(Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
The NFC East has widely been considered the toughest division in football for some time now. Dating back to 2005 the NFC has been represented by the East with at least two teams each post season and twice, 2006 and 2007, been represented by three of it's four teams.
From 2001 through 2004 the Philadelphia Eagles dominated the East, winning the division four seasons in a row only to lose in three straight conference championships and finally the Super Bowl in 2004.
Starting in '05 the NFC East caught fire and has seen no team win back-to-back division titles since. In that time frame the Giants have won two, 2005 and 2008, and the Eagles and Cowboys one apiece, 2006 and 2007 respectively.
Eli Manning was drafted first overall in 2004 but did not become the New York Giants' full time starter until November 21st of that season (Week 11), but for full measure 2004 will be considered the start of the new era in the East, a.k.a "The Eli Manning Era".
Watching NFC East teams play each other is a battle game in and game out. Each team has a heightened rivalry with one another that no other division in the league can boast and fans expect fireworks in every game.
Heading into the 2009 season the New York Giants will be looking to repeat as division champions, but the lately that title has come at a high price.
Three out of the last four seasons has seen the NFC East division champion lose their first game of the playoffs, and the last two seasons it has been at the hands of a division foe.
Last season, the Philadelphia Eagles walked into the Meadowlands and defeated the Giants after splitting the season series.
The 2007 Giants, who lost both regular season games to the Cowboys, went into Dallas and knocked off the division champs on their way to a Super Bowl title.
In 2006 the division champion Eagles happened to beat the Giants in a wild card game, but lost to the New Orleans Saints the following game. In '05 the Giants lost their home game against the Carolina Panthers.
Missing, but not forgotten in all of this are the Washington Redskins. The 'Skins have not won a division title since 1999, but during the "Eli Era" have made the playoffs twice, '05 and '07.
Looking back on the division's history is important because these types of trends tend to repeat themselves and as seen here, these four teams know each other as good as if they shared the same locker room.
Heading into the season the Giants and Eagles look to be slated at the top of the division but followed closely by the Cowboys and Redskins.
The Giants and Eagles, last season's playoff representatives, both lost a few key members this off-season but also added serious play makers to the offensive and defensive sides of the ball making making them both appear stronger than last season on paper.
The Giants parted ways with troubled wide out Plaxico Burress as well as veterans Amani Toomer, James Butler, and Derrick Ward.
Yet, the Giants made the most of their opportunities this offseason and added four offensive skill position rookies (WRs Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden, RB Andre Brown, and TE/H-Back Travis Beckum) in the draft that will all get the opportunity to contribute early.
They also beefed up their defense adding veteran talents such as DTs Chris Canty and Rocky Bernard, as well as WLB Michael Boley.
The Eagles saw long time hero Brian Dawkins head to Denver and traded Lito Sheppard to the Jets, but jumped all over the draft and free agency. They added tackle Jason Peters in a trade with Buffalo, a steal in some eyes, and also nabbed highly touted rookies Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy as well as a possible steal in TE Cornelius Ingram.
The Cowboys' much publicized divorce from Terrell Owens has left them, and especially WR Roy Williams, in a very tight position and quarterback Tony Romo will have nobody else to blame this season if things go wrong.
Head Coach Wade Phillips is definitely one to keep an eye on as well. His seat is extremely hot and will only get hotter if the Cowboys falter early against a schedule that has last season's top two seeds, New York and Carolina, visiting the New Dallas Cowboys Stadium Weeks Two and Three.
We're going to send you the most entertaining New York Giants articles, videos, and podcasts from around the web.
0 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete