Breaking Down The NFC East: A 2010 Team By Team Preview
The NFC East is annually one of the best divisions in football. They almost always have at least three teams vying for a playoff berth. This year should be one of the most exciting years yet for the NFC East, as a case could be made for each team to win the division. Here is a team by team breakdown of the NFC East.
Dallas Cowboys
1 of 4
The Dallas Cowboys have been notoriously strong for the past few seasons during the regular season, but always seemed to falter through December and Janaury. This changed last year, when the Cowboys recorded their first playoff victory since 1996 over their division rival Philidelphia Eagles, followed by a stinging loss to the Vikings.
The Cowboys are a solid team. They have a quarterback and wide receiver that are two of the best at their position. The major question is at left tackle, with longime stalwart Flozell Adams leaving. The Cowboys believe that Doug Free can be the new starting left tackle, but there are plenty of doubters, myself included. I believe that Doug Free will struggle, especially in the NFC East and edge rushers like Trent Cole, Justin Tuck, and Brian Orakpo. The rest of the offensive line is solid, but aging. They are all, except for Doug Free, over 30 years old.
Their defensive front seven is very good, espicially DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer. Both should record double digit sacks. The other looming question mark is the safety position, where Alan Ball and Gerald Sensebaugh are starting. They, too, should struggle against a pass-heay NFC East.
Conclusion: The Cowboys are quite talented on both sides of the ball, except for a few glaring weaknesses, which will keep them from being a truly elite team: Prediction: 10-6
Philidelphia Eagles
2 of 4
The Philadelphia Eagles have acquired a completely new outlook on both sides of the ball over the past few years. Gone are Donovan McNabb, Brian Westbrook, Sheldon Brown, and Brian Dawkins. It is yet to be seen if Kevin Kolb, Shady McCoy, Nate Allen and Ellis Hobbes can step up in their new roles.
Kevin Kolb is probably the most important replacement. He needs to not only play well statistically, but lead the team and help them win games. In Aaron Rodgers' first year as a starter he had over 4,000 yards and 28 touchdowns, but the Packers struggled and went 6-10, due to Rodgers' in ability to win close games. Kevin Kolb has been inserted into a great offense tailor-made for him, with plenty of weapons. I believe he is a better fit than McNabb, being more accurate. Kevin Kolb will be solid, espicially with the weapons around him, and if he can lead a good two minute drill and not turn the ball over in the redzone like he did last year, the Eagles will be a good team this year.
Conclusion: Kevin Kolb will struggle a bit early on, but their defense and offensive weapons will pull them through while Kolb matures Prediction: 10-6
Washington Redskins
3 of 4
The Washington Redskins are a popular sleeper pick for 2010. Donovan McNabb was, surprisingly, traded to the Eagles' rival Redskins, and many believe he is the missing piece for a playoff run. The addition of Mike Shanahan is going to be very helpful as well.
Albert Haynesworth being a 100 million dollar jerk is getting most of the defensive media attention, but I really like the switch to the 3-4, with Brian Orakpo, my personal DROY last year, switching to outside linebacker. Orakpo is a monster of the edge, and is going to be a dominant force for years to come. Donovan McNabb can throw for 4,000 yards with any group of receivers, and will make Devin Thomas and Fred Davis stars.
Although most people think of Clinton Portis as being old and on a steep decline, he is only just 29, and injuries, not old age, have been the factor in his decreased performance. This year everyone at Redskins camp is saying he looks the best he's been in years, and I see big things for Portis this year.
Conclusion: Their off-season moves help the Redskins make a big step and I see them vying for a wild-card spot at the end of the season. Prediction: 9-7
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New York Giants
4 of 4
The New York Giants started out 5-0 last season, but faltered badly and when 3-8 in the last 11 weeks. They raised many eyebrows with their selection of physical freak Jason Pierre-Paul in the first round of the draft. Pierre-Paul is talented but raw, and will require a lot of coaching effort to bring him where the Giants want him to be.
Eli Manning is a very underrated quarterback. Peyton gets all the attention in the Manning family, but Eli has quietly developed into a great quarterback. He has a lot of young weapons like Steve Smith, Mario Manningham, Hakeem Nicks, and preseason megastar Victor Cruz, and will have a great 2010 campaign.
While the Giants offensive line is one of the best in the league, Brandon Jacobs has struggled. The 6-4 254 pound RB isn't what he used to be, and I believe he will by replaced by Ahmad Bradshaw by midseason. Ahmad Bradshaw is very fast and a home-run threat but doesn't have the stamina to be relied on consitently. The Giants running game will struggle immensely in 2010.
The major problem with the Giants is their defense. Kieth Bulluk is past his prime as a middle linebacker and will struggle against the tight ends of the NFC East like Jason Witten and Brent Celek. The Antrelle Rolle signing was one of the worst moves of the offseason. Antrelle Rolle has spent much of his career as a corner and hasn't shown much at safety yet, but the Giants are still willing to make him the highest paid safety ever.
Conclusion: The Giants will do fine offensively, but will struggle down the stretch, especially on defense. Prediction: 6-10
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