The N.F.C. East- may be the N.F.L.’s deepest division
from the New York Times
September 3, 2006
This may be the N.F.L.’s deepest division, with any team capable of making the playoffs. The Washington Redskins have the veteran talent to unseat the Giants as the division champions.
Acquiring Antwaan Randle El and Brandon Lloyd will strengthen a Washington receiving corps that features the electric Santana Moss and the dependable tight end Chris Cooley. Assuming Clinton Portis recovers from a preseason shoulder injury, the running game should be potent. The Redskins traded for T. J. Duckett as insurance in case Portis has problems recovering.
The defense is solid, anchored by linebacker Marcus Washington and safeties Sean Taylor and Adam Archuleta.
Teams coached by Joe Gibbs almost always finish strong, and the Redskins should manage at least 10 victories, enough to return to the playoffs.
The Giants have Super Bowl aspirations, but that may be a stretch. The offense has superb talent, with Tiki Barber at running back, Plaxico Burress at wide receiver and Jeremy Shockey at tight end. But it will be difficult for the Giants to repeat as the division champions unless quarterback Eli Manning raises his game. Look for more teams to key on Barber, daring Manning to beat them. The Carolina Panthers did that during the playoffs last season and defeated the Giants, 23-0.
Defensively, the Giants addressed their needs during free agency, acquiring linebacker LaVar Arrington and defensive backs Sam Madison and Will Demps. Arrington was once one of the league’s most feared linebackers, especially when he rushed the passer. The Giants hope Arrington will boost an already formidable pass rush, led by defensive ends Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora. If they perform as expected, the Giants could create nightmares for opposing quarterbacks.
But sooner or later, Barber and Strahan will slow down, and if Manning remains inconsistent, the Giants may have another short run in the playoffs, if they get there at all.
By the middle of last season, the Philadelphia Eagles were a disabled, dysfunctional team. Their quarterback, Donovan McNabb, was lost to a hernia injury. Terrell Owens was off the team after feuding with McNabb and alienating the coaching staff and the front office. By the end of the season, the Eagles were 6-10, their worst record since 1999.
The Eagles are unlikely to reach Miami in February, but they look poised for a bounce-back season. McNabb is healthy, free of T. O. and eager to prove he is one of the game’s top quarterbacks. Without Owens’s big-play ability, Philadelphia will revert to its dump-and-run offense with McNabb throwing high-percentage passes to running back Brian Westbrook, tight end L. J. Smith and wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth.
Defense is where the Eagles should improve significantly. The acquisition of defensive end Darren Howard will aid the pass rush, which is anchored by defensive end Jevon Kearse. More pressure on the quarterback should help Philadelphia’s veteran secondary of safeties Brian Dawkins and Michael Lewis, and cornerbacks Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown.
Look for the Eagles to win at least eight games, and, with a little luck, challenge for the division title.
Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, gambled by signing Owens. Even if Owens behaves and contributes, the Cowboys have a suspect offensive line and an inconsistent running attack.
Bill Parcells is a great coach, but the Cowboys have not won a playoff game during his three seasons in Dallas.
In a weaker division, the Cowboys would fare better. But in this division, they could finish in last place.
September 3, 2006
This may be the N.F.L.’s deepest division, with any team capable of making the playoffs. The Washington Redskins have the veteran talent to unseat the Giants as the division champions.
Acquiring Antwaan Randle El and Brandon Lloyd will strengthen a Washington receiving corps that features the electric Santana Moss and the dependable tight end Chris Cooley. Assuming Clinton Portis recovers from a preseason shoulder injury, the running game should be potent. The Redskins traded for T. J. Duckett as insurance in case Portis has problems recovering.
The defense is solid, anchored by linebacker Marcus Washington and safeties Sean Taylor and Adam Archuleta.
Teams coached by Joe Gibbs almost always finish strong, and the Redskins should manage at least 10 victories, enough to return to the playoffs.
The Giants have Super Bowl aspirations, but that may be a stretch. The offense has superb talent, with Tiki Barber at running back, Plaxico Burress at wide receiver and Jeremy Shockey at tight end. But it will be difficult for the Giants to repeat as the division champions unless quarterback Eli Manning raises his game. Look for more teams to key on Barber, daring Manning to beat them. The Carolina Panthers did that during the playoffs last season and defeated the Giants, 23-0.
Defensively, the Giants addressed their needs during free agency, acquiring linebacker LaVar Arrington and defensive backs Sam Madison and Will Demps. Arrington was once one of the league’s most feared linebackers, especially when he rushed the passer. The Giants hope Arrington will boost an already formidable pass rush, led by defensive ends Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora. If they perform as expected, the Giants could create nightmares for opposing quarterbacks.
But sooner or later, Barber and Strahan will slow down, and if Manning remains inconsistent, the Giants may have another short run in the playoffs, if they get there at all.
By the middle of last season, the Philadelphia Eagles were a disabled, dysfunctional team. Their quarterback, Donovan McNabb, was lost to a hernia injury. Terrell Owens was off the team after feuding with McNabb and alienating the coaching staff and the front office. By the end of the season, the Eagles were 6-10, their worst record since 1999.
The Eagles are unlikely to reach Miami in February, but they look poised for a bounce-back season. McNabb is healthy, free of T. O. and eager to prove he is one of the game’s top quarterbacks. Without Owens’s big-play ability, Philadelphia will revert to its dump-and-run offense with McNabb throwing high-percentage passes to running back Brian Westbrook, tight end L. J. Smith and wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth.
Defense is where the Eagles should improve significantly. The acquisition of defensive end Darren Howard will aid the pass rush, which is anchored by defensive end Jevon Kearse. More pressure on the quarterback should help Philadelphia’s veteran secondary of safeties Brian Dawkins and Michael Lewis, and cornerbacks Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown.
Look for the Eagles to win at least eight games, and, with a little luck, challenge for the division title.
Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, gambled by signing Owens. Even if Owens behaves and contributes, the Cowboys have a suspect offensive line and an inconsistent running attack.
Bill Parcells is a great coach, but the Cowboys have not won a playoff game during his three seasons in Dallas.
In a weaker division, the Cowboys would fare better. But in this division, they could finish in last place.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:24 PM
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