Way too early NFC East predictions
by TK19 on May 10, 2010 8:17 AM CDT
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It has been a busy offseason thus far for the NFC East. A franchise QB was traded to a division foe and multiple new faces will be introduced to the Black and Blue Division. I wanted to take a look at what the teams of the NFC East have done to improve and make some way too early East predictions.
2009 Record: 4-12
NFC East Record: 0-6 (4th)
Players Lost
QB Todd Collins
RB Anthony Alridge
RB Ladell Betts
RB Quinton Ganther
RB P.J. Hill
RB Marcus Mason
FB Rock Cartwright
FB Eddie Williams
WR Marko Mitchell
WR Antwaan Randle El
WR James Robinson
OG Randy Thomas
DT Cornelius Griffin
DT Anthony Montgomery
CB Fred Smoot
Players Added
QB Rex Grossman
RB Ryan Torain
WR Joey Galloway
WR Bobby Wade
WR Roydell Williams
WR Marques Hagans
TE Sean Ryan
OG Kory Lichtensteiger
OL Artis Hicks
NT Maake Kemoeatu
DL Adam Carriker
DT Anthony Bryant
DT Howard Green
DT Greg Peterson
DE Darrion Scott
LB Chris Draft
CB Philip Buchanon
PK Justin Medlock
The 2009 season was one to forget for the Redskins. The offense averaged 16.6 points per game and only managed 94.4 yards on the ground. Exit Jim Zorn, enter Mike Shanahan. Shanahan was then able to bring his son in to coach the offense and Jim Haslett to coach the defense.
The Redskins then proceeded to clean house. The offensive line was a sieve last year, so Chris Samuels and Randy Thomas were not asked to come back for 2010. Jason Campbell has never been trusted in D.C., so the Redskins trade for Philly QB Donavan McNabb. Campbell has been shipped off to Oakland
The Skins also signed RB’s Willie Parker and Larry Johnson to deals, pairing them up with Clinton Portis. The hope is Shanahan can work his RB magic to prolong the careers of these aging backs.
Defensively, the Redskins were respectable. They gave up 21 points per game, but some of those points can be attributed to the poor offensive play. New coordinator Jim Haslett is said to be making some scheme changes – moving to a 3-4 scheme – to increase turnovers. Albert Haynesworth, who has not reported to mini-camps, is a distraction.
In the draft, the Redskins drafted three offensive linemen. OT Trent Williams was taken in the first round, and will likely be the starter at LT when the season opens. Center Erik Cook (7th round) and OT Selvish Capers (7th round) are late round picks who could push for playing time as well. After taking Williams with the fourth overall pick, the Redskins had to nearly 100 picks to select LB Perry Riley. Riley will probably play ILB in the 3-4. The Redskins also selected TE Dennis Morris (6th round) and WR Terrance Austin (7th round).
The Redskins have upgraded several key positions. McNabb is an upgrade over Campbell, but is not the long-term answer. There has been an infusion of youth along the offensive line, and Johnson and Parker may have enough left in the tank to help Portis strengthen the running game. However, as Cowboy fans know, the transition from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4 does not happen overnight. There will be growing pains. Add in a new offensive scheme and a new head coach and this seems like a transition year for the Redskins. Expect an up and down season from the Redskins, they’ll probably struggle early as they have to play the Cowboys, Texans, Eagles, Green Bay and the Colts early in the season. The fans may be quick to turn on the aging vets and impatient with the younger players if they start the season 1-5 (they do play the Rams).
Overall, I don’t see 2010 being a good year for Washington. They’ll be looking up at the rest of the NFC East again. They could however, be a sleeper team in 2012.
Prediction: 5-11, 4th in NFC East
2009 Record: 11-5
NFC East Record : 4-2 (2nd)
Players Lost:
—T Shawn Andrews (released/failed physical).
—DE Jason Babin: UFA Titans; $1M/1 yr (had individually negotiated right of first refusal/Eagles did not match).
—WR Reggie Brown (traded Buccaneers).
—CB Sheldon Brown (traded Browns).
—DE Chris Clemons (traded Seahawks).
—WR Kevin Curtis (released).
—LB Chris Gocong (traded Browns).
—DE Darren Howard (released).
—S Sean Jones: UFA Buccaneers; terms unknown.
—QB Donovan McNabb (traded Redskins).
—*TE Alex Smith: Not tendered as RFA/Brown; 1 yr, terms unknown.
—RB Brian Westbrook (released).
—LB Will Witherspoon (released).
Players Added:
—*WR Hank Baskett: Not tendered as RFA by Colt; 1 yrs, terms unknown.
—*RB Mike Bell: RFA Saints (tendered at $1.176 million with no compensation); $1.7M/1 yr, $500,000 guaranteed; Saints did not match.
—LB Alex Hall (traded Browns).
—*CB Marlin Jackson: Not tendered as RFA by Colts; $6M/2 yrs.
—RB Martell Mallett: CFL FA; terms unknown.
—LB Ernie Sims (trade Lions).
—DE Darryl Tapp (trade Seahawks, new contract $9M/3 yrs, $3M SB).
For the Eagles, the season comes down to one question; is QB Kevin Kolb for real? Make no mistake; the Eagles are talented enough to win right now. They have young and explosive skill position players. Guys like LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin provide an dynamic offense for the Eagles. However, as Dallas showed last year, if you force the Eagles to drive the field and not give up the big play, their offense is average. The Eagles decided to part ways with longtime QB Donavan McNabb and hand the reigns to Kevin Kolb. In limited action Kolb has been impressive, but he has never had to start an NFL season as “the guy”.
In the draft, the Eagles went heavy on defense. They selected defensive players with nine out of their 13 draft picks and their first five picks were all on the defensive side of the ball. DE Brandon Graham (1st round) and S Nate Allen (2nd round) will be looked at to step in and immediately help out the Philly defense – which did not play up to their lofty standards in 2009. The Eagles gave up 21.1 points per game in 2009 and didn’t seem nearly as aggressive as they have been in years past. Philadelphia has added several young pass rushers for 2010 including Graham, DE Daniel Te’o Nesheim (3rd round) and DE Ricky Sapp (5th round). They also bolstered their LB depth with Keenan Clayton (4th round) and Jamar Chaney (7th round). In addition to Allen, the Eagles also drafted CB Trevard Lindley (4th round) and SS Kurt Coleman (7th round). QB Mike Kafka (4th round), TE Clay Harbor (4th round), WR Riley Cooper (5th round), RB Charles Scott (6th round) and DT Jeff Owens (7th round) round out the Eagles draft class.
Overall, the Eagles are young and talented; but I just get the feeling their young QB is going to hit some bumps in the road. Once defensive coordinators get some film on Kolb and have time to dissect his game, they’ll be able to prevent him from having 300 yard games. How Kolb adjusts will ultimately decide the Eagles fate in 2010, and history is not on the young QB’s side. The Eagles could start out hot, with games against Detroit and Jacksonville early on. But ultimately the learning curve will be too steep for Kolb in 2010.
Prediction: 8-8, 3rd in NFC East
2009 Record: 8-8
NFC East Record: 4-2 (3rd)
Players Lost:
—DT Anthony Bryant (released).
—QB David Carr: UFA 49ers; $6.25M/2 yrs, $2M SB.
—*CB Kevin Dockery: Not tendered as RFA/Rams; $630,000/1 yr.
—P Jeff Feagles (retired), had re-signed as UFA; $900,000/1 yr.
—TE Darcy Johnson: Not tendered as RFA/Rams; $470,000/1 yr.
—LB Antonio Pierce (released/failed physical).
—DT Fred Robbins: UFA Rams; $11.25M/3 yrs, $3.395M RB 2010.
—S Aaron Rouse (released).
Players Added:
—S Deon Grant: FA Seahawks; $855,000/1 yr.
—S Antrel Rolle: FA Cardinals; $37M/5 yrs, $15M guaranteed/$5M SB.
—QB Jim Sorgi: FA Colts; $1.152M/1 yr, $175,000 SB.
—OT Herb Taylor: Waivers Broncos.
The Giants are similar to the Eagles in their defense did not play up to previous standards. The Giants brought in a defensive coordinator, Perry Fewell, to invigorate a denfense that allowed 26.7 points per game last season. Antrel Rolle was signed to a monster contract to improve the safety position which was hit with the injury bug last year. The Giants offense was potent last year as they averaged over 25 points per game. However, the running game was as dominant as it has been in the past (114.8 yards per game.)
In the draft, the Giants addressed the defensive side of the ball early and often. With their first round pick they selected DE Jason Pierre-Paul out of South Florida. Pierre-Paul is a talented, but raw, pass rusher who will probably only be as a situation rusher his rookie year. DT Linval Joseph (2nd round) was a late-riser on many draft boards and could compete for playing time early. S Chad Jones (3rd round) will be added depth at the safety position. LB Philip Dillard was selected in the 4th round, Dillard will compete for the MLB spot on the Giants. New York also addressed their offensive line with the selection of G Mitch Petrus in the fifth round. P Matt Dodge (7th round) will have to replace retired Jeff Feagles. DE Adrian Tracy (6th round) is another raw pass rusher the Giants added in the draft.
It seems the Giants are trying to duplicate their Super Bowl success by adding numerous pass rushers to their defensive line. Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, Mathias Kiwanuka, Chris Cany, Rocky Bernard and Pierre-Paul form arguably the most talented defensive line in the league. If this group can stay healthy and perform to their talent level, the Giants defense could be formidable again.
On offense the Giants seem to be solid across the board. Eli Manning has turned himself into a good QB and he has weapons in WR’s Mario Manninham, Sinorice Moss, Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith. Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw anchor the RB position and need to have better production for the Giants to be successful. It may take some time for the defense to gel, but if they do watch out for the Giants in 2010.
Prediction: 10-6 (2nd in NFC East)
2009 Record : 11-5
NFC East Record: 4-2 (1st)
Players Lost:
—OT Flozell Adams (released).
—S Ken Hamlin (released).
Player Acquired:
—WR Titus Ryan: CFL FA; terms unknown.
The playoff loss to Minnesota highlighted Dallas’s needs along the offensive line. RT Marc Columbo was returning from injury and ineffective and Doug Free had to step in for Flozell Adams who was hurt during the game. The Viking pass ruch overwhelmed the Cowboys. The offseason has been relatively quiet for the Cowboys. They let go of veteran LT Flozell Adams and safety Ken Hamlin. They traded backup LB Bobby Carpenter for Rams OT Alex Barron. The season may hinge on whether the offensive line is able to keep Tony Romo clean and open up holes for the Cowboys three-headed rushing attack. Barron will come to training camp and compete with Doug Free and Marc Columbo for playing time. Barron has experience at both tackle positions. If nothing else, Barron provided much needed depth on the offensive line.
The defense looks to take the next step in 2010. At times the Cowboys defense looked dominating, especially down the stretch in 2009. Alan Ball and Mike Hamlin will initially be looked at to replace Ken Hamlin at the safety spot.
In the draft, Dallas selected WR Dez Bryant. There is no denying Bryant’s talent, but controversy seems to follow this kid wherever he goes. In Dez, the Cowboys may have gotten the steal of the first round. In the second round, the Cowboys selected Sean Lee. Lee will be looked at to backup both ILB positions and compete for the nickel LB job. Akwasi Owusu-Ansah is a super athletic small school prospect who projects nicely to safety in the NFL. OL Sam Young (6th round), CB Jamar Wall (6th round) and Sean Lissemore (7th round) also were drafted.
Expectations are high in Dallas. Already there has been talk of a true home team for the Super Bowl in Arlington. The addition of Dez Bryant to an already explosive offense could be the beginning of a defensive coordinators worst nightmare. If young players are able to step their game up to the next level, the Cowboys can truly be considered a contender. The schedule is tough – as it is for all NFC East teams – especially in October and November for the 'Boys.
Prediction: 11-5 (1st in NFC East)
So to sum it up, I think the NFC East will not be as good as it has been in the past. The Redskins will improve, but still won’t be very good. The Eagles decision to pair up their young QB with their young playmakers means they take a step back this year, but was probably the right move for the future. The Giants rebound a bit, but I don’t trust their running game or their defense. The Cowboys have to stay healthy on the offensive line to be successful, but look like they are the class of the NFC East.
Well what do you think? Have the Cowboys done enough to defend the NFC East Crown. Has another team leapfrogged the ‘Boys? What are your way to early NFC East predictions?
Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.
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I voted
Cowboys as you have a strong defence plus playmakers on offence.
by G Fan in England on May 10, 2010 10:17 AM CDT reply actions
Good work, TK 19.
We have the best fans in the business.
I don’t think the ‘Skins will start out so bad, coaching will make them competative. McNabb doesn’t want to see us, but he will lead them to some early season W’s. I will also go on record saying that Washington will never win a championship with Snyder as an owner, nor will the Mavs with Cuban. As the Russians say; “The fish rots from the head,”
I think the Eagles will finish second, ahead of the Giants.
And, also, I am on record saying we sweep the Giants this year. I would say the Eagles also, but… What the heck, we sweep the NFC East this year. You heard it here first.
Anyone who says negative stuff on this board may as well be an Eagirls fan...
by BlueNSilverBlood on May 10, 2010 10:31 AM CDT reply actions
Great article, TK.
I think with Washington’s roster turnover they’ll really struggle. The Eagle’s just don’t scare me anymore like they used to. The Giant’s D has never recovered from the retirement of Strahan. Dallas is still the class and I expect us to take a GIANT leap forward this year. I think Houck will coach up our O-Line, Romo puts it all together this year and our D will just be devastating. I say 13-3. Homefield advantage throughout and we host some poor schmucks that run into a buzzsaw that is the first SuperBowl hometeam ever. Yeah, I am DEFINITELY a homer.
Roger Staubach was the original Captain Comeback......alas, I am but a Cheap Imitation.
Formerly JAHII
Thanks to OCC, Sublimz and others for the avatars!
by CapnComebackII on May 10, 2010 11:14 AM CDT reply actions
-Jim Johnson (RIP)
The Eagles just aren’t the same
Can't really argue with this...
Dallas won the division last year, and really is the same team. Especially since its a Cowboys site, I wouldn’t expect them to be thought of in 2nd place here :)
The Giants were very banged up last year, but still eeked out an 8-8 season, so 10-6 is very likely I’d think if they’re healthy. The D should be at 2008 level if it is (which CapnComeBack…is better then it was with Strahan there)
The Eagles whether they wanna believe it or not, have an inexperienced QB at the helm. Guys like Aaron Rogers are not the norm, they are an excpetion. So Kolb should experience growing pains. He also has 6 game against top flight (if healthy ) defenses in the East.
The Redskins should be strong. I wouldn’t be surprised if they are the 3rd team from the East (or at least make it 3 teams) in the playoffs from the East.
Just keep winning
I disagree on Washington
Look at the player turnover. It’s huge! Washington has added 22 players vs 12 for the other three teams combined!
Every year there is a team that comes from nowhere to surprise everyone over the first half of the season (see 2009 Denver Broncos). That’s what I see from Washington next year. For the first half of the season, the turnover helps them. All new players and a new coaching staff makes them tough to scout. They’ll surprise a few teams and win more games than they should early. But by mid season, teams will have film and start figuring them out and you’ll see a 2nd half slide.
I predict they go 7-9.
The addition of Dez Bryant to an already explosive offense could be the beginning of a defensive coordinators worst nightmare.
Imagine this from a defensive coordinator’s perspective:
Felix Jones
Miles Austin
Jason Witten
Dez Bryant
nightmare indeed.
The first three are already guys that DC’s have to game plan around. Dez certainly has the potential to be so as well. When they go in the film room to prep for the game, who do they focus on? Who do they try to take out of the game?
The key (along with the oline, as you rightly said) will be if Garrett and Romo can really utilize all these weapons effectively to keep defenses guessing, and identify and go to whatever weapon they are leaving relatively unguarded.
Where is Roy?
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
My Beer Blog: http://tiltingsuds.wordpress.com/
Never made the bus
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pythagorean Wins
This is the perfect application of pythagorean wins. Instead of looking at the NFC East team’s records last year, one can produce better forecasts by looking at the expected record based on their points scored / points allowed (i.e. effectively taking luck out of the record). Teams that outpeformed / underperformed their expected record are likely to experience mean reversion the following season.
The pythagorean wins/losses for the NFC East teams last season based on points scored / points allowed.
Dallas: 11-5
Philly: 10-6
NYG: 7-9
Washington: 6-10
I’ll use that as my NFC East forecast for next year as well.
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Aq_pzudn-VEDdHB4cmp6UUhySjJfRW1nT0hXUGNyVEE&hl=en
by Fan in Thick and Thin on May 10, 2010 6:18 PM CDT reply actions
IMO....
when I look at the teams in the East I’m having the hardest time assessing the Eagles.
I think the Giants bounce back some and will be a better team whether their record shows it or not, I think the Skins are still alot of pieces away from being a contender, and the Boys will definitly be tough again.
I just don’t really know what to expect out of Kolb. I think the dude is going to be pretty good, but I haven’t seen enough film to be able to tell. He’s had pretty limited exposure to in game situations. I wonder how he’s going to react when the harsh Philly crowd boo’s because he has a bad game(which will happen). They could be 1 or 3… I just don’t know.
Anything said above is purely the opinion of AFB unless said otherwise.
Also anyone who ever refers to Dez Bryant as a Dez Dispenser owes me a dollar.
by The Immortal Iron Fist AKA AFB on May 10, 2010 10:05 PM CDT reply actions
Don't forget they have Vick too
He actually had the best QB rating of the 3 Philly QB’s. He is not a bad backup and change-up if Kolb struggles at all. But of course that could lead to the dreaded “QB Controversy” – which won’t be good for Kolb’s head.
I think their biggest weakness could be CB. They traded their best CB in Brown, Samuel is an over-rated gambler in my view and Hanson didn’t play all that well last year – not sure he will hold up as a starter.
And they don’t have JJ to dial up the blitz schemes, that was a huge loss.
"Where's Woody? - We need another Darren Woodson
Well...
when you only throw like 7 passes your QB rating will go up.
Anything said above is purely the opinion of AFB unless said otherwise.
Also anyone who ever refers to Dez Bryant as a Dez Dispenser owes me a dollar.
by The Immortal Iron Fist AKA AFB on May 11, 2010 6:10 PM CDT up reply actions
?
What are you talking about?
Anything said above is purely the opinion of AFB unless said otherwise.
Also anyone who ever refers to Dez Bryant as a Dez Dispenser owes me a dollar.
by The Immortal Iron Fist AKA AFB on May 15, 2010 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions
He's definitely NOT referring to my recent run of girl-friends :)
Original Pet-Cats: Duane Thomas, Roger Staubach, Walt Garrison, Charlie Waters, Bob Lilly
Quality-Quantity, whose counting.
Let’s see, girls or Vick…or Kolb. Aren’t they all the same thing? DeMarcus is gonna make Kolb his biatch. I’d be more worried about that than the Philly fans.
When I die I want to go peacefully in my sleep like my Grandfather -- not screaming like the passengers in his car.
Me too
I have no clue what to expect of them. Honestly, anywhere from 5-11 to 11-5 is possible.
I like Kolb from what little I’ve seen. I think Jackson and Maclin will be much more dangerous because of him. But as you say – I have no idea how he will react to a poor game, or when defenses start to find weaknesses in his game.
The thing is, that team has questions EVERYWHERE. Their oline is a big question mark. Their secondary is a total mess – I don’t think adding allen will have the same impact as thomas, short or long term. They drafted a bunch of defensive ends, but who knows how 3 rookie DEs will do. They seem to be a DL injury to one of their DTs or Cole away from disaster – having little talent on their line and secondary, which is going to equal a giants like defensive collapse.
Yet if their rookies catch on quickly, they get their C back in a reasonable time period, and kolb does well..I can see them going 11-5, winning games mostly cause of their offense (I think their D will still be questionable)
I think anyone who's honest thinks the same thing
I’m a huge Eagles fan…but I just don’t know where to put it.
I could see things coming together and we could win 11 games.
I could see things falling apart and we finish 7-9.
With Kolb at the helm and a rebuilt defense, I’m excited, I’m optimistic…but I can’t pretend that I know what to expect
"EFF YOU, WE'RE WINNING ANYWAY!!!!!!" (Bye, Dawk)
I think the Eagles' ceiling is set. The defensive backfield will keep the Eagles from winning the NFC.
I think the offense will be fine, with some glitches and growing pains here and there, but generally a good performance. The defensive front 7 will be okay. The defensive backfield, though, will limit this team against the NFC’s passers like Romo, Rodgers, Favre, and Brees. Barring any further offseason acquisitions, I can’t trust any team that might start Joselio Hansen at CB. Samuel will be fine, though he is getting up there in age, and takes too many chances, I think. I’m not sure of the safeties but I’m sure they aren’t better than average.
They may be waiting for June 1st cuts to see if a decent CB shakes loose, like I think the Cowboys are waiting for a FS to shake loose. The Eagles’ front seven, though, can’t yet compare to the Cowboys’ for pass rush and won’t be enough to cover for the secondary’s deficiencies.
I do think the Eagles will be contenders again in about 2 seasons, after they bring in new DBs and train them next season (also a rough season for the Eagles). But Kolb will be a good one, I think.
I agree
A good pass rush can cover an okay secondary, but we haven’t proved to have a good rush without the blitz. We obviously chose to address the pass rush in the draft, but until that works out on the field, I can’t call anything an answer.
Our secondary is weak! Hanson and Hobbs will compete for the RCB position, and that sorta sucks! Maybe Marlin Jackson’s knees will be okay, and he’ll get a shot. I like Quintin Mikell at Strong Safety. He’s not a star, but he’s a good player. Nate Allen should be able to come in and compete right away, but you’re right. I think this year the weapons on the Cowboys offense will once again prove to be too much for us.
My only hope is that maybe we can expose your O-line before you get a chance to expose our secondary…but I don’t think that’s likely
"EFF YOU, WE'RE WINNING ANYWAY!!!!!!" (Bye, Dawk)
I don't understand the Redskins strategy
Get older in key positions while they get younger in others. Wouldn’t you try to align all that? I can see Donovan and their RB’s retiring just as the O-Line gels.
I think this team is going to be mediocre for a while.
"Where's Woody? - We need another Darren Woodson
if you had gone the way they did
for such a long time, with no real plans. constant scheme change and players that don’t fit, you have to start over again at some point. they are trying to be more competitive immediately knowing that the QB position is key and there wasn’t a viable option other than McNabb. they have to start somewhere and replace almost all their staff and players over the next few years.
I agree, that they will be medicore for a few years. I also don’t believe in shanahan as much as most other do.
by CowboysFanatic on May 12, 2010 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions
Excellent write-up ... well thought-out and of course I like your conclusions :)
one comment from the English-Nazi … in the Title … can you change the “to” … to … “TOO” ?
-I’m not anyone’s wife, and that’s about the category this request falls into … so apologies in advance :)
Try not to get into a pissing match with a skunk :)
I think the redskins go 7-9
mcnabb alone is good for two games for them.
plus they did get joey galloway :)
by CowboysFanatic on May 11, 2010 12:29 PM CDT reply actions
McNabb has been in a steady decline now for a few years
I expect an average year to be a great year for him this year.
by Musiccitynorm on May 12, 2010 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions
I think they'd be better off keeping campbell honestly.
The two at this point are (imo) a draw.
Cambell could very well get oakland to the same # wins McNabb gets in Washington
Off topic
but I can’t help but root for the Raiders this year. I am not one of these “my favorite AFC team is…” guys, but I think Jason Campbell got a raw deal in Washington. I hope he puts together a good season and makes the Redskins regret there treatment of him over the past few years.
by RisingSunCowboy on May 12, 2010 6:28 AM CDT reply actions
Dallas' schedule is BRUTAL
They were the healthiest team in the league last year.
I think we need to see every one of the front line starters get out of camp unscathed to have a shot.
The big questions;
Philly – Is Kolb for real or not?
Washington – Can Shanahan upgrade their offense without screwing up their defense?
Giants – How will their Defense work out with a new coordinator and MLB?
Dallas – Offensive Line, are they too old, not good enough, playing for the wrong position coach?
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Ask me after camp breaks
I want to see which June cuts they bring in to bolster areas of need.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I don't pay attention too much to the schedule.
I don’t think you realize how good or bad the schedule is until the first few games.
There will be a few teams that for whatever reason fall off the face of the planet.
Anything said above is purely the opinion of AFB unless said otherwise.
Also anyone who ever refers to Dez Bryant as a Dez Dispenser owes me a dollar.
by The Immortal Iron Fist AKA AFB on May 12, 2010 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions
and others that rise without warning
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
My Beer Blog: http://tiltingsuds.wordpress.com/
yep
And who knows what other teams injury status’s are going to be like by the time you get there.
Anything said above is purely the opinion of AFB unless said otherwise.
Also anyone who ever refers to Dez Bryant as a Dez Dispenser owes me a dollar.
by The Immortal Iron Fist AKA AFB on May 12, 2010 5:53 PM CDT up reply actions
yea I agree with you on all of that
its way too early to make any predictions – we need to see if there are any more moves or injuries that affect teams before the season starts. Or if our oline looks like its decomposing in camp.
And I agree with all your other big questions, but I’d expand philly’s – are they just too young on the defensive side, how will their oline do, and how will kolb play?
And the Giants quietly had very poor play on their ol last year. That needs to be improved.
except the schedule
its really not that bad – and like you said about getting out of camp healthy, other teams do too, and they need to be healthy when we play them.
The schedule is a total crapshoot. Division games will be hard. The vikings and packers games will be hard. The Colts and Saints game will be tough. Aside from that, there isn’t a scary team on the schedule, though there are some decent ones.
I’d say anywhere form 12-4 to 8-8 is possible. 8-8 if our oline melts down and we suffer an unfortunate injury or two on defense.
Realistically, I’d guess 11-5 again. Winning more than 11 games in this division will be tough.
You just said 10 of the 16 games will be hard...
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
thats the case every year...
I counted all 6 division games lol, just as I do every year. 4/8 tough games outside the division is not bad at all. That may drop to 3 if Favre doesn’t play.
Look at our record vs losing teams – I harp on this all the time – we’ve lost like 2 games out of 30some with Romo at qb against sub .500 teams. Our record is ridiculous – likely the best in the league period. This is what gets us over .500 every year.
I think Cowboys win the East at 12-4
I would have predicted 14-2 because they have the talent and experience to win that many games, but since the schedule looks tough, I’ll go with 12-4 and another east crown and hopefully a lot more.
In Romo we Trust
NFC Beast Prediction as of now
Cowboys go 11-5 and win the division.
Eagles regress only slightly and go 10-6 to grab a wild card.
Giants improve slightly with a better defense and go 9-7.
Redskins stay in the cellar but still improve to go 7-9.
If I had a nickel for every Super Bowl the Eagles have won, I would have zero nickels.
I think NY will be back to form next year
Washington will probably be vastly improved, but nobody knows just how much that will do for them. Philly’s in the middle of the road. They could be .500, they could be in the play offs.
I think we addressed our biggest need with the recent trade. We needed depth on the O line, and we got it. We also have some players who should improve drastically along the O line. I think we’ve got the most stable situation, followed closely by the Giants. I think the NFC East is a race between NY and Big D, with Philly potentially in the mix.
Having said all that, I’ve been grossly inaccurate predicting the season this early before(damn ’08 season!), so…
Epic Fail since 1985
I think you overrate our division
at this point, I’d take the nfc north (with favre) over us.
I don’t think there will be 3 teams over 500. The Eagles schedule is tough, and there is practically zero continuity aside from the offensive skill positions from last year to this year. And the Giants likewise have questions.
NFC East>NFC North
Philly was a play off team a year ago, Washington just traded for a Pro Bowl QB and those are the two teams that look the weakest in our division right now. Outside of the Vikings and the Packers, the NFC North is fairly weak. Detroit and Chicago were awful. Chicago added Peppers, but that’s about it. Detroit got a lot better through the draft, but I still think it’s going to take some time for them to be even remotely decent.
You may be right, though. The Iggles could struggle without veteran leadership and Washington could struggle despite their improved coaching staff and QB situation. If it comes down to Vikings/Packers vs. Cowboys/Giants, maybe the NFC North is stronger. But, Grandpa Favre is 41 and falling apart and Green Bay may not be as good as Big D at this point, so there’s no telling.
Epic Fail since 1985
by the red scare on May 13, 2010 3:48 AM CDT up reply actions
Philly has undergone massive changes
McNabb is way overrated and the Giants are coming off a tough season. All of these teams have huge question marks, though the Giants probably have the least since their players played very well just 2 years ago.
Add in that we also play the afc south, which has probably been the best or second best division in the league the last 5 years, and its going to be tough for 3 teams to finish .500.
Well yeah, I didn't think to factor the schedules into the equation
Still, as far as how strong the teams are, I’d rank our division ahead of most, including the NFC North.
But you make a good point. The schedule is going to be tough for all 4 teams. That could make it easier for a lesser division to send more teams to the playoffs than the NFC East.
Now the AFC South, that division may be tougher than the NFC East. Won’t get any arguments from me there.
Epic Fail since 1985
by the red scare on May 14, 2010 4:44 AM CDT up reply actions
I have a feeling some of you BTBers have missed the offseason the NFC North teams had...
If Favre returns, that is without a doubt the toughest division in the NFC now.
Hard to believe a division that includes the Lions and Bears
… will be the toughest. Vikings are inconsistent; they need to prove it over time. Packers are legit, but I don’t think they are worthy of the lofty expectations they are garnering this off-season.
Original Pet-Cats: Duane Thomas, Roger Staubach, Walt Garrison, Charlie Waters, Bob Lilly
Disagree
Vikings- Average if Farve doesn’t return. And no better than the Cowboys if he does.
Packers- Over-rated but quality.
Bears- Terrible
Lions- Worse
RW is the opposite of WR. Coincidence? I think not.
by aussie_cowboy on May 19, 2010 5:08 AM CDT up reply actions
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