It pains me to say it, I unceremonially turned my back on rooting for the Cowboys after owner Jerry Jones kicked Tom Landry to the curb in favor of his college roommate Jimmy Johnson. Nonetheless, it may very well be that the only team that can stop the Cowboys in 2008 will be the Cowboys. Competing agendas, a meddlesome owner who doesn’t know N-F-L personnel as well as he thinks he does, and the glare of the spotlight could undo “America’s Team,” but this season could be that one shining moment where the team catches the vision and bands together for Super Bowl glory.
Wade Phillips and company will have to run the gauntlet of the best division in football to do it. The N-F-C East is home to the Super Bowl champion New York Giants, and yet I’m not sure they’ll make the playoffs! That’s how competitive this division is. I like Brandon Jacobs, and Eli Manning is showing the makings of a solid pro- provided he can fight off the temptation to try to be Brett Favre and not make some of the silly throws he has in the past. Further hindering is performance is a receiving corps that led the N-F-L in dropped passes in 2007. The defense will be weakened by the retirement of Michael Strahan and a season-ending injury Osi Uminyiora. It’s all about defense and pressure onthe QB, and that will be harder for the Giants to do.
The Philadelphia Eagles should be better. Donavan Mc Nabb is hungry to win and has a nice array of weapons to toss the rock to between L.J. Smith, Brian Westbrook, Kevin Curtisand Reggie Brown. They key here will be the defense. D- Coordinator Jim Johnson is one of the best emphasizing pressure and forcing miscues. The tackles are solid, the linebackers are young but promising and the secondary can make big plays.
The wasington Redskins provide intrigue under the direction of rookie head man Jim Zorn. With all dues respect to retired coach Joe Gibbs, the ‘Skin will be more entertaining offensively. Clinton Portis is an electrifying scatback, and Jason Campbell has promise as the quarterback. Still, questions remain concerning Campbell’s potential to lead and the questions in the passing game, save for TE Chris Cooley linger. Help may have arrived in the form or WRs Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly. Defensively, this team could be quite good under the direction of Greg Blache. The line is aging however, and the secondary is still smarting after the tragic death of S Sean Taylor.
There’s not a cream puff among these teams. I am confident of Dallas’ ability to capture the division flag- yet the scramble beneath them could shake out in any number of ways. As always, injuries will have some bearing on the outcome, and age and experience play a part as well.
All things being equal, I see the division going like this:
1) Dallas Cowboys
2) Philadelphia Eagles*
3) New York Giants
4) Washington Redskins
*wild card qualifier
