Dall
as Cowboys - I have experts based in Dallas (OK, my uncle) who believes that the Cowboys' season depends on "how Tony gets on". At this point I realised my dog probably knows more about American football and so here is my own, more informed opinion. These guys are going to do well this year, much as I hate to say it. I know, we say it every year that the Cowboys will make a deep playoff run and they inevitably go one and done under Coach Wade Phillips. Times are changing. There is now a lot more consistent quality to their offense, to go with an already powerful defense. For a start, QB Tony Romo is doing less of the stupid stuff that has blighted his postseason form in the past. Things like fumbling the football or scrambling and throwing straight into coverage. Last season may have proven that Romo has turned a corner. This may in part be due to the breakout 2009 enjoyed by WR Miles Austin, who managed to shake up what looks like an ageing receiver corps. The first-round drafting of Dez Bryant, who could become one of the greats, will further add to the refreshing process, probably leading to the cutting or trading of one of the veterans, Patrick Crayton and Roy Williams (STOP PRESS Crayton has now been traded to the Chargers). The running game also appeared in transition at the end of last year, with the power of Marion Barber being gradually usurped by Felix Jones' explosive pace. Pace seems to be the vogue amongst RBs currently, with defenses looking to stop the powerhouses but finding no way to restrain the likes of Tennessee's Chris Johnson, the slipperiest of customers. The defense features plenty of solid performers, with names such as Jay Ratliff, DeMarcus Ware and Gerald Sensabaugh covering all bases. You really aren't going to get a lot past them this year. 13-3 and a possible Superbowl run. Note the word "possible".Philade
lphia Eagles - I've got a bad feeling about all this. Not a drastic 2008 Lions-type feeling, but more one which reflects the growing pains you have when you switch from an elite QB. Donovan McNabb was not loved in Philly, so Andy Reid looked to get him out at the first possible opportunity. This opportunity was when his back-up Kevin Kolb was deemed ready to step into his shoes. That moment has apparently come. With just one problem - we no longer have such an explosive offense to paper over the sizeable cracks in our defense. Kolb is solid and accurate and appears to have good, quick feet. However, he is not yet capable (and probably never will be) of making the long downfield pass to change a game in the way McNabb could. He'll probably throw less incompletions and interceptions though. The quick feet will come in handy in light of our pretty poor O-Line - Jason Peters must recover some of his form as soon as possible and Max Jean-Gilles must be kept out of the starting lineup! Kolb will take some lumps but will probably get around 3,500 yards for the season, as Reid's offense typically relies on throwing the ball. LeSean McCoy will get some action in the RB position, with Superbowl winner Mike Bell as his backup, so Kolb at least has more options than McNabb did last year, when the options consisted solely as handing the ball to Brian Westbrook, who didn't actually know where he was or what he was doing half the time a la Daniel Agger. DeSean Jackson is the star receiver, capable of making huge plays catching upfield or returning punts. The defense is what worries me most. We just seem to give up too many big plays. Asante Samuel is a great ball-hawking CB but still makes way too many mistakes. Sheldon Brown has been traded to Cleveland and will probably be replaced by Ellis Hobbs. Damn. So much depends on our new acquisitons, which leaves much of Sean McDermott's defensive strategy unknowns. First-round pick Brandon Graham looks to have beaten out Juqua Parker to the DE role opposite Pro-Bowler Trent Cole. Nate Allen, essentially drafted through the McNabb trade, is the next man to fill Brian Dawkins' role at safety. Ernie Sims has arrived from the Lions and will form a mean LB partnership with probably Akeem Jordan and the returning Stewart Bradley. After a year out with injury, the return of Bradley is a massive boost. 9-7 but no playoffs.
lphia Eagles - I've got a bad feeling about all this. Not a drastic 2008 Lions-type feeling, but more one which reflects the growing pains you have when you switch from an elite QB. Donovan McNabb was not loved in Philly, so Andy Reid looked to get him out at the first possible opportunity. This opportunity was when his back-up Kevin Kolb was deemed ready to step into his shoes. That moment has apparently come. With just one problem - we no longer have such an explosive offense to paper over the sizeable cracks in our defense. Kolb is solid and accurate and appears to have good, quick feet. However, he is not yet capable (and probably never will be) of making the long downfield pass to change a game in the way McNabb could. He'll probably throw less incompletions and interceptions though. The quick feet will come in handy in light of our pretty poor O-Line - Jason Peters must recover some of his form as soon as possible and Max Jean-Gilles must be kept out of the starting lineup! Kolb will take some lumps but will probably get around 3,500 yards for the season, as Reid's offense typically relies on throwing the ball. LeSean McCoy will get some action in the RB position, with Superbowl winner Mike Bell as his backup, so Kolb at least has more options than McNabb did last year, when the options consisted solely as handing the ball to Brian Westbrook, who didn't actually know where he was or what he was doing half the time a la Daniel Agger. DeSean Jackson is the star receiver, capable of making huge plays catching upfield or returning punts. The defense is what worries me most. We just seem to give up too many big plays. Asante Samuel is a great ball-hawking CB but still makes way too many mistakes. Sheldon Brown has been traded to Cleveland and will probably be replaced by Ellis Hobbs. Damn. So much depends on our new acquisitons, which leaves much of Sean McDermott's defensive strategy unknowns. First-round pick Brandon Graham looks to have beaten out Juqua Parker to the DE role opposite Pro-Bowler Trent Cole. Nate Allen, essentially drafted through the McNabb trade, is the next man to fill Brian Dawkins' role at safety. Ernie Sims has arrived from the Lions and will form a mean LB partnership with probably Akeem Jordan and the returning Stewart Bradley. After a year out with injury, the return of Bradley is a massive boost. 9-7 but no playoffs. New York
Giants - I gather the Giants are tipped to do quite well this year, although for the life of me I can't work out why. Yet, I find myself buying into the fact that they'll finish above the Redskins and the Eagles this season. Maybe it's the receivers - I can't really find much to get excited about in their running game or defense. There just doesn't seem to be an awful lot of change from last season, which many Giants fans will have regarded as a bit of a disaster. As I say, the receivers is where the strength lies - Mario Manningham, Steve Smith and sophomore Hakeem Nicks will compete for catches thrown by God himself, Eli Manning (all those who believe, say "I Beliiieeeve in Eli!"). Let's be straight about this, Eli is not Peyton and never will be. He lacks the consistency, the accuracy and the presence of his brother. The only thing their respective games has in common is a Superbowl ring, and even that had an air of divine intervention about it! The Giants running game is another in transistion. Brandon Jacobs had a terrible year last time, as sheer bulk proved to be not enough. He'd better start producing early on this year or Ahmad Bradshaw will be seeing a hell of a lot more of the ball in the backfield. The defense was the main weak spot last year and will remain so, as only Jason Pierre-Paul will make a real difference and concerns remain about his temperament and durability. Injuries cost them last year and there is nothing to say that this will not happen again. And yet I just have a feeling... 10-6.
Giants - I gather the Giants are tipped to do quite well this year, although for the life of me I can't work out why. Yet, I find myself buying into the fact that they'll finish above the Redskins and the Eagles this season. Maybe it's the receivers - I can't really find much to get excited about in their running game or defense. There just doesn't seem to be an awful lot of change from last season, which many Giants fans will have regarded as a bit of a disaster. As I say, the receivers is where the strength lies - Mario Manningham, Steve Smith and sophomore Hakeem Nicks will compete for catches thrown by God himself, Eli Manning (all those who believe, say "I Beliiieeeve in Eli!"). Let's be straight about this, Eli is not Peyton and never will be. He lacks the consistency, the accuracy and the presence of his brother. The only thing their respective games has in common is a Superbowl ring, and even that had an air of divine intervention about it! The Giants running game is another in transistion. Brandon Jacobs had a terrible year last time, as sheer bulk proved to be not enough. He'd better start producing early on this year or Ahmad Bradshaw will be seeing a hell of a lot more of the ball in the backfield. The defense was the main weak spot last year and will remain so, as only Jason Pierre-Paul will make a real difference and concerns remain about his temperament and durability. Injuries cost them last year and there is nothing to say that this will not happen again. And yet I just have a feeling... 10-6.Washi
ngton Redskins - Well, I enter this season with the typical Redskins fan's mix of emotions; hope from our aging but hopefully still talented veteran imports, and apprehension at the fact that we barely have enough linemen to form a line and in general have a roster as deep as a cheap teen movie. And the feeling that none of this, for good or bad, will last longer than a couple of seasons persists, and it will continue so long as the Skins continue to screw up their drafting. New QB Donovan McNabb, for example, will perform better than Jason Campbell (trust me, I've seen enough of him to want him replaced). However, the cost of a slight upgrade is the sacrifice of half of next years draft. And it's not as if the last couple have produced any decent results. Brian Orakpo aside, few of the players drafted by Jim Zorn look like having in impact. The new management team of Shanahan, Haslett and GM Bruce Allen should yield improved results this year and beyond, and will hopefully sort out the drafting side of the business. For now though, the existing talent has to be maximised. The switch to the 3-4 defense, I assume, is part of this but it seems illogical to me. Orakpo will benefit, and could easily be the new Demarcus Ware, but aside from him there is nobody in the defensive front 7 suited to the new scheme. Albert Haynsworth in particular has reminded us of this. Repeatedly. Shanahan needs to get something out of the fat, greedy bugger. If he can, then the D could still be decent. It has been, after all, top 10 for most of the past 5 years. Offensively, the Skins will go as far as the O-line can take them. There are no proven backups and the starting tackles are a rookie and a recently injured veteran; not ideal. The lack of wide recievers might not be so bad if the line were fantastic but as it is, unless T.J. Houshmandzadeh or Vincent Jackson are acquired, the recieving corps will handicap McNabb. At least the tight ends, Cooley and Davis, are good. And any running game managed by Shanahan will do fine. Sadly, it all won't be enough. I think the Redskins will struggle to get anywhere near 7-9.
ngton Redskins - Well, I enter this season with the typical Redskins fan's mix of emotions; hope from our aging but hopefully still talented veteran imports, and apprehension at the fact that we barely have enough linemen to form a line and in general have a roster as deep as a cheap teen movie. And the feeling that none of this, for good or bad, will last longer than a couple of seasons persists, and it will continue so long as the Skins continue to screw up their drafting. New QB Donovan McNabb, for example, will perform better than Jason Campbell (trust me, I've seen enough of him to want him replaced). However, the cost of a slight upgrade is the sacrifice of half of next years draft. And it's not as if the last couple have produced any decent results. Brian Orakpo aside, few of the players drafted by Jim Zorn look like having in impact. The new management team of Shanahan, Haslett and GM Bruce Allen should yield improved results this year and beyond, and will hopefully sort out the drafting side of the business. For now though, the existing talent has to be maximised. The switch to the 3-4 defense, I assume, is part of this but it seems illogical to me. Orakpo will benefit, and could easily be the new Demarcus Ware, but aside from him there is nobody in the defensive front 7 suited to the new scheme. Albert Haynsworth in particular has reminded us of this. Repeatedly. Shanahan needs to get something out of the fat, greedy bugger. If he can, then the D could still be decent. It has been, after all, top 10 for most of the past 5 years. Offensively, the Skins will go as far as the O-line can take them. There are no proven backups and the starting tackles are a rookie and a recently injured veteran; not ideal. The lack of wide recievers might not be so bad if the line were fantastic but as it is, unless T.J. Houshmandzadeh or Vincent Jackson are acquired, the recieving corps will handicap McNabb. At least the tight ends, Cooley and Davis, are good. And any running game managed by Shanahan will do fine. Sadly, it all won't be enough. I think the Redskins will struggle to get anywhere near 7-9.(GM)
RM
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