NFC East capsules
from tennessean.com
TOP STORY: Wade Phillips lacks the big personality and the Super Bowl resume of his predecessor as Dallas Cowboys coach, Bill Parcells. But Phillips inherited a team with a lot of upside. The system he ran as defensive coordinator in San Diego last year helped linebacker Shawne Merriman produce 17 sacks. Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware might be capable of similar production.
TEAM ON THE RISE: If quarterback Donovan McNabb can stay healthy, he'll be running one of the NFL's best-coached teams. The Eagles have an excellent offensive line, a two-dimensional running back in Brian Westbrook and new possibilities at receiver with Kevin Curtis. Defensive tackles Ian Scott and Monte Reagor were good additions.
TEAM ON THE DECLINE: The Giants are without retired running back Tiki Barber and defensive end Michael Strahan made for a huge preseason headache. Can Brandon Jacobs carry the load as the lead back and can Mathias Kiwanuka make the transition to linebacker? The pressure is on quarterback Eli Manning to prove he can be productive on a weekly basis.
COACH ON THE HOT SEAT: It's almost sacrilegious to be critical of Washington icon Joe Gibbs, but in the fourth year of his comeback, his team should be more settled and established.
PLAYER ON THE HOT SEAT: Tony Romo, Dallas quarterback. The Cowboys feel like they've got their best guy since Troy Aikman, but Romo needs to show he can be less reckless and more consistent.
NOTEWORTHY: The division has sent at least two teams to the playoffs in four of the last five seasons.
PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH: Eagles, Cowboys, Giants, Redskins.
TOP STORY: Wade Phillips lacks the big personality and the Super Bowl resume of his predecessor as Dallas Cowboys coach, Bill Parcells. But Phillips inherited a team with a lot of upside. The system he ran as defensive coordinator in San Diego last year helped linebacker Shawne Merriman produce 17 sacks. Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware might be capable of similar production.
TEAM ON THE RISE: If quarterback Donovan McNabb can stay healthy, he'll be running one of the NFL's best-coached teams. The Eagles have an excellent offensive line, a two-dimensional running back in Brian Westbrook and new possibilities at receiver with Kevin Curtis. Defensive tackles Ian Scott and Monte Reagor were good additions.
TEAM ON THE DECLINE: The Giants are without retired running back Tiki Barber and defensive end Michael Strahan made for a huge preseason headache. Can Brandon Jacobs carry the load as the lead back and can Mathias Kiwanuka make the transition to linebacker? The pressure is on quarterback Eli Manning to prove he can be productive on a weekly basis.
COACH ON THE HOT SEAT: It's almost sacrilegious to be critical of Washington icon Joe Gibbs, but in the fourth year of his comeback, his team should be more settled and established.
PLAYER ON THE HOT SEAT: Tony Romo, Dallas quarterback. The Cowboys feel like they've got their best guy since Troy Aikman, but Romo needs to show he can be less reckless and more consistent.
NOTEWORTHY: The division has sent at least two teams to the playoffs in four of the last five seasons.
PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH: Eagles, Cowboys, Giants, Redskins.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:18 AM
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