5th – AFC East All-Time First Team:
Patriots, Dolphins, Bills, Jets
QB: Tom Brady (NE)
QB: Dan Marino (MIA)
RB: O.J. Simpson (BUF)
RB: Curtis Martin (NYJ, NE)
RB: Thurman Thomas (BUF)
WR: Paul Warfield (MIA)
WR: James Lofton (BUF)
WR: Randy Moss (NE) – Also on NFC North Team
TE: Rob Gronkowski (NE)
LT: Bruce Armstrong (NE)
LG: John Hannah (NE)
C: Dwight Stephenson (MIA)
RG: Joe DeLamielleure (BUF)
RT: Marvin Powell (NYJ)
DE: Bruce Smith (BUF)
DT: Joe Klecko (NYJ)
DT: Richard Seymour (NE)
DE: Jason Taylor (MIA)
OLB: Zack Thomas (MIA)
ILB: Cornelius Bennett (BUF)
ILB: Nick Buoniconti (NE)
OLB: Larry Grantham (NYJ)
CB: Darrelle Revis (NYJ)
S: Dick Anderson (MIA)
S: Rodney Harrison (NE)
CB: Ty Law (NE)
K: Adam Vinatieri (NE)
P: Reggie Roby (MIA)
KR/PR: Terrance McGee (BUF)
Coaches: Bill Belichick (NE); Don Shula (MIA)
Honorable Mentions: QB Joe Namath (NYC), C Kevin Mawae (NYJ), WR Don Maynard (NYJ), LB John Abraham (NYJ), DE Mark Gastineau (NYJ), WR Al Toon (NYJ), C Jim Langer (MIA), G Larry Little (MIA), C Jim Langer (MIA), QB Bob Griese (MIA), RB Larry Csonka (MIA), QB Jim Kelly (BUF), G Billy Shaw (BUF), LB Mike Stratton (BUF), FB Cookie Gilchrist (BUF), LG Logan Mankins (NE), LT Matt Light (NE), WR Julian Edelman (NE), TE Ben Coates (NE), TE Ben Watson (NE), DT Vince Wilfork (NE), LB Mike Vrabel (NE), LB Teddy Bruschi (NE), LB Andrew Tippett (NE), CB Stephon Gilmore (NE).
QB: 10/10
Tom Brady and Dan Marino are a pretty great duo for a division all-time. Throw in Joe Namath, Jim Kelly and Bob Griese. Talk about a strong position.
RB: 7/10
OJ Simpson, personal life aside, is an all-timer. Curtis Martin and Thurman Thomas are a respectable 2nd and 3rd spot on the First Team.
WR: 6/10
This position leaves a lot to be desired. Moss, while great, was only there for a little over three seasons. James Lofton had his best years in Green Bay and Paul Warfield had only one season of 1000+ yards receiving. Different era, yes, but still.
TE: 10/10
Having the best, or at least the most dominant, tight end in NFL history has to count for something. A 9/10 score based on Rob Gronkowski alone (he was that good), then add in Ben Coates and it’s a clean 10/10.
OL: 7/10
Some absolute legends on the offensive line throughout this division’s history. None bigger than John Hannah.
DL: 6/10
Bruce Smith is an all-time great, but beyond him there’s a bit of a drop-off in talent. Jason Taylor was a fine player although we wouldn’t place him with the elite of the NFL’s elite all-time.
LB: 4/10
No truly legendary names to speak of at linebacker.
DB: 8/10
This would be a tough defensive backfield to throw again. It’s meshes skill, shutdown ability and toughness.
ST: 7/10
Vinatieri’s clutch ability while he was a member of the Patriots is a huge factor. Having a kicker that you know will win you the game does wonders for a team’s confidence.
Coaches: 10/10
No question here that this division is right up there with the NFC North in terms of coaches. Belichick and Shula are absolute legends in their own right.
Honorable Mentions:
Oddly, nothing that really screams “wow, look at the depth for this division!”
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