Commanders Post at The Warpath - 12th's 2007 NFC EAST PREDICTIONS

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12th's 2007 NFC EAST PREDICTIONS

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2][COLOR=black][COLOR=black]With the off season officially over, I figured now is as good a time as any to put my NFC East predictions out there. There probably won’t be anything here that hasn’t been said or predicted in one thread or another, I just wanted to officially get my juices flowing and maybe revisit this in January.[/COLOR][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2][COLOR=black][COLOR=black]First of all, I think it’s safe to say the talent level between these NFC East teams isn’t all that great. So winning the division could boil down to how well these teams manage injuries, because there will be some, and how well they’re coached - especially when December rolls around. [/COLOR][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2][COLOR=black][COLOR=black]I think the common theme here is how well the quarterbacks for the respective teams perform and will they perform well. I'll try to be as objective as possible without giving way to the homer inside me, but don't count on it![/COLOR][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2][COLOR=black][COLOR=black][B]1.[/B][/COLOR][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/B][COLOR=black][COLOR=black] [B][B][FONT=Verdana][FONT=Verdana]The [/FONT][/FONT][/B][/B][/COLOR][/COLOR][B][B][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=black][COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Philadelphia[/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR][/FONT][/B][/B][B][B][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=black][COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana] Eagles: (10-6)[/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR][/FONT][/B][/B][COLOR=black][COLOR=black] I could sum up the Eagles success or failure this year in two words: Donovan McNabb. The Eagles are one vicious hit away by Laron Landry from seeing their season go bye-bye. There will be no heroic effort by this year's version of Jeff Garcia to bail them out. [/COLOR][/COLOR][COLOR=black][COLOR=black]That being said, Andy Reid more than likely will have the Eagles focused straight out the gate. The defense returns many of its key starters from last season, which will be spearheaded by the fierce leadership of Brian Dawkins. Takeo Spikes should also be an upgrade at linebacker over the recently departed Dhani Jones. The Eagles do have some question marks at wide receiver, but between, perhaps, the most underrated running back in all of football, Brian Westbrooks, L.J. Smith and Reggie Brown, McNabb should manage enough points and wins to squeak out a divisional title. [/COLOR][/COLOR][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2][COLOR=black][COLOR=black]I think it’s wise to count on David Akers to kick the Eagles into a couple of close wins too.[/COLOR][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2][COLOR=black][COLOR=black][B]Key losses: Jeff Garcia and Dante Stallworth[/B][/COLOR][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/B]

[B][B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2][COLOR=black][COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]2. The Washington Redskins: (10-6[/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/B][/B][COLOR=black][COLOR=black]) Depending on whether or not you live inside the Beltway (or you’re a Warpather!), you may not hear a lot of positive things about the 2007 season, but there’s good reason for plenty of optimism these days around Redskins Park. Like the Eagles, the Redskins return most of its 2006 starters on both sides of the ball, had a few key acquisitions during the off season, and third year quarterback [I][I][FONT=Verdana][FONT=Verdana][B][I]Jason Campbell[/I][/B][/FONT][/FONT][/I][/I] could be the next coming of Doug Williams, or so we hope! [/COLOR][/COLOR][COLOR=black][COLOR=black]The pundits will quickly point to [/COLOR][/COLOR][COLOR=black][COLOR=black]Campbell[/COLOR][/COLOR][COLOR=black][COLOR=black]’s inexperience, Joe Gibbs’ age and how the game has passed him by, and Dan Snyder’s inability to put together a winning franchise since buying the team. But they fail to highlight that [/COLOR][/COLOR][COLOR=black][COLOR=black]Campbell[/COLOR][/COLOR][COLOR=black][COLOR=black] is surrounded by arguably the best offensive talent in the division, Gibbs and Al Saunders have worked vigorously to iron out the wrinkles from last year, and Snyder has receded into the background well since Gibbs’ arrival. [/COLOR][/COLOR][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2][COLOR=black][COLOR=black]The biggest question marks for the Redskins may not be how well Jason Campbell performs, but can they develop the killer instinct that allowed a few close games to get away last year and the ability to create more turnovers. [/COLOR][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2][COLOR=black][COLOR=black]If the Redskins want to truly become a playoff caliber team, they’ll have to close the deal more often and have a nose for the ball. [/COLOR][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2][COLOR=black][COLOR=black][B]Key losses: Derrick Dockery [/B][/COLOR][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/B]

[B][B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2][COLOR=black][COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]3. The [/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/B][/B][B][B][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=black][COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Dallas[/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR][/FONT][/B][/B][B][COLOR=black][COLOR=black][B]Cowboys: (8-8) [/B][/COLOR][/COLOR][/B][COLOR=black][COLOR=black]Publicly the Cowboys will say last year’s playoff lost to [/COLOR][/COLOR][COLOR=black][COLOR=black]Seattle[/COLOR][/COLOR][COLOR=black][COLOR=black] is a thing of the past, and it’s all in the rear view mirror. Read the fine print: ([I][I]Objects are closer than they appear[/I][/I]) While I’ll admit the Dallas Cowboys are probably better than the 8-8 record I’m projecting, it will take time for new head coach Wade Phillips’ (HC) and Jason Garrett’s (OC) offense to jell. And one has to wonder if that botched snap will have any lingering effect on Tony Romo's psyche. [/COLOR][/COLOR][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2][COLOR=black][COLOR=black]Wade Phillips comes to [/COLOR][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][COLOR=black][COLOR=black]Dallas[/COLOR][/COLOR][COLOR=black][COLOR=black] with strong defensive credentials, so I don’t think there will be any drop off here, if any. If I’m a [/COLOR][/COLOR][COLOR=black][COLOR=black]Dallas[/COLOR][/COLOR][COLOR=black][COLOR=black] fan, I would expect the Cowboys to bring in a place kicker to compete with Martin Gramatic[/COLOR][/COLOR][COLOR=black][COLOR=black]a.[/COLOR][/COLOR][COLOR=black][COLOR=black] Gramatica filled in admirably late last season, but may not be the long term solution. [/COLOR][/COLOR]
[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2][COLOR=black][COLOR=black][B]Key losses: None[/B][/COLOR][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/B]

[B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2][COLOR=black][COLOR=black][B]4. The New York Giants: (7-9) [/B][/COLOR][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/B][COLOR=black][COLOR=black][I]The New York Giants, at least on paper, would be the logical choice to finish last in the division, but this team is very capable of lighting up the score board on any given Sunday and could just as easily end up 11-5. [/I][/COLOR][/COLOR]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2][COLOR=black][COLOR=black]The defensive unit lost a few faces during the off season, but is still anchored by one of the best in the business in linebacker Antonio Pierce. The defensive line features one of the league's best DE tandems in Michael Strahan and [/COLOR][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]Osi Umenyiora. Look for draft pick Aaron Ross (CB, Texas) to make an impact on a very suspect secondary.

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]The core group on offense is no doubt very talented, but there remains a huge hole left by the retirement of Tiki Barber. Brandon Jacobs provided a nice one-two punch along with Barber last year, but whether or not he’s ready to be the featured back in Tom Coughlin’s offense is a big question. Furthermore can Eli Manning, though brilliant at times last season, overcome his inconsistency and oft poor decision making that caused the Giants to melt down in the second half of the season. He reminds of the little girl with the curl; when he’s good he’s very good, and when he’s bad, he’s very bad. [/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]This is a team that never seems to be free of locker room controversy or its love-hate relationship with coach Tom Coughlin. All of this may prove to be an insurmountable task for the Giants to put together a winning season. [/SIZE][/FONT][B][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2][COLOR=black][COLOR=black][B]Key losses: Tiki Barber, Jay Feely, Carlos Emmons, Luke Petitgout, Bob Whitfield, Jim Finn.[/B][/COLOR][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/B]