1-Philadelphia Eagles
Offense
Andy Reid finally bit the bullet and picked up a game breaking wide receiver. Terrell Owens comes from San Francisco via Baltimore to give Donovan McNabb the first real wideout of his career. While Philly’s passing game is very much improved, the running game has been downgraded pretty seriously with the loss of Duce Staley to free agency and Correll Burkhalter to injury. The Eagles will have to make due with retread Dorsey Levens, second year man Reno Mahe and the exciting but fragile Brian Westbrook.
Defense
Jevon Kearse is a dominating defensive end, if this is 2001. The past two seasons he’s been wracked with injuries, and when he’s been available to play, he’s been a disappointment. The Freak is an awful big risk for $16 million. The interior of the line is the strength of this defense; Corey Simon and Darwin Walker are fine players, but both need more rest this season. The Eagles made major mistake letting Carlos Emmons escape to New York in the off-season. He’s replaced by Dhani Jones, known for his speed and talent, but also for his lack of production. In the secondary, the Eagles retooled their corners, going with youngsters Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown. It will be a tall order for them, as Jim Johnson’s defense relies on man-to-man coverage and blitzes from all over the field.
Prediction
It’s difficult not to see the Eagles coming back to the pack this season. The pass offense should be improved, but the run game is hurting after losing both Staley and Burkhalter. On defense, Johnson will have to play around a secondary lacking in experience. The Eagles are still the favorite here, but no longer in the NFC.
2-Washington Redskins
Offense
Joe Gibbs returns, and there is a back-to-the future feel to this team. You will see the H-Back, a power running game, and vertical passing from this team, now led by veteran QB Mark Brunell and RB Clinton Portis. Were I a Redskin fan, I would be far more pleased with the latter than the former. Brunell has been injury-plagued and ineffective for a couple years now, and a new system to learn won’t help. This team would have been better served dealing with Patrick Ramsey’s learning curve than this switch. Now, the question is how much confidence will Ramsey have when he plays this season. And he will; Brunell won’t last all 16 games. Whoever plays QB will have a great lead wide receiver in Laveranues Coles and a couple youngsters who haven’t played up to expectations. Coles should thrive in this offense.
Defense
Lavar Arrington is probably the most talented linebacker in football. He isn’t the best ‘backer though, due to his propensity to play out of position and try to make a spectacular play when a solid one would do. Maybe Gibbs and defensive assistant Gregg Williams will change that. If they do, Arrington could have a huge year. The linebackers are without question the best unit on the defense, as the young and fast Marcus Washington on the outside joins Arrington, with veteran Michael Barrow in the middle. On the line, the Redskins are weak, and in the secondary Champ Bailey will be missed. Sean Taylor is already the best player in the unit, and Fred Smoot is solid at one corner, though only about 1/3 the player he thinks he is. Sean Springs replaces Bailey, but the free-agent from Seattle is a hollow player, just talented enough to aggravate fans and coaches.
Prediction
Who the hell knows? Joe Gibbs is one of the great coaches in NFL history, and he automatically makes this team better, but his first two moves have been questionable at best. Brunell was acquired simply for the sake of having a veteran QB. He doesn’t have much left, and Ramsey will have to bail the team out. Portis is an excellent pick-up, but not worth Bailey, a great player at the most important defensive position in the modern NFL. That Washington had to throw in a second round pick makes the trade laughably one-sided. Still, the ‘Skins are more talented than both Dallas and New York, and should challenge for a wild-card spot.
3-Dallas Cowboys
Offense
Vinny Testeverde? Keyshawn Johnson? Eddie George? What is this, the senior tour? Bill Parcells goes even more back-to-the-future than his old rival Gibbs does with this menagerie on offense. Testeverde is of course only a placeholder for Drew Henson, who should take over in 2005. This year though, Tony Romo will be the backup, and the odds are pretty good he’ll have to play, as Vinny T is 40, and isn’t the best bet to play all 16 games. Johnson was always overrated, and has never been a great playmaker. George will be the main back this year, as draftee Julius Jones has gone directly from Notre Dame to Parcells’ doghouse. The line is questionable too; only Flozell Adams is in his prime.
Defense
Things are better here, as coordinator Mike Zimmer, one of the best defensive minds in football, is toying with multiple formations and personal changes that may even improve on last year’s #1 defense in the NFL. Parcells is to be commended here; he lets Zimmer do his thing, even though his small and fast mindset directly contradicts what Parcells has always featured. This year, Zimmer and Parcells pick up former Charger and Bill Marcellus Wiley from the scrap heap to add to a pretty good line. Roy Williams, already the best safety in the game, leads a fast and talented back seven.
Prediction
Cowboy fans should be concentrating on 2005; that’s the year this team should come together. This season isn’t a total loss, as Parcells and Zimmer’s defense should keep the team around the .500 mark. If Vinny can play like he’s 34 again, they may even contend for the last wild-card.
4-New York Giants
Offense
Does Kurt Warner have anything left? After the pre-season the answer is a definite maybe. He’s certainly been better than Eli Manning, though the rookie has shown flashes of what made him the first overall pick. Whoever plays QB this season will have some nice pieces to work with. Amani Toomer and Jeremy Shockey lead a good wideout corps, and Tiki Barber is a fine NFL running back. The real shock has been the reemergence of Ron Dayne, a guy who I, honestly, thought had retired last year. Still, the Giants biggest problem is an awful offensive line, one that rivals San Diego’s as the worst in football.
Defense
If healthy, the Giants have the best corner tandem in the division. Unfortunately for New York fans, that’s a big if, as both Will Allen and Will Peterson battled injuries last season. The rest of the defense is unsettled, as star DE Michael Strahan will have to deal with three new starters along the line with him. The linebackers are equally new, as former Eagle Carlos Emmons, former Lion Barrett Green and rookie Reggie Tobor join holdover Nick Grieson.
Prediction
Tom Coughlin is a pretty good situation here. The overall talent gap isn’t that far between the Giants, Redskins and Cowboys, and nobody in New York is expecting this team to be any good this year. If the defense solidifies and the offensive line improves, this team could surprise.