Perfection became imperfection in a matter of seconds when New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning found a wide-open Plaxico Burress in the end zone for the game-winning touchdown pass in Super Bowl XLII. The prodigious New England Patriots, who appeared unassailable throughout the season, finally looked mortal. Bill Belichick appeared depleted following the demoralizing loss.
The Super Bowl loss notwithstanding, the 2007 New England Patriots were among the best ever in NFL history. They are debatably as the best team never to win the Super Bowl, all apologies to the 1998 Minnesota Vikings.
The Patriots set astonishing records in 2007. They scored a record 589 points throughout the season and quarterback Tom Brady threw a record-breaking 50 touchdown passes in 2007. Additionally, Randy Moss caught a record 23 touchdown passes. If Moss was unavailable for a big play, Tom Brady often relied on Wes Welker and Kevin Faulk on shorter passes designed to turn in to big plays.
Their running game led by Lawrence Maroney was far from the greatest in the NFL; however, they produced when they had to, such as the AFC Championship Game versus the San Diego Chargers.
The defense was respectable, but not great. Early in the season, they appeared better than they actually were basically because the offense built up such a huge lead, opposing offenses were desperate to make plays and often shot themselves in the foot, see the Buffalo Bills.
The Patriots may never enjoy a 16-0 season again, but they are still an NFL powerhouse. However, they must keep Randy Moss and Asante Samuel on their roster.
Unfortunately, the Spygate allegations that resurfaced hours before the Super Bowl marred a near-flawless season. Many project that coach Bill Belichick may not return in 2008 if the accusations regarding the videotaping of the St. Louis Rams walkthrough practice in 2002 are true.
Loss to the New York Giants 17-14 in the Super Bowl.
New England Patriots Team History
Buffalo Bills
It was another season full of frustration for Buffalo Bills fans. For the seventh consecutive season, they failed to qualify for post-season play. The quarterback position was shaky all season long as J.P. Losman was unproductive, and rookie Trent Edwards was thrown to the wolves with a weak offensive line.
The running game showed promise as rookie running back Marshawn Lynch displayed loads of potential, until he suffered an injury. His backup Fred Jackson had a couple of solid games towards the end of the season. Their receiving core struggled, but that could have been due to the quarterback quandaries. Lee Evans uncharacteristically slumped early in the season.
The defense could use some help as they allowed 22.1 points per game.
On a brighter note, tight end Kevin Everett made a remarkable recovery following a near fatal injury that could have caused him to permanent paralysis.
The Bills will need to beef up their defense and may want to add another skilled receiver. As of now, it appears as if Trent Edwards has become the quarterback of the future. The Bills would be wise to fully commit to their young quarterback and avoid any quarterback controversy.
Regular Season- 7-9
Buffalo Bills Team History
New York Jets
The season began with Spygate. Eric Mangini and the New York Jets exposed Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots transgressions. However, instead of the Jets gaining momentum from the highly publicized ordeal, they faltered as the Patriots steamrolled through the first three-quarters of the season. Mangini has his work cut out for him if he plans to follow in the same footsteps as his former mentor Belichick.
It appears as if the Jets have finally given up on the Chad Pennington experience. There was a time about five years ago when Pennington rivaled Tom Brady as the best quarterback in the AFC East, but injuries and inconsistencies have plagued the 30 year old quarterback ever since his breakout season in 2002. The Jets called Kellen Clemens’ number once Pennington wore out his welcome. Pennington may or may not return to New York in 2008, and even if he does, Clemens will likely be the starter.
The offensive line did neither Pennington nor Clemens any favors, the running game was suspect, and the defense was less than stellar. You would be hard-pressed to find any strength in the Jets arsenal in 2007. The only reason why they are not in the cellar is because the Miami Dolphins were surprisingly worse.
The Jets have watched their roommates, the New York Giants; continue as New York’s premier team. The Giants have appeared in four Super Bowls, and won three of them since 1986, while the Jets have yet to appear in Super Bowl nearly four decades.
Regular Season- 4-12
New York Jets Team History
Miami Dolphins
Do you remember when your mom ordered you to clean your room after weeks of neglect? You had dirty clothes all over the floor, your sheets on your bed were all over the place, your trashcan was overflowing, and it all just seemed overwhelming. That is exactly how Bill Parcells felt when he accepted the job in Miami, except instead of weeks of neglect it was years. Parcells wasted little time in cleaning up the crestfallen franchise as he hired Jeff Ireland as the general manager and Tony Sporano as the head coach, both of whom worked with Parcells in Dallas.
The Dolphins have cycled through quarterback after quarterback ever since Dan Marino retired nearly a decade ago. In all fairness to Cleo Lemon and John Beck, you cannot really judge them based on their 2007 results. Peyton Manning and Tom Brady would look like novices on that team. The quarterback position will always be an issue as long as there are unremitting comparisons to Marino. Beck may get another opportunity with the team, but Lemon is an unrestricted free agent, and may not return.
Rex Grossman and Daunte Culpepper are possibilities. The Dolphins would be wise to avoid a Culpepper sequel. He has not been the same quarterback since his injury in 2005, and he has never been a great teammate. Grossman has been through the ringer, and a fresh start would greatly benefit him. He has played in a Super Bowl with the Chicago Bears, and he is several years younger than Culpepper. Nevertheless, he has been injury prone his entire career. Another option would be to trade for Chad Pennington or J.P. Losman.
The defense is aging, and the future of Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor in Miami is uncertain. Ronnie Brown provided the Dolphins with some stellar play before his season ended with an injury.
Miami has not drafted well in recent years, which was evident last year when they passed on Brady Quinn for Ted Ginn, Jr. They must use their first overall draft pick wisely, whether they utilize it, or use it as trade bait.
