New York Jets Will Defend Patriots Tight Ends as a Team, and Other AFC East News

Safeties Yeremiah Bell and LaRon Landry were recruited by the New York Jets, many believed, to help them defend against tight ends like the New England Patriots' Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski, who have given the team trouble in years past.

According to Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine (via Newsday), the tight ends will be defended "as an entire defense."

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"...We feel like we have to defend them as a team, whether you're hitting them at the line of scrimmage or providing help over the top." However, Hernandez (ankle) did not practice Thursday and Gronkowski (hip) was limited.

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Hernandez played in his first game since injuring his ankle against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2 and admitted that he wasn't 100 percent for the game. Gronkowski has not missed a game yet due to his hip injury. Both should play.

The two tight ends have combined for 32 receptions, 419 yards and three touchdowns in four games. 

Here is some more news and analysis from around the AFC East.

New York Jets

Joe Caporoso of TurnOnTheJets.com and Mike Dussault of PatsPropaganda.com team up for a must-read preview of the upcoming Patriots-Jets showdown.

B/R featured columnist Adam Wells thinks the Jets are wise to consider using quarterback Tim Tebow at running back against the New England Patriots.

Miami Dolphins

James Walker of ESPN's AFC East blog breaks down the pros and cons to the trade rumors involving the Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe.

Chris Perkins of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel writes that the emergence of Dolphins wide receiver Brian Hartline has caused defenses to pay more attention to his side of the field.

New England Patriots

Jeremy Lundblad of ESPN writes about Patriots quarterback Tom Brady losing his fourth-quarter magic.

Bleacher Report Patriots featured columnist James DiMaio maps out the Patriots' path to the playoffs and the Super Bowl.

Buffalo Bills

Dennis Amo of BuffaLowDown.com previews the Bills' upcoming game against the Tennessee Titans.

Joe Buscaglia of WGR 550 SportsRadio writes that the status of Bills offensive linemen Kraig Urbik and Cordy Glenn remains up in the air for this weekend's game.

Erik Frenz is the AFC East lead blogger for Bleacher Report. Be sure to follow Erik on Twitter and "like" the AFC East blog on Facebook to keep up with all the updates. Unless specified otherwise, all quotes are obtained firsthand.