NY Giants-Philadelphia Eagles: By the Numbers in 2009

, is ready to have a breakout season. He showed some great flashes last year, and look out for some MONSTER hits! Phillips is 6”2, with a 210 lb frame.

Eagles—The face of the franchise and seven-time pro bowler, Brian “The Wolverine” or "Weapon X" Dawkins, was disrespectfully shown the door, and so he left for Denver. This turn over is the only reason I call this even.  Loosing B. Dawk is a huge blown to that locker room.  No. 27 Quintin Mikell and No. 39 Quintin Demps take over as the safety duo.  

Mikell made the Pro Bowl as an alternate last year, and has come a long way under the guidance of Brian Dawkins. There’s no way to know what Demps brings to the table; however, he did get beat for the game-winning touchdown in the past NFC Championship game vs. Arizona.

Asante Samuel was quite a disappointment in his first year with gang green, as he only had 4 interceptions and 40 tackles.  I like his ability but has shown a steady decline in tackles and int's over the last 3 years.  The new system might have held him back.

Their best cover corner, the hard hitting No. 24 Sheldon Brown, is back, but there are problems in the City of Brotherly Love (see Lito Sheppard) as the always-cheap Eagles won’t restructure his contract.

Brown, who has never missed a game in his tenure, has been the most consistent player on the defensive unit and deserves to get paid for his hard work and dedication, especially since they just paid No. 21 Joselio Hanson, the nickel back.  

As a footnote, first-round draft pick and two-time Pro Bowler Sheppard was basically run out of town because he asked for more money.

 

Special Team:  Giants

Giants—This is an easy one; Jeff Feagles is amazing even at 43. That’s 22 years in the NFL, and there is no better weapon! Lawrence Tynes kicked the Giants to a Super Bowl in the coldest game in history.

No. 87 Dominick Hixon & No. 44 Ahmad Bradshaw are extremely dangerous each averaging 25 yards a return.

Eagles—Sav Rocca is average. Akers is older and lost some leg after tearing that hamstring a few years back. Plus, he just can’t get it done in the playoffs. No. 10 DeSean Jackson is very special, but I feel that at 175lbs. he won’t last long. As far as No. 39 Quintin Demps, the jury is still out.

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