Just imagine NFL Films doing a similar filming with the Bill Belichick coaching tree this week. What would the mood be like in that room? Would there even be a conversation, or just a series of grunts, shrugged shoulders and hooded sweatshirts?

To be certain, the Belichick coaching tree — a branch off of the larger Bill Parcells redwood — has seen better times.

Last weekend, Belichick's Patriots, Eric Mangini's Jets and Romeo Crennel's Browns were outscored by a combined 114-52. Their collective record of 3-6 doesn't tell the whole story. Like the Jets-Chargers 48-29 final score Monday night, the situation is even worse than it appears.

In New England, there's definite reason for concern. After "managing" a game and ensuring a win over the Jets in his first career start since the 20th century, QB Matt Cassel looked mediocre against a Dolphins defense that entered the week averaging 272.5 passing yards allowed per game. New England had only 216 yards of total offense on the day. The offensive game plan was unimaginative and no identifiable adjustments were made at halftime. Worse than the offense, though, was New England's porous defense. Miami ran and passed all over a unit that looked old, slow and vulnerable.

With Brady and the Pats' top two running backs out with injury, cornerback Asante Samuel in Philadelphia and Randy Moss altogether non-existent since Cassel has taken over — things aren't exactly peachy in New England. And with games against 2-1 San Francisco and AFC West powers San Diego and Denver up ahead, there's a legitimate chance of New England falling into an unfamiliar 2-4 spot by mid-October.

In New York, the Jets entered the summer with high expectations. With high-priced free agent acquisitions across the board — New York was penciled in as a playoff contender by experts everywhere. Once Brett Favre was brought in and Brady went down in Week 1, the AFC East title was suddenly considered a realistic goal.

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