ESPN.com presents AFC East http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast 60 en-us Thu, 23 May 2013 20:35:51 webmaster@espn.go.com http://assets.espn.go.com/i/espn/teamlogos/lrg/trans/espn_dotcom_black.gif 110 110 The AFC East blog continues its "Show and prove" series for the division in 2013. On Thursday, we take a look at New England Patriots starting cornerback Alfonzo Dennard. 2012 stats: 35 tackles, three INTs What he must prove: Dennard has to prove that the strong finish to his rookie season wasn’t a fluke. Dennard took over the starting cornerback job about midway into the 2012 season and never let up. The rookie fit in well with the Patriots and was tied for third on the team with three interceptions.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/59246/show-and-prove-new-england-patriots-alfonzo-dennard Thu, 23 May 2013 17:00:30 EDT 59246 Cue the circus music and get out the clown suits. The zany New York Jets are at it again. This time, the annual backbiting is occurring earlier than usual. One anonymous Jets player told Mike Freeman of CBSSports.com that “80 to 90 percent” of the locker room does not want quarterback Mark Sanchez under center. That's a strong statement, especially considering Sanchez is in a four-way quarterback competition. "Everyone on the team likes Mark personally,” the Jets player said.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/59404/jets-are-backbiting-already Thu, 23 May 2013 15:00:46 EDT 59404 DAVIE, Fla. -- Dannell Ellerbe had to travel more than 1,100 miles south to escape Ray Lewis' large and overwhelming shadow. Coming off a Super Bowl victory, Ellerbe had a tough decision to make in free agency: He could either be heir apparent to Lewis -- the legendary Baltimore Ravens middle linebacker who retired in February -- or aim to build his own legacy at middle linebacker with the Miami Dolphins. Ellerbe opted not to spend the rest of his NFL career trying to fill Lewis' shoes in Baltimore.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/59361/dannell-ellerbe-starting-new-legacy-in-miami Thu, 23 May 2013 13:00:36 EDT 59361 The “Patriots Way” is a popular saying in Foxborough. It means several things, such as no distractions, establishing a strong football culture, and playing consistent and smart football. The Patriots, more than any NFL franchise, are machine-like in their approach. New England is a team which rarely beats itself. That explains why the Patriots have an NFL-high five Super Bowl appearances since 2001. But unfortunately for Patriots’ players, New England’s approach to doing things spills into the front office.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/59370/only-tom-brady-immune-to-patriot-way Thu, 23 May 2013 11:50:07 EDT 59370 The AFC East blog continues its "Show and prove" series for the division in 2013. On Thurday we take a look at New York Jets second-year receiver Stephen Hill. 2012 stats: 21 receptions, 252 yards, three TDs What he has to prove: Hill has to prove that he’s polished enough to be a starting wide receiver in the NFL. The former second-round pick came to New York very raw and with little experience catching passes at Georgia Tech. But Hill has the kind of size and speed that you like at the position.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/59237/show-and-prove-jets-wr-stephen-hill Thu, 23 May 2013 10:00:53 EDT 59237 Here are the most interesting stories Thursday the AFC East: New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan was not pleased with quarterback Mark Sanchez's three interceptions in practice Wednesday. Morning take: It is easy to say it’s just practice. But Sanchez is in a four-way competition and needs to begin separating himself if he wants to claim the starting job. Three interceptions will not cut it. Buffalo Bills rookies EJ Manuel and Marquise Goodwin are working together to master the offensive playbook.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/59354/morning-take-rex-warns-sanchez Thu, 23 May 2013 07:00:06 EDT 59354 This time last year, Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill was considered a project and an afterthought. Ryan Tannehill #17 QBMiami Dolphins 2012 STATS Att484 Comp282 Yds3294 TD12 Int13 Rat76.1 Few inside or outside the Dolphins’ organization expected Tannehill to be ready to start in Week 1 of 2012. Tannehill only had 20 career starts in college after spending much of his time at wide receiver. Tannehill also had the challenge of beating out veteran quarterbacks Matt Moore and David Garrard in training camp while learning the speed of the NFL game.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/59338/ryan-tannehill-feels-comfortable-in-year-2 Wed, 22 May 2013 17:20:16 EDT 59338 The AFC East blog continues its “Show and Prove” series for 2013 in the NFL. Next up, we take a look at potential Buffalo Bills starting quarterback Kevin Kolb. 2012 stats: 1,169 yards, eight TDs, three INTs What he must prove: Kolb has to prove he is worthy of being a starting NFL quarterback. He’s had ups and downs in stops with the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals. Now, Kolb will be part of a three-way competition with Tarvaris Jackson and rookie EJ Manuel.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/59241/show-and-prove-bills-qb-kevin-kolb Wed, 22 May 2013 15:20:37 EDT 59241   New York Jets rookie quarterback Geno Smith is the newest member of Roc Nation. Smith confirmed to reporters Wednesday that he’s decided to hire hip-hop mogul Jay Z's Roc Nation to represent him during negotiations with the Jets. Smith was New York’s second-round pick and considered the team’s long-term solution at quarterback. He is competing with incumbent Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez for the starting job this summer.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/59332/jets-qb-geno-smith-selects-roc-nation Wed, 22 May 2013 14:05:34 EDT 59332 Earlier today we wrote about Hall of Famer Joe Namath’s comments on expecting big things from New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez this season. On cue, Sanchez goes out and has an awful practice during Wednesday’s organized team activities open to the media. Sanchez threw three interceptions during team drills Wednesday. Cornerback Antonio Cromartie and safety Jaiquawn Jarrett each had one. Sanchez also threw a pick on a screen pass to nose tackle Damon Harrison, according to ESPNNewYork.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/59322/mark-sanchez-throws-three-ints-in-practice Wed, 22 May 2013 13:00:32 EDT 59322