Hochuli's NFC East Preview
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From: http://afraidofedhochuli.blogspot.com/
This one is going to make someone mad since I believe that each of these teams has some of the most DIEHARD fans in the league. But, we all need to be level headed here and understand that just like every other person who has a keyboard and watches football, I can type whatever-the-hell I want.
So on to it!
The NFC East.
In Alphabetical Order
A lot of people love this team. John Clayton, who I think is the smartest man in football circles, has chosen them to make the Superbowl. I don’t disagree that they could make…but I also don’t agree that they are a lock. Football, being a game of “week-to-week” can make a team 13-3 or 6-10 depending on so many different variables.
This offense should scare people. Romo will be better this year after having another year in the system, the offensive line is one of the top 5 in the league, they have 2 great WR (as long as Glenn can come back from knee injury) and the tandem of Jones and Barber will make a defenses cringe. Much like the Panthers and Delhomme, the Cowboys will go as Romo goes. If he struggles they will struggle. But I don’t see that happening. This offense will click.
The Defense is led by Ware and Spears who are both up to the challenge. They need to worry about Greg Ellis who is still dealing with Achilles problems and Terence Newman who is dealing with plantar fasciitis in his right foot. And the addition of Ken Hamlin will be either a plus or a minus depending on which Hamlin shows up: the hard-hitter or the coverage misser.
Also, will the team be hurt the first year by a new head coach? I know he is supposedly great, but can this team win after a transition?
Because of schedule, I think the Cowboys will go 0-3 (They have trouble with the Giants, Miami’s D is under rated and Chicago is…well…Chicago) before turning it around to go 10-3 in the rest of the season, winning the division.
2006 Record: 9-7
2007 Prediction: 10-6
1st in the NFC East
It is sad to see a team stuck in a rut. They had so much hope and were on the rise over the last few years, but now it seems like they are always having to deal with something.
They have a good Offensive Line, good Receivers and an elite Tight End. The Offense, however, has two main questions: Can Brandon Jacobs do what they need him to do and can Eli get out of his head long enough to throw the ball well. The season for this team will hinge on these questions.
The defense which ranked 14 th in RYA/G and 28 th in PYA/G needs to shore up the secondary this year. If they don’t find a way to stop the pass, they will lose, especially in this division. They still have Strahan and Umenyiora at DE so they should still be able to rush the passer and their linebackers should keep the Giants around the middle of the league in rush yards again.
There is a lot of pressure on this team this year. If Eli doesn’t do well, Coughlin loses his job, the new guy will most likely bench Eli, and The Manning reign in NY will be over.
They have a bit of a “cushy” schedule, though (ranked 22 nd), and may be able to pull out some sort of upset, possibly sneaking in to a Wild Card spot.
2006 Record: 8-8
2007 Prediction: 9-7
T-2nd in the NFC East.
I love when a team that was the “cream of the crop” for so long becomes a sleeper.
This team is dangerous. If McNabb is healthy, this team is in the playoffs. Hell, they won with out him, so with him they may be unbeatable. The WR core got a HUGE boost by the pick up of Kevin Curtis. He as under rated at #3 in St. Louis and he will help out immensely in a #2 role. Brian Westbrook is the most over looked back in the league. They have an O-line consistent veterans.
They picked up Takeo Spikes which may seem like a downgrade since he is aging, but he will still be game-planned around and will take up space. Their secondary is still their strength with Dawkins and Shepard, but the defense overall is very balanced.
Their schedule is also a bit softer and they will make the playoffs if they win their games against the Giant. This is my pick that I KNOW will not be right, because the Eagles will surprise us all, one way or another.
2006 Record: 10-6
2007 Prediction: 9-7
T-2nd in the NFC East.
Everyone loves Jason Campbell. Great. But in this division it will not matter. I can’t see them winning ANY games in the division schedule.
They have good WRs and a sound set of backs (when Portis is healthy). They ranked 4 th in RY/G but 21 st in PY/G. If Portis can not stay healthy then they will NOT be in the top 10 in rushing. Jason Campbell will hopefully step up and get better bringing them into the top 15 in passing yards, but that is a pipe-dream. Moss, Cooley, Lloyd and Randle El will need to have career years to get this Offense going. It just isn’t good enough.
They drafted Defense this year. Good. They needed it. They Ranked 23 rd in PYA/G and 27 th in RYA/G. They ranked 31 st in Total YA/G. This is terrible. They have a good secondary but when your Defense is ranked 30 th in sacks then your coverage will struggle. They need to get good play from their d D-Line to help out the secondary.
This isn’t their year. This team will probably have a top 10 pick in the draft for the 4th time in 5 years (no 1 st round in 2006)
2006 Record: 5-11
2007 Prediction: 6-10
4th in the NFC East
Afraid of Ed Hochuli: Matt's Season Preview - NFC West
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Afraid of Ed Hochuli: Matt's Season Preview - NFC South
Afraid of Ed Hochuli: Matt's Season Preview - AFC South
Afraid of Ed Hochuli: Matt's Season Preview - NFC North
Afraid of Ed Hochuli: Matt's Season Preview - AFC North
