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Here are the most interesting stories Saturday morning in the AFC East:

• New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow says he's not worried about prior comments made by new teammate and cornerback Antonio Cromartie.

Morning take: Cromartie said the Jets don’t need Tebow. It will be Tebow’s job to win the team over with his play on the field.

• The Miami Dolphins and general manager Jeff Ireland didn't feel Matt Flynn was a franchise quarterback.

Morning take: That’s fine if they are right. But if Flynn goes on to have a great career and Miami is stuck with David Garrard and Matt Moore next season, that’s on the Dolphins, who could have had Flynn.

• The Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles are showing interest in former Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Demetrius Bell.

Morning take: Bell still hasn't re-signed with Buffalo and now is starting to examine his options. Chances are looking slimmer for a return to the Bills.

• Which new Patriots are going to make an impact?

Morning take: I like the Brandon Lloyd signing most. I think he will be a quiet but effective signing. Jonathan Fanene also is a sleeper.

The AFC East blog continues its rankings of the top 40 players in the division.

Here are Nos. 21-24:

No. 24: Antonio Cromartie, CB

Team: New York Jets

Stats: 45 tackles, four interceptions

Analysis: Cromartie isn't the same player he was a few years ago. But he's still a solid No. 2 option for the Jets. Cromartie gets a lot of balls thrown his way playing opposite Pro Bowl corner Darrelle Revis. This year it seemed Cromartie was beat in coverage more than in past years. But Cromartie did provide several big interception returns and a boost returning kicks. He is a gifted athlete who can still have a big game at any time.

No. 23: Andy Levitre, OL

Team: Buffalo Bills

Stats: 16 starts

Analysis: Levitre was one of the most impressive offensive linemen I watched all season in the AFC East. He was the only player in the division to start at three positions -- tackle, guard and center -- in 2011. Center was the only position Levitre had problems with, but he is a very good guard and tackle. Versatility is his biggest strength. Levitre also is 25 and will only get better.

No. 22: Paul Soliai, NT

Team: Miami Dolphins

Stats: 27 tackles

Analysis: As with most nose tackles in a 3-4 defense, the stats don't tell the full story for Soliai. He is a stud in the middle and he's about to cash in as an unrestricted free agent. Soliai played with the one-year franchise tag in 2011 and was key to Miami's tough run defense. He only recorded 27 tackles but took up many double-teams to allow other Dolphin defenders to make plays. The Dolphins are not expected to franchise Soliai a second straight year, and the team has been unable to work out a contract extension. Look for another team with a 3-4 defense to swoop in.

No. 21: Brian Waters, G

Team: New England Patriots

Stats: 16 starts

Analysis: Lost in the hype of the Chad Ochocinco and Albert Haynesworth additions was the Patriots' free-agent signing of Waters. The guard quietly came in and put up another Pro Bowl season in his first year with New England. Waters quickly picked up the system and was a steady force on a Patriots' offensive line that suffered multiple injuries. Waters, 34, played most of his career in Kansas City. He earned his first playoff win this season and nearly got his first Super Bowl ring.

MIAMI -- There will be no strong-armed quarterback with amazing accuracy riding on a white horse to save the New York Jets next season.

Peyton Manning will not be with Gang Green next year, despite all the rumors. The Indianapolis Colts say Manning isn't on the market. And there is no reason for one AFC team to help another get to the Super Bowl.

So forget about it.

Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III? That's not happening, either. The Jets aren't close to being in position to draft either quarterback. Trading up wouldn’t make much sense.

The quarterback for the Jets in 2012 will be Mark Sanchez -- for better or for worse. That's not what some Jets fans want to hear. But that's the reality for an organization that's committed to its 2009 first-round pick for at least one more year.

Sanchez finished his third season on a low note. He threw for 207 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions in a 19-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins. In this particular game, Sanchez was the biggest reason for the Jets' loss.

Still, the Jets (8-8) are backing Sanchez.

"Well, I've told you guys I think he's the long-term solution," Ryan said confidently. "I don’t think there’s any doubt. He’s won a lot of games for us. ... I know Mark. I think he's got all the tools to be a great quarterback. He‘s been a winning quarterback here."

Here is what I took from Ryan’s comments: He knows his job is tied to the success of his starting quarterback. When Sanchez plays poorly and his confidence is shot, the Jets lose games. Therefore, Ryan will do and say everything he can to keep Sanchez’s spirits up as long as Sanchez is under center.

And, yes, Sanchez will be under center next year. He has two years left on his five-year, $44 million rookie contract. The Jets won’t make him an expensive backup in 2012 and they can’t trade him. Instead, the Jets will do all they can to support Sanchez and make him better.

If that includes axing offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, so be it.

There seems to be growing unrest with players over Schottenheimer’s play-calling and his time may be up in New York. Santonio Holmes’ blowup and eventual benching in the fourth quarter was a culmination of a frustrating season on offense. New York’s offense entered the final week ranked No. 27th in the NFL. ESPN reported earlier that the Jets are already considering names like Norv Turner, who would be a definite upgrade.

If that means making changes in personnel, so be it.

The Jets can focus on their offensive line. Wayne Hunter might be the worst offensive tackle in the league. If he’s starting next year, the Jets’ front office didn’t do its job. New York also needs speed at receiver and has an interesting decision to make on pending free agent Plaxico Burress. Whatever the Jets decide, it has to be with Sanchez in mind.

Sanchez, as expected, supported his teammates and keeping the team together.

"Whatever it is, we just didn’t seem to do [play well] on a consistent basis and the last two years we did find a way to do that," Sanchez said. "We have a lot of talent. We have guys who can make plays. We have guys that can create after the catch. We have guys that can block up from and we have running backs that can really run the rock. We just didn’t play our best."

Not everyone was as upbeat about the Jets’ offense as Sanchez. When New York starting cornerback Antonio Cromartie was asked whether the team gave enough effort Sunday, Cromartie responded, “Uhhh, maybe on one side of the ball.”

Holmes had a chance to publicly back Schottenheimer after the game and refused.

Ryan’s message to the Jets after the game was for every player to look in the mirror and do something this off-season to make the team better. It’s a message that Sanchez, as the quarterback, says he took to heart.

“You’ve got to ask yourself the tough questions and figure out how you can help this team,” Sanchez said. “You’ve got to ask yourself the tough questions and figure out what you did well and reinforce that, but obviously what you can clean up.”

Sanchez does some things well. He’s doesn’t flinch in the clutch and plays his best football in the fourth quarter. He’s also very good with play-action passes. Those are some things to build on.

But overall, I'm skeptical that Sanchez's ceiling is much higher than what we've seen the previous three years. The Jets are a veteran team built to win now yet has no choice but to stick with Sanchez for at least another season.

That is the price you pay for drafting a quarterback in the top five.

If it works out, great. If not, the Jets have to ride with their decision -- for at least one more year.

It's hard to believe the 2011 regular season is over after this weekend. This will be our final post on X factors for the season.

Here are some under-the-radar players who could make an impact:

New England Patriots (12-3)

Opponent: Bills

X factor: RB Stevan Ridley

Analysis: It's amazing that the Patriots have gone on a seven-game winning streak this time of year without a consistent running game. Patriots quarterback and MVP candidate Tom Brady has been so good that New England continues to win in the winter months through the air, while many outdoor teams are forced to run. But that doesn't mean eventually New England doesn't want one of its many running backs to step up. That player might be rookie Ridley. He showed flashes all season and last week averaged 4.9 yards per carry. If Ridley gets it going, the Patriots' offense will be even more dangerous. Buffalo's defense is very susceptible to the run this season and the Bills could give up a lot of yards to New England on the ground.

Buffalo Bills (6-9)

Opponent: Patriots

X factor: S Jairus Byrd

Analysis: The Bills seem to play at their best when Byrd has a big game. Byrd made his share of mistakes this season, but he's perhaps the team's best defensive playmaker and is coming off one of his better games. Byrd recorded seven tackles and a pick six against the Denver Broncos and quarterback Tim Tebow. Both Buffalo safeties -- Byrd and George Wilson -- will get plenty of opportunities to make plays against Brady, who throws the football a lot. No one expects the Bills to pull off the season-ending upset at Gillette Stadium, but their best chance to do it is probably with big plays from Byrd and the secondary.

New York Jets (8-7)

Opponent: Dolphins

X factor: Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer

Analysis: Schottenheimer needs to finish strong -- not only for the Jets' sake, but for his as well. There are already rumblings in New York that Schottenheimer is going into the offseason on the hot seat. New York has the 27th ranked offense, which is unacceptable for a team some thought was capable of making a Super Bowl run. Instead, the Jets most likely will miss the playoffs and the offense will get the blame. Last week's play-calling was a disaster. Schottenheimer called 59 passes in a loss to the New York Giants. Schottenhiemer needs to do much better against a solid Dolphins defense.

Miami Dolphins (5-10)

Opponent: Jets

X factor: WR Brian Hartline

Analysis: It's always about the No. 2 receiver when facing the Jets. Why? Because there's a good chance Darrelle Revis is going to be all over the opponent's best receiver. Revis versus Brandon Marshall will be a great matchup. Revis will make his share of plays and so will Marshall. But the key to winning for Miami depends on what the other receivers do against New York's corners. Hartline is coming off a solid game last week where he caught four passes for 72 yards. He will see a lot of Jets corner Antonio Cromartie, who has been inconsistent. If Hartline has a big game, there is a good chance Miami can finish the season with a victory.

Week 12 continues with a pair of weekend games involving three AFC East teams.

Here are some potential X factors to watch:

New York Jets (5-5)

Opponent: vs. Bills

X factor: CB Antonio Cromartie

Analysis: It's been a while since Cromartie has made a huge play. New York's No. 2 cornerback hasn't had an interception since Oct. 9. Buffalo will throw the ball a lot. Chances are, the Bills won't do a lot of passing in the direction of Jets top cornerback Darrelle Revis. That means Cromartie should have plenty of opportunities to make an impact. The Jets could use a big play or two from "Cro" in this must-win game.

Buffalo Bills (5-5)

Opponent: at Jets

X factor: C.J. Spiller

Analysis: This one is obvious. Spiller is making his first start of the season at running back in place of the injured Fred Jackson (leg), who is out for the season. We haven't seen enough of Spiller to know how he will fare as the team's workhorse. Spiller has just 398 rushing yards in two seasons. Can he handle 25-plus carries a game? Can Spiller be physical against a talented Jets defense? We are about to find out.

New England Patriots (7-3)

Opponent: at Eagles

X factor: OT Nate Solder

Analysis: I like what the Patriots are doing with Solder, who converted from tight end to offensive tackle in college. New England head coach Bill Belichick added a wrinkle to use Solder as the third tackle to help with the running game and pass protection. Solder has done a good job pummeling outside linebackers and defensive backs on the perimeter. He will be an underrated key against the Philadelphia Eagles' defense.

Here are the most interesting stories Wednesday morning in the AFC East:

• Former Dolphins draft pick John Beck will make his return to Miami as the Washington Redskins starting quarterback.

Morning take: Beck was once considered the future quarterback of the Dolphins. But that didn't work out. Now, Beck has a chance to show his former team that he's an improved players.

• Is Bill Belichick's talent evaluation the reason the New England Patriots are struggling on defense?

Morning take: Yes, this article is exactly right. Missed draft picks have prevented New England from replenishing defensive talent that was lost from its glory years. The ceiling for this unit just isn’t very high.

• Guess who has the most penalties this season for the New York Jets?

Morning take: If you guessed cornerback Antonio Cromartie, you guessed right. “Cro” has six penalties in eight games. The Jets hope that number decreases in the second half of the season.

• What's next for Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams?

Morning take: Now that he's officially out for the season, Williams has to get the proper rehab and come back 100 percent next year. He's a great player, when healthy, and one building block in Buffalo's defense.

ORCHARD, PARK, N.Y. -- In a rare occurrence this season, New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan stepped to the podium Sunday with very little to complain about with his defense.

"We gave up an 80-yard drive at the end of the game there when we were up a bunch of scores," Ryan scoffed. "So that was disappointing."

Ryan pointed out the only blemish in an otherwise stellar day for New York's talented but, at times, underachieving defense. The Jets' strongest unit turned back the clock -- circa 2009 and 2010 -- to cruise to a 27-11 victory over the Buffalo Bills.

More than 70,000 Bills fans came to Ralph Wilson Stadium expecting a "whiteout." They nearly witnessed a shutout, as New York battered and confused Buffalo's offense for four quarters. The Bills turned over the football three times and gained only 287 total yards.

New York's defense officially has its swagger back. That could only mean trouble for the rest of the NFL.

Jets defensive tackle Sione Pouha even has a nickname for the defense regaining its identity.

"It's totally attitude -- it's 'Jetstitude' the way we look at it," Pouha said. "It's playing like a Jet, aggressiveness, going out there in attack mode. I think today kind of displayed just what Jet football is all about."

Although they don't always put it together, the Jets have the NFL's most talented collection of defensive players.

The cornerback tandem of Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie is tops in the league. The linebackers, led by David Harris, Bart Scott and Calvin Pace, are physical playmakers. The safeties and defensive line play good, complementary roles when the Jets are at their best. All of those things came together in a big game.

"When everybody is rolling, this team is very hard to beat," Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson said.

It marked the first time Buffalo was held to fewer than 20 points this season. Afterward, the Bills sounded perplexed about how the game went downhill so quickly.

"If it was one thing, we could have solved that," Bills coach Chan Gailey said. "You can always solve one thing in a game. They would bring pressure, they would play coverage. ... They would give us something we hadn’t seen or they would bring an extra guy. It was a combination. They kept us off balance and that’s what we can’t allow to happen."

The Jets' defense took apart Buffalo's offense systematically. It started with punishing Bills tailback Fred Jackson.

Jackson has bullied defenders all season. But New York matched and exceeded Jackson's physicality. The Jets even knocked Jackson (82 rushing yards) out of the game temporarily in the second half with big hit that caused a fumble and shoulder stinger. Buffalo's offense never recovered from that blow.

With Jackson not his usually dominant self, the Bills couldn't get anything going offensively.

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick had his worst game of the season. He threw for 191 yards, two interceptions and a late touchdown in garbage time. Most of the game the receivers were blanketed, and Fitzpatrick dangerously threw into tight coverage.

"For us, we were on our heels trying to figure out what they were doing and trying to figure out what was going on," Bills receiver David Nelson said. "It wasn't because of play calling or anything like that. We only had the ball twice in the first quarter and going three-and-out. We couldn’t get in rhythm."

It didn’t take long for several Jets players to turn toward the New England Patriots. The reigning AFC East champions are up next for the Jets with first place in the division on the line. The Patriots -- currently in a three-way tie for first place in the AFC East with the Jets and Buffalo -- beat New York 30-21 in the first meeting at Gillette Stadium.

Pardon me, but the Jets "can't wait" for next week's rematch at home.

“If you can’t get fired up and ready to play for this game, you shouldn't be playing," Jets tailback LaDainian Tomlinson said. "That's plain and simple."

Last month, New York was a team close to imploding during its three-game losing streak. This month, the Jets have their sights set on first place in the AFC East after a three-game winning streak.

It's a stunning turnaround for the Jets, who have found the winning formula with an aggressive defense and a ground-and-pound style on offense.

New York showed on Sunday it has as good a shot as anyone in the second half of the season.

"We know what we're capable of doing. We know we're not a team that's going to fold in the tank," Wilkerson said of the midseason turnaround. "We lost three in a row, but it's a long season. We kept preparing like we’ve always been doing, knowing that we'd get things turned around."

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The New York Jets lead the Buffalo Bills, 3-0, at intermission.

Here are several notes at intermission:

• This was an ugly, defensive battle from the start. The first quarter zoomed by after the Jets produced a lengthy, 15-play drive that ate up most of the first quarter. The drive ended on an awful decision by New York quarterback Mark Sanchez to throw high into triple coverage. It was picked off by Buffalo safety Jairus Byrd in the end zone. Sanchez also had another potential interception called back late in the first half. The play was overturned on a replay challenge and New York capitalized with a field goal.
• Jets tight end Dustin Keller also made a questionable decision in the first half. Keller caught a pass and had plenty of running room on the sideline. But as Buffalo defenders were closing in, Keller stayed in bounds and tried to jump over the tackler. He got flipped over in midair and suffered a head injury. Backup Matthew Mulligan replaced Keller in the second quarter. Keller's return is questionable.
• Buffalo's offense is struggling. Jets cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie are doing a great job on Buffalo receivers Steve Johnson and Donald Jones. Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has two interceptions and isn't making plays. Buffalo has just 73 yards of total offense.
• Buffalo honored former kicker Scott Norwood in the first quarter. Norwood was a key figure during Buffalo’s four Super Bowl appearances in the 1990s. But he is most remembered for his missed field goal that could have won Super Bowl XXV against the New York Giants.

ESPN Sport Science tests Antonio Cromartie's speed and agility in the lab.

Here are the latest happenings Thursday evening in the AFC East:

• New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie still is not a fan of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.
• Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez (knee) and defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth (back) returned to practice Thursday.
• Buffalo Bills cornerback Terrence McGee is closer to returning.
• The Miami Dolphins officially put quarterback Chad Henne on injured reserve.

Here are the most interesting stories Friday in the AFC East:

• New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie called out Baltimore Ravens rookie receiver Torrey Smith, saying he had "one big game."

Morning take: Cromartie isn’t impressed with the rookie, who had a slow start until last week. You knew trash-talking would pick up at some point between these two teams.

• The Miami Dolphins have to do a better job of protecting quarterback Chad Henne.

Morning take: All things considered, I think Henne has improved from previous years. He's off to a decent start despite poor protection and several big drops by receivers.

• New England Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo says it's time for the defense to step up.

Morning take: That's not a secret. The question is can the unit step up? It's a long season and there's plenty to fix on that side of the ball for New England.

• Buffalo Bills No. 1 receiver Steve Johnson (groin) returned to practice on Thursday.

Morning take: Johnson said this week that his groin injury feels better than last week. Buffalo was cautious by letting Johnson miss Wednesday’s practice to help with recovery.

Here are the most interesting stories Monday:

• The Buffalo Bills (3-0) are surprisingly in first place after beating the New England Patriots (2-1).

Morning take: I liked the Bills' mood in the locker room yesterday. While fans were going crazy, Buffalo players said it was just one game. It shows maturity for a young team.

• Here is a report card for the Patriots in defeat.

Morning take: The defense deserves the lowest grade. Unless that unit improves, New England cannot survive a poor game by quarterback Tom Brady.

• The Miami Dolphins' season has gone from bad to worse after falling to 0-3.

Morning take: The Dolphins were counting on their ability to win on the road, which was a dangerous assumption. Now, the team is in a hole it probably can't dig out of.

• New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie may have suffered a bruised lung in Sunday's loss to the Oakland Raiders.

Morning take: Cromartie is a big part of New York's defense. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo didn't miss a game with the same injury, but it remains to be seen what Cromartie's timeline will be.

» NFC Stock Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Falling

1. Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins (0-2) dropped their first two home games and now have to win on the road. Miami couldn't put it together for four quarters in a pair of losses to the New England Patriots and Houston Texans. The Dolphins are probably not as bad as their record. They lost to two of the top teams in the AFC. But this road game against the Cleveland Browns (1-1) is a must-win and a good measuring stick of where Miami stands.

2. Buffalo Bills' defense: Buffalo's defense was lights out against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1. In Week 2, the Oakland Raiders' offense pretty much had its way with the Bills. The Raiders amassed 454 total yards in a 38-35 shootout loss to Buffalo. You had the sense in the second half that it would come down to who had the ball last with enough time to score. Oakland scored too quickly with a 50-yard bomb to receiver Denarius Moore with less than four minutes remaining. That led to Ryan Fitzpatrick's comeback drive for Buffalo.

3. New York Jets' running game: Maybe I should give a pass to the Jets after thrashing the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. But despite the blowout, the offensive line is still failing to open holes for the running backs. I watched the games against Jacksonville and Dallas. I'm seeing too many defenders penetrating and hitting backs early or at the line of scrimmage. Center Nick Mangold's high-ankle sprain also contributed to the falling stock.

Rising

1. Fred Jackson, Bills running back: The NFL's leading rusher is unexpectedly in Buffalo. The Bills' offense, which uses a lot of spread and shotgun formations, has been very efficient running the football. Jackson rushed for 117 yards and two touchdowns against a pretty good Oakland front seven. Jackson averaged 7.8 yards per carry.

2. Tom Brady, New England Patriots quarterback: It’s kind of strange when 423 passing yards and three touchdowns only gets you the No. 2 spot. Brady's stock already is so high that we're expecting big numbers. After he threw for 517 yards and four touchdowns in Week 1, Sunday's game against the Chargers was only his second-best performance. Still, Brady is on a monster pace and is the early MVP favorite after two games.

3. Antonio Cromartie, New York Jets corner: Cromartie had a nice, bounce-back game against Jacksonville. He used his great athleticism to help the Jets on defense and special teams. Cromartie recorded two interceptions, three tackles and returned a pair of kickoffs for 40-plus yards. New York needs to see more of the Week 2 Cromartie this season, not the Week 1 version who struggled against Dallas.

It was an exciting Week 2 in the AFC East. The division went 3-1 overall.

In our latest SportsNation poll, we ask who was the top player in Week 2? There were a lot of standout performances.

Does New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady deserve the nod? Brady threw for 423 yards and three touchdowns. He's on a torrid pace for the undefeated Patriots.

What about Jets corner Antonio Cromartie? He recorded two interceptions, had three tackles and was great on kickoff returns. Cromartie had two returns for 40-plus yards.

The Buffalo Bills have two players for consideration. Tailback Fred Jackson rushed for 100-plus yards for the second straight week and had two touchdowns. Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for three touchdowns in the win over the Oakland Raiders.

Rookie running back Daniel Thomas was the bright spot for the Miami Dolphins. Thomas rushed for 107 yards but fumbled in a losing effort.

Using our poll, vote for the player of the week in the AFC East. You also can share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Welcome to the "Seven-step drop." Each week we will look back at the games in the AFC East with seven notes and observations.

• Opponents can't get too caught up in the Buffalo Bills' spread offense, because they're also running the football extremely well. Starting running back Fred Jackson is leading the NFL in rushing through the first two weeks. He has 229 yards and two touchdowns. The biggest thing is Jackson is averaging 6.5 yards per carry. The Bills pass a lot. But Jackson also is maximizing his opportunities.
• Keep an eye on Bills receiver David Nelson. He was the catalyst behind the Bills' second-half rally over the Oakland Raiders. Nelson has good size (6-foot-5, 215 pounds) and hands to play in the slot. He provides a big target in traffic for Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Nelson caught 31 passes last year but had a breakout game against Oakland. He caught 10 passes for 83 yards, including the game-winning touchdown on Buffalo's final drive.
• The New York Jets did something in Sunday's win over the Jacksonville Jaguars that we haven't seen in a while. The Jets got off to a fast start in the first quarter. Call it the "Jason Hill factor." New York broke a 16-game streak by scoring a first-quarter touchdown. The Jets never trailed in the 32-3 route. Hill caught the Jets' attention with his trash talking, and New York was fired up for this game.
• Cornerback Antonio Cromartie had arguably his best all-around performance in a Jets uniform. Cromartie recorded two interceptions, two pass defenses, three tackles and a pair of kickoff returns totaling 85 yards. It was a nice bounce-back effort for Cromartie. He was shaky in Week 1 against Dallas. New York's No. 2 corner will get tested all season opposite Darrelle Revis. The Jets will be hard to beat if Cromartie consistently plays at this level.
• I don't agree with the way the Miami Dolphins (0-2) are using tailback Reggie Bush. The Dolphins are not getting Bush in the open field. Instead, they appear steadfast on running him between the tackles, which is not his strength. Miami also is being too cautious with Bush not to wear him down. He got six carries and one reception in Sunday's loss against Houston. Here is some free advice for the Dolphins: Give Bush more chances in the open field and also let him return kicks. He's the most dynamic player the team has. Let Reggie be Reggie.
• Miami's defense does not defend tight ends well. That's on the linebackers and safeties. Through the first two weeks, opposing tight ends have caught 16 passes for 223 yards and three touchdowns against the Dolphins. Texans tight end Owen Daniels didn't get many opportunities but was efficient. He caught three passes for 25 yards and a touchdown.
• Speaking of tight ends, New England's pair of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez is playing at an extremely high level. Without a doubt, quarterback Tom Brady helps. But both tight ends are making few mental errors and are consistently getting open. The big asset is their ability to score in the red zone. Gronkowski and Hernandez, who are big targets, each had red zone touchdowns Sunday against the Chargers.