Quote:I recall the Jimmy Johnson era. I remember by their second year under him it was crystal clear they were heading in the right direction. They were "only" 7-9 in his second season, but that was against one of the strongest divisions the NFL ever fielded.

 

Imagine what Gus would look like in a division against Bill Parcells, Joe Gibbs, and Buddy Ryan. It's crazy to think the team could look even worse, but without the gimme wins against the titans the last few years and the colts being a team that has underachieved badly, not to even mention the texans 2-14 season that likely doesn't happen with a great coach at their lead, Gus would have had less than 10 wins in four seasons in the NFL.

As brutal as that NFC east was, Bradley could have had multiple winless seasons there.  The only team they would have had a shot of beating was Arizona, and even they had their moments.  Otherwise they had a Parcells-Belichick and LT led Giants team that won SB XXV, a Joe Gibbs and Hogs led Skins team, that won SB XXVI, and a Buddy Ryan led Eagles team that had the best and most dominant defense to never reach a Super Bowl.  The Texans alone have given Bortles some brutal beatings.  I don't think he would have survived those defenses in the NFC East at that time.

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