NFC East All-Division Offense: Predicting the Best in 2010
The 2010 NFL season is quickly approaching. It's time to make wild predictions about how teams will perform, who will win what and provide more than the necessary amount of commentary about what is going on with Brett Favre (am I the only one who wishes he would just go away or shut up).
So let's take a look a the NFC East. No doubt, like always, this division will be tight in record and in performance. Breaking down which players will outshine the others is difficult, but not impossible.
Position by position we'll take a stab at one of the NFL's most intriguing divisions.
Starter—Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys
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Tony Romo had the best season of any quarterback in the NFC East in 2009 and there is no reason to expect different this year. If anything, we should expect a better season overall.
Romo's nine interceptions and four lost fumbles made up the lowest turnover total of his career. He had more yards than either Eli Manning or Donovan McNabb, had a higher completion percentage than either Manning or McNabb and had a higher passer rating than either.
With Miles Austin entering his first full season as a starter and rookie wide receiver Dez Bryant sure to make some sort of impact, Romo could only benefit as a quarterback.
Backup—Donovan McNabb, QB, Redskins
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Donovan McNabb is on a new team with far fewer weapons than he had in Philadelphia, but he has Mike Shanahan and if any coach can make this offense go, Shanahan can.
McNabb also should be playing with a big chip on his shoulder all season. I expect him to make big use of Devin Thomas and Chris Cooley.
Where I really see McNabb edging out Eli Manning is in the turnover department. McNabb is one of the better quarterbacks int he NFL when it comes to protecting the ball. To give an example, Manning's 10 interception in 2008 was his lowest when starting a full season. McNabb, however, has only thrown more than 10 interceptions once since 2004.
If you're wondering why I have failed to mention Kevin Kolb, the answer is simple. I don't see a first year starter challenging any of the veteran quarterbacks in this division in any statistical category.
Starter—LeSean McCoy, RB, Eagles
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Expect LeSean McCoy to have a great season. He should benefit from being the undisputed number one guy in the backfield.
This is a big deal for him. I know Philadelphia picked up Mike Bell and J.J. Arrington in addition to taking Charles Scott with a late pick, but nobody is second guessing who the number one guy on the team is.
That's why LeSean McCoy should go far beyond his 637 rushing yards last season. You also can't discount his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, which the Eagles like to take advantage of.
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Backup—Brandon Jacobs, RB, Giants
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Brandon Jacobs saw a big drop off last season while Ahmad Bradshaw saw his yards and touchdowns rise. So why, you much be asking, am I picking Jacobs over Bradshaw?
Well, Jacobs and Bradshaw both saw a drop in yards per carry last season, Bradshaw just saw far more carries than the season before.
I expect Jacobs to bounce back big time. The Giants were challenged to pass the ball early and teams decided to take the running game away. With Steve Smith proving himself as a legitimate receiver, the running game should benefit.
Jacobs will look to prove he is still a five yard-per-carry back and will go for 1,000 yards on the ground this season.
Third String—Felix Jones, RB, Cowboys
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Felix Jones is sandwiched between two other very good running backs, so what makes him so special?
Yards Per Carry, where he is the best in the NFL.
Jones averaged nearly six yards-per-carry on 116 attempts last season after a shortened rookie year where he averaged almost nine on only 30 attempts.
He looks to be even more involved in Dallas' offense this season in both the running and receiving game. He is a dangerous return man as well when given opportunities. Expect big things from Jones in 2010.
Starter—Miles Austin, WR, Cowboys
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Miles Austin put up great numbers last season with 1,320 yards and 11 touchdowns on 81 receptions. The really impressive statistic, he only started nine games.
With Austin starting all 16 this season, there is zero reason to believe he won't be just as good, if not better.
He is going to be Romo's number one target among wide receivers and should benefit a from a year of experience. With the addition of Dez Bryant, he should see more favorable coverage than he did at the end of last season.
Starter—Jeremy Maclin, WR, Eagles
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I am well aware DeSean Jackson is the number one receiver in Philadelphia, but I have a feeling Jeremy Maclin will a better season in 2010.
With Kevin Kolb taking the reigns for the Eagles this season, you have to expect they will be going deep much less often than they did last season. I expect a lot more quick outs and crossing patterns than were used before, which is where Maclin made his living at Missouri.
Starter—Steve Smith, WR, Giants
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Steve Smith got going early last season answering a lot of questions about who Eli Manning would turn to without Plaxico Burress. He finished the season a little slower than he started, but he is still a very young receiver.
With a full season of starting experience now under his belt I expect him to do much of the same as last season where he caught just over 100 passes for just over 1,200 yards.
Backups—DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles, and Hakeem Nicks, WR, Giants
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DeSean Jackson is too big of a deep threat to ignore completely. While I expect Maclin to have a slightly better season, to thing Jackson won't get his is just stupid.
I don't think any defenders in the NFL can run stride for stride with this guy, so when he gets behind a defense, he stays behind a defense. Jackson averaged nearly 19 yards per reception in 2009, the best among receivers with at least 50 receptions.
Hakeem Nicks should also have a good season entering his second year in the NFL.
Nicks caught 47 passes for 790 yards, averaging nearly 17 yards per reception and displaying the skills that made him such a weapon at North Carolina.
Nicks could emerge as the Giants go to deep threat as well as solid red zone target with his size and strength.
Starter—Jason Witten, TE, Cowboys
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Tight end was the only category in the NFC East where it was easy to pick a clear favorite.
Jason Witten is always a top target for Tony Romo. He was the only tight end in the NFC East with 1,000 yards (he was one of three in the entire league to do this. Brent Celek was, however, very close) and trailed only Dallas Clark in receptions for tight ends.
There is no reason to think Witten won't challenge the 1,000 yard mark and 100 reception mark again this season.
He may have had only two touchdowns last season, but with Miles Austin's emergence and the addition of Dez Bryant, Witten should find some favorable coverage from time to time.
Backup—Brent Celek, TE, Eagles
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Brent Celek had 971 yards and eight touchdowns on 76 receptions last season. With McNabb at quarterback this year he could have challenged Jason Witten statistically.
However, with the uncertainty of what Kevin Kolb will do with the Eagles, Celek will have to settle for the runner up role.
Starter—Leanard Weaver, FB, Eagles
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Leonard Weaver actually saw a decent amount of carries last season as a fullback. He averaged 4.6 yards on those carries.
Every offense statistic from Weaver last season easily trumps every other fullback in the NFC East. There isn't really any reason to think that won't continue.
Backup—Mike Sellers, FB, Redskins
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Mike Shannahan seems to have this inexplicable ability to turn any running back into a solid performer. For that reason alone, you can't completely discount Mike Sellers as a possibility for having the best season among NFC East fullbacks.
Starting Offensive Line
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Center-Andre Gurode
Gurode has made the Pro Bowl four years in a row. At 32 years old, there is really no reason to expect anyone to jump him this season. He is still a very good offense lineman.
Guard-Leonard Davis
Coming off three consecutive Pro Bowls, Davis should have another solid year in helping Gurode anchor an offensive line in Dallas that is suspect to injuries.
Guard-Chris Snee
In his short career, Snee has been to two Pro Bowls and has won a Super Bowl. He is arguably the best piece of the Giants offensive line.
Tackle-David Diehl
Diehl made his first Pro Bowl following the 2009 season. With a questionable line in Washington, Marc Colombo's injury problems in Dallas and Doug Free's lack of experience at left tackle in Dallas, Diehl should remain one of the better tackles in NFC East.
Tackle-Jason Peters
At 28 years of age, Jason Peters is a beast. He has made three consecutive Pro Bowls and is the anchor of the Eagles offensive line. Peters is arguably the best tackle in the NFC.
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