Patriots' division rivals haven't gained much ground

Patriots' division rivals haven't gained much ground

Tom Brady and Belichick alone make the difference

You kidding me? Every year one of them is going to dethrone the Pats, no? Didn't the Bills already win for best off season? Whatever. Brady is declining, the game has passed BB by and Josh McDaniels is a pass happy OC who doesn't like to run the ball in big games. Does this about sum it up?

I think I speak for everyone when I say..


Fk the Jets, Bills and Dolphins. Who cares what they do, garbage franchises the lot of them.

One-Be-Lo said:

I think I speak for everyone when I say..


Fk the Jets, Bills and Dolphins. Who cares what they do, garbage franchises the lot of them.

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Not so for me. I like these franchises for a couple of reasons. They are original AFL teams is one and the fact that there owners/staff/coaches/players are inept is another. Winning the division is not so much of an effort for the Pats but it's good practice time for the playoffs.

The Boston Patriot said:

Not so for me. I like these franchises for a couple of reasons. They are original AFL teams is one and the fact that there owners/staff/coaches/players are inept is another. Winning the division is not so much of an effort for the Pats but it's good practice time for the playoffs.

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I'd have to disagree.. sure division games can be tough because the teams know eachother so well, but playing lesser teams does nothing to help you when it comes to the big boys in playoff time...

I would actually venture to guess that if the Pats played in a tougher division over these past 15 years, they probably wouldn't have as many division titles, but might have a couple more SB trophies to fill that void. JMO

Short of the Jets/Bills/Fish having an elite level defense like Denver had last season, things won't change until the QB landscape changes. Either Brady will have to drop-off/retire, or the others will have to get at least an average QB.

Crazy how long it can take to find a decent QB.

On the plus side, if these young LBs the Jets drafted this year pan out, the Jets could have a D that'll make up for Fitz/Geno.

Since we have almost the exact same record against non-division foes as division foes in the Belichick era, I don't think the last 15 years would have been much different if we were in any other division. Sure, teams that usually have some degree of continuity of ownership/coaching/systems, like Pittsburgh and Green Bay, would always be a threat if we were in their division, but to some degree our excellence CAUSES the profound instability in our division rivals. They panic every 3 years if they aren't overtaking us.

JetFan79 said:

Short of the Jets/Bills/Fish having an elite level defense like Denver had last season, things won't change until the QB landscape changes. Either Brady will have to drop-off/retire, or the others will have to get at least an average QB.

Crazy how long it can take to find a decent QB.

On the plus side, if these young LBs the Jets drafted this year pan out, the Jets could have a D that'll make up for Fitz/Geno.

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It's not just about finding a good QB, it's also about developing them. Many new QBs are either entering new offensive systems, or the system changes within a year or 2. Having a strong, professional locker room with a system that all the veterans are comfortable with is key to developing a young QB. A lot of "bad QBs" have been more the result of poor development than lack of potential.

Palm Beach Pats Fan said:

... but to some degree our excellence CAUSES the profound instability in our division rivals. They panic every 3 years if they aren't overtaking us.

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Hurts to agree, but yup. Sucks and there sure has been a bunch of panicking.

Galeb said:

It's not just about finding a good QB, it's also about developing them. Many new QBs are either entering new offensive systems, or the system changes within a year or 2. Having a strong, professional locker room with a system that all the veterans are comfortable with is key to developing a young QB. A lot of "bad QBs" have been more the result of poor development than lack of potential.

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Absolutely! And while I'm sure this will get a lot of laughs around here, it's why I want Geno starting this season. Fitz does us no good.

JetFan79 said:

Absolutely! And while I'm sure this will get a lot of laughs around here, it's why I want Geno starting this season. Fitz does us no good.

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Geno needs to develop as a person before he has any chance to develop as a leader.

Galeb said:

Geno needs to develop as a person before he has any chance to develop as a leader.

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Think he already has. At least as much as ya can in a year. It's not like he has a decade to grow before playing.

He's working with other WRs and CBs during downtime. Volunteering at charity/kid events. Attending teammate charities/events.

Not to mention, continuing to stay out of trouble, which seems tough for many immature youngin's nowadays.

Think he's even learned about time zones. (If not familiar, Geno missed a practice out West because he didn't adjust for time difference correctly.)

JetFan79 said:

Think he already has. At least as much as ya can in a year. It's not like he has a decade to grow before playing.

He's working with other WRs and CBs during downtime. Volunteering at charity/kid events. Attending teammate charities/events.

Not to mention, continuing to stay out of trouble, which seems tough for many immature youngin's nowadays.

Think he's even learned about time zones. (If not familiar, Geno missed a practice out West because he didn't adjust for time difference correctly.)

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I realize guys can improve, but damn, Gino was just awful. I can't see him ever becoming a winning QB in this league.

aluminum seats said:

I realize guys can improve, but damn, Gino was just awful. I can't see him ever becoming a winning QB in this league.

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Think many underestimate how bad the 2013 and '14 Jets were. At least in terms of situation for a young QB who shouldn't have been playing in the first place. We were having open competitions mid-season for WRs and CBs. In a pass heavy league! Not cool.

Plus had Rex, who I like, but is certainly not an offensive coach and definitely not known for developing QBs. And an extremely complex offensive scheme. Again, for a guy who came from a college spread system who was in no way ready to start.

I'm actually happy to see him still plugging away. The guy has been killed by "fans" and the NY media... yet he's still trying and improving. Really hope he gets another shot. Excited to see what he can do.

Marshall, Decker (healthy unlike in 2014), Forte and Gailey will help a ton!

Worst case, he sucks and we get a top draft pick. At least we don't waste cap space and the season on a career journeyman QB.

Sucks though, because I'd imagine odds are Fitz will accept the offer within a month.

You never want guys to get injured, but I'm just saying I wouldn't be disappointed if a starting QB got hurt. Like maybe Romo. Dude could break his collar bone bringing groceries in the house. Then Dallas could offer Fitz a deal. It could happen.

JetFan79 said:

Think many underestimate how bad the 2013 and '14 Jets were. At least in terms of situation for a young QB who shouldn't have been playing in the first place. We were having open competitions mid-season for WRs and CBs. In a pass heavy league! Not cool.

Plus had Rex, who I like, but is certainly not an offensive coach and definitely not known for developing QBs. And an extremely complex offensive scheme. Again, for a guy who came from a college spread system who was in no way ready to start.

I'm actually happy to see him still plugging away. The guy has been killed by "fans" and the NY media... yet he's still trying and improving. Really hope he gets another shot. Excited to see what he can do.

Marshall, Decker (healthy unlike in 2014), Forte and Gailey will help a ton!

Worst case, he sucks and we get a top draft pick. At least we don't waste cap space and the season on a career journeyman QB.

Sucks though, because I'd imagine odds are Fitz will accept the offer within a month.

You never want guys to get injured, but I'm just saying I wouldn't be disappointed if a starting QB got hurt. Like maybe Romo. Dude could break his collar bone bringing groceries in the house. Then Dallas could offer Fitz a deal. It could happen.

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Well, I agree on not treading water with Fitzpatrick. I think the only time you do that is if you think you have a legitimate title shot. Of course, the AFC is pretty watered down.

Well golly I hate to go off topic but not really off topic..
If they can get that TB 4 game suspension through, then they will have gained a potential 4 games on Pats.
That's a quarter of the season.
Hey that ain't nothing!

Palm Beach Pats Fan said:

Since we have almost the exact same record against non-division foes as division foes in the Belichick era, I don't think the last 15 years would have been much different if we were in any other division. Sure, teams that usually have some degree of continuity of ownership/coaching/systems, like Pittsburgh and Green Bay, would always be a threat if we were in their division, but to some degree our excellence CAUSES the profound instability in our division rivals. They panic every 3 years if they aren't overtaking us.

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Imagine if the Patriots were in the AFCS and the colts in the AFCE. Manning probably wouldn't be in the same conversations with Brady (though is he really anyhow)?

If the Pats were in the AFCN, and the Browns were out it would have been tougher. While the Pats probably would have lost more games, they'd be better prepared for post season teams (not always, but in general).

aluminum seats said:

Well, I agree on not treading water with Fitzpatrick. I think the only time you do that is if you think you have a legitimate title shot. Of course, the AFC is pretty watered down.

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With last year's schedule? Sure, Bowles/Gailey/Fitz/Marshall... in their second year might be able to get what was 10 wins, up to 12.

This year's schedule is much different though. Fitz doesn't do well vs good teams. We had two wins vs teams that finished over .500 last season. The Skins who finished 9-7 and just barely reached that in the crap NFC East. And the Pats, when let's face it, they kinda sucked because of injuries (mainly Edelman and Oline).

To win 10+ games this year, I think it takes more than Fitz is capable of. If he signs, I'll hope to be wrong though. The guy definitely is a "lunch pail" type of guy doing his best with what he has. So at least he's easy to root for.

Palm Beach Pats Fan said:

Since we have almost the exact same record against non-division foes as division foes in the Belichick era, I don't think the last 15 years would have been much different if we were in any other division. Sure, teams that usually have some degree of continuity of ownership/coaching/systems, like Pittsburgh and Green Bay, would always be a threat if we were in their division, but to some degree our excellence CAUSES the profound instability in our division rivals. They panic every 3 years if they aren't overtaking us.

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it doesn't hurt that at least two of the owners in this division are idiots. Stephen Ross wants to emulate the Daniel Snyder way of building a roster. Woody Johnson is just an idiot rich nerd who wants to hang with the cool kids.