Phoenix-Talon
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Winner of NFC East in 2007 ...Hmmm.
There's several ways to look at this ... "Winner" does not always interpret as the "best" ...in the NFL, I've noticed through the years that successful is probably a better interpretation of "winner."
Obviously, the team that remains healthy, and the team that plays consistantly solid football on both sides of the ball throughout the regular season, should be the "winner." But you and I know that it doesn't always turn out like that. Especially when you throw in variables like match-ups, weather conditions, and the dreaded "upset (e.g., teams you should beat but didn't, penalties, turnovers, injuries, lockerroom controversies, team chemistry, etc)."
Alright ...that said, lets look at some of the pros/cons ...BTW this is IMHO only
Cowboys
I'll start with your Head Coach. A lot of the team's chemistry and direction will come from their newly appoint Head Coach. Norv Turner is an offensive strategist, which means he will focus on Romo and TO (also, Terry Glenn and all the other receivers). But Norv will not be able to handle TO like the Tuna! Perhaps one of the other front-runner candidates for the Big Cowpoke position will have better success ...maybe not! Another observation is Romo. Can he recover from that infamous moment? His confidence to excel under the pressure of a big games and the rush of big guns, is highly questionable. Was that a one-time occurrence or is it a look into the future of a shakey young QB. There are plenty of defensive teams that will be trying to exploit Romo in 2007. Is the Cowboy secondary strong enough, is the OL still weak ...the Cowboys have some "splaining to do!" Bottom line on this one is all wrapped around some smart draft choices/FA acquisitions, and selection of "the right" HC!
Commanders
Return of Portis running by committee with Betts makes this a solid running game
(provided Portis doesn't try his hand at tackling during the preseason). Campbell is still learning, but a very good prospect. But I believe the Skins Defense will self destruct unless something is done in the off-season.
Giants
Believe one of my Eagle compadres' already mentioned to me that Tiki will try his hand at announcing the games rather than as a RB this year (no one will step in to fill those shoes). Eli Manning will have added pressure on him to follow in his big brother's footsteps. Shockey, and Plaxico will do their thing, but I believe the Giants may become one-dimensional if they aren't careful. Antonio Pierce (backdoor probowler; replacing Brian Urlacher), Michael Strahan and LaVar Arrington are going to be hell-on-wheels if they can remain healthy (Arrington is injury prone, and I've got my eyes on Strahan also). Overall, I'd say that if they can get their secondary in order, and they can shake the one-dimensional aspect, AND remain consistant ...G-Men have a shot at "winner."
Eagles
My opinion is biased! That said, I'll try to be as honest as possible.
Garcia or Mcnabb? Many of my brother/sister Eagle fans are split on this one. I'll simply say that Andy Reid knows McNabb better than Garcia. McNabb is the Franchise Quarterback. A "healthy" McNabb outweighs a healthy Garcia in my book. But what a hellofva one-two combo punch to have! If and that's a Big "if" Jeff Garcia stays, the Eagles have a great starter and backup combo regardless of how you look at it! Westbrook is awesome, and again, credit to another Eagle fan for saying that Stallworth is a "must" sign. I'd like to see the Eagles go after a big strong FB in the off-season. While Buckhalter seems to be back on the healthy trail, I still would prefer a heathy workhorse to supplement B-West. Someone who can move those chains on the notorious "3rd and short" scenario.
Kearse, Cole, Howard, and Patterson will once again reek havoc, but I don't have too much confidence left in Trotter stopping the run anymore' especially after that Saint debacle. The Eagles have some work to do in the draft/FA also ...primarily to fortify and strengthen on both sides of the ball. But that's called tweaking! Overall, I see the Eagles as getting stronger and better in 2007. Hence, I'd say they have my vote as coming out of the NFC as Winner electus!
Oops ...did I not Mention Weapon X!
That's How I see it! What's your call?
There's several ways to look at this ... "Winner" does not always interpret as the "best" ...in the NFL, I've noticed through the years that successful is probably a better interpretation of "winner."
Obviously, the team that remains healthy, and the team that plays consistantly solid football on both sides of the ball throughout the regular season, should be the "winner." But you and I know that it doesn't always turn out like that. Especially when you throw in variables like match-ups, weather conditions, and the dreaded "upset (e.g., teams you should beat but didn't, penalties, turnovers, injuries, lockerroom controversies, team chemistry, etc)."
Alright ...that said, lets look at some of the pros/cons ...BTW this is IMHO only
Cowboys
I'll start with your Head Coach. A lot of the team's chemistry and direction will come from their newly appoint Head Coach. Norv Turner is an offensive strategist, which means he will focus on Romo and TO (also, Terry Glenn and all the other receivers). But Norv will not be able to handle TO like the Tuna! Perhaps one of the other front-runner candidates for the Big Cowpoke position will have better success ...maybe not! Another observation is Romo. Can he recover from that infamous moment? His confidence to excel under the pressure of a big games and the rush of big guns, is highly questionable. Was that a one-time occurrence or is it a look into the future of a shakey young QB. There are plenty of defensive teams that will be trying to exploit Romo in 2007. Is the Cowboy secondary strong enough, is the OL still weak ...the Cowboys have some "splaining to do!" Bottom line on this one is all wrapped around some smart draft choices/FA acquisitions, and selection of "the right" HC!
Commanders
Return of Portis running by committee with Betts makes this a solid running game
(provided Portis doesn't try his hand at tackling during the preseason). Campbell is still learning, but a very good prospect. But I believe the Skins Defense will self destruct unless something is done in the off-season.
Giants
Believe one of my Eagle compadres' already mentioned to me that Tiki will try his hand at announcing the games rather than as a RB this year (no one will step in to fill those shoes). Eli Manning will have added pressure on him to follow in his big brother's footsteps. Shockey, and Plaxico will do their thing, but I believe the Giants may become one-dimensional if they aren't careful. Antonio Pierce (backdoor probowler; replacing Brian Urlacher), Michael Strahan and LaVar Arrington are going to be hell-on-wheels if they can remain healthy (Arrington is injury prone, and I've got my eyes on Strahan also). Overall, I'd say that if they can get their secondary in order, and they can shake the one-dimensional aspect, AND remain consistant ...G-Men have a shot at "winner."
Eagles
My opinion is biased! That said, I'll try to be as honest as possible.
Garcia or Mcnabb? Many of my brother/sister Eagle fans are split on this one. I'll simply say that Andy Reid knows McNabb better than Garcia. McNabb is the Franchise Quarterback. A "healthy" McNabb outweighs a healthy Garcia in my book. But what a hellofva one-two combo punch to have! If and that's a Big "if" Jeff Garcia stays, the Eagles have a great starter and backup combo regardless of how you look at it! Westbrook is awesome, and again, credit to another Eagle fan for saying that Stallworth is a "must" sign. I'd like to see the Eagles go after a big strong FB in the off-season. While Buckhalter seems to be back on the healthy trail, I still would prefer a heathy workhorse to supplement B-West. Someone who can move those chains on the notorious "3rd and short" scenario.
Kearse, Cole, Howard, and Patterson will once again reek havoc, but I don't have too much confidence left in Trotter stopping the run anymore' especially after that Saint debacle. The Eagles have some work to do in the draft/FA also ...primarily to fortify and strengthen on both sides of the ball. But that's called tweaking! Overall, I see the Eagles as getting stronger and better in 2007. Hence, I'd say they have my vote as coming out of the NFC as Winner electus!
Oops ...did I not Mention Weapon X!
That's How I see it! What's your call?
