AFC East: Closing the gap?

[nittanylions52]

How was game 1 closer than people think? Manning, who'd been struggling mightily, finally hit a few passes and started on his 'roll'. In the game before, against the Bills, he threw for 111 yards and 2 picks. Against Washington a week earlier, he went 18/53 for 184. In week 14, the great and powerful Eli wnt 17/31 for 219, and against the Bears in week 13, he went 16/27 and tossed 2 picks.

In the game against the Patriots, the Giants came out hyped to the gills and put the Patriots on their heels. New England had to come from behind. I don't think people have forgotten that. On the other hand, New England still won with all the emotion that the Giants had going for them.

In 100 games, Manning probably sucks in about 60-70 of them, and those are Patriots blow-outs. He's not going to see his receivers pull a 'helmet catch' out of their asses every game. As for exact percentages, unless you're going to seriously claim a close split, we're really just haggling over trifles.

All true. But then he did pretty well going through the playoffs. It's just foolish to think that any team would win 97% of games for that many games. Through 16 games, maybe. Through 100 games? Wouldn't happen. I just thought you were overstating it.

 

[hwc]

If the Patriots and Giants from last season played 100 games against each other, New England probably wins 96-97 times. However, it only takes 1 loss to make such a point moot, and that's what we all witnessed.

That was no fluke. Unless the vaunted 14-point scoring Pats offense figured out a way to block somebody (anybody) in a Giants jersey, the Pats would continue to lose every game they play against Coughlin's bunch.

That was as bad a butt kicking as I've ever seen. The Pats offense was on the ropes getting embarrassed all night.

 

[Deus Irae]

That was no fluke. Unless the vaunted 14-point scoring Pats offense figured out a way to block somebody (anybody) in a Giants jersey, the Pats would continue to lose every game they play against Coughlin's bunch.

That was as bad a butt kicking as I've ever seen. The Pats offense was on the ropes getting embarrassed all night.

That game was by far the worst game played by the Patriots all season, and it still took dropped interceptions, a ridiculously lucky catch, an official not calling Manning down, and a non-call on an obvious penalty (it wasn't a pass interference, so I'm not really complaining about it as much as pointing it out) just to have the Giants win by 3. Really, that's the whole point. If the Patriots played a hundred games, how many would they play that badly in?

 

[nittanylions52]

That game was by far the worst game played by the Patriots all season, and it still took dropped interceptions, a ridiculously lucky catch, an official not calling Manning down, and a non-call on an obvious penalty (it wasn't a pass interference, so I'm not really complaining about it as much as pointing it out) just to have the Giants win by 3. Really, that's the whole point. If the Patriots played a hundred games, how many would they play that badly in?

If they played 100 games, how do you know they wouldn't play worse in at least one of them? They played badly, but still not as badly as they could have. How about a Peyton Manning-like 5 interception day? These things happen. Just because it was the worst out of 19 doesn't mean it would also be the worst out of 100.

 

[Gunnails]

That game was by far the worst game played by the Patriots all season, and it still took dropped interceptions, a ridiculously lucky catch, an official not calling Manning down, and a non-call on an obvious penalty (it wasn't a pass interference, so I'm not really complaining about it as much as pointing it out) just to have the Giants win by 3. Really, that's the whole point. If the Patriots played a hundred games, how many would they play that badly in?

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Cmon,,,Pats would of played just as bad at least 25 times out of hundred.

Give the Gints some credit, they pounded hard on the Pats, not to say the Pats did not pound back. Point being if that game was played under those exact conditions 100 times the Giants would win quite a few games because they were better prepared, coached, and,,,motivated.

If they played back to back 100 times the pats win maybe 80 times top.

 

[TealSox]

Like jumping over the Grand Canyon....

Like you all wrote, the other three teams in the AFC East have big issues to solve and the patchwork they have done so far isn't going to solve anything going into 2009 but maybe pull off a few more wins. Its all about rebuilding in Miami, the Bills are nearing the end of their rebuilding and the Jets are definitely in some sort of transition.

Chime in if you like...

Miami:

- Who is the starting QB going into 2009? Beck or a rookie? If not Beck, did they waste last years second round pick?

- Outside of Ginn, do they have any receivers worth anything? They traded Chambers and Welker last year leaving Booker. Now Booker is a free agent after being released.

- Running back? Ronnie Brown can't be the answer can he? The guy was rumored to had lost his job last year to some back-up and now he is coming off injury.

- Offensive line and Tight end don't offer too much, but they are far from the worst in the league.... easily worst in the division.

- Linebackers are in flux. The one thing the Dolphins could always count on is their defense. Now with Zach gone (not missed after being hurt last year), Taylor's future in question and the lack of quality to step in to replace them, It might very well be a sore spot on that defense.

Bills:

- Losman in or is he out? Trent Edwards looks like he is primed to take over and make Losman a back up, but what Edwards will have going into his second season will be in question. He could really boom or send the franchise looking for another QB. No point in keeping JP around.

- Marshawn Lynch looked good last year. He got a bit banged up, but has Wright to back him up.

- Receivers had a rough season, but should come back strong with some consistancy at QB and with the offensive scheme. Career year for Lee Evans? Isn't his contract up soon?

- 2007 was they year they really focused on the offensive line. They also boosted their secondary to fix the loss of Clements. I think the secondary will be strong and the 2008 signings on defense will make for a tough team. Overall the team is a sleeper with potential resting on the shoulders of Trent Edwards because I really think the defense is primed.

Jets:

- With all the news thus far, you would think they are ready to take the AFC East. Faneca is only one player. They can have the best offensive line in football, but when you have Pennington as your QB, your not going yourself too much to work with.

- WR is something I am wondering about with this team. There was rumors of Coles being traded. Then there was word that Cotchery would be moved. Hard to say what is going on with the position, but I think they might need some rebuilding in this department.

- RB is a question mark for me. I like Thomas Jones, but I don't see him (on his own shoulders) taking a team to the playoffs. That isn't fair to say because he was good with the Bears when they went and he didn't have too much help from Benson. With him and Washington, there is some potential, but nothing you can count on.

- Revis has looked up the corner situation for them, but they still have Hank Poteat on the other side until further notice.

- Traded Vilma and want to do something with DeWayne Robertson. They lost out on Shaun Rogers so I don't know how they are going to solve whatever they thought was their problem around the defensive line and linebacker.

 

[mangenious]

- With all the news thus far, you would think they are ready to take the AFC East. Faneca is only one player. They can have the best offensive line in football, but when you have Pennington as your QB, your not going yourself too much to work with.

Im hoping the improved line play, better running game which should come w/ Faneca and a new RT and hopefully healthy WR's can lead to Kellen Clemens making strides this season and become a solid passer

- WR is something I am wondering about with this team. There was rumors of Coles being traded. Then there was word that Cotchery would be moved. Hard to say what is going on with the position, but I think they might need some rebuilding in this department.


I have never heard Cotchery's name come up in any trade discussions. Interesting to see what happens w/ Coles b/c he wants an extension and in this point of his career it would not be the smartest thing in the world to do. we desperately need a 3rd WR. they dont need rebuilding w/ COles and Cotch there, just a 3rd WR who can stretch the field


- RB is a question mark for me. I like Thomas Jones, but I don't see him (on his own shoulders) taking a team to the playoffs. That isn't fair to say because he was good with the Bears when they went and he didn't have too much help from Benson. With him and Washington, there is some potential, but nothing you can count on.

Jones is not a put it on my back and I will take you to victory but as you alluded to he is very good. Now that our line should be way better this year I am really pumped to see Jones and Washington operate together. There a perfect combination of speed and power

- Revis has looked up the corner situation for them, but they still have Hank Poteat on the other side until further notice.

Unfortunately we cut Hank. I liked him a lot as a nickel and he was solid when he was in there and always gave it his all.

- Traded Vilma and want to do something with DeWayne Robertson. They lost out on Shaun Rogers so I don't know how they are going to solve whatever they thought was their problem around the defensive line and linebacker.

We did not miss out on Rogers b/c we got Jenkins and I think Rogers is a malcontent. The move for Kris Jenkins should help answer our questions at NT. Granted he has never played the position but this is a a player with a lot of ability and IMO should be average at worst.

 

[Gunnails]

Just to add that the Jets did not cut Poteat, he is an unrestricted free agent, a man with out a contract.

Jets might resign him, or maybe the pats.

Who knows, just wanted to be clear on what happened. Why I am not sure.

 

[Patjew]

Can I be lazy and just answer, "Yes, if the season started today." That's how I feel.

 

[newton_tom_cat]

Of course the gap is closing, because last year it couldn't possibly have been any wider. But ultimately, it's a QB league. Nuff said.

doesn't mean jack when the QB is consistently knocked on his butt. as the giants showed us in the super bowl. unless of course you're saying eli is better than brady.

 

[flasox27]

These teams will close the gap if they get the NY Giants defensive line. Aside from that they can use the same game plan as the Giants and lose by 30 points like they did last year.

 

[Pats726]

That was as bad a butt kicking as I've ever seen.

How silly...a 3 point loss...as bad a butt kicking as i've seen.....guess you haven't seen many...PLEASE...

 

[newton_tom_cat]

These teams will close the gap if they get the NY Giants defensive line. Aside from that they can use the same game plan as the Giants and lose by 30 points like they did last year.

don't look now but the bills just added 3 new starters to their front 7, including a 3 time pro-bowler @ DT and a starting LB from those same NY Giants that introduced Brady's butt to the field in the super bowl a dozen times

 

[flasox27]

I am sure Belichick is quaking in his boots now. I repeat unless the Bills now have the Giants defensive line, they aren't going to beat the Pats. I don't think an injured overweight defensive tackle or a LB the Giants don't mind losing isw going to change the balance of power.

 

[otis p. driftwood]

don't look now but the bills just added 3 new starters to their front 7, including a 3 time pro-bowler @ DT and a starting LB from those same NY Giants that introduced Brady's butt to the field in the super bowl a dozen times

Don't you have something better to do? Wax your bikini area or something? Sheesh.

As I said in your other thread: "OH MY GOD WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!"

 

[JoeSixPat]

A better question would be, could it be possible for the Dolphins, Jets and Bills to get WORSE?

Collectively I'd say no.

It's pretty easy to improve when the only direction to go is up.

I could throw darts at a free agent dart board and still improve those teams.

 

[JoePats]

don't look now but the bills just added 3 new starters to their front 7, including a 3 time pro-bowler @ DT and a starting LB from those same NY Giants that introduced Brady's butt to the field in the super bowl a dozen times

I can only hope you are not implying that Kawika Mitchell was a primary reason for the performance of the Giants defense.

 

[ALP]

were back to talking about the SB....

so, lets get back to the question....

no, the other three are hardly closing the gap

i dont see any of them making the playoffs

 

[PatriotsReign]

AFC East Closing the Gap?

Let's hope so! Last year was boring!!

 

[DarrylStingley]

I'll take boring when it comes to the AFC East.

I don't see how the other teams being better makes it more likely the Pats will win the SB, and that's the bottom line, no?