4 Down Territory: Links to the Absolute Best in AFC East Coverage

Every morning, the B/R AFC East blog brings you all the day's best stories and articles in one, easy-to-access compendium. This is Four Down Territory, linking you to today's top writing in the division.

Patriots

As upsetting as the loss is for most fans, Bleacher Report contributor Ben Chodos chose to take a more optimistic approach, looking at seven reasons they can bounce back. He highlights the tight ends, and improving defense, and of course, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick as the main reasons for optimism.

And to bring light to an egregious overreaction, Boston.com's Eric Wilbur takes off Brady's crown and throws it, and the star quarterback, under the bus, in an article that more closely resembles a despondent and enraged fan rant. He was hilariously taken to task by several smaller sites, but since they're all NSFW, I'll trust that you can determine what was said about Wilbur's words.

Meanwhile, I take a look ahead at some big free-agent decisions the Patriots are facing by the March 13 deadline. It will be interesting to see whether the "do your job" mantra is rewarded with a big payday for unheralded guys like BenJarvus Green-Ellis—he of the zero career fumbles.

Jets

Former Jets running back Curtis Martin was announced as a Hall of Fame inductee for the class of 2012, and if you ask me, it's about time. Hank Gola of the New York Daily News has some good stuff on the impact Bill Parcells had on Martin's career, as well as Martin's impact on Parcells.

Meanwhile, the backlash from the Jets' collapse continues, and at the forefront, as usual, is Mark Sanchez. B/R Jets featured columnist Danny Paskas looks at Peyton Manning as well as five other quarterbacks who are better options than Sanchez. He looks at Matt Flynn as an obvious choice, but even includes Eagles quarterback Vince Young and Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler, a projected second-round pick in the 2012 draft.

Dolphins

"Manning Watch" continues, and the Jets aren't the only ones in the AFC East that are interested. B/R Dolphins featured columnist Mike Shiekman has Manning among six other quarterbacks who are better options than current starter Chad Henne. Among the other choices are Flynn, Matt Moore, Kyle Orton and of course, Robert Griffin III.

But it may not be easy for the Dolphins to land Manning; according to Omar Kelly of the Sun Sentinel, Manning has a wish list of teams he'd like to play for. 

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An NFL source says Miami is on the short list of teams Manning would like to play for when/if the Colts release him to avoid paying a $28 million bonus, which is due on March 8.

Manning and his wife own a condo on South Beach and a source said they'd love to relocate to South Florida if the fit is right. A second source confirmed Manning's interest in the Dolphins.

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This is certainly a big story to watch as the Dolphins and their fans continue to search for their franchise quarterback. 

Bills

Should the Bills keep Stevie Johnson, or should they part ways? Bills nation is split, but in the event that the Bills decide to split, B/R Bills featured columnist Chris Trapasso has you covered on three receivers they should target. He lists Dwayne Bowe, Robert Meachem and Pierre Garcon as the three most likely candidates to replace Johnson. Why not just add him to the repertoire?

While the Bills sort out their issues at receiver, WGR 550 in Buffalo reports that the Bills have extended kicker Rian Lindell. So at least they won't have to worry about that. Lindell hadn't missed a game until 2011, but missed eight games with a shoulder injury this season. That shouldn't affect his ability to...you know...kick.