2011 NFL Preview: NFC East
We've saved the best for last, and in my opinion, the best division top to bottom in the NFL, the NFC East. Five of the six playoff spots have already been filled and I see only one team coming out of the East. So far I have St. Louis winning the NFC West, Atlanta and New Orleans coming out of the NFC South, and Green Bay and Detroit from the NFC North. With all that has happened this off-season in free agency, it should be no surprise who my pick to win the NFC East is, but nonetheless here is what to expect from the Cowboys, Giants, Eagles and Redskins.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys: 6-10 (in 2010)
Every season it does not matter who the quarterback is, who is head coach, and it makes no difference if the roster is filled with stars or not, owner Jerry Jones and Dallas fans expect "America's Team" to win and will accept nothing less. The 2010 Cowboys were supposed to contend for a Super Bowl and be the first team to play in the big game in their own building, but that was not the case.
Injuries hit the Cowboys hard, especially QB Tony Romo's season coming to an end after only six games, and poor performances by the defense lead to head coach Wade Phillips being fired mid-season. Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett took over for the reminder of the year and had enough success to earn the job permanently for 2011. Garrett was able to turn the Cowboys season around by going 5-3 after starting 1-7, but it was still a third place finish in the NFC East and Dallas missed the playoffs.
Expectations will once again be high in Big D this season, but the Cowboys lost some major contributors from last season. RB Marion Barber and WR Roy Williams are now in Chicago. Tackle Marc Colombo is in Miami, guard Leonard Davis remains unsigned and center Andre Gurode was released.
However, the Cowboys roster is still full of many stars and Pro Bowlers that they will once again make up a solid football team. WR Miles Austin, TE Jason Witten, WR Dez Bryant, QB Tony Romo, and one of the best defenders in the NFL, LB DeMarcus Ware all return in hopes of getting the Cowboys back to the playoffs in 2011.
That, however, is easier said than done. Playing along Philadelphia, Washington and New York in the NFC East means six tough division games. Plus games with the New York Jets, New England, Tampa Bay and St. Louis will make it difficult to have a winning record, but I think Dallas will finish better than 6-10 in 2011. It will just not be enough to make the playoffs and that won't have Jerry Jones too happy.
New York Giants: 10-6
Much like the Cowboys, the Giants had a disappointing 2011 despite finishing with a winning record. New York was expected to reach the playoffs, but the resurgence of Michael Vick in Philadelphia led to the Eagles winning the division at 10-6 instead of the G-Men. QB Eli Manning said that he thinks he is one of the league's elite quarterbacks and he will have to be that and more if the Giants are to get back to the playoffs this season.
Eli threw for 4,002 yards and 31 TD, which was a career high, and the offense was ranked in the top ten in passing and running the ball. However, 25 interceptions, 11 lost fumbles and lapses on special teams, aka the punt return by Eagles WR DeSean Jackson, ultimately was their downfall. For a team that had success last season, it will look very different in 2011.
QB Eli Manning, running backs Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw, wide receivers Mario Manningham and Hakeem Nicks all return, but several other stars do not. TE Kevin Boss is in Oakland, WR Steve Smith signed with Philadelphia, and longtime lineman C Shaun O'Hara and G Rich Seubert were released. That's a lot for one team to replace and it will be interesting to see how Eli and the Giant offense responses.
On defense the Giants have been hit hard by injuries and the season hasn't even started yet. CB Terrell Thomas, who lead the Giants in total tackles and interceptions, is out for the season after tearing his ACL in the preseason. DE Osi Umenyiora has a knee injury and will miss some time. Rookies DT Marvin Austin (North Carolina) is injured with a torn pectoral and could miss the rest of the season and first round pick CB Prince Amukamara (Nebraska) suffered a foot injury in training camp and will miss over a month.
The defense could get a boost from several other rookies to make up for the injuries. Former Moeller LB Greg Jones (Michigan State) has played well this preseason and blocked a punt against Chicago, as well as cancer survivor LB Mark Herzlich (Boston College) who has overcome a lot to make it in the NFL. Both could see some playing time on defense and special teams this season and as a fan of both, I sure would like to see them out there and wish them both nothing but the best.
Coughlin's coaching seat is coming into the season preheated and it's going to be on fire come January.
Philadelphia Eagles: 10-6
Can you say "Dream Team?" The football gods must be shining down on Philadelphia, because things have never looked brighter for the Eagles. Lots of talented players traveled to the City of Brotherly Love after the lockout ended making the Eagles the perennial Super Bowl favorites going into the 2011 season. The question isn't who joined the Eagles, the real question is, who didn't. Philadelphia already has a roster filled with talent on both sides of the ball and now the Eagles have the look of an all-star team poised to win it all.
On defense the Eagles signed DE Cullen Jenkins (Green Bay), DE Jason Babin (Tennessee) and the top free agent in the 2011 class, CB Nnamdi Asomugha (Oakland). The Eagles also received CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie from the Cardinals in the trade for Kevin Kolb. All of these guys will have an immediate impact on the defense that already has stars like DE Trent Cole, CB Asante Samuel and DT Mike Patterson. The Eagles also will start rookie LB Casey Matthews (Oregon), brother of Packers linebacker Clay Matthews, hoping he continues the family line of solid football players. The defense looks really, really talented on paper and fans will be expecting to see that talent on the field.
There are even more stars on an offense if you can believe that and they all will be lead by the resurgent QB Micheal Vick. RB Ronnie Brown (Miami), QB Vince Young (Tennessee) and WR Steve Smith (NY Giants) all were signed as free agents to add talent and depth to already dominating offensive unit.
QB Michael Vick, RB LeSean McCoy, WR DeSean Jackson, WR Jeremy Maclin and TE Brent Celek put up 439 points, were ranked in the top ten in passing and rushing last season and they have even more weapons this year. Philadelphia explosive offense has added enough firepower to put up record numbers and opposing defensive coordinators won't be sleeping much when the Eagles are on the schedule.
The biggest key to the Eagles success is protecting their most important player, Michael Vick. The offensive line has struggled in protection this preseason and with Vick's aggressive style of play, he is going to get hit. The line just has to limit the amount of hits Vick takes in the passing game. If Vick can stay healthy and the "Dream Team" persona doesn't get to their heads, the Eagles could find themselves in Super Bowl XLVI.
Philadelphia does have to compete against the Cowboys, Giants and Redskins in the division, along with dates against New England, New York Jets, Atlanta, St. Louis and Chicago, but no one may be able to match the Eagles in 2011.
Washington Redskins: 6-10
QB Rex Grossman thinks the Redskins are good enough to win the NFC East, everyone else has a slightly different opinion. "C'mon Man." I would be stunned if the Redskins win the East, yet along make the playoffs, because of the uncertainty at the quarterback position.
QB Donovon McNabb was traded to the Minnesota Vikings in the off-season, so it will be either Rex Grossman or John Beck under center for Washington. Grossman or Beck at quarterback just isn't the same as having a proven man like McNabb running the offense and I expect the Redskins to struggle. Grossman and Beck both have had good games this preseason and Grossman did lead the Bears to a Super Bowl, but neither one is anything to get excited about.
Besides quarterback, Washington has made some other changes to the roster this off-season. The $100 million man, Albert Haynesworth, got traded to New England and no one is probably more happy about that than head coach Mike Shanahan. They never really had a good relationship headlined by Shanahan making Haynesworth pass a condition test last year during training camp.
Longtime RB Clinton Portis is also gone, which lead to the Redskins signing Cardinals RB Tim Hightower. Washington also drafted DE Ryan Kerrigan (Purdue), DT Jarvis Jenkins (Clemson), RB Roy Helu (Nebraska) and WR Leonard Hankerson (Miami Fla.) who are all nice college players and they could make an impact right away.
However, these new rookies and either Grossman or Beck at quarterback will do very little for a team that was 6-10 last season, 30th in rushing, 31st in stopping the pass and 26th in stopping the run. With Philadelphia, NY Giants, and Dallas on the schedule twice, plus New England, NY Jets, and St. Louis, the Redskins could be in for a long season.
Predicted Standings
The Eagles are the favorites to not only win the NFC East, but the Super Bowl and I believe they can do both. My Super Bowl prediction is still to come, so stay tuned. Dallas and New York are my 1a and 1b picks to make the playoffs if Atlanta, New Orleans or Detroit struggle, but Philadelphia is going to be the team to beat. It will be interesting to see if the Eagles can live up to the hype, because the last professional sports team to have this much hype surrounding them was the Miami Heat and we all know how things turned out for them.
Predicted 2011 NFC East Standings:
Philadelphia: 12-4
New York: 9-7
Dallas: 9-7
Washington: 4-12
The NFC is now complete and I will begin my preview of the AFC by looking at the Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs and Raiders in the AFC West.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys: 6-10 (in 2010)
Every season it does not matter who the quarterback is, who is head coach, and it makes no difference if the roster is filled with stars or not, owner Jerry Jones and Dallas fans expect "America's Team" to win and will accept nothing less. The 2010 Cowboys were supposed to contend for a Super Bowl and be the first team to play in the big game in their own building, but that was not the case.
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| Jason Garrett will have a full season to prove he is the right man for the job as head coach of "America's Team." (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) |
Expectations will once again be high in Big D this season, but the Cowboys lost some major contributors from last season. RB Marion Barber and WR Roy Williams are now in Chicago. Tackle Marc Colombo is in Miami, guard Leonard Davis remains unsigned and center Andre Gurode was released.
However, the Cowboys roster is still full of many stars and Pro Bowlers that they will once again make up a solid football team. WR Miles Austin, TE Jason Witten, WR Dez Bryant, QB Tony Romo, and one of the best defenders in the NFL, LB DeMarcus Ware all return in hopes of getting the Cowboys back to the playoffs in 2011.
That, however, is easier said than done. Playing along Philadelphia, Washington and New York in the NFC East means six tough division games. Plus games with the New York Jets, New England, Tampa Bay and St. Louis will make it difficult to have a winning record, but I think Dallas will finish better than 6-10 in 2011. It will just not be enough to make the playoffs and that won't have Jerry Jones too happy.
New York Giants: 10-6
Much like the Cowboys, the Giants had a disappointing 2011 despite finishing with a winning record. New York was expected to reach the playoffs, but the resurgence of Michael Vick in Philadelphia led to the Eagles winning the division at 10-6 instead of the G-Men. QB Eli Manning said that he thinks he is one of the league's elite quarterbacks and he will have to be that and more if the Giants are to get back to the playoffs this season.
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| QB Eli Manning is going into 2011 on a mission to prove that he is one of the league's elite quarterbacks. |
QB Eli Manning, running backs Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw, wide receivers Mario Manningham and Hakeem Nicks all return, but several other stars do not. TE Kevin Boss is in Oakland, WR Steve Smith signed with Philadelphia, and longtime lineman C Shaun O'Hara and G Rich Seubert were released. That's a lot for one team to replace and it will be interesting to see how Eli and the Giant offense responses.
On defense the Giants have been hit hard by injuries and the season hasn't even started yet. CB Terrell Thomas, who lead the Giants in total tackles and interceptions, is out for the season after tearing his ACL in the preseason. DE Osi Umenyiora has a knee injury and will miss some time. Rookies DT Marvin Austin (North Carolina) is injured with a torn pectoral and could miss the rest of the season and first round pick CB Prince Amukamara (Nebraska) suffered a foot injury in training camp and will miss over a month.
The defense could get a boost from several other rookies to make up for the injuries. Former Moeller LB Greg Jones (Michigan State) has played well this preseason and blocked a punt against Chicago, as well as cancer survivor LB Mark Herzlich (Boston College) who has overcome a lot to make it in the NFL. Both could see some playing time on defense and special teams this season and as a fan of both, I sure would like to see them out there and wish them both nothing but the best.
Coughlin's coaching seat is coming into the season preheated and it's going to be on fire come January.
Philadelphia Eagles: 10-6
Can you say "Dream Team?" The football gods must be shining down on Philadelphia, because things have never looked brighter for the Eagles. Lots of talented players traveled to the City of Brotherly Love after the lockout ended making the Eagles the perennial Super Bowl favorites going into the 2011 season. The question isn't who joined the Eagles, the real question is, who didn't. Philadelphia already has a roster filled with talent on both sides of the ball and now the Eagles have the look of an all-star team poised to win it all.
 |
| QB Michael Vick and all the new talent around him have fans labeling the 2011 Philadelphia Eagles, as the football version of the 1992 US Olympic Basketball team. (Al Bello/Getty Images) |
There are even more stars on an offense if you can believe that and they all will be lead by the resurgent QB Micheal Vick. RB Ronnie Brown (Miami), QB Vince Young (Tennessee) and WR Steve Smith (NY Giants) all were signed as free agents to add talent and depth to already dominating offensive unit.
QB Michael Vick, RB LeSean McCoy, WR DeSean Jackson, WR Jeremy Maclin and TE Brent Celek put up 439 points, were ranked in the top ten in passing and rushing last season and they have even more weapons this year. Philadelphia explosive offense has added enough firepower to put up record numbers and opposing defensive coordinators won't be sleeping much when the Eagles are on the schedule.
The biggest key to the Eagles success is protecting their most important player, Michael Vick. The offensive line has struggled in protection this preseason and with Vick's aggressive style of play, he is going to get hit. The line just has to limit the amount of hits Vick takes in the passing game. If Vick can stay healthy and the "Dream Team" persona doesn't get to their heads, the Eagles could find themselves in Super Bowl XLVI.
Philadelphia does have to compete against the Cowboys, Giants and Redskins in the division, along with dates against New England, New York Jets, Atlanta, St. Louis and Chicago, but no one may be able to match the Eagles in 2011.
Washington Redskins: 6-10
QB Rex Grossman thinks the Redskins are good enough to win the NFC East, everyone else has a slightly different opinion. "C'mon Man." I would be stunned if the Redskins win the East, yet along make the playoffs, because of the uncertainty at the quarterback position.
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| John Beck (left) and Rex Grossman (right) are in a heated battle in the nation's captial for the Redskins starting quarterback job. (Photo Courtesy CBS Sports) |
Besides quarterback, Washington has made some other changes to the roster this off-season. The $100 million man, Albert Haynesworth, got traded to New England and no one is probably more happy about that than head coach Mike Shanahan. They never really had a good relationship headlined by Shanahan making Haynesworth pass a condition test last year during training camp.
Longtime RB Clinton Portis is also gone, which lead to the Redskins signing Cardinals RB Tim Hightower. Washington also drafted DE Ryan Kerrigan (Purdue), DT Jarvis Jenkins (Clemson), RB Roy Helu (Nebraska) and WR Leonard Hankerson (Miami Fla.) who are all nice college players and they could make an impact right away.
However, these new rookies and either Grossman or Beck at quarterback will do very little for a team that was 6-10 last season, 30th in rushing, 31st in stopping the pass and 26th in stopping the run. With Philadelphia, NY Giants, and Dallas on the schedule twice, plus New England, NY Jets, and St. Louis, the Redskins could be in for a long season.
Predicted Standings
The Eagles are the favorites to not only win the NFC East, but the Super Bowl and I believe they can do both. My Super Bowl prediction is still to come, so stay tuned. Dallas and New York are my 1a and 1b picks to make the playoffs if Atlanta, New Orleans or Detroit struggle, but Philadelphia is going to be the team to beat. It will be interesting to see if the Eagles can live up to the hype, because the last professional sports team to have this much hype surrounding them was the Miami Heat and we all know how things turned out for them.
Predicted 2011 NFC East Standings:
Philadelphia: 12-4
New York: 9-7
Dallas: 9-7
Washington: 4-12
The NFC is now complete and I will begin my preview of the AFC by looking at the Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs and Raiders in the AFC West.
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