China Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 NFL 2005: Eagles Should Romp in NFC East By BARRY WILNER, AP Football Writer Tue Aug 30, 5:24 AM ET Donovan McNabb probably could throw his passes left-handed to Terrell Owens, who could carry a mirror downfield admiring himself, and the Eagles still would win this division. An exaggeration? Sure. But one that emphasizes how lopsided the NFC East race figures to be again this season. By Thanksgiving, Philadelphia could be celebrating a fifth straight division crown. It isn't just that the Eagles have the best overall roster in the East, filled with leaders, and an excellent coaching staff. They also know how to win, and getting to the Super Bowl last winter will be a further boost. Besides, the other three division members are, at best, mediocre. The Giants have questions all over on defense and on the offensive line, and a relative novice — albeit a very talented one — at quarterback. The Cowboys also have a lot of holes and leadership questions. Washington seems good enough to send Joe Gibbs back to NASCAR very soon. The Eagles swept their divisional games in 2004 and are quite capable of a repeat. Even with the tumult Owens has caused and season-ending injuries to Todd Pinkston and Correll Buckhalter, they far and away are the class of the East. That's most noticeable defensively. Philly's secondary, led by Brian Dawkins and Michael Lewis at safety, is the league's best. Jeremiah Trotter was sensational at middle linebacker when inserted into the lineup in midseason. Defensive end Jevon Kearse should be more of a menace in his second season with the team, and the line is versatile and deep, even without Corey Simon, who was granted free agency Sunday. Coordinator Jim Johnson will call for blitzes and more blitzes. "We know we are a nasty defense. We know we are a good defense, but last year we didn't have enough takeaways," Trotter said. "That's a focus for us this year, getting the ball." When they get it, McNabb will hand it or throw it to do-everything back Brian Westbrook, a perfect player for Philly's scheme. Or he'll find L.J. Smith, a tight end ready to emerge. And then there is T.O. Somehow, despite all the turmoil this summer, there's a belief that Owens will be as dynamic as ever — maybe if only to stick it to the organization he's upset with for not renegotiating a $49 million contract. Few coaches could steer a team through such dysfunction, but Andy Reid is masterful handling myriad personalities. Besides, only Owens really is disruptive. "I can't sit here and try to tell you what Terrell is going to do," said Dawkins, an All-Pro. "Only Terrell knows what he is going to do." Whatever he does, it will make headlines. The main headlines coming out of Dallas could be whether Bill Parcells will stick it out beyond this season if the Cowboys are losers again. Same thing for Gibbs in D.C. And from the Meadowlands, the focus will be on just how far Eli Manning has progressed. Manning is nursing a sore elbow, robbing him of valuable practice time. He played poorly for the first four games of his stint as a starter last season, but came on in the final three to raise hopes in New York. Unfortunately for Giants fans, this team doesn't appear ready to have a winning record, particularly if it has injuries. Other than Michael Strahan, who comes off a torn pectoral muscle that cost him half of last season, there are no defensive stars — although linebacker Antonio Pierce was a solid addition and rookie Justin Tuck has had a strong summer. Tiki Barber, a superb all-around back in his prime, is the best offensive weapon, and WR Plaxico Burress could be a nice complement for tight end Jeremy Shockey if he has his head on straight. Coach Tom Coughlin needs more peace between players and staff than he had last season, and he can't afford to overwork Barber. Even if the Giants don't reach .500, if Manning develops, the year will be worthwhile. Parcells has been in midseason form this summer, bemoaning all kinds of perceived problems with his club. He has some big-time playmakers in safety Roy Williams, running back Julius Jones, tight end Jason Witten and, quite possibly, first-round pick DeMarcus Ware. He has been unstoppable as a 3-4 end or linebacker during the preseason. Parcells also has little support for Williams in the secondary, and while Williams might be the best run defender at his position in the NFL, he's not so hot in coverage. Also, the Cowboys have key players with lots of wear, starting with quarterback Drew Bledsoe and extending to wide receivers Terry Glenn and Keyshawn Johnson, guard Larry Allen, defensive tackle La'Roi Glover and nose tackle Jason Ferguson. "We've got a few moving parts," Parcells says. "I wish it wasn't quite this many." One of the major moving parts in Washington could be Gibbs, the franchise's most successful coach in his first stint. Another stinker like 2004 could drive him back to Tony Stewart and Bobby Labonte. The Redskins have that potential, too. Their defense, coordinated by Gregg Williams, is just fine and gets back linebacker LaVar Arrington to complement linebacker Marcus Washington, cornerback Shawn Springs and, if he doesn't get sentenced to jail time for threatening someone with a gun in a dispute over an all-terrain vehicle, safety Sean Taylor. But the offense, Gibbs' baby, has been weak. Neither Patrick Ramsey nor Mark Brunell seems to be the answer at quarterback. If that doesn't change, would Gibbs go with Jason Campbell, the rookie from Auburn he traded up to get in the draft? Running back Clinton Portis should get 1,200 yards rushing behind an upgraded line that has a healthy tackle in Jon Jansen this year. But few teams will be as dismal throwing it, and the special teams need upgrading. ___ Predictions: Philadelphia (12-4); New York (7-9); Dallas (7-9); Washington (5-11). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Califan007 The Constipated Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 The main headlines coming out of Dallas could be whether Bill Parcells will stick it out beyond this season if the Cowboys are losers again. Same thing for Gibbs in D.C. Those are hardly the "main headlines" coming out of D.C. concerning Gibbs...those are the imaginary headlines coming out of sportswriters who take NFL "urban myths" like this and run with it over and over again... Running back Clinton Portis should get 1,200 yards rushing behind an upgraded line that has a healthy tackle in Jon Jansen this year. But few teams will be as dismal throwing it, and the special teams need upgrading. So let me get this straight...Portis will get less yards this year playing more games behind a better line??... :doh: And I'm assuming that this was written sometime last November for the "few teams will be as dismal throwing" remark considering that the Skins have something like the #3 passing attack in the preseason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orlskinsfan Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 this is just laughable....i really dont have anything to say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 All is rosy for the Eagles in this article :laugh: Westbrook is the perfect player for this system............ LJ Smith is a tight end ready to emerge............... I too favor the Eagles in the East right now, but not in the walkaway this article talks about. With Portis, a healthy offensive line and a defense as good as the Eagles' I don't see the Redskins being a charity case in the NFC East in 2005. Those games last year between the clubs were fairly close, even with all the problems this team was having and all the things that were going well for the Eagles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek1973 Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 Man I went wrong in the job department in my life. You mean I can get paid by writing a bunch of crap articles and still get paid? What a great country. :applause: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-Prime Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 Whoever wrote this, has never ever watched football.. They are just repeating what they've heard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Monk Fan Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 He singles out the Eagle's defense as the reason they're the best in the division, and labels the Redskin's defense "just fine." Somebody please remind me, whose defense finished last year ranked higher? And don't get me started on this hack's insanely long run-on sentences; some serious need for Comp 101 here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neophyte Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 Why does the press bother to work the preseason? All they do is make judgements off of what each team did last season. Anyone who has watched the preseson this year should have a different view of the Redskins. *shrug* I guess only time and a winning record will fix it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingGibbs Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 This is a hack job in journalism. But, I guess I'm one of the few who don't get upset because it pretty much sums up the truth. Until the 'skins win, we won't get or deserve any respect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tundey Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 Portis 1200 yards behind an upgraded offensive line? How can Portis gain only 1200 behind an upgrade when he gained over 1300 last year? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexRS Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 Oh my! This one is too funny to get angry at Sensational, nasty Eagles defence ranked #10... Redskins #3 defense is just fine with Gregg Williams as coordinator. imho the best part is his prediction of Portis getting LESS yards behind an "upgraded offensive line." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monk4theHall81 Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 What a joke, just another member of the media that hates the skins. I guess this douche didnt watch portis run all over the Steelers vaunted D last Friday... :doh: :mad: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funkyalligator Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 This is just plain old piss poor writing.....everything from factual mistakes to gramatical mistakes...just plain stupidity.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monk4theHall81 Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 Oh my! This one is too funny to get angry at Sensational, nasty Eagles defence ranked #10... Redskins #3 defense is just fine with Gregg Williams as coordinator. imho the best part is his prediction of Portis getting LESS yards behind an "upgraded offensive line." This cant be a real article, that guy sounds like a 10 year old :doh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eparks11 Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 And then there is T.O. Somehow, despite all the turmoil this summer, there's a belief that Owens will be as dynamic as ever — maybe if only to stick it to the organization he's upset with for not renegotiating a $49 million contract. This guy is just an idiot in general. How does TO playing great stick it to the Eagles ownership? Sticking it to them would be to go out and play like utter garbage and still bring home a huge paycheck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Number5 Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 It has been well documented by the media about the new "nasty" attitude of Eagle defense. They have won games for the team while your team has appeared to more or less keep your team in the games. The most important stat is points per game. While the Eagles defense had a brainfart against Pitts, they have the fewest points allowed and most sacks since 2000. I think that fact alone deserves the name "nasty". While he says somethings that appear to be harsh, but there is some truth to it as well. There is a reason why everyone in the United States except for Giants, Redskins, and Cowboys fans feel the Eagles will win the NFC East.....the guys basically lists what are the most obvious to him. He might not go in depth as far as knowing Arrington's shoe size or the color of Portis' SUV, but he hit the general facts about each team. Whether right or wrong in your eyes, he just stated a general opinion that most people around the league seem to share. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 but that's the point, Number 5 teams that are RIVALS and play each other twice a year are LESS likely to shy away from taking on the powerhouse of the moment and believe that they can beat them. remember that a lot of those NFC East games were VERY CLOSE in 2004. The Redskins and Dallas gave the Eagles all they could handle in their second games. Those were hardly beatings delivered by a vastly superior team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Number5 Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 To be truthful Bulldog, the only close games were the second two games of the series. While the 1st Redskins game wasn't a blow out, it wasn't all that close either. The game vs. Dallas at Dallas was a different story...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Califan007 The Constipated Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 To be truthful Bulldog, the only close games were the second two games of the series. While the 1st Redskins game wasn't a blow out, it wasn't all that close either. The game vs. Dallas at Dallas was a different story...... Um, isn't that what Bulldog said??...lol... "The Redskins and Dallas gave the Eagles all they could handle in their second games." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLongshot Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 It has been well documented by the media about the new "nasty" attitude of Eagle defense. They have won games for the team while your team has appeared to more or less keep your team in the games. Not sure what this means. You win games by scoring more points than the other guys. The only way defense "wins" games is that where the majority of the points come from the defense, or as a result of defensive plays. Somehow, I don't think that's true of you guys. Personally, I think sacks are an overrated statistic to a certain extent. The important thing is being able to put consistant pressure on the QB, something we did a pretty decent job of last year. Also, turnovers are very important. Last year, we were both pretty equal on that part of the game. Not great, but we both got ours. I don't think anyone here is arguing that Philly isn't going to win the East at this point, but arguing that all the team have improved themselves, and it won't be the walk the writer is suggesting. Not to mention, he can't get all of his facts straight. Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinsfan999 Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 I guess according to this guy, the season for the Redskins is already over, right? Might as well hand the Eagles the division cause there's no point in playing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westbrook36 Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 The Eagles won the East by only SEVEN games last year. This guy is waaaayyyyy off base. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neophyte Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 I don't think anyone here is really arguing that what the guy wrote about the Eagles is without merit. They are the team to beat in the NFC East and frankly will remain so until one of the other teams actually does it. It is that simple. The gripe here is how this guy can write an article explaining how bad the Redskins will be based on what happened last year with little or no comment about off season changes (except where they are considered bad like losing Smoot and Pierce) and without taking into account what has been seen in the first 3 preseason games. It is tough to ignore the very obvious change in offensive philosphy with regard to the passing game and the upgrade (yes, I said upgrade) to the WR corps and yet this author manages to do it. He also managed to predict Portis would gain fewer yards this year than last while saying the offensive line will be better. Does he watch football? We are not asking for anyone to predict a division crown for us until we prove we can at least split the season series with Philly but let us at least be fair to the team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Number5 Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 I don't think anyone here is really arguing that what the guy wrote about the Eagles is without merit. They are the team to beat in the NFC East and frankly will remain so until one of the other teams actually does it. It is that simple.The gripe here is how this guy can write an article explaining how bad the Redskins will be based on what happened last year with little or no comment about off season changes (except where they are considered bad like losing Smoot and Pierce) and without taking into account what has been seen in the first 3 preseason games. It is tough to ignore the very obvious change in offensive philosphy with regard to the passing game and the upgrade (yes, I said upgrade) to the WR corps and yet this author manages to do it. He also managed to predict Portis would gain fewer yards this year than last while saying the offensive line will be better. Does he watch football? We are not asking for anyone to predict a division crown for us until we prove we can at least split the season series with Philly but let us at least be fair to the team. Respected! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
illone Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 Added this thread to E-Dog's media post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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