Frenz's Friday Four, 2/17: Notes and Thoughts on Every AFC East Team

Jets Quarterback Mark Sanchez's Growth is Average, Comparatively and Historically Speaking

Mark Sanchez may not be showing much signs of improvement yet, but there's plenty of time left for him. In fact, it turns out he's on a better pace than some of his historical peers.

Only 22 quarterbacks in NFL history have started 40 games in their first three seasons. Of those 22, Sanchez ranks 10th in passer rating and in yards, eighth in touchdowns and interceptions and 11th in completion percentage.

His numbers in that time are better than John Elway, Drew Bledsoe and Jim Plunkett. I think those three turned out OK; maybe it's not too late for Mark Sanchez, either. 

New England Patriots Will Have to Buck Recent Trend to Avoid Super Bowl Hangover

Before the 2011-12 Super Bowl run, the Patriots had been bounced from the playoffs in the first round two straight years and had lost three straight playoff games.

If recent history is any indication, the Patriots could start another postseason losing streak in 2013. Since 2001, the team to lose the Super Bowl is 2-4 in the next postseason, has been bounced in the first round two straight years (2009 Colts, 2010 Steelers), and missed the playoffs six times (2001 Rams, 2002 Raiders, 2003 Panthers, 2004 Eagles, 2006 Bears, 2007 Patriots).

Interestingly enough, Seahawks and the Cardinals were able to win a postseason game the year after losing the Super Bowl.

One would think the Patriots would be primed to avoid this—they have made the postseason in 10 of Brady's 11 seasons at quarterback. Only time will tell, and it's far too early to even guess right now. But it's a noteworthy pattern, and one the Patriots, like any other team in the NFL, are not immune to.

Miami Dolphins Have Waited Too Long For Franchise Quarterback

Dan Marino retired on March 13, 2000. It's been 12 years since then. Think it's been a long time?

• Bill Clinton was still in office.
• The original iPod had not yet been invented.
• The New England Patriots still had never won a Super Bowl.
• The No. 1 single was "American Pie" by Madonna.

Seems like a distant memory, yes? How about this: The Dolphins have had 16 starting quarterbacks in that time. That's more than any other team in that span, narrowly edging out the Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns with 15 apiece and the Washington Redskins with 13.

Between the draft and free agency, there are enough available quarterbacks that the Dolphins should be able to find someone to fill the shoes. If not, it's not the end of the world.

At this point, what's another year?

Can Bills Wide Receiver Stevie Johnson Keep Pace?

The history of the breakout, third-year wide receiver isn't exactly a mystery. There have been 16 receivers in NFL history to post 70 receptions, 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns in their third year in the league.

Of those 16 receivers, only four weren't truly a third-year breakout: Keyshawn Johnson, Randy Moss, Kellen Winslow and John Jefferson were all solid receivers before their third year. Although most failed to reach the third-year lofty numbers on a consistent basis, almost all of them led fairly successful careers.

The question with Johnson is whether he can keep that productivity going. Although many have come incredibly close to repeating those numbers (70 / 1,000 / 10), only Randy Moss, Joey Galloway and Antonio Freeman went on to repeat those numbers, with Keyshawn, Kellen Winslow and Antonio Gates coming close on several occasions.

Stevie Johnson came awfully close to repeating those numbers, with 76 receptions for 1,004 yards and seven touchdowns. Whether the Bills project him to continue putting up monster numbers will go a long way in determining whether or not they extend him for a long-term deal.

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