DAVIE, Fla. — Dolphins wide receiver Danny Amendola said Wednesday that Miami Coach Adam Gase is “one of the guys,” while New England Coach Bill Belichick is like a principal “in a good way and a bad way, too.”

“He’s one of the guys,” Amendola said of Gase. “He’s our leader. He’s our head coach, but he’s also our boy, so it’s cool, it’s refreshing to have that kind of relationship with a coach, something I haven’t had in a long time.

“He’s a coach that I want to play hard for, he’s a coach I want to get out and bust my (butt) in the weight room, on the practice field when nobody’s watching just because I know when we get into training camp it’s gonna be on, it’s gonna be live and it’s gonna be fun.”

Amendola said he got along with Gase immediately.

“When free agency broke and I had the opportunity to talk to other teams and coaches, and kinda see what was out there, Coach Gase called and he was cool from the jump,” Amendola said. “We talked about football, we talked about life, we talked about Miami, we talked about New England, we talked about what we both had been through with some of the organizations we had been part of in our past. Very relatable guy.”

Amendola, who spent the past five seasons with New England, was asked if he felt he could “let loose” a bit more with Miami.

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“No question,” Amendola said. “It’s almost like Coach Gase is one of the guys, one of the boys and you wanna fight hard for your boys. Back in New England it’s almost like you got a principal and a principal’s office … you know in a good way and in a bad way, too.

“Much respect to all the coaches that have given me the opportunity to play for their team and I’m obviously for where I’m at and the future, and where it’s about to go.”

• Miami players who protest on the field during the national anthem could be suspended for up to four games under a team policy issued this week.

The “Proper Anthem Conduct” section is just one sentence in a nine-page discipline document provided to The Associated Press by a person familiar with the policy who insisted on anonymity because the document is not public. It classifies anthem protests under a large list of “conduct detrimental to the club,” all of which could lead to a paid or unpaid suspension, a fine or both.

Miami’s anthem policy comes after the NFL decided in May that teams would be fined if players didn’t stand during “The Star-Spangled Banner” while on the field. The league left it up to teams on how to punish players. None of the team policies have been made public.

The NFL rule forbids players from sitting or taking a knee if they are on the field or sidelines during the national anthem, but allows them to stay in the locker room if they wish. The new league rules were challenged this month in a grievance by the players union.

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The NFL declined to comment. Team officials had no immediate comment.

FALCONS: Stifled by the salary cap, Atlanta won’t be offering Julio Jones a more lucrative contract.

Not this year, at least.

Now the question is: Will the star receiver show up for training camp?

The Falcons informed Jones several weeks ago that they would not renegotiate his current $71.5 million package, which still has three years remaining and included $47 million in guaranteed money, according to a person familiar with the discussions. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because the talks have not been made public.

The team’s decision, which was first reported by The Athletic, does not preclude talks after the season on a deal more in line with Jones’ status as one of the NFL’s top receivers. But the Falcons do not believe they have enough financial leeway under the cap to renegotiate the contract in 2018.

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The team hasn’t been told if Jones will be at training camp. Players are required to report next Thursday, with the first practice the following day.

Atlanta already agreed to a five-year, $150 million extension with quarterback Matt Ryan, the most lucrative deal in NFL history. The team is also focused on working out new contracts for defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, offensive guard Jake Matthews and safety Ricardo Allen.

A flurry of new contracts during the offseason dropped Jones, who makes an average salary of $14.25 million, out of the top half-dozen on the list of the league’s highest-paid receivers. Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans, Cleveland’s Jarvis Landry and Kansas City’s Sammy Watkins are among those now making more per year than Jones, a two-time All-Pro who caught 88 passes for 1,444 yards last season.

In 2015, Jones turned in one of the greatest seasons by a receiver with 136 receptions for 1,871 yards and eight touchdowns. He is a five-time Pro Bowler.

VIKINGS: Minnesota signed first-round pick Mike Hughes, putting its entire eight-player draft class under contract the week before training camp begins.

The 5-foot-10, 189-pound Hughes was the 30th overall selection, the highest drafted defensive player in Central Florida program history. Hughes made a strong impression during spring practices with the Vikings, taking turns at the nickel cornerback position and also working as a kickoff returner.

Hughes had four interceptions for the Knights in 2017 to tie for the team lead and a 31.8-yard average on kickoff returns to rank fourth in the FBS.

Vikings rookies report to headquarters on Tuesday, with their first on-field practice Wednesday.


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