Bill Belichick said it is unlikely Harrison will see time at that spot this season.”
In a Bills off-season wrap-up, ESPN’s Mike Rodak praised the signing of linebacker Brandon Spikes, who, teamed with Defensive Rookie of the Year Kiko Alonso, should improve the team’s run defense which ranked near the bottom of the league.
The Dolphins plucked offensive coordinator Bill Lazor from Chip Kelly’s staff in Philadelphia, and Lazor has total control of the offense, writes Barry Jackson in the Miami Herald. Based on early indications, Dolphins players are excited about the possibilities and say the new system is reminiscent of the Eagles’.