Two Things:

[WindyCitySteel]

Oh FFS, do you have to argue every point? What great 3-4 defense in any era rotated linebackers?

We're doing it because nobody is standing out from the rest.

[Slapstick]

I don't argue every point, FFS...hell froze over, remember?

If you don't like opposing points of view, perhaps a message board isn't your thing...

[WindyCitySteel]

I don't argue every point, FFS...hell froze over, remember?

If you don't like opposing points of view, perhaps a message board isn't your thing...

I'm fine with arguing logically, but you just flat out invented the LB rotation is a good thing, because your team is doing it.

Why don't they rotate Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt? Don't they want them fresh?

[Slapstick]

Am I incorrect? Are there not teams that rotate their defensive linemen?

It isn't difficult to figure out why Heyward and Tuitt play so much...

Behind Jarvis Jones and, now, Bud Dupree, you have James Harrison and Arthur Moats...

Behind Heyward and Tuitt, you have...Cam Thomas? He's the Antwon Blake of the defensive line. They are playing McClendon at DE in order to avoid putting him on the field...

[RuthlessBurgher]

The difference between our starting LB's and backup LB's is, let's say, a B+ and a B-.

No significant drop off in production, so rotate them to keep everyone fresh.

The difference between our starting DE's and backup DE's is, let's say, an A and a C- (and I'm being kind with a C-, Mr. Thomas, although he's not as god awful as he was last year, I suppose).

Due to the significant drop off in production, only rotate the backups in when absolutely necessary.

[Slapstick]

What's sad is, he's being 100% serious.

Tired linebackers, that's a new one.

So, what happened in SBXLIII? Was it Todd Haley's offensive genius outdueling senile Dick LeBeau?

Hell, James Harrison is probably still tired from that 100 yard run back!

[WindyCitySteel]

So, what happened in SBXLIII? Was it Todd Haley's offensive genius outdueling senile Dick LeBeau?

Hell, James Harrison is probably still tired from that 100 yard run back!

Tackle the catch didn't work against Larry Fitzgerald.

Plus, they let a Boldin TD stand when the ball clearly hit the ground.

[Slapstick]

So, it WAS Todd Haley's genius! I knew you thought that, whoever you are!

[Slapstick]

It's okay. You can say, "Todd Haley's offensive genius." Really, you can, board newbie.

[WindyCitySteel]

Todd Haley's offense scored 23 and gave up a pick-6.

That's a net 16 points for an absolutely loaded roster of talent.

[tiproast]

Imagine if we got a 6 game head start, like the Pats** always seem to!

Are you familiar with the Jeff Sagarin's ranking site?

In 2015, the AFC East is ranked 3rd, the AFC North is ranked 4th. Here is a [URL="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/nfl/sagarin/2015/rating/"]link[/URL].
In 2014, the AFC East finished 1st, the AFC North finished 4th.
In 2013, the AFC East finished 4th, the AFC North finished 6th.
In 2012, the AFC East finished 6th, the AFC North finished 4th.
In 2011, the site has no data.
In 2010, the AFC East finished 1st, the AFC North finished 3rd.
In 2009, the AFC East finished 1st, the AFC North finished 5th.
In 2008, the AFC East finished 5th, the AFC North finished 2nd.
In 2007, the AFC East finished 1st, the AFC North finished 5th.
In 2006, the AFC East finished 4th, the AFC North finished 2nd.
In 2005, the AFC East finished 7th, the AFC North finished 3rd.
In 2004, the AFC East finished 1st, the AFC North finished 2nd.
In 2003, the AFC East finished 1st, the AFC North finished 8th.
In 2002, the AFC East finished 3rd, the AFC North finished 5th.

In earlier years, the Steelers were in the AFC Central.

What this shows is that according to Sagarin Ratings, the AFC East has been the best division in the NFL since the league went to the 8-division setup, finishing first 6 times in years listed. (Although to be fair, it's likely the AFC North would be 1st in 2011 - looking at the standings for that year makes that pretty clear.)

Of course, you may be able to find a site that does rankings differently and shows a different result. If you know of such a site, I'd like to hear about it.

[Slapstick]

I know nothing of Sagarin's ratings. I know that, in the last five seasons, the AFC North has taken one, if not two, of the wild card playoff spots in four out of the last five years. I also know that, the AFC East has taken one of the wild card playoff spots once in the last five years and has not taken two.

I also know that it is likely that the North will take one wild card spot and that the East will not, though that is still to be determined. If that goes into Sagarin's rankings, I do not know.

[tiproast]

And last year the AFC North played the AFC South and the NFC South, two of the worst divisions (NFC South division winner was under .500; AFC South featured teams that picked #2 and #3 in the 2015 draft.)

It's not the fault of the AFC North that the AFC South and NFC South were both weak in 2014, but I think schedule strength has more to do with the AFCN getting two wild-cards last year than the other divisions (AFC East and AFC West in this example) not being strong.

[Slapstick]

And last year the AFC North played the AFC South and the NFC South, two of the worst divisions (NFC South division winner was under .500; AFC South featured teams that picked #2 and #3 in the 2015 draft.)

It's not the fault of the AFC North that the AFC South and NFC South were both weak in 2014, but I think schedule strength has more to do with the AFCN getting two wild-cards last year than the other divisions (AFC East and AFC West in this example) not being strong.

And perhaps that explains last year. But, I am referring to the four years prior to 2014 as well. They don't play a week schedule every year, but more often than not, the AFC North sends multiple teams to the playoffs.

[feltdizz]

And perhaps that explains last year. But, I am referring to the four years prior to 2014 as well. They don't play a week schedule every year, but more often than not, the AFC North sends multiple teams to the playoffs.

Imagine if the Pats had to face a competitve Jets team in the playoffs every other year.

Their division is pretty bad most years.