ESPN Clayton: NFC East Grades

[WoodysGirl]

[URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=dal"][URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=dal"][URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=dal"]Dallas Cowboys[/URL][/URL][/URL]: GRADE: B+
The offense that couldn't shoot straight in December games for years turned itself around right before Christmas. Wade Phillips most likely saved his job by motivating the defense. Tony Romo, who didn't have to deal with a Terrell Owens headache, showed more leadership down the stretch and favorite target Miles Austin had a monster season.

[URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=phi"][URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=phi"][URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=phi"]Philadelphia Eagles[/URL][/URL][/URL]: GRADE: A
Even though the Eagles lost the division title to the Cowboys during the final week of the regular season, they had a great year. Andy Reid developed young offensive stars DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy, and Donovan McNabb looked as sharp as ever. Defensive coordinator Sean McDermott filled in nicely for the late Jim Johnson.

[URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=nyg"][URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=nyg"][URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=nyg"]New York Giants[/URL][/URL][/URL]: GRADE: D
The defense battled injuries all season and fell apart after a 5-0 start. The loss of Plaxico Burress wasn't as bad as thought because young receivers Hakeem Nicks, Steve Smith and Mario Manningham were solid. But Tom Coughlin might have to start rebuilding an aging offensive line.

[URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=was"][URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=was"][URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=was"]Washington Commanders[/URL][/URL][/URL]: GRADE: F
Jim Zorn couldn't get many points out of the offense, and Jason Campbell couldn't get the team over the top in the many close, low-scoring games he played in. Dan Snyder has had his eyes on Mike Shanahan for months. He's set to let him run the show.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=4798890

 

[Givincer]

Is this real?

Honestly?

 

[speedkilz88]

Clayton is such a joke.

 

[Tio]

Is this real?

Honestly?

This.

How can anyone justify grading the eagles above us?

Whatever, just laugh it off.

 

[Tobal]

Eplain to me how a team that was predicted to finish 3rd or 4th in the division by almost anyone outside of DFW, wins the division but finishes with a lower grade than one of the teams that was susposed to have finished ahead of it.

I know it doesn't matter, I just get tired of the idiots we deal with in the media.

 

[HoosierCowboy]

same record, beat them twice, we have as much young talent, way to go Clayton

my prediction: Jackson will be in trouble with the law and NFL within a year

 

[reddyuta]

you guys still dont know what ESPN is trying to do here.they have found out that being anti cowboys=big ratings boost because they not only get other teams fans to agree with them but also cowboys fans too,its a simple genius strategy.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

are these clowns actually INSTRUCTED to annoy Cowboy nation. We beat the Eagles TWICE. We won the division. We developed young talent (Spencer, Jenkins, Felix, Free, Austin). We are FAR more balanced on offense. I mean this is just comical. We do not have bad losses to teams like the Raiders....we beat the mighty Saints who destroyed the Eagles. They call this guy a professor?

 

[CowboysFaninBaltimore]

are these clowns actually INSTRUCTED to annoy Cowboy nation. We beat the Eagles TWICE. We won the division. We developed young talent (Spencer, Jenkins, Felix, Free, Austin). We are FAR more balanced on offense. I mean this is just comical. We do not have bad losses to teams like the Raiders....we beat the mighty Saints who destroyed the Eagles. They call this guy a professor?

Clayton reminds me of Mr. Mackey. Drugs are bad mmmkay.

 

[Sarge]

Didn't Clayton pick the Eagles to win the division? They don't....they get an A........Dallas does and gets a B+? Love it.

 

[dbair1967]

Didn't Clayton pick the Eagles to win the division? They don't....they get an A........Dallas does and gets a B+? Love it.

Thats what I was thinking.

The stupidity of some of these NFL "experts" is just amazing. I cant believe these guys get paid for this stuff.

 

[coach316]

We sweep them in the regular season.

We blank them in their biggest game of the year.

We win the division.

Both teams 4-2 in the division. Both 6-2 at home. Both 5-3 on the road. Both 9-3 within the conference. Both 2-2 out of conference.

Yet....they grade out ahead of us?

Beaker needs to put the crack pipe down.

 

[thisisepic]

He mentions guys like Maclin, and McCoy but no love for Jenkins who without a doubt is playing top notch. WTH. Clayton is a turd.

 

[adbutcher]

 

[chuffly]

He mentions guys like Maclin, and McCoy but no love for Jenkins who without a doubt is playing top notch. WTH. Clayton is a turd.

I'd take Jenkins over any of their "young stars" and that includes Jackson.

 

[Biggems]

In 11 wins Dallas was +140 pts and in 5 losses -29 pts.

In 11 wins Dallas avg margin of victory was +12.72727272

In 5 losses Dallas avg margin of loss was -5.8


Of their 11 wins, 4 were by less than 13 points (KC 6, Phi 4, Wash 1, and NO 7). The average margin of victory of the other 7 games is 17.4 ppg

Of their 5 losses, 1 was by more than 7 (GB 10). The average margin of loss of the other 4 games is 4.75 ppg.

in 16 games our opponents exceeded their scoring average only 4 times
NYG, NYG, KC, and TB (3 of the 4 occurred through week 5 and prior to the bye week). The Giants are the only team, post bye-week, to surpass their scoring average against us.

TB 15.3 / 21 / +5.7
NYG 25.1 / 33 / +7.9
Car 19.7 / 7 / -12.7
Den 20.4 / 17 / -3.4
KC 18.4 / 20 / +1.6
BYE
Atl 22.7 / 21 / -1.7
Sea 17.5 / 17 / -0.5
Phi 26.8 / 16 / -10.8
GB 28.8 / 17 / -11.8
Wash 16.6 / 6 / -10.6
Oak 12.3 / 7 / -5.3
NYG 25.1 / 31 / +5.9
SD 28.4 / 20 / -8.4
NO 31.9 / 17 / -14.9
Wash 16.6 / 0 / -16.6
Phi 26.8 / 0 / -26.8

9 times this season, the Cowboys exceeded their scoring avg of 22.6 ppg. Only 3 times did we score less than 17 in a game (Den 10, GB 7, Wash 7). Since Thanksgiving, Dallas has scored 24 pts four times and 17 pts two times.

I am sorry, but maybe if Clayton read up on just the numbers......there is no way he would be able to give the Eagles a higher grade than the Cowboys.

 

[AdamJT13]

If you had ever heard Clayton talk on the radio out here in Seattle about the Cowboys, him giving us a B-plus for winning the division and the Eagles an A for finishing second should come as no surprise. He is a lifelong Steelers fan (and since working out here, a Seahawks supporter) and an avowed Cowboys hater.

 

[fanfromvirginia]

Just embrace the hate and believe.

 

[George]

Clayton is such a joke.

I agree. He really is.

 

[DFWJC]

are these clowns actually INSTRUCTED to annoy Cowboy nation. ?

To some degree, yes, I think they are.