What to watch in the NFC East (only)
By John Clayton
ESPN.com
Since the start of the new millennium, the road to the Super Bowl in the AFC has gone through either New England or Indianapolis. If you beat the Patriots or the Colts, you have a chance.
The NFC is different. The field is wide open. NFC teams don't have to score enough points to beat a Peyton Manning or Tom Brady.
NFC teams can make Super Bowl runs by becoming one of the best in the league in defense or by simply becoming a good running team. Defenses play a bigger role in winning NFC titles because of the difference in scoring. Maybe that's one of the reasons it's been harder for the NFC to win a Super Bowl in recent years.
In the NFC, you can build one good unit and have a chance. The Bears built a great defense. They went to the Super Bowl. The Saints hired Sean Payton and signed Drew Brees. They became a contender.
So what is there to look forward to in NFC training camps this summer?
NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles -- After being down for one year in 2005 because of a Donovan McNabb injury and the Terrell Owens turmoil, the Eagles are back atop the NFC East. The key to camp is watching McNabb. He's the key to their season. Supposedly, he enters camp with his knee at about 85 percent. Considering the severity of the knee injury, that's not bad. Carson Palmer was probably about 80 percent last year and he had a good season. Andy Reid should allow the running game to develop during camp knowing McNabb won't have all of his mobility.
Dallas Cowboys -- Wade Phillips is a players' coach and he has good players. It will be fun to see how he puts this team together. Watch the defense. Bill Parcells limited the number of blitzes and made his defensive linemen anchor the line and wrestle with blockers. Phillips will turn the defensive players loose with more blitzes and more plays in which linemen can shoot the gap. It will also be important to see how QB Tony Romo handles his first training camp and how he looks as the team's leader.
New York Giants -- Is everybody happy? The mood of the team will be the key to Giants' camp. Tom Coughlin is fighting for his job, but he's also tired of hearing veterans complain. He wants his players to be positive. Will Michael Strahan show up happy? Can Plaxico Burress and Jeremy Shockey make it through camp without any blowups or controversy? This is also an important summer for Eli Manning, who has to assume more leadership and proficiency in the offense.
Washington Redskins -- Players have been raving about the development of quarterback Jason Campbell. He has had an excellent offseason, but outsiders have to see how he is developing as a starter. Campbell didn't have a great pocket presence in his first year, but he was in a tough spot. Now, this is his team and his time to prove his ability.
ESPN.com
Since the start of the new millennium, the road to the Super Bowl in the AFC has gone through either New England or Indianapolis. If you beat the Patriots or the Colts, you have a chance.
The NFC is different. The field is wide open. NFC teams don't have to score enough points to beat a Peyton Manning or Tom Brady.
NFC teams can make Super Bowl runs by becoming one of the best in the league in defense or by simply becoming a good running team. Defenses play a bigger role in winning NFC titles because of the difference in scoring. Maybe that's one of the reasons it's been harder for the NFC to win a Super Bowl in recent years.
In the NFC, you can build one good unit and have a chance. The Bears built a great defense. They went to the Super Bowl. The Saints hired Sean Payton and signed Drew Brees. They became a contender.
So what is there to look forward to in NFC training camps this summer?
NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles -- After being down for one year in 2005 because of a Donovan McNabb injury and the Terrell Owens turmoil, the Eagles are back atop the NFC East. The key to camp is watching McNabb. He's the key to their season. Supposedly, he enters camp with his knee at about 85 percent. Considering the severity of the knee injury, that's not bad. Carson Palmer was probably about 80 percent last year and he had a good season. Andy Reid should allow the running game to develop during camp knowing McNabb won't have all of his mobility.
Dallas Cowboys -- Wade Phillips is a players' coach and he has good players. It will be fun to see how he puts this team together. Watch the defense. Bill Parcells limited the number of blitzes and made his defensive linemen anchor the line and wrestle with blockers. Phillips will turn the defensive players loose with more blitzes and more plays in which linemen can shoot the gap. It will also be important to see how QB Tony Romo handles his first training camp and how he looks as the team's leader.
New York Giants -- Is everybody happy? The mood of the team will be the key to Giants' camp. Tom Coughlin is fighting for his job, but he's also tired of hearing veterans complain. He wants his players to be positive. Will Michael Strahan show up happy? Can Plaxico Burress and Jeremy Shockey make it through camp without any blowups or controversy? This is also an important summer for Eli Manning, who has to assume more leadership and proficiency in the offense.
Washington Redskins -- Players have been raving about the development of quarterback Jason Campbell. He has had an excellent offseason, but outsiders have to see how he is developing as a starter. Campbell didn't have a great pocket presence in his first year, but he was in a tough spot. Now, this is his team and his time to prove his ability.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:59 PM
<< Home