Around the AFC

¦ Thisyear's trade deadline is Nov. 1, which in the NFL doesn't mean much. But it might in Cleveland. If the Browns stink like we expect them to, left tackle Joe Thomas could be on the block. The Browns are 47-97 in his career. Talking to Cleveland-area reporters, Thomas said it, "wouldn't have surprised me if I had been traded [last month before the draft], but I'm happy that I didn't." Thomas is excited about working with coach Hue Jackson. "He brings a tremendous offensive mindset, a tremendous offensive playbook and I think he's a great leader," he said.

¦ Tennesseegeneral manager Jon Robinson has been out-front this offseason to talk about the team's message. But ... "I'm a firm believer in [that] there's one voice in the organization,and it's [coach] Mike [Mularkey], especially once the season gets going, for sure," Robinson said. This is a bad move on two fronts: Mularkey doesn't exactly move the needle in terms of insight about his team. But two, Mularkey will need (and should receive) Robinson's public support if the season doesn't go well. In 2013, Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell hinted he would be in the background, but then wisely decided to be more available so coach Gus Bradley wouldn't be stuck alone explaining the Jaguars' losses.

¦ Somebodywith a research staff will probably unearth the details this summer, but it's hard to imagine a defending champion having more offensive line turnover than Denver. Center Matt Paradis is the only Super Bowl game starter projected to remain at his spot. Position by position (Super Bowl starter/projected 2016 starter): LT - Ryan Harris/Russell Okung; LG - Evan Mathis/Max Garcia; RG - Louis Vasquez/Connor McGovern; and RT - Michael Schofield/Donald Stephenson. Harris (Pittsburgh) and Mathis (Arizona) left in free agency, Vasquez was cut,and Stephenson (formerly with Kansas City) moves Schofield to the bench. And the Broncos will also have a new quarterback.

¦ Jetsreceivers Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker missed OTAs last week, perhaps as a show of support for unsigned quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. So,you're coach Todd Bowles. Being a former player, Bowles probably respects the solidarity of Marshall/Decker. Being the current coach, Bowles is probably irked because Marshall/Decker are under contract and expected to play a huge role regardless of who is throwing them the football.

¦ Oneconstant for New England last year was offensive line inconsistency. Nine linemen played at least 229 snaps in the regular season. The Patriots might be settling things down, particularly inside with third-year Bryan Stork at center and second-year guards Shaq Mason and Tre Jackson. But a big key was Dante Scarnecchia coming out of retirement to coach the group. "He's an excellent coach," right tackle Sebastian Vollmer said. "I can't praise him high enough."