Grenouille
Super Freak
The rest of the AFC East has had many ups and downs during the Belichick/Brady era 2000-now. Here's how I see them.
New York Jets - 1 Division title - Despite only 1 title within the division I'd say the Jets have been the most successful team during this run. They had the best non-Brady QB with Chad Pennington. The Jets may have pulled the trigger too soon firing Eric Mangini after the terrible '08 season that featured Brett Favre. Rex Ryan came in and took what were basically Mangini's teams to 2 straight AFC title games. I don't think it's really hyperbole to say the 2010 playoff win at Gillette is probably biggest Jet victory since Super Bowl III.
Bonus Mistake: Signing Darrelle Revis to a stupid $70/39 guaranteed contract for the back 9 of his career.
Miami Dolphins - 2 Division titles - People don't remember how much of a thorn in the side the Dolphins were to the early 2000s Patriots. The Thomas, Taylor, and Seau defenses were a nightmare. Their offenses however kept them from really achieving anything with the likes of Jay Fiedler, A. J. Feeley, or Joey Harrington QBing. The 2008 Wild Cat craze got them past the Patriots, but that gimmick died a quick death in the NFL. Of any of the teams in the division this one looks to be on the right course with Adam Gase.
Bonus Mistake: Signing Daunte Culpepper over Drew Brees
Buffalo Bills - 0 Division titles - The Bills of the 90s these guys definitely they are not. When it was time to trade Drew Bledsoe people wondered about keeping him in the conference, well Belichick did one better keeping him in the division. No worries there. The Bills seem like an organization that pulls the plug when things seem to be going well. Doug Marrone had built a pretty decent defense and then he opted out of his contract. They bring in the bluster of Rex Ryan and his supposed defensive genius and it regressed quite a bit. They have great skill and talent all over their roster, but just no clear direction.
New York Jets - 1 Division title - Despite only 1 title within the division I'd say the Jets have been the most successful team during this run. They had the best non-Brady QB with Chad Pennington. The Jets may have pulled the trigger too soon firing Eric Mangini after the terrible '08 season that featured Brett Favre. Rex Ryan came in and took what were basically Mangini's teams to 2 straight AFC title games. I don't think it's really hyperbole to say the 2010 playoff win at Gillette is probably biggest Jet victory since Super Bowl III.
Bonus Mistake: Signing Darrelle Revis to a stupid $70/39 guaranteed contract for the back 9 of his career.
Miami Dolphins - 2 Division titles - People don't remember how much of a thorn in the side the Dolphins were to the early 2000s Patriots. The Thomas, Taylor, and Seau defenses were a nightmare. Their offenses however kept them from really achieving anything with the likes of Jay Fiedler, A. J. Feeley, or Joey Harrington QBing. The 2008 Wild Cat craze got them past the Patriots, but that gimmick died a quick death in the NFL. Of any of the teams in the division this one looks to be on the right course with Adam Gase.
Bonus Mistake: Signing Daunte Culpepper over Drew Brees
Buffalo Bills - 0 Division titles - The Bills of the 90s these guys definitely they are not. When it was time to trade Drew Bledsoe people wondered about keeping him in the conference, well Belichick did one better keeping him in the division. No worries there. The Bills seem like an organization that pulls the plug when things seem to be going well. Doug Marrone had built a pretty decent defense and then he opted out of his contract. They bring in the bluster of Rex Ryan and his supposed defensive genius and it regressed quite a bit. They have great skill and talent all over their roster, but just no clear direction.
). 2002 they also missed winning the division based on tiebreakers. The Patriots haven't played a meaningless game since December 2000. This has been an incredible run.
