An article predicting the records of the four NFC East NFL teams was just recently published, but I thought I would toss out one of my own to see what others think.
Let me first preface this by saying I believe the 2008 NFC East will have massive competition for wild card spots. Dallas remains far ahead, but New York, Washington, and Philly will have their hands full.
DALLAS COWBOYS
All over the place, I see people predicting the last year's NFC East winner falling short of its franchise record tying 13-3 season. Perhaps this is because of choking issues.
As much as the Cowboys make my blood boil (although their uniforms are nice), I don't see them dropping a level or two in 2008. Actually, I don't see any reason for such a thing to happen. I believe the team has learned a bit since losing last year in the Playoffs.
Defense:
Well, looks like their backfield may be the one of the best in the NFL. Their collection of cornerbacks is ridiculous. Terrence Newman is already fabulous, and with first-round pick Mike Jenkins, fifth-round pick Orlando Scandrick, and a friendly trade for Adam "Pacman" Jones, it will be difficult to throw the ball against this team.
I also look for linebacker DeMarcus Ware to potentially take the crown of Defensive Player of the Year. He may be overstepped by defensive end Jared Allen, however.
I see a top ten or top fifteen defense for the Cowboys in 2008.
Offense:
This team doesn't go wrong much on offense, either. Tony Romo, despite having a poor performance in the playoffs, proved to be an elite quarterback. If Tom Brady didn't exist, he would have led the league in Fantasy points in 2007.
Now, sure, Marion Barber III doesn't look to be the best man to be a premier back, but Felix Jones may have an opportunity to step in if he must. Regardless, I see Barber pushing beyond the 1,000-yard mark in total yards in 2008.
As for receivers, there is a little confusion, but it's nitpicky. Sure, Owens and Glenn are aging, but, at least for this year, they're solid. I would be surprised, however, if Dallas doesn't spend their 2009 first round pick on a wideout.
Prediction: 13-3 once again
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Wow! Going out and giving the DEADSKINS second place in the elite NFC East??? What could he possibly be thinking? Well, I'll tell ya...
It's not so much that the Redskins are going to be fabulous; it's more that the other two teams in the division are going to be a little worse.
Defense:
The front four did a fantastic job in 2007 stopping the run. The team held running back Adrian Peterson, who had an NFL-high 296 yards in a single game, to a mere twenty-seven at Vikings Stadium. I will, of course, remind everyone of the microscopic one yard allowed from Julius Jones and Marion Barber III in week seventeen.
The defensive line just needs to up its ability to rush the pass. They weren't horrible last year...just average. Hopefully the rising Chris Wilson and the question mark called Erasmus James (both defensive ends) will help things a bit.
NEW: Well, with the addition of Jason Taylor, that pass rushing problem may be fixed...
The linebacker corp, led by London Fletcher, is still great. No changes were made to this unit, and I expect another solid performance from them. Not to mention that Rocky McIntosh, who was put on IR midway through the season, will return.
A little depth may be needed at cornerback, but the group is still solid. Despite Shawn Springs' age, he is still a more-than-worthy corner, and Fred Smoot, while lacking fabulous tackling skills, is a great pass defender. Carlos Rogers, who was also put on IR, will be returning, as well.
The safety position is more than solid, even without Sean Taylor. LaRon Landry is looking to be a multi-Pro Bowl player, and Reed Doughty was solid after taking Taylor's place in late November.
Offense:
The offensive line was largely filled by backups in 2007 due to serious injuries. The line is fully intact for this season. Expect excellent pass protection for quarterback Jason Campbell, and expect career numbers for running back Clinton Portis.
Tight end Chris Cooley has finished as a top eight tight end two seasons in a row. Jim Zorn's offense will be friendly to tight ends, so expect another great season from Cooley, who also happens to be Jason Campbell's favorite target.
Wide receivers Moss and Randle El had mediocre years last year. But hamstring and heel injuries plagued both of them. With addition of rookies Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly, Campbell will have more targets, and Randle El will be able to move back to his more natural position as a slot receiver.
A brand new head coach and West Coast Offense limits the team. Prediction: 9-7
NEW YORK GIANTS
As many others think, the Super Bowl run for this team was a fluke. They aren't THAT good.
Defense:
Still a good bunch, but I predict less success this year.
For one, Michael Strahan has retired. He was clearly the leader of the defense, if not the team.
Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck will still have huge impacts, but they lost three defensive starters and one solid backup in the offseason, including linebacker Kawika Mitchell and safety Gibril Wilson.
They're average on defense this year. A slightly weaker pass rush puts more pressure on an okay backfield.
Offense:
Many have forgotten that Eli Manning had problems with interceptions during the season, and he completed a dreadful eighteen of fifty-four passes against the Redskins late in the season.
He has obviously earned the respect from his players, but I don't see why he should have elite statistics in 2008.
The running game, however, is just fine. Brandon Jacobs has shown that linebackers do indeed have the ability to be running backs (joke). Those skinnier defenders out there need to watch their backs.
Plus, with Ahmad Bradshaw showing how incredible he could turn out to be, this is one ultimate offensive backfield.
As for the receiving corps, things could be good or things could be bad. Burress, although he played in almost every game, dealt with injuries all season. So, his numbers should improve a bit.
But, with Toomer getting older and Shockey having problems with the team in general (I'd be pissed, too, if my team won a Super Bowl when my leg was broken), Burress may be the only pass catcher to shine. Prediction: 9-7
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
For consecutive years, the Birds get to endure a last-place finish in the NFC East. I don't really see much improvement over the off-season.
Defense:
They were good last year. Asante Samuel is a great addition at cornerback, and Brian Dawkins is still solid despite sprouting a few gray hairs and losing his ability to reproduce.
I expect a top ten defense in 2008.
Offense:
The offense is the reason why I have the Eagles remaining at the bottom in the East.
Once again, Brian Westbrook will carry seventy-five percent of the offensive load. That's this team's major problem. If he's put on IR, they're done.
Donovan McNabb is a big question mark. He should be completely healed from his knee surgery two years ago (?). Now is his big test.
It's almost like he's a young quarterback competing for his first start, except now it's a matter of whether he is washed up. Is he? Who knows? I expect a decent year from him, regardless.
Rookie receiver DeSean Jackson looks to be promising, but an immediate impact in the passing game looks to be unlikely. Perhaps Brian Westbrook's load will be dropped to about sixty-eight percent if Jackson takes over in kick returning.
Either way, the receiving corps of this team is a little mediocre. Kevin Curtis was a surprise, but his year may easily have been a fluke. Reggie Brown was nothing short of a disappointment. Prediction: 9-7 or 8-8
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2 months ago
Im a Giants fan. I was just wondering who the 4th defensive starter they lost was.. Strahan, Wilson, Mitchell, and who else? If your thinking that its Reggie Torbor, he wasnt a starter, he was just filling in for injured Mathias Kiwanuka. Also, you said Burress would be the only shining catch passer. Toomer may still be getting older but still is a reliable target. and what about Mario Manningham? He was a big playmaking WR in college and only fell to the 3rd round because of legal issues, he could have easily been a 1st round pick
from 2 months ago
Mario Manningham was also a Heisman canidate a couple years back, he was definitely a good pick up for the Giants as much as I hate to admit that the Giants actually made a smart move.
2 months ago
hahaha giants suck if you look at it they got to play each playoff team twice(once in the regular season and once in the playoffs) and its took em 3 times to beat the cowboys
from 2 months ago
they have a good team, dallas. But romo cant win in the playoffs so it doesnt matter
from 2 months ago
...but they beat the cowboys when it matters. what are you talking about
from 2 months ago
i was insulting dallas.. not the giants timothy...
from 2 months ago
i was responding to hunter, not you Vinny
from 2 months ago
oh my bad.. lol
2 months ago
Correction made.
2 months ago
dude good analysis, but romo is a quarterback not a cornerback, im sure u knew that and just misspelled but just thought id bring it to your attention
from 2 months ago
Whoops...
2 months ago
The Cowboys are packed at WR. They have owens and Glen who sure are aging, but there what 31? Then there is a lot of promise with Sam Hurd, Patrick Crayton and Miles Austin. THe only problem is there secondary. Roy Williams has gotten a lot of advice from fans to movev to Linebacker, but he just isn't big enough, and we know he couldn't cover a dead fly, and Ken Hamlin has yet tom prove himself. Their LB corp looks decent if not better with Bobby Carpenter and Bradie James, and the new edition of Zach Johnson, who was voted smartest defensive player by NFL coaches. Oh, and Vinny, I'm pretty sure that Romo is only 0-2 in the playoffs. The first to the Seahawks, when Romo had only played half the season. The next coming to the soon to be SuperBowl winning Giants. So check your info before you make a stupid comment.
from 2 months ago
They're both thirty-three.
from 2 months ago
Yes but Romo single handedly lost both those games, and who the hell is Zach Johnson? You might be thinking of Zach Thomas? who is smart but that doesent make him 1/2 the player as other linebackers in the league so maybe you should check your facts before posting stupid comments.
from 2 months ago
My bad, I always call him Zach Johnson, I know that it's Thomas but, and he came from the Dolphins, that's just what came out. What, I can't make a mistake?
from 2 months ago
No, you can't make a mistake. Infallibility is a must.
2 months ago
The statement "the giants aren't that good" was all I needed to see to determine that the author of this article is not very knowledgeable. Lets take defense.... Strahan is lost but Kiwi is gained. The pass rush should be just fine... with Tuck playing more in Strahan's absense. The secondary should be improved with Ross and Webster having another year under their belts. The much maligned safeties will be improved with Sammy Knight and Kenny Phillips more than making up for the departure of Wilson. The linebacking corps took a hit... but with Pierce, Wilkinson, and Kiwi (and Danny Clark in reserve)... they should be just fine.
On offense, the offensive line is intact and has great continuity from last year. The prediction that Manning will regress is wishful thinking... confidence gained from winning the super bowl cannot be underestimated. As far as skill players, the Giants are loaded.... with Jacobs, Bradshaw, Burress, Toomer, Smith, Tyree, Manningham, Shockey, and Boss... there is not one position that they are weak in.
from 2 months ago
I should have emphasized the "that" in the sentence. As in, "The Giants aren't THAT good."
They're good; I don't deny that. I simply think they aren't going to come close to the Superbowl this year.
from 2 months ago
As far as your skill players are concerned:
Toomer is clearly in the back end of his career. He had a better year than he did the past five or so, but he isn't reliable. As far as I know, Tyree has to compete again for a spot on the team (He only had thirty-five yards last year). His catch in the Superbowl on his helmet was one of the luckiest catches I've ever seen.
Manningham is a rookie. He may see some action. Depends on his performance in Training Camp.
Shockey wants out, and he isn't very enthusiastic this year at all.
2 months ago
with jason taylor, how are the skins not at least favorites to b number 2
from 2 months ago
Lets be honest, Jason Taylor isnt Jarred Allen or Osi Umenyiora. And with the loss of Phillip Daniels, I think the injury and the acquisition of Taylor of set eachother.
from 2 months ago
How is Jason Taylor not a Umenyiora or Allen? He was Defensive Player of the Year in 2006, and had 18.5 sacks in 2002, and has been to six Pro Bowls.
He had eleven sacks last year, and that low number (relative to his prior numbers) could very well have been because he was on such a dreadfully horrible team. His morale had to be low, so yielding eleven sacks is impressive.
from 2 months ago
I don't think one player could dramatically help any team, yea sure he can help, but not make them a number 2 team in the NFC East. You need a good DE on the other side to balance it out. Yes Taylor will help on the defensive side, and create the much needed pass rushing that the NFL has come to have, but not a number 2 tea in one of the hardest divisions in the league.
from 2 months ago
Ahem... Andre Carter had 10.5 sacks last season. He is Pro-Bowl quality.
2 months ago
so ur saying that philip daniels and jason taylor bring basically the same thing to the team? dude, Daniels has average 5 sacks his entire career while taylor has average double digits. Taylor instantly legitimizes the defense on this team and if they make it to the playoffs he will be back for at least one more year.
2 months ago
spoken like a true redskins fan. you're all dreamers. unless jim zorn teaches jason campbell how to shorten his delivery, he will forever be a mediocre NFL QB
from 2 months ago
Timothy, Zorn does not heavily favor the passing game. In Seattle, they ran the football quite a bit until Shaun Alexander slowed up. Then having no quality backs they began to throw more. It all depends on what you have.
The skins have Portis who is a quality back. Not the greatest in the league, but one who the offense can depend on. Zorn will definitely utilize him.
Portis is more than a workhorse back as well. Joe Gibbs failed to realize that his scheme didn't fit Portis' running style. Zorn's WCO will actually benefit Portis as it involves more finesse.
Also Portis had very poor blocking for much of the season, but now the O-line is healthy again.
The skins have a decent shot at finishing second. They were a game out of second last season with an injury ridden team and this year's squad will be more talented provided they stay healthy.
2 months ago
All this is true, Taylor is very good, and is better than Phillip Daniels, but unlike Allen and Umenyiora, he has made it clear, vocally, that he is nearing the end of his career AND has also lost the abilty to dominate the game, which Umenyiora and Allen both can still do.
from 2 months ago
BTW, Allen only dominates some of the time. He disappears sometimes and also has been suspended twice for alcohol problems. I wouldn't think of him as a premiere defensive end. Aaron Kampman on the other hand is a force.
2 months ago
Wow Taylor you clearly don't know anything about the Redskins. Andre Carter posted 10.5 sacks last year. The team as a total put up 33 and Taylor's addition will boost it to 45-50. Not only will he give us more sacks, but the defense as a whole will benefit.
I do agree that Jason Campbell could very well end up mediocre, but we will have a solid running game an a top ten defense which means we will be in the play-off run in the weak NFC.
from 2 months ago
are you sure? jim zorn runs a west coast offense that places much more emphasis on the passing game than on the running game. portis is more of a workhorse than a truly talented RB. everyone gives him so much praise yet also seems to forget that he led the league in carries and averaged less than four yards per carry this past season. as for zorn, going from QB coach to head coach isn't exactly a walk in the park. in the words of zorn, best of luck to all you "maroon and black" fans out there. hope for the best but prepare for the worst
from 2 months ago
Zorn has made it clear that the running game will be important this year. It only helps his passing game. But, what we WON'T be doing, is a bunch of run-run-pass nonsense on our first three downs.
Portis is not a between-the-tackles kind of back. That is why his average was so low last year. The offensive line scheme of the Broncos gave him 1,500+ yards in his first two seasons in the NFL. That has happened only two other times.
He is, however, very dangerous in the open field. Zorn, if I recall correctly, has already commented on the fact that Portis is not the kind of back Joe Gibbs was trying to make him. Expect more outside runs from him this year.
Not to mention that, at twenty-six years old, he still has quite a few years left in him.
from 2 months ago
not if he keeps carrying the ball 325 times a season. i don't care who you are. nobody can withstand that type of wear and tear for an extended period of time
2 months ago
Ok listen... Redskin fans keep saying with Taylor, Washington will place 2nd in the division... The Redskins placed 16th in passing, 15th in total offense, and 14th in rushing offense, Jason Taylor helps in none of those catagories. The Eagles mad big moves with drafting DeSean Jackson and signing Asante Samuel. With Brian Dawkins, Lito Sheppard, and Asante Samuel, that gives them a very good defensive backfield. I dont see Washington finishing anywhere better than last in the most competitvie division in the NFL.
from 2 months ago
You think DeSean Jackson will see more action than Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly will? Maybe at kick returner.
Brian Westbrook is your entire team's offense. If he goes down, the Eagles are done. Their receivers aren't good enough to carry the load Westbrook does.
Brian Dawkins is still good, but at thirty-four, his best days are over.
Let's face it. Our teams are rivals. You are going to think the Eagles are going to be better than the Redskins. I am going to think the Redskins are going to be better than the Eagles. Giants fans think they're going back to the Superbowl. Let's just wait until the season starts. There were plenty of people in the media picking the Eagles for Superbowl XLII, and they turned out to be 8-8.
from 2 months ago
im not saying the Eagles are good, Im just saying the Redskins are worse. Im a Giants fan not an Eagles fan. Brian Westbrook is possible the NFL's 4th best Running back, and Donovan Mcnabb now has a reciever to throw to in DeSean Jackson, plus Kevin Curtis. Dallas has the best team in the NFC East and you cant bet against the Superbowl winning Giants... But that just how i see things, we will see what happens
2 months ago
The Eagles have only one thing going for them. Great coaching. Andy Reid and Jim Johnson are brilliant. They have holes on both sides of the ball. They will struggle at LB. Their receivers aren't very talented aside from Curtis. I'm sorry but DeSean Jackson won't be striking fear into anyone for at least a season. It will take time for him to develop. McNabb is very fragile, but if he plays he should improve. To me it seems like the Eagles have more holes than the Redskins and Giants.
2 months ago
As a Redskins fan, I'm happy to hear you picked us to get 2nd in the NFC East instead of the Giants. However, one glaring part of your analysis was off about the Giants.
While talking about Eli Manning, you claimed "he completed a dreadful eighteen of fifty-four passes against the Redskins late in the season." That is true, but I remember it was a horribly windy day and even as a Redskins fan, I don't think that you can say that without noting the bad conditions. I remember laughing my head off when one of our punts kept getting pushed towards the Giants goal line by the wind, and the Giants were screaming at the ref's to make the ball stop. Ah, that was just heaven.
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