With four contenders, NFC East is toughest neighborhood
By Clark Judge
CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer
Tell Clark your opinion!
The best division in the NFL is its most complete, and would the NFC East please step forward? There are four teams capable of winning it, and tell me where else that's possible. OK, I'm with you on the NFC South, but, despite all the offseason moves New Orleans made, you still get the feeling the Saints serve another year as the anchor.
The AFC West? Sorry, I don't trust Oakland. The AFC North? Cleveland still is lagging. Besides, who's the quarterback there, anyway? The NFC North? No, thanks.
That takes us back to the NFC East. There are two of the league's three most successful active head coaches. There are marquee quarterbacks. Star running backs. Pro Bowl receivers. Aggressive defenses. And balance.
More than anything, there is balance.
Give me a room of six people, and I guarantee four different responses when I ask for a division winner. That's because there's no weak link here.
Philadelphia was the division doormat a year ago, but there were what you'd call extenuating circumstances. Translation: There was Terrell Owens. Now he's gone. All I know is that the last time the Eagles went into a season without Owens, they wound up in the conference championship game.
The New York Giants are the defending champions, and Eli Manning is another year older. That means better results, which is good when you look at a bell curve that had him tailing off at the end of last season.
Washington made its usual slew of offseason moves, and while I'm not a big fan of some of them, I am of the team's coaching staff. These guys know how to get the most from their players, and they did during the Redskins' late-season charge in 2005.
Then there's Dallas. The Cowboys added Owens, and that can be positive ... for a season. But let's forget about Owens for a moment. The Cowboys have Bill Parcells, and when was the last time he failed to make the playoffs in three consecutive seasons? I'll tell you when. Never.
So there you have it. Four teams; four reasons to win. Picking them is hard; playing them is harder, and this just in: The division the NFC East faces this season? The NFC South, and let the hammering begin. For the moment, this is the league's most complete group:
New York Giants
Why they will win: Because they have balance. Good offense, good defense. Don't tell me about their 24th-ranked defense. They allowed only six more points than Dallas and Philadelphia and only 21 more than Washington. So which of those clubs produced more takeaways? None of them. The Giants were second in the NFC and third in the league with 37. They were also third in the conference and first in the division in rushing and committed fewer turnovers than only Tampa Bay and Seattle in the NFC.
Why they won't: Because, at some point, someone other than Tiki Barber has to carry the load. The burden falls on the shoulders of quarterback Eli Manning, and it's time he assumed it. There were times last year when he did, and skeptics are urged to rewind videotape of that fourth-quarter win over Denver. But there were too many times, especially late in the season, when he didn't. He has the weapons, especially in the remarkable Barber, who not only gets better as he gets older but who last year got better as the season got older. He produced six 100-yard games in his last seven starts and two 200-yard games in his last three. That can't go on forever.
Key to it all: Eli Manning. He looked like a franchise quarterback the first half of the season, then he struggled down the stretch and was horrible in the playoff loss to Carolina. Over his last six games -- including the playoffs -- he threw four TDs and 10 interceptions. Manning has the experience and talent to start thinking about a move into his brother's neighborhood. Now is the time.
Biggest offseason move: Pass rushers LaVar Arrington and Mathias Kiwanuka drew the headlines, but cornerback Sam Madison shores up a vulnerable spot. So he's 32. He's also a four-time Pro Bowl choice and he's an upgrade over the inconsistent Will Allen. Safety Will Demps will help, too, if he's healthy. Demps, who suffered a knee injury last season, was terrific in 2004 for Baltimore.
Washington Redskins
Why they will win: Because they have the best coaches out there. Not only is Hall of Famer Joe Gibbs back, but the club retained defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and hired Al Saunders away from Kansas City. Sure, the Redskins overpaid for them, but there's a reason: They're two of the game's best. If you can't beat 'em, buy 'em.
Why they won't: Because quarterback Mark Brunell is worn down, and Jason Campbell is not ready to assume control. Brunell was one of last year's feel-good stories, but he faded into the playoffs -- with the Redskins producing two offensive touchdowns in two postseason games and Brunell throwing one TD pass.
Key to it all: The quarterbacks. Look for Washington to try to get a read on Campbell in preseason, with the second-year quarterback expected to play a lot. Brunell is experienced and was there for the second-half rush last year, but he also turns 36 and seemed worn out by the end of last season. Remember: Brunell wasn't the starter entering last year; Patrick Ramsey was.
Biggest offseason move: Retaining Williams and hiring Saunders. Williams' defense was the backbone of this club, with it suffocating opponents down the stretch. It wasn't the offense that beat Tampa Bay in the playoffs; it was a defense that scored a touchdown, produced three sacks and three turnovers and allowed an average of 3.7 yards a play. The offense was another story, which is where Saunders comes in. He had remarkable success at Kansas City, with the Chiefs ranked first in offense the past two years and second in 2003. The biggest beneficiary is running back Clinton Portis. Under Saunders, the Chiefs had 115 rushing TDs the past four seasons -- an average of 28.7 a year.
Dallas Cowboys
Why they will win: Because Terrell Owens pushes them over the top. The guy's a playmaker and the second home-run threat in a balanced offense. The Cowboys always could beat you with the run. But they can do it with the pass now, too, thanks to Owens' arrival. Team him with Terry Glenn, and tell me who you double-team. Yeah, I think it's Owens, too, but all Glenn did a year ago was lead the team in yards (1,136), TD catches (7) and average yards per catch (18.3). Plus, he has a history with Drew Bledsoe.
Why they won't: Terrell Owens. He's a time bomb, set to go off at any minute and in any locker room. Bledsoe has a history with Glenn, which means the two have a rapport. What do you think happens when Owens isn't getting what he believes is his fair share of the attention? Let me put it another way: What happens when they don't throw him the damn ball! You might wish Keyshawn was back when this is all over.
Key to it all: The offensive line. A year ago Bledsoe was sacked more than anyone outside of Houston's David Carr. Dallas addressed that shortcoming by signing free-agent offensive linemen Kyle Kozier and Jason Fabini, but do you really think they plug the leaks? I don't. And another thing: Which Marco Rivera shows up this year? The star at Green Bay or the stiff (and I'm talking about that back) from last year? It doesn't matter how open Owens and Glenn are. If the Cowboys don't protect Bledsoe, nobody gets the ball. And I can think of one wide receiver that will infuriate.
Biggest offseason move: It's all T.O., all the time. The Cowboys took a risk here, but look at it this way: Owens should be a lock for one productive, pain-free year, and this could be Bill Parcells' last season with the Cowboys. So, Parcells gets the best of Owens. If the worst is to follow, the coach might not care. He could be down the road.
Philadelphia Eagles
Why they will win: Because Donovan McNabb is healthy, and Terrell Owens is gone. That means Donovan McNabb should be happy, too. One thing about happy, healthy quarterbacks: They're usually successful, and McNabb took this team to four consecutive conference championship games before last year's meltdown. Philadelphia isn't predicated on its offense; it's built around a defense that last year was crippled and couldn't reach the quarterback. Getting defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley with the 14th draft choice was a steal and the addition of free-agent defensive end Darren Howard will sure up the defensive line. Together, they should take heat off a beleaguered secondary -- and off McNabb.
Why they won't: Because McNabb can't carry the club alone. Brian Westbrook is the star running back, and he's not designed to carry 20 times a game for 16 starts. Someone find these guys a short-yardage back. I'm equally concerned about their receivers, wondering if Reggie Brown becomes the playmaker Philadelphia envisions. Apparently, the Eagles don't share my concern. They passed on opportunities to trade for Eric Moulds and Javon Walker.
Key to it all: Donovan McNabb. The last time he played a complete season, he threw a career-best 31 touchdown and set franchise records for completion percentage, passer rating and passing yards. He also became the first quarterback in league history to throw 30 or more touchdowns and fewer than 10 interceptions. But that was with Owens on board, and, I'm sorry, there's no one like Owens on the outside now. That's good for the locker room, but not good for the scoreboard. McNabb must find other targets, other means of scoring and producing yards. You saw what happened in Minnesota when Daunte Culpepper lost Randy Moss; let's see what happens here.
Biggest offseason move: Getting rid of Owens. He was the best and worst thing that ever happened to these guys. He was the impact wide receiver they didn't have and the distraction they didn't want. In the end, he did what the rest of the division could not: He buried the club and rattled the quarterback.
CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer
Tell Clark your opinion!
The best division in the NFL is its most complete, and would the NFC East please step forward? There are four teams capable of winning it, and tell me where else that's possible. OK, I'm with you on the NFC South, but, despite all the offseason moves New Orleans made, you still get the feeling the Saints serve another year as the anchor.
The AFC West? Sorry, I don't trust Oakland. The AFC North? Cleveland still is lagging. Besides, who's the quarterback there, anyway? The NFC North? No, thanks.
That takes us back to the NFC East. There are two of the league's three most successful active head coaches. There are marquee quarterbacks. Star running backs. Pro Bowl receivers. Aggressive defenses. And balance.
More than anything, there is balance.
Give me a room of six people, and I guarantee four different responses when I ask for a division winner. That's because there's no weak link here.
Philadelphia was the division doormat a year ago, but there were what you'd call extenuating circumstances. Translation: There was Terrell Owens. Now he's gone. All I know is that the last time the Eagles went into a season without Owens, they wound up in the conference championship game.
The New York Giants are the defending champions, and Eli Manning is another year older. That means better results, which is good when you look at a bell curve that had him tailing off at the end of last season.
Washington made its usual slew of offseason moves, and while I'm not a big fan of some of them, I am of the team's coaching staff. These guys know how to get the most from their players, and they did during the Redskins' late-season charge in 2005.
Then there's Dallas. The Cowboys added Owens, and that can be positive ... for a season. But let's forget about Owens for a moment. The Cowboys have Bill Parcells, and when was the last time he failed to make the playoffs in three consecutive seasons? I'll tell you when. Never.
So there you have it. Four teams; four reasons to win. Picking them is hard; playing them is harder, and this just in: The division the NFC East faces this season? The NFC South, and let the hammering begin. For the moment, this is the league's most complete group:
New York Giants
Why they will win: Because they have balance. Good offense, good defense. Don't tell me about their 24th-ranked defense. They allowed only six more points than Dallas and Philadelphia and only 21 more than Washington. So which of those clubs produced more takeaways? None of them. The Giants were second in the NFC and third in the league with 37. They were also third in the conference and first in the division in rushing and committed fewer turnovers than only Tampa Bay and Seattle in the NFC.
Why they won't: Because, at some point, someone other than Tiki Barber has to carry the load. The burden falls on the shoulders of quarterback Eli Manning, and it's time he assumed it. There were times last year when he did, and skeptics are urged to rewind videotape of that fourth-quarter win over Denver. But there were too many times, especially late in the season, when he didn't. He has the weapons, especially in the remarkable Barber, who not only gets better as he gets older but who last year got better as the season got older. He produced six 100-yard games in his last seven starts and two 200-yard games in his last three. That can't go on forever.
Key to it all: Eli Manning. He looked like a franchise quarterback the first half of the season, then he struggled down the stretch and was horrible in the playoff loss to Carolina. Over his last six games -- including the playoffs -- he threw four TDs and 10 interceptions. Manning has the experience and talent to start thinking about a move into his brother's neighborhood. Now is the time.
Biggest offseason move: Pass rushers LaVar Arrington and Mathias Kiwanuka drew the headlines, but cornerback Sam Madison shores up a vulnerable spot. So he's 32. He's also a four-time Pro Bowl choice and he's an upgrade over the inconsistent Will Allen. Safety Will Demps will help, too, if he's healthy. Demps, who suffered a knee injury last season, was terrific in 2004 for Baltimore.
Washington Redskins
Why they will win: Because they have the best coaches out there. Not only is Hall of Famer Joe Gibbs back, but the club retained defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and hired Al Saunders away from Kansas City. Sure, the Redskins overpaid for them, but there's a reason: They're two of the game's best. If you can't beat 'em, buy 'em.
Why they won't: Because quarterback Mark Brunell is worn down, and Jason Campbell is not ready to assume control. Brunell was one of last year's feel-good stories, but he faded into the playoffs -- with the Redskins producing two offensive touchdowns in two postseason games and Brunell throwing one TD pass.
Key to it all: The quarterbacks. Look for Washington to try to get a read on Campbell in preseason, with the second-year quarterback expected to play a lot. Brunell is experienced and was there for the second-half rush last year, but he also turns 36 and seemed worn out by the end of last season. Remember: Brunell wasn't the starter entering last year; Patrick Ramsey was.
Biggest offseason move: Retaining Williams and hiring Saunders. Williams' defense was the backbone of this club, with it suffocating opponents down the stretch. It wasn't the offense that beat Tampa Bay in the playoffs; it was a defense that scored a touchdown, produced three sacks and three turnovers and allowed an average of 3.7 yards a play. The offense was another story, which is where Saunders comes in. He had remarkable success at Kansas City, with the Chiefs ranked first in offense the past two years and second in 2003. The biggest beneficiary is running back Clinton Portis. Under Saunders, the Chiefs had 115 rushing TDs the past four seasons -- an average of 28.7 a year.
Dallas Cowboys
Why they will win: Because Terrell Owens pushes them over the top. The guy's a playmaker and the second home-run threat in a balanced offense. The Cowboys always could beat you with the run. But they can do it with the pass now, too, thanks to Owens' arrival. Team him with Terry Glenn, and tell me who you double-team. Yeah, I think it's Owens, too, but all Glenn did a year ago was lead the team in yards (1,136), TD catches (7) and average yards per catch (18.3). Plus, he has a history with Drew Bledsoe.
Why they won't: Terrell Owens. He's a time bomb, set to go off at any minute and in any locker room. Bledsoe has a history with Glenn, which means the two have a rapport. What do you think happens when Owens isn't getting what he believes is his fair share of the attention? Let me put it another way: What happens when they don't throw him the damn ball! You might wish Keyshawn was back when this is all over.
Key to it all: The offensive line. A year ago Bledsoe was sacked more than anyone outside of Houston's David Carr. Dallas addressed that shortcoming by signing free-agent offensive linemen Kyle Kozier and Jason Fabini, but do you really think they plug the leaks? I don't. And another thing: Which Marco Rivera shows up this year? The star at Green Bay or the stiff (and I'm talking about that back) from last year? It doesn't matter how open Owens and Glenn are. If the Cowboys don't protect Bledsoe, nobody gets the ball. And I can think of one wide receiver that will infuriate.
Biggest offseason move: It's all T.O., all the time. The Cowboys took a risk here, but look at it this way: Owens should be a lock for one productive, pain-free year, and this could be Bill Parcells' last season with the Cowboys. So, Parcells gets the best of Owens. If the worst is to follow, the coach might not care. He could be down the road.
Philadelphia Eagles
Why they will win: Because Donovan McNabb is healthy, and Terrell Owens is gone. That means Donovan McNabb should be happy, too. One thing about happy, healthy quarterbacks: They're usually successful, and McNabb took this team to four consecutive conference championship games before last year's meltdown. Philadelphia isn't predicated on its offense; it's built around a defense that last year was crippled and couldn't reach the quarterback. Getting defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley with the 14th draft choice was a steal and the addition of free-agent defensive end Darren Howard will sure up the defensive line. Together, they should take heat off a beleaguered secondary -- and off McNabb.
Why they won't: Because McNabb can't carry the club alone. Brian Westbrook is the star running back, and he's not designed to carry 20 times a game for 16 starts. Someone find these guys a short-yardage back. I'm equally concerned about their receivers, wondering if Reggie Brown becomes the playmaker Philadelphia envisions. Apparently, the Eagles don't share my concern. They passed on opportunities to trade for Eric Moulds and Javon Walker.
Key to it all: Donovan McNabb. The last time he played a complete season, he threw a career-best 31 touchdown and set franchise records for completion percentage, passer rating and passing yards. He also became the first quarterback in league history to throw 30 or more touchdowns and fewer than 10 interceptions. But that was with Owens on board, and, I'm sorry, there's no one like Owens on the outside now. That's good for the locker room, but not good for the scoreboard. McNabb must find other targets, other means of scoring and producing yards. You saw what happened in Minnesota when Daunte Culpepper lost Randy Moss; let's see what happens here.
Biggest offseason move: Getting rid of Owens. He was the best and worst thing that ever happened to these guys. He was the impact wide receiver they didn't have and the distraction they didn't want. In the end, he did what the rest of the division could not: He buried the club and rattled the quarterback.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:32 PM
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