AFC Notes: Fitz, Jets, Ravens, Williams, Colts

There doesn’t appear to be an end in sight to the months-long contract standoff between the Jets and free agent quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Even though training camp is fast approaching, the two sides haven’t spoken in over a month, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Similarly, Fitzpatrick and the Jets’ Brandon Marshall haven’t talked in multiple weeks, the concerned receiver stated Monday. And whether it means anything remains to be seen, but Fitzpatrick put his New Jersey house up for rent last week, per Darryl Slater of NJ.com. He and the Jets have been at odds since March over the club’s three-year, $24MM offer that features $15MM in guarantees.

Elsewhere around the AFC…

  • Nose tackle Brandon Williams is the most obvious extension candidate on the Ravens’ roster, opines Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun. However, Zrebiec doesn’t see any real incentive for Williams to discuss a new deal now, writing that his next contract could rival the five-year, $46.25MM pact fellow nose tackle Damon Harrison signed as a free agent with the Giants over the winter. Williams, 27, is coming off his third NFL season, one in which he started all 16 of Baltimore’s games, amassed 53 tackles and two sacks, and ranked as Pro Football Focus’ 21st-best interior defender (fourth overall against the run) among 123 qualifiers. He’s scheduled to make $1.67MM in 2016, the final year of his rookie accord.
  • Right guard and inside linebacker are two positions that will feature interesting battles for the Colts this summer, per Kevin Bowen of the team’s website. Incumbent Hugh Thornton, who has started in 32 of 37 career appearances, will try to fend off Denzelle Good, former No. 1 center Jonotthan Harrison and fifth-round rookie Joe Haeg at right guard. With Jerrell Freeman having departed as a free agent, Nate Irving and Sio Moore will fight for starting ILB duties next to D’Qwell Jackson. Irving (14) and Moore (22) have a combined 36 NFL starts between them.
  • The Colts don’t have a clear long-term solution at running back, where 33-year-old starter Frank Gore is ancient for a rusher and coming off the worst season of his decorated 11-year career. But the club is bullish on undrafted rookie Josh Ferguson, writes Mike Chappell of CBS4. “He’s very, very athletic,’’ head coach Chuck Pagano said of the ex-Illinois back. “He’s a great receiver out of the backfield. We can split him wide. We can displace him formationally. He’s a mismatch out in space. He’s got juice. He can go. He’s got great vision. Just not a third-down back, but he’s a good runner.” Offered owner Jim Irsay, “We think guys like Josh Ferguson have a chance to be special. Time will tell.’’ Notably, draft guru Dave-Te Thomas, who has served as a scouting personnel consultant to NFL teams for multiple decades, lavished praise on Ferguson when assessing the Colts’ rookie class for PFR earlier this month.
  • Earlier Tuesday, Dave-Te Thomas analyzed some Baltimore rookies who could make significant impacts this year.
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