NFL Preview: NFC East Six-Pack

Dallas Cowboys

The passing game is still in good hands, given that the offense really revolves around TE Jason Witten.

Phillips should give HB Felix Jones more carries over the course of the season in order to keep Marion Barber III fresh. Tashard Choice could play a role similar to Shonn Greene in New York, coming into the game in the 4th quarter and pounding a (hopefully) tired defense.

While OLBs Anthony Spencer and Bobby Carpenter will likely compete for the starting spot across from DeMarcus Ware, I’m not expecting much in terms of productivity because…

The Cowboys’ defensive line rotation is much weaker than it was last year, due to several key departures.

Even with the return of a healthy Terence Newman, there are huge question marks in the secondary. Second year CB Mike Jenkins doesn’t like to tackle, which is only acceptable if you’re Deion Sanders. Nickel CB Orlando Scandrick played well last year, but likely won’t see starting time. Who on this team can make a play at safety? I don’t see any playmakers currently on the roster.

The Cowboys have problems in the locker room, on defense, and with quarterback celebrity Tony Romo not being able to win late in the year. There’s even a grassroots movement in Dallas to have Jerry Jones fire himself…

Prediction: 7-9 wins

New York Giants

This years Giants team feels like it belongs in the NFC North – the black and blue division. The combination of Brandon Jacobs and the slasher Ahmad Bradshaw will give defenses problems. Last year, they were 2nd in the league with 138 yards per game.

QB Eli Manning continues to improve and be effective. The players have also put their faith in him, helping them win the Super Bowl in 2007. However, the same can’t be said about Giants management. He needs to elevate his game. He has never had a completion percentage over 60.3 or a ypc over 6.8, which is concerning. Now in his sixth year, I don’t see why anyone would expect his play to be all that much better.

That being said, he has a solid receiving corps. While TE Kevin Boss doesn’t put up big numbers, he is effective in the red zone and had 6 TDs in 2008. I also like WRs Steve Smith and Domenik Hixon, who has rebounded since colliding and temporarily paralyzing Kevin Everett. My favorite to take the #1 WR position is North Carolina rookie Hakeem Nicks, who is coming out of a pro-style offense.

The Football Giants’ defense racked up 42 sacks in 2008 and may be able to have a higher total this year. DEs Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora appear to be good for at least 10 sacks per year. LB Mathias Kiwanuka is also a solid edge rusher.

Even with the likely suspension Antonio Pierce, the Giants LBs shouldn’t miss a beat. Chase Blackburn will likely win the MLB spot over Jonathan Goff. The addition of LB Michael Boley will also help solidify the group. I also like rookie Clint Sintim out of UVA (in all likelihood he will be a contributor on special teams).

DBs Corey Webster, Aaron Ross, Michael Johnson, and Kenny Phillips should be better this year, being pushed by free agent additions and backups in camp.

Prediction: 11-13 wins and NFC East Winner

Philadelphia Eagles

First and foremost, the sporting world bid farewell to Eagles DC Jim Johnson yesterday. He was an extraordinary coach and a great person. May he rest in peace.

Talking football, the Eagles added two offensive linemen (Jason Peters and Stacy Andrews) to their squad, out of necessity. On paper, they have one of the better offensive lines in the league, but I would be holding my breath as an Eagles fan, and hope that their potential is realized.

While you don’t need a big back to be effective in short yardage, it certainly helps. And a big back is something that the Eagles have not had for a a while, and their struggles in such situations is likely to continue. HB Brian Westbrook can only do so much.

Look for TE Brian Celek to have a breakout year. He may even play well enough to merit a Pro Bowl selection.

The Eagles are another team with a good secondary. The CB trio of Sheldon Brown, Asante Samuel, and Ellis Hobbs is top tier. Safeties Sean Jones and Quintin Mikell won’t make fans forget about Brian Dawkins, they will earn their paychecks.

The Eagles’ defensive line rivals the Giants’, with Trent Cole, Brodrick Bunkley, and Darren Howard (look out for this guy in ‘09). Now what can a less than spectacular linebacking corps do?

Prediction: 10-12 wins

Washington Redskins

Even though I live in the DC Metro Area, I’m not a Redskins fan. But, I do go to training camp every year. Two things I noticed during last years camp: 1. Jason Campbell’s laser-rocket arm routinely overthrew his receivers (something Skins fans saw in the regular season as well); 2. Colt Brennan was certainly more effective, productive, and got plenty of opportunities in the pre-season. There shouldn’t be a QB controversy though, with Todd Collins entrenched as the backup. This has to be Campbell’s breakout year though. His apologists in the past have (and fairly) pointed to the lack of consistency in an offensive system. There aren’t any excuses this year.

There are weapons on offense in Washington, but there are just as many problems associated with them. The first problem is that WR Santana Moss is a #2 receiver playing at the #1 spot. Antwaan Randle El is a slot receiver, who finds himself playing the #2 too often. Devin Thomas has struggled (has not learned to run NFL routes) and Malcolm Kelly’s development has been slowed by injuries. TE Fred Davis won’t supplant Todd Yoder until he learns how to block. Chris Cooley is one of the better TEs in the NFL, but his commitment to the game and his focus have been called into question.

Rookie OLB/DE Brian Orakpo will be interesting to watch. He is playing out of position as an OLB in the 4-3 and was a one-trick pony (speed rush) at Texas. He has been compared to former Redskins linebacker Marcus Washington. Vamos a ver.

Will Fat Albert Haynesworth produce outside of a contract year?

The Redskins secondary will be decent. However, CB Carlos Rogers has to make more plays (catch some INTs) and DeAngelo Hall needs to show the team that he can still be a starter. S LaRon Landry is a solid, hard hitting safety, but many insiders believe that 2nd year safety Chris Horton has already reached his potential.

HB Clinton Portis had a remarkably good year, considering the offensive line’s struggles. With several improvements in the trenches, Portis will continue to be the focal point of the Redskins attack. Jason Campbell is still the key to a successful season. I’m not sure if they key fits.

Prediction: 8-10 wins

Mathias Kiwanukais

@dwadeofficial Cowherd joins the haters at ESPN, said if the playoffs started today and heat/hawks is the matchup, the hawks would sweep