NFC East

[John Denny]

This could be our time to make a move in the NFC East. The Giants are going to be tough even with the loss of Derrick Ward but the Eagles and Cowboys have both lost key contributors.
Tra Thomas signed with Jacksonville (maybe we will get a tackle or even have a choice of 2 with the 13th pick) and Dawkins went to Denver.
TO is exiled to Buffalo and Canty went to the G-Men. I know they signed Olshansky who's a tough 3-4 DE but I have to think the additions we've made could finally get out of last place in the division.
And before anyone say's it, I know we always make a splash in FA and it never seems to go anywhere but a solid draft could really fill out our team. Who knows, maybe we'll even bring a few vets (Washington, Phillips and Kendall) back at a good price.
Campbell is in Zorn's system for the second straight year and guys like Kelly and Thomas should benefit from the off-season program as well.
Our line is questionable on the right side (samuels should recover by training camp, dockery was a nice pickup and Rabach is solid) but we do have some youth. Rinehart had a nice showing at the Senior Bowl last year and could emerge this year and I don't think Heyer is as bad as everyone thinks. He played really well for us at LT for us the year before and could work out at RT. And who knows, maybe we'll draft a tackle who'll end up starting or another lineman (mack).

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by John Denny

This could be our time to make a move in the NFC East. The Giants are going to be tough even with the loss of Derrick Ward but the Eagles and Cowboys have both lost key contributors.
Tra Thomas signed with Jacksonville (maybe we will get a tackle or even have a choice of 2 with the 13th pick) and Dawkins went to Denver.
TO is exiled to Buffalo and Canty went to the G-Men. I know they signed Olshansky who's a tough 3-4 DE but I have to think the additions we've made could finally get out of last place in the division.
And before anyone say's it, I know we always make a splash in FA and it never seems to go anywhere but a solid draft could really fill out our team. Who knows, maybe we'll even bring a few vets (Washington, Phillips and Kendall) back at a good price.
Campbell is in Zorn's system for the second straight year and guys like Kelly and Thomas should benefit from the off-season program as well.
Our line is questionable on the right side (samuels should recover by training camp, dockery was a nice pickup and Rabach is solid) but we do have some youth. Rinehart had a nice showing at the Senior Bowl last year and could emerge this year and I don't think Heyer is as bad as everyone thinks. He played really well for us at LT for us the year before and could work out at RT. And who knows, maybe we'll draft a tackle who'll end up starting or another lineman (mack).

Sadly, I don't think you count the Cowboys out. They have made solid moves, and if Wade focuses his main energy on the D, like he did at the end of last year (not counting the Philly game) their D will make that team a contender.

I think Philly declines, I don't know what they are thinking up there.

And the Giants are kinda status quo, so if they are 12-4 or 11-5, we need to win the AFC games, all of them-which has been hard for us- and atleast split the NY and Dallas games.
The offense, and Zorn's coaching, absolutely will need to step up to the bat for us to do anything of note.l

[firstdown]

I don't think the Giants have really gained a bunch but should have another season like last year. Dallas has the talent on that team but I think it comes down to two things. Can the coaching staff get all the players on the same page and can Romo take the next step and make them a playoff contender. Philly is just Philly and with a healthy McNabb they seem to play tough every year. With the Skins I think it come down to a few things. Can JC take his game to the next level and can we get all the talent we drafted in the 2nd round last year on the field and contributing to our success. I'm not too worried about or D but who knows from one year to the next.

[Zerohero]

Originally Posted by firstdown

I don't think the Giants have really gained a bunch but should have another season like last year. Dallas has the talent on that team but I think it comes down to two things. Can the coaching staff get all the players on the same page and can Romo take the next step and make them a playoff contender. Philly is just Philly and with a healthy McNabb they seem to play tough every year.

This pretty much nails it, to me the difference in how the division shapes up is how the young skins improve. Campbell playing with more confidence. I know people mention Kelly and Thomas but wow how much better we will be if they contribute this year. Skys the limit imo, especially if teams can no longer double moss.

[Defensewins]

I never count out the Eagles. They are so unpredictable. This last season was so unpredictable, almost all of the favorites in the playoffs lost except Pittsburgh.
I remember a lot of people counting out the Eagles after their Baltimore Ravens debacle. Many here on TWP were so happy to see them lose and the press was calling McNabb's career over because he was benched.
Until the cap is eliminated it will continue to be very unpredictable.

[freddyg12]

Us & PHilly are the wild cards to me, whereas I see more talent & stability in NY & Dallas. I know, stability & the cowpokes sounds funny, but they are returning most of their starters, upgraded at ILB & may have addition by subtraction w/To's release.

I think Dallas' questions are on the O line, Flozell & Colombo are gettin up there, but the rest of the team is solid. I think their wr's are decent enough because Romo is good at buying time. Their D is talented, just prone to breakdowns & inconsistency.

NYG; they need a wr - espn insiders has a rumor that Holt is talking to them. Would be a good fit for them. Their D line just went from really good to potentially great. Losing Ward is nothing, they can get a mid round pick to replace him, he's just an avg. rb.

Philly's situation might have more drama than the cowpokers. I don't know about Runyan, but he's a fa too & they just lost thomas & Dawkins. Thomas' replacement, W. Justice got beat for 6 sacks v. Osi in 07. Is he their next LT? They always draft well but I don't know if they have the depth at some positions to continue to play like they did at the end of last year. They're still good, but it seems so hard to pick where they'll finish.

As for us, we are once again in the position of needing unproven low or undrafted guys to step in & step up, plus due to our low # of picks & lack of depth, we almost need all 4 picks to be starters or log serious minutes. This division is still tough & I don't think we can say we've improved enough yet to compete to win it.

[MTK]

My magic 8 ball says "ask again later"

[Soup's Uncle]

Yeah, I want to wait until after the draft beofr I can evaluate our offseason. We also gotta see how everyone else drafts.

[sportscurmudgeon]

Matty:

Your magic eight ball speaks the truth!

Wait until you have seen who gets drafted by which teams in the NFC East and then wait until you have actually seen some of them play in an NFL exhibition game.

[irish]

I suspect the NFC East will pan out similar to last year. Maybe if things work out for the Skins they could flip positions with Philly but in the end next year will be similar to last year.

[SKINSnCANES]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

My magic 8 ball says "ask again later"

But your other 8 ball says that to run a message board requires patience dealing with the same conversation over and over again until the season is over, at which point in time you blame synder for making all the wrong moves.

Poor Snyder...as if theres really any right way to build a team and win a super bowl...But theres still probably a few things we can learn from playing Madden

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

Us & PHilly are the wild cards to me, whereas I see more talent & stability in NY & Dallas. I know, stability & the cowpokes sounds funny, but they are returning most of their starters, upgraded at ILB & may have addition by subtraction w/To's release.

I think Dallas' questions are on the O line, Flozell & Colombo are gettin up there, but the rest of the team is solid. I think their wr's are decent enough because Romo is good at buying time. Their D is talented, just prone to breakdowns & inconsistency.

NYG; they need a wr - espn insiders has a rumor that Holt is talking to them. Would be a good fit for them. Their D line just went from really good to potentially great. Losing Ward is nothing, they can get a mid round pick to replace him, he's just an avg. rb.

Philly's situation might have more drama than the cowpokers. I don't know about Runyan, but he's a fa too & they just lost thomas & Dawkins. Thomas' replacement, W. Justice got beat for 6 sacks v. Osi in 07. Is he their next LT? They always draft well but I don't know if they have the depth at some positions to continue to play like they did at the end of last year. They're still good, but it seems so hard to pick where they'll finish.

As for us, we are once again in the position of needing unproven low or undrafted guys to step in & step up, plus due to our low # of picks & lack of depth, we almost need all 4 picks to be starters or log serious minutes. This division is still tough & I don't think we can say we've improved enough yet to compete to win it.

While I agree that TO is a disraction in the locker room on the field he draws allot of attention and now D's can shift that attention to other areas. TO also did have over 1,000 yards and now Dallas has to try and fill that void which is easier said then done.

[sandtrapjack]

The way I see it Dallas is looking up at everyone else, and if they do better than that, then I won't be disappointed.

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by sandtrapjack

The way I see it Dallas is looking up at everyone else, and if they do better than that, then I won't be disappointed.

I wonder how much the high expectations have affected Dallas as a team. I remember the year the Redskins went 5-11, was the year everyone expected them to go deep into the playoffs (when Saunders was brought on board).

[Giantone]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

My magic 8 ball says "ask again later"

Wise man, teams that tend to win the off season usually don't make the playoffs.Way to early to call a thing.