Philadlphia Eagles
The clear winners of the lockout-shortened offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles have made themselves probably the most purely talented team in the league. Work remains though to live up to the hype. With so many new faces, it will take a concerted to effort to get everyone on the same page.
No other team assembled near the talent that the Eagles did. Even when you thought they were done, Philadelphia just kept signing guys. In order to all fit under the cap, many of the high profile players took less money for the chance to play with Michael Vick and join the self-proclaimed “Dream Team.”
A lot pressure rides on the electric athlete, Michael Vick’s shoulders. In order for this team to reach the Super Bowl, Vick has to hold up for an entire season and playoff run, which is no guarantee. Newly acquired backup Vince Young will surely see some playing time behind the stylistically injury-prone Vick. If Young can get the playbook down, it might even be worth it to play him a few games here and there just to keep Vick fresh for the playoffs.
Vick is dominant as an athlete and getting better as a passer, but if he can fully utilize the stacked arsenal of DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Steve Smith, Brent Celek, LeSean McCoy, and Ronnie Brown remains to be seen.
The defense underwent all kinds of change too with Philadelphia landing the ultimate offseason prize, Nnamdi Asomugha; trading for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie; and signing Jason Babin and Cullen Jenkins to a defensive line that already boasts Trent Cole and emerging pass rush threat Brandon Graham.
The only things the Eagles don't have are linebackers. Their strategy in this pass-happy league seems to be stop an opposing offense from the front end and in the back—a Colts-like philosophy for many years—then don't worry about the middle of the defense. Get a lead and let your pass rushers go to work. Be mindful that they could get run over though.
On a fast track this might be the best team in football, but in the winter months when the field is slippery and slow and after Vick sustains a season full of hits, how will they adjust? In what looks like a Super Bowl-or-bust season for Andy Reid, his job depends on it.
Biggest Strengths: Their overall talent with Michael Vick, LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Nnamdi Asomugha, Asante Samuel, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Trent Cole, and more.
Biggest Weaknesses: Lineup turnover, Michael Vick’s injury risk, and the interior of offensive and defensive lines (the center and guards inside Jason Peters and new addition Ryan Harris, defensive tackles).
Eric’s Prediction: 12-4, First in NFC East
Adam’s Prediction: 13-3, First in NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
According to both Adam and myself, the Cowboys are due for a rebound after a woefully underachieving 2010 campaign that signaled the end of the Wade Philips era. Jason Garrett came in mid-way through last year and coaxed a much better effort from the veteran team, finishing 5-3.
Building off that momentum, Tony Romo will come back healthy—he missed the entire second half of the season after breaking his clavicle Week 7—with lots to prove.
Romo has the weapons with which to do it. Miles Austin’s production took a dip without Romo throwing him the ball, and this year he should return to his Pro Bowl 2009 form. After a spectacular rookie season, Dez Bryant’s flashes of greatness made Roy Williams expendable, and expectations are high for the young wideout. Complementing Austin and Bryant over the middle is one of Romo’s ever favored targets, Jason Witten. Going over 1000 receiving yards for the second-straight year, Witten remains among the league’s top tight ends.
Elsewhere on offense, Dallas needs to hash out their running game. Who is going to run the ball for this team, Felix Jones or Tashard Choice? Neither of those guys is particularly suited to be a feature back.
Even after drafting tackle Tyron Smith in the first round, the Dallas offensive line is still a pretty decrepit unit led by the ancient Andre Gurode, Kyle Kosier, and Leonard Davis should they re-sign him.
There are some talented individuals on defense, but gauging the unit on paper, as a whole it doesn’t add up to much. DeMarcus Ware is a superstar pass rusher that opposing offenses have to account for on every play. Nose tackle Jay Ratliff makes hay in the trenches and has to gameplanned for as well. Corners Terrance Newman and Mike Jenkins are talented cover men but far from excellent in run support.
If the defense can force turnovers and give the offense the ball without too much damage, considering the offensive talent, these Dallas Cowboys can be a very good team.
Biggest Strengths: Masterminded by Jason Garrett, Tony Romo passing to Miles Austin, Dez Bryant, and Jason Witten should be prolific.
Biggest Weaknesses: The offensive line is still a problem, and DeMarcus Ware needs some help for this defense to be special.
Eric’s Prediction: 10-6, Second in NFC East
Adam’s Prediction: 11-5, Second in NFC East
New York Giants
Nothing the Giants do overwhelms you, but they are a solid team that in both of our projections finishes .500 or higher.
Hakeem Nicks looks to be the breakout star on this offense after catching 79 balls for 1052 yards and 11 touchdowns a year ago. Nicks’ number of looks will surely go up this season, but Eli Manning will miss his third down safety blanket Steve Smith and red zone option Kevin Boss; both departed in free agency.
With those two pass catchers no longer an option, it may mean more action for the running game, which features the dynamic, explosive Ahmad Bradshaw. And though veteran Brandon Jacobs has lost a step, he still runs like a Mack truck.
The Giants will hang their identity on their defensive line. Justin Tuck, Mathias Kiwanuka, Osi Umenyiora, and the emerging Jason Pierre-Paul pressure the quarterback from all angles. Rookie Marvin Austin will be a welcome addition to the defensive tackle rotation featuring Chris Canty and Rocky Bernard. With so many guys to fill four spots, Perry Fewell is licking his lips drawing up pressure schemes.
The safety positions are filled by the athletic Antrel Rolle and Kenny Phillips. Flanking them though, cornerback looks a little shaky. First round pick Prince Amukamara is out indefinitely due a broken foot requiring surgery and will surely be missed when the Giants are forced to play Aaron Ross, Terrell Thomas, and/or Corey Webster.
So the secondary needs a boost, but perhaps the vicious pass rush can make up for the lack of talent in the back four. The linebackers leave something to be desired.
Biggest Strengths: Pass rush.
Biggest Weaknesses: Michael Boley should not be a team’s best linebacker.
Eric’s Prediction: 8-8, Third in NFC East
Adam’s Prediction: 10-6, Third in NFC East
Washington Redskins
Yikes. John Beck or Rex Grossman; it’s time to prove your guru status Mike Shanahan.
If you can somehow avoid looking at the quarterback situation, things look even more dire for the rest of the Redskin offense. Ryan Torain, Tim Hightower, and rookie Roy Helu make up an unflattering running back combo. Apparently you can’t play wide receiver in Washington unless you’re 30 years old. To round out the receiving corps after 32-year-old Santana Moss, Washington brought in spring chickens Jabar Gaffney and Donte Stallworth. The Redskins’ number one option on offense, Chris Cooley, is out a four weeks with a knee injury and will miss developing chemistry with whoever ends up throwing him the ball.
The best thing you can say about Washington is they got rid of the mammoth headache that was Albert Haynesworth and his NFL-record $41 million of guaranteed money.
Edge rusher Brian Orakpo and safety LaRon Landry are excellent players, but additional defensive talent does not exist for the Redskins.
This could get ugly.
Biggest Strengths: Brian Orakpo.
Biggest Weaknesses: Everyone not named Brian Orakpo.
Eric’s Prediction: 3-13, Fourth in NFC East
Adam’s Prediction: 2-14, Fourth in NFC East
--from @jeuneski
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