If he doesn’t come back, how is that going to affect the dynamics of the Giants front four? Similar to the Packers, who are losing Favre, there is a lot of talent in that front seven. However, because none of those players have played without Strahan, it is unclear whether or not the Giants defense will be as dominant without him. The Giants do not have a good record in recent years when he doesn’t play.
Prediction: The Giants are a difficult team to predict for 2008. They basically played two seasons in 2007. Weeks One through 15, where they turned the ball over too much and had problems stopping downfield passing offenses, and Week 16 through the Super Bowl where they were difficult to move the ball against and didn't turn it over.
Regardless, they averaged 21.25 points per game in the postseason, so if anyone thinks this offense is going to evolve into the 2007 Patriots, I think they are going to be in shock. This is a team that is going to run the ball, take their shots downfield, and rely on their defense to win games. I think as their younger receivers develop, we may see them put a few more points on the board.
As I stated earlier, the big key is going to be the decision of Michael Strahan and whether or not he wants to return in 2008. If he does, they will be a formidable opponent and will challenge the Cowboys for the division. If he doesn’t, they still will be very good, but probably in the running for the final playoff spot. I don’t think he is going to come back, and therefore I am predicting about the same record in 2008 and the No. 6 seed for the defending champions.
NY Giants Record: 9-7—NFC East Third Place; NFC No. 6 seed.
‘07 Record: 9-7
Points Scored: 334 (18th)
Points Allowed: 310 (11th)
Playoff Result: Lost in Wild Card Round
2008 Strength of Schedule:134-122 (.523) (tied for 13th in the NFL)
Strengths: In 2007, the Redskins looked like a ship that was sinking fast. After a five-and-three start to the season, they lost four games in a row and were sitting at 5-7. Their season then took a hit when Sean Taylor was tragically shot dead in his home.
When the Redskins lost to the Bills, largely on a timeout mishap that gave the Bills a field goal that was 15 yards closer to win the game, the season looked to be lost. However, the Redskins won their last four games of the season, guided by the veteran backup Todd Collins, as they were able to sneak into the playoffs as the No. 6 seed before losing to the Seattle Seahawks in what would be Hall of Fame Coach Joe Gibb’s last game.
Jim Zorn is inheriting a strong cast of players. Clinton Portis was able to stay relatively healthy in 2007, and rushed for 1,262 yards and 11 touchdowns. Jason Campbell was able to make good strides, despite not having much help at the receiver position. Todd Collins is a solid backup.
On defense, the Redskins finished fourth against the run and seventh in rushing-touchdowns allowed. Their front seven set the tempo for this defense. Andre Carter had 10.5 sacks.
The secondary was fairly average. LaRon Landry looks like the real deal at safety and Rodgers, Springs, and Smoot are solid corners. The Redskins ranked 16th in passing-yards allowed. Some games they were brilliant, such as the Tampa Bay and Detroit games when they allowed less than 100-yards passing. Other games, like the road games against Dallas (293) and New England (334), they allowed way too many yards. The Redskins will have to find a way to replace Sean Taylor in their secondary.
While I hate to talk Xs and Os when there was such a human tragedy involved, the fact still remains that the Redskins were a much tougher pass defense when he was starting. Replacing a player that was as talented as he was is difficult.
Weaknesses:The Redskins really struggled to move the ball through the air. Part of that was Jason Campbell entering his first year as the full-time starter. Anytime a team puts a young quarterback in the lineup there are going to be peaks and valleys. However, the fact remains that he had one touchdown pass or less in 10 of his 13 starts. That number has to improve.
A lot of that has to be blamed on the receivers. Portis had 11 touchdown runs and tight end Chris Cooley caught eight touchdowns. However, no receiver caught a touchdown until James Thrash did in Week 10 against the Philadelphia Eagles. That is unacceptable. The Redskins overhauled the receiver position this offseason by drafting Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas in the second round. I really liked the draft approach by the Redskins to get younger and bigger at wide receiver. Both are bigger receivers and should be better targets in the redzone.
Still, rookie receivers rarely make a big impact in their first year. While Randy Moss exploded into the league in year one, even great receivers like Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne took a few years to blossom. If this unit is going to be viable in 2008, Santana Moss must step up to the plate. The Redskins have to score more than 334 points when playing in a division with Dallas, New York, and Philly.
Prediction: The Redskins are in the unfortunate position of being in a very tough division. Jason Campbell is a nice quarterback. One that would be in the running for best quarterback in the division in a division like the NFC North. Or in the AFC East he would be in the running for best quarterback in the division not named Tom Brady. Here, he is clearly the fourth quarterback in this division. Portis may be the third best back in the division. Cooley made the Pro Bowl, and isn’t even the best tight end in the division.
The Redskins still lack the skill-position players needed to score enough points on a consistent basis to win the tough games they will have to play in the division. I like the moves they made in the draft, and graded them very high. Still, those players will take a couple years to develop.
The schedule doesn’t set up as nice for the Redskins in 2008. In addition to the division games, they have to travel to Seattle, and play Pittsburgh and Cleveland at home. New Orleans is going to be a tough game. Combine that with the six games they play in the division, and I see them taking a step back in 2008.
Washington Redskin’s Record: 7-9—NFC East fourth Place; No Playoffs.
That is how I see the NFC East playing out in 2008. I am going to be releasing one division per week. Next week I will turn my focus to the AFC South. I look forward to reading your comments about what you expect from your favorite team.
Derek Lofland is the NFL senior director of Fantasy Football Maniaxs.com
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