Long Year In N.Y.
Eagles, Bears, Saints, Seahawks ... But No Giants
Combined Wire Services
from Courant.com
In predicted order of finish: NFC EAST
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Coach: Andy Reid, ninth season (80-48, 8-6 playoffs)
Last season: 10-6, won division, lost to Saints in divisional playoff.
Strengths: If healthy, Donovan McNabb is the NFC's best quarterback. RB Brian Westbrook is as versatile as they come, and the O-line is dependable. New LB Takeo Spikes and a strong secondary lead the defense, and Reid is a fine coach.
Weaknesses: Where will the pass rush come from? The Eagles need to blitz too often to get pressure. Someone must emerge as the No. 1 receiver.
Players to watch: Westbrook, WR Kevin Curtis.
Biggest change: Depth at receiver.
Schedule key: Late-season stretch vs. Patriots, Seahawks, Giants, Cowboys and Saints, three of them on road.
Why they will finish first: Eagles have improved from last season, when they rallied to win division. Prediction: 10-6.
DALLAS COWBOYS
Coach: Wade Phillips, first season
Last season: 9-7, 2nd in division, lost to Seahawks in wild card game
Strengths: RB duo of Julius Jones-Marion Barber is first-rate, as is receiving corps. QB Tony Romo appears to be rising star. Look for big years from LBs DeMarcus Ware and Akin Ayodele, S Roy Williams and TE Jason Witten.
Weaknesses: Phillips has a mediocre record as head coach and his personality is not as strong as Bill Parcells'. What will he do when WR Terrell Owens starts getting frisky? Offensive line is not as steady as it has been. CB Terence Newman has been plagued by foot injury. Expectations might be a bit too high in Big D.
Players to watch: Ware, Owens.
Biggest change: No more Tuna; Romo at QB from outset for coach Phillips.
Schedule key: Successive midseason games with Eagles, Giants and Redskins.
Why they will finish second: Philly has the edge in several areas, including coaching. Prediction: 10-6, wild card.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Coach: Joe Gibbs, fourth season (21-27, 1-1); also coached 1981-92 (140-65)
Last season: fourth in division, 5-11
Strengths: RBs Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts are almost as good as the Jones-Barber combo in Dallas. Betts had breakout season last year (1,154 yards). If Portis is healthy, could be devastating running team. The defense will hit hard, led by LB Marcus Washington and safeties Sean Taylor and rookie LaRon Landry.
Weaknesses: That secondary doesn't cover very well, though, and the front four must bring more pressure. Young QB Jason Campbell will have growing pains, and the OL is unpredictable, although addition of G Pete Kendall helps.
Players to watch: WR Santana Moss, Washington.
Biggest change: Campbell as the starter from Week 1.
Schedule key: Face Patriots, Jets and Cowboys on road, Philly at home in midseason stretch.
Why they will finish third: Gibbs is a Hall of Fame coach working with too many ordinary players. Prediction: 7-9.
NEW YORK GIANTS
Coach: Tom Coughlin, fourth season (25-23, 0-2)
Last season: 8-8, third in division, lost to Eagles in wild card game
Strengths: DE Osi Umenyiora could become a special pass rusher. The receiving corps of TE Jeremy Shockey and WRs Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer (if he recovers fully from knee injury) can dominate games.
Weaknesses: The defense is suspect, particularly the secondary. The offensive line is in flux, although G Chris Snee is a comer. Injuries during exhibition piled up. DE Michael Strahan held out until Monday.
Players to watch: RB Brandon Jacobs, Umenyiora.
Biggest change: Loss of best player, Tiki Barber, actually could improve locker room environment.
Schedule key: Three division games in first four weeks, two on road.
Why they will finish fourth: Still too much discord and distractions, which can't help Coughlin's job security. Prediction: 7-9.
Combined Wire Services
from Courant.com
In predicted order of finish: NFC EAST
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Coach: Andy Reid, ninth season (80-48, 8-6 playoffs)
Last season: 10-6, won division, lost to Saints in divisional playoff.
Strengths: If healthy, Donovan McNabb is the NFC's best quarterback. RB Brian Westbrook is as versatile as they come, and the O-line is dependable. New LB Takeo Spikes and a strong secondary lead the defense, and Reid is a fine coach.
Weaknesses: Where will the pass rush come from? The Eagles need to blitz too often to get pressure. Someone must emerge as the No. 1 receiver.
Players to watch: Westbrook, WR Kevin Curtis.
Biggest change: Depth at receiver.
Schedule key: Late-season stretch vs. Patriots, Seahawks, Giants, Cowboys and Saints, three of them on road.
Why they will finish first: Eagles have improved from last season, when they rallied to win division. Prediction: 10-6.
DALLAS COWBOYS
Coach: Wade Phillips, first season
Last season: 9-7, 2nd in division, lost to Seahawks in wild card game
Strengths: RB duo of Julius Jones-Marion Barber is first-rate, as is receiving corps. QB Tony Romo appears to be rising star. Look for big years from LBs DeMarcus Ware and Akin Ayodele, S Roy Williams and TE Jason Witten.
Weaknesses: Phillips has a mediocre record as head coach and his personality is not as strong as Bill Parcells'. What will he do when WR Terrell Owens starts getting frisky? Offensive line is not as steady as it has been. CB Terence Newman has been plagued by foot injury. Expectations might be a bit too high in Big D.
Players to watch: Ware, Owens.
Biggest change: No more Tuna; Romo at QB from outset for coach Phillips.
Schedule key: Successive midseason games with Eagles, Giants and Redskins.
Why they will finish second: Philly has the edge in several areas, including coaching. Prediction: 10-6, wild card.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Coach: Joe Gibbs, fourth season (21-27, 1-1); also coached 1981-92 (140-65)
Last season: fourth in division, 5-11
Strengths: RBs Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts are almost as good as the Jones-Barber combo in Dallas. Betts had breakout season last year (1,154 yards). If Portis is healthy, could be devastating running team. The defense will hit hard, led by LB Marcus Washington and safeties Sean Taylor and rookie LaRon Landry.
Weaknesses: That secondary doesn't cover very well, though, and the front four must bring more pressure. Young QB Jason Campbell will have growing pains, and the OL is unpredictable, although addition of G Pete Kendall helps.
Players to watch: WR Santana Moss, Washington.
Biggest change: Campbell as the starter from Week 1.
Schedule key: Face Patriots, Jets and Cowboys on road, Philly at home in midseason stretch.
Why they will finish third: Gibbs is a Hall of Fame coach working with too many ordinary players. Prediction: 7-9.
NEW YORK GIANTS
Coach: Tom Coughlin, fourth season (25-23, 0-2)
Last season: 8-8, third in division, lost to Eagles in wild card game
Strengths: DE Osi Umenyiora could become a special pass rusher. The receiving corps of TE Jeremy Shockey and WRs Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer (if he recovers fully from knee injury) can dominate games.
Weaknesses: The defense is suspect, particularly the secondary. The offensive line is in flux, although G Chris Snee is a comer. Injuries during exhibition piled up. DE Michael Strahan held out until Monday.
Players to watch: RB Brandon Jacobs, Umenyiora.
Biggest change: Loss of best player, Tiki Barber, actually could improve locker room environment.
Schedule key: Three division games in first four weeks, two on road.
Why they will finish fourth: Still too much discord and distractions, which can't help Coughlin's job security. Prediction: 7-9.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:58 AM
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