As we look forward to seeing whether the AFC East champs will represent the conference in this year’s Super Bowl, here are a few notes from around the division, on the Patriots and their rivals:
- Recent reports have indicated that Chan Gailey is a top contender for the Jets‘ offensive coordinator position under new head coach Todd Bowles, and if Gailey does land in New York, the possibility of heading to a divisional rival may be of interest to Bills running back C.J. Spiller, as he tells Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. “There is that familiarity between me and him in that offense,” Spiller said. “So that would be a perfect match. Who knows what can happen, but I’d be foolish not to have those guys on my list. I had my best years in the league with Chan. So it’d be dumb not to give it serious thought.”
- Jerry Hughes‘ value to the Bills may not be quite as high in Rex Ryan‘s system as it would have been in Jim Schwartz‘s, as Mike Rodak of ESPN.com explains. Still, Hughes has proven his worth with consecutive seasons of double-digit sacks, and general manager Doug Whaley hopes to get something done with the edge defender. “I know [primary contract negotiator Jim Overdorf] has been in contact with his representatives and started the process,” Whaley told WGR 550 on Thursday. “We’re excited and we want him back. He’s a great addition to our defense and hopefully we can get this thing done sooner than later.”
- Cornerback Darrelle Revis hates being saddled with the “mercenary” label, according to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe, who says that two other AFC teams tried to sign Revis a year ago and were willing to offer more money than the Patriots did. With Revis expected to sign a new contract this offseason, Volin wonders if the veteran cornerback will once again accept less money to stick with the Pats.