2009 NFC East Predictions

[Taydeezy]

Standings(with records if you would like): Giants (11-5), Eagles (10-6), Cowboys (10-6), Redskins (5-11)

Best Offensive Player of Division: Brandon Jacobs

Best Defensive Player of Division: DeMarcus Ware

Best Offensive Rookie of Division: Hakeem Nicks

Best Defensive Rookie of Division: Brian Orakpo

Players on the Rise: Martellus Bennett, DeSean Jackson, Felix Jones, Stewart Bradley (before injury), LaRon Landry, Mario Manningham, Orlando Scandrick

Players on the Decline: Donovan McNabb, Clinton Portis

Coach(es) on the Hot Seat(If necessary): Wade Phillips, Jim Zorn

Biggest Storyline of Division:

Will the loss of Plaxico Burress going to make Eli's 1st year in his new contract a living hell?

Can Tony Romo prove that he belongs in the "Elite QB" category by carrying this pass game on his shoulders and make mediocre receivers good?

Albert Haynesworth not being worth his big contract. Aging line, questions at quarterback, no true number one receiver for the Skins, yada yada yada......Jason Campbell WILL have a break out season this year.

Mike Vick. The losses of Brian Dawkins and Lito Sheppard may hinder the Eagle's defense....Can rookies step up and make an impact for THIS Season? Mike Vick.

[friedrod]

If you want people to take you serious you shouldn't write things like the Skins are going to go 5-11 just because you don't like the team and then later in the same post write the QB for said team is going to have a breakout year.....a breakout year combined w/a RABID defense equals 11-5 not 5-11........and by the way, I'm only saying this because I'm a Skins fan and ddnt like your predictions concerning them....and we at least know we'll be 2-0 against the dirty cowbitches

[Taydeezy]

I don't think they have the offensive firepower to keep up with the good defenses in the NFC East. The Eagles and Giants have 2 of the best defenses in the league, and the Cowboys aren't far off. The Redskins are going to need some big time firepower to keep up with those defenses, and right now I see too many question marks.

Portis, Cooley and Moss are great. I'm not disputing that. However, I think that opposite Moss, there are some question marks. Sure, Kelly and Thomas, and even Marko Mitchell are having great summers, but there are a ton of players around the league that look great in August and it translates to nothing in September. I think Kelly and Thomas have the potential, but right now, they are a question mark. Behind Portis, I think there are also question marks. I think Betts is a great backup running back, but if Portis gets hurt, I really question his ability to carry a full load.

And this is just from the playmaker positions. I still think their OLine is their biggest question mark, which could really hurt them given the big pass rushing attacks in the NFC East.

There are still too many question marks on offense, which I think will lead to the Redskins having a tough time keeping up with the rest of the teams in that division. NYG, Philly and Dallas all have much more well rounded teams in terms of offensive and defensive talent, and I think the Redskins are going to have a tough time beating those teams out.

I think it is still possible for Jason Campbell to break out this year and the team still have a dismal record. As long as Portis and OLine stays healthy I think Campbell will have a "break out" year. I'm not talking 30+ TD's. More along the lines of 90+ QB rating, 22 TDs, 6 INt, 3000 yds. Which for Campbell could be the season that might could get some critics off his back.

[Ride the Pine]

I'm calling it right now. Giants will finish 3rd in the division! Not because I'm a Cowboys fan, but because I'm just not impressed with the Giants. If it was because I'm a Cowboys fan, I wouldn't be saying that I think the Eagles will win the division and represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. As much as I hate to say it, they've got too much going for them and always seem to make a strong move at the end of the season. Combine that with the good start I expect them to have, and they'll have it in cruise control by week 8.

[sox5123]

Yeah no way the Giants are winning the division. They're just not a very strong team. Their star defensive end just left and didn't show up for practice because he was upset with a coordinator? Give me a break. You get paid to play this game, get out there and do your damn job and quit whining.

[Ride the Pine]

Originally Posted by Taydeezy

Can Tony Romo prove that he belongs in the "Elite QB" category by carrying this pass game on his shoulders and make mediocre receivers good?

By the way, to those who he HASN'T proved this to yet, they won't ever be happy even if he wins 3 Super Bowls. Those are usually (not always, but usually) the same people that year after year beg the team to trade tsay... the kicker for Adrian Peterson... I mean if someone is gonna say he hasn't proven that yet based on a bobbled snap on a field goal and a few drops and stopped routes in a playoff game against the Giants, they aren't really watching the games to begin with.

[sox5123]

Originally Posted by Brandon Land

By the way, to those who he HASN'T proved this to yet, they won't ever be happy even if he wins 3 Super Bowls. Those are usually (not always, but usually) the same people that year after year beg the team to trade tsay... the kicker for Adrian Peterson... I mean if someone is gonna say he hasn't proven that yet based on a bobbled snap on a field goal and a few drops and stopped routes in a playoff game against the Giants, they aren't really watching the games to begin with.

Great point... couldn't agree more. Cowboys fans are the best example of a knee-jerking fanbase I've ever seen.

[CowboysFan1985]

Sox, as a (fellow?) Cowboy fan, I agree about the knee-jerking part. But the thing is Jerry Jones took that mindset back in the 90's when his precious dynasty was fading into oblivion.

I want the Cowboys to win the division, and think they're capable of a 12-win season, but the honest side of me doesn't think that will happen. I'm thinking they finish 2nd behind the Eagles and miss the playoffs because someone from the NFC South or NFC North will take the final spot.

[radar360]

I just don't think anyone can take the Eagles down in the NFC East. They look to be pretty stacked on offense. If their starting QB goes down, they have a somewhat proven backup to step in.

[Ride the Pine]

Originally Posted by sox5123

Yeah no way the Giants are winning the division. They're just not a very strong team. Their star defensive end just left and didn't show up for practice because he was upset with a coordinator? Give me a break. You get paid to play this game, get out there and do your damn job and quit whining.

Yeah, I'm about tired of players acting like they transcend the sport they play in. This includes Jay Cutler earlier this summer, Brandon Marshall now, and guys like Umenyiora who storm out of practice at the first sign of an argument. These guys don't seem to understand how ridiculous they look asking for another million a season while you and I are out here struggling to find a job just to pay the rent. I think the biggest problem here is contracts not being guaranteed... I think every contract should be guaranteed: it's the essence of a contract for crying out loud! Why sign a contract if one party can just decide they don't want to honor their end? I've never understood that. Not only would it prevent teams from trying to lock up a guy with a ridiculous amount of guaranteed money up front so he doesn't leave, but it will keep these whiners from rearing their ugly head. Are there going to be more guys that go into the free agency market? Sure, but no more than any other sport that guarantees their contracts.

/end rant