It has been tough to try and get these done before kickoff tomorrow. My goal now is to get you a preview of the games this weekend and continue the season previews by Sunday! Sorry everyone, we are trying, but with so much happening this week, it is difficult to focus on each division.
The NFC East.
(In Alphabetical Order)
Dallas Cowboys
I don’t know how much to say about this team – there are so many strengths and so many weaknesses…the problem is that their problems are in some major areas.
They have a great (cough) Quarterback, a solid TE, decent Offensive line, solid Running Back tandem, great Defensive line, and a great set of linebackers. Their secondary isn’t the greatest (and I used to be a huge Ken Hamilin and Roy Williams fan) and is going to cause them some woes.
But their biggest problem? Their coaching staff.
Jerry Jones is Al Davis “Lite” and has surrounded him with a staff that will do as he asks, and not what may be the best ideas for the team. That is their problem.
They could have the best team but as long as the coaches are the worst, this team will continue to NOT win a playoff game.
2008 Record: 9-7
2009 Prediction: 9-7 – 3rd in the Division
New York Giants
The Giants have a lot to look forward to this year – they have their Defensive line back together, they have their franchise Quarterback locked up for the foreseeable future and they have a young talented receiver corp.
But those same excitement points should make them nervous.
The Defensive line is great. They were great last year without Osi, and he is now back. They should only get better, right? Or will it create a rotation that doesn’t work for anyone – rhythm is a huge thing in the NFL. I don’t believe that they really need to worry much about this, but there is a danger.
Eli Manning has shown that he can throw passes under pressure – and he has a ring to prove it – but is he really worth more than his brother? Contract terms aside, has he proven his worth? He still makes bad decisions and has shown a lack of leadership. With a group of young receivers, he is going to need to learn how be “the guy”.
And speaking of Wide Receivers, this can be exciting for a team to have young, speedy talent at a skill position – but, when that is all you have, there are going to be problems. Both starters are gone (Amani Toomer and Mr. Burress) and now it is up to a few guys who have limited experience to help keep the Offense on pace.
God thing they have a stout run game.
2008 Record: 12-4
2009 Prediction: 11-5 – 1st in the Division
Philadelphia Eagles
What do we say every year? If Westbrook and McNabb can hold up they have a chance. Every year we say that because the Defense is mid-tier and the Receivers are non-existent. This year may be a bit different, however now that DeSean Jackson has stepped up and shown that he is an NFL caliber Wideout, they have some firepower.
There are always questions about the Defense – and with the loss of the stalwart Brian Dawkins, there won’t be anything different this year. Their secondary is decent, their front line is good and their Linebackers are serviceable.
2009-2010 is going to be hard for this team now that they have McNabb worrying about his future. In a town that has little faith in its players, a town that has bandwagons parked at every curb and a town that once threw batteries at Santa (they need to do something else ridiculous so I can mention a different example) having a Quarterback that is a lame duck (even if just in his own mind) is a bad idea. Having Kolb as “the future” and Vick as the Wildcat will get into McNabb’s head.
But the Iggles are always in contention and I don’t see that being any different until something major happens.
2008 Record: 9-6-1
2009 Prediction: 10-6 – 2nd in the Division.
Washington Redskins
Jim Zorn’s job is on the line this season as he goes into year two at the helm of the listless Washington Redskins. He will have some help from the Defense, though as a very good unit got better by adding Albert Haynesworth and Brian Orakpo in free agency and the draft (respectively). They also have a decent schedule playing the AFC West as well as Detroit and St. Louis.
The questions really swirl around Quarterback Jason Campbell. Any kid should get better learning from a coach like Jim Zorn – an ex-QB – and with a few good plays could be in the middle of the hunt as the season winds down.
My favorite description of the team, however is from Kevin Seifert at ESPN.com:
I disagree about Zorn, since I think he could be a very good coach if he had some support, but the rest makes complete sense. The schedule is in their favor.
2008 Record: 8-8
2009 Prediction: 7-9 – 4th in the Division
The NFC East.
(In Alphabetical Order)
Dallas CowboysI don’t know how much to say about this team – there are so many strengths and so many weaknesses…the problem is that their problems are in some major areas.
They have a great (cough) Quarterback, a solid TE, decent Offensive line, solid Running Back tandem, great Defensive line, and a great set of linebackers. Their secondary isn’t the greatest (and I used to be a huge Ken Hamilin and Roy Williams fan) and is going to cause them some woes.
But their biggest problem? Their coaching staff.
Jerry Jones is Al Davis “Lite” and has surrounded him with a staff that will do as he asks, and not what may be the best ideas for the team. That is their problem.
They could have the best team but as long as the coaches are the worst, this team will continue to NOT win a playoff game.
2008 Record: 9-7
2009 Prediction: 9-7 – 3rd in the Division
New York GiantsThe Giants have a lot to look forward to this year – they have their Defensive line back together, they have their franchise Quarterback locked up for the foreseeable future and they have a young talented receiver corp.
But those same excitement points should make them nervous.
The Defensive line is great. They were great last year without Osi, and he is now back. They should only get better, right? Or will it create a rotation that doesn’t work for anyone – rhythm is a huge thing in the NFL. I don’t believe that they really need to worry much about this, but there is a danger.
Eli Manning has shown that he can throw passes under pressure – and he has a ring to prove it – but is he really worth more than his brother? Contract terms aside, has he proven his worth? He still makes bad decisions and has shown a lack of leadership. With a group of young receivers, he is going to need to learn how be “the guy”.
And speaking of Wide Receivers, this can be exciting for a team to have young, speedy talent at a skill position – but, when that is all you have, there are going to be problems. Both starters are gone (Amani Toomer and Mr. Burress) and now it is up to a few guys who have limited experience to help keep the Offense on pace.
God thing they have a stout run game.
2008 Record: 12-4
2009 Prediction: 11-5 – 1st in the Division
Philadelphia EaglesWhat do we say every year? If Westbrook and McNabb can hold up they have a chance. Every year we say that because the Defense is mid-tier and the Receivers are non-existent. This year may be a bit different, however now that DeSean Jackson has stepped up and shown that he is an NFL caliber Wideout, they have some firepower.
There are always questions about the Defense – and with the loss of the stalwart Brian Dawkins, there won’t be anything different this year. Their secondary is decent, their front line is good and their Linebackers are serviceable.
2009-2010 is going to be hard for this team now that they have McNabb worrying about his future. In a town that has little faith in its players, a town that has bandwagons parked at every curb and a town that once threw batteries at Santa (they need to do something else ridiculous so I can mention a different example) having a Quarterback that is a lame duck (even if just in his own mind) is a bad idea. Having Kolb as “the future” and Vick as the Wildcat will get into McNabb’s head.
But the Iggles are always in contention and I don’t see that being any different until something major happens.
2008 Record: 9-6-1
2009 Prediction: 10-6 – 2nd in the Division.
Washington RedskinsJim Zorn’s job is on the line this season as he goes into year two at the helm of the listless Washington Redskins. He will have some help from the Defense, though as a very good unit got better by adding Albert Haynesworth and Brian Orakpo in free agency and the draft (respectively). They also have a decent schedule playing the AFC West as well as Detroit and St. Louis.
The questions really swirl around Quarterback Jason Campbell. Any kid should get better learning from a coach like Jim Zorn – an ex-QB – and with a few good plays could be in the middle of the hunt as the season winds down.
My favorite description of the team, however is from Kevin Seifert at ESPN.com:
The Jim Zorn experiment was flawed from the start, and now he's left nursing a quarterback his owner wanted to dump this offseason. The Redskins will be competitive, but they're too disorganized to challenge the division's top teams.
I disagree about Zorn, since I think he could be a very good coach if he had some support, but the rest makes complete sense. The schedule is in their favor.
2008 Record: 8-8
2009 Prediction: 7-9 – 4th in the Division
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