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More predictions on the NFC East
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After breaking down the Super Bowl champion New York Giants, let’s take a look at the rest of the NFC East as we gear up for the start of the season. This division is stacked and look for three teams to once again make the playoffs in 2008.
Dallas Cowboys – 2007 Record 13-3
On paper, the Dallas Cowboys go into the 2008 season as one of the favorites in the NFC. This team has not won a playoff game since 1996 and the Cowboy faithful thought last year was going to break that trend. However, they ran into a hot Giants team and visions after that loss include a stunned Jerry Jones on the sidelines and a tearful Terrell Owens defending his quarterbacks decision to vacation with Jessica Simpson while awaiting their Divisional playoff game. This year the goals are obvious, finally win a playoff game and make a Super Bowl run.
Head coach Wade Phillips is on the hot seat. With obvious successor Jason Garrett the next coach waiting in the wings, Phillips will have to break his 0-4 record in the playoffs to keep his job. Jones has taken a big role in personnel decisions that included signing linebacker Zach Thomas, suspended cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones and first-round pick Felix Jones. Phillips may take the fall if the Cowboys once again fail to make the playoffs but Jones has put a big fingerprint on the success of this year’s team.
The Cowboys are loaded with talent and return seven Pro Bowlers including quarterback Tony Romo, who is now 0-2 in the playoffs as a starter. For all the questions Eli Manning had to answer before taking his team to a championship, Romo will have to do the same this season. Dallas was in the top three for offense last year and should build on that production especially with T.O. and tight end Jason Witten. Look for Marion Barber to get the bulk of carries with Jones setting up a nice change of pace attack. The Boys hoped to add a compliment at receiver to Owens but were not able to acquire a veteran leaving a big void opposite the temperamental receiver. If Owens gets hurt that could spell big trouble for the Cowboys and he has missed time to injuries each of the past four seasons. Also, Barber has not had to carry a full load in his career so Jones may play an important role.
On defense, the Cowboys had five Pro Bowlers including safeties Roy Williams and Ken Hamlin and linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Greg Ellis. By adding Thomas and Jones and cornerback Mike Jenkins, the defense should be even better. One thing to watch is the progress of Pacman, he is a time bomb waiting to happen and can you imagine the fireworks if the Cowboys start slow with him and T.O. griping on the sidelines. A weak spot last year was in the secondary and the team expects vast improvement in that area which they hope will allow them to blitz more this season. Pacman is also still awaiting his reinstatement from Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Prediction: 1st place NFC East – Record 13-3
Playoffs: Look for the Cowboys to finally win a playoff game this season
Philadelphia Eagles – 2007 Record 8-8
The Eagles were quite possibly the best 8-8 team in NFL history last season. They were the only NFC East team to not make the playoffs and look for that to change in 2008. The Eagles caught fire at the end of the year winning their final three games and according to head coach Andy Reid; the team finally has a healthy Donovan McNabb after healing his anterior cruciate ligament from the year before.
On offense, look for McNabb to return to his Pro Bowl form after finishing off 2007 strong. Tight end L.J. Smith will be a big boost to the offense and is also healthy again after an injury plagued season. Running back Brian Westbrook is back and fresh off a new lucrative contract. He is the backbone of the offense and will be featured once again, not only running the ball but catching it out of the backfield after leading the NFL in yards from scrimmage last year. The wide receiver core is average at best and they drafted DeSean Jackson in the second round to try and address that area. Don’t look for much of an impact there and once again it will be the McNabb and Westbrook show with wide receiver Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown having decent seasons at best.
Defensively, the Eagles have always had a swarming defense with defensive coordinator Jim Johnson blitzing from every angle making opposing quarterbacks uneasy in the pocket. The front seven for Philly will be very formidable and Pro Bowl defensive end Trent Cole is quickly turning into one of the best ends in the league after recording 12 ½ sacks last year. The linebackers (Chris Gocong, Stewart Bradley and Omar Gaither) are young and inexperienced but Johnson in several interviews loves their upside. The cornerbacks are solid and with the addition of Asante Samuel the group will be even stronger.
So far in training camp, Reid seems to have the pulse of his team as they look to rebound from last year’s disappointing campaign. It will be a dogfight in the NFC East for sure but look for the Eagles to get back to the postseason.
Prediction: 3rd place NFC East – Record 10-6
Playoffs: The Eagles will squeak into the postseason and possibly get past the Wild Card round
Washington Redskins – 2007 Record 9-7
The Redskins hired new head coach Jim Zorn after a bizarre coaching search last year to replace the legendary Joe Gibbs. Even with all the changes (head coach and both coordinators); the Skins return almost their entire roster. Zorn, the former Seahawks quarterbacks coach, will bring in a West Coast offensive attack which is quite a contrast to the power sets of yesteryear. They want to spread the ball around this season and proved that in the draft by grabbing tall wide receivers Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly to go along with speedy Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El. Young quarterback Jason Campbell should have plenty of weapons at his disposal as he continues to try and become a relevant quarterback in the NFL.
Offensively, Zorn’s impact should be seen right away. Campbell is recovering from a knee injury that kept him out during the playoffs as backup Todd Collins took over the reigns. Running back Clinton Portis will be the featured back after having a solid year. Tight end Chris Cooley will be a big weapon for Campbell and combined with Moss should form a solid duo. However, Campbell is the fourth best quarterback in the division and may struggle again in 2008. This will be his third offense in four years and he hasn’t shown any signs that he can join in the “elite” category for quarterbacks.
On defense, Greg Blache takes over as defensive coordinator and has a group that was ranked in the top 10 last year. Linebacker London Fletcher returns after a solid year and cornerback Shawn Springs is a budding superstar. Injuries are a concern with linebacker Rocky McIntosh and young cornerback Carlos Rogers coming back from major knee surgery. There are plenty of question marks but if everything pans out from injuries they may be a top 10 unit again.
The Redskins could be a dangerous team but again, their quarterback is the worst in a division stacked with good passers and they will battle the champion Giants, the Cowboys and a rejuvenated Eagles team. They may make some noise early but will be the lone NFC East team not to make the playoffs. Campbell’s progression is key for the Skins, not only for this year but the future.
Prediction: 4th place NFC East – Record 8-8
Playoffs: None
