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8:37 PM MST, February 13, 2010
ASHBURN, VA - JANUARY 06: Washington Commanders General Manager Bruce Allen (L) listens as Mike Shanahan answers questions at a press conference where he was introduced as the new head coach of the Washington Commanders on January 6, 2010 in Ashburn, Virginia. Shanahan replaces former head coach Jim Zorn who was released January 4 following a 4-12 season. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) (Win McNamee, Getty Images / January 6, 2010)
After four days of examining the major question facing each team in the AFC, our offseason football blog turns it attention to the National Football Conference. We will begin with the NFC East. On Sunday, February 14th, we will delve into the NFC North. On Monday, February 15th, a closer look at the NFC South. We will wrap it up with the NFC West on Tuesday, February 16th.
Dallas Cowboys
Key Question: Can they represent the NFC in Super Bowl XLV in their own stadium?
Outlook: I admit, that may be a little premature but it is an enticing proposition. No team in the previous 44 Super Bowls has ever played the game in their own stadium. Many feel, even with a disastrous Divisional round loss to the Vikings, that the Cowboys may be primed to go one step further in 2010. Last season, their dismantling of the Eagles in the Wild Card round netted them their first Playoff win since 1996. In many ways, success in the NFL comes in small increments. Remember, even the Cowboys team that won three Super Bowls in the 1990s began with a 1-15 record in Troy Aikman's rookie season. The Cowboys have taken the "first" step and that was to get over their postseason drought. Now comes the hard part. Fulfilling the massive current expectations for a team that has five Lombardi trophies in its glorious past.
New York Giants
Key Question: Will the defense stand tall again?
Outlook: The indenible image of New York's Super Bowl win over New England will almost certainly be David Tyree's catch up against his helmet. Though, the play of the Giants defense putting pressure on Tom Brady cannot be ignored. The constant pass rush rattled the perfect (to that point) Patriots and was a key factor in one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history. However, as the 2009 season taught us, less than two years after that suffocating performance, the Giants have fell on hard times defensively. Defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan was fired after just one year on the job. Defensive end Osi Umenyiora is at odds with the organization, middle linebacker Antonio Pierce was released on Thursday, and Michael Strahan is settling into his role with Fox Sports. The Giants lost a lot of swagger and that has resulted in the loss of a lot more games than they thought.
Philadelphia Eagles
Key Question: Who is their starting quarterback in 2010?
Outlook: Donovan McNabb? Kevin Kolb? Michael Vick? I think the latter name has virtually no chance. His salary cap number for next year is too much to keep him on as even a backup. Plus, there are too many teams with a need at quarterback that will gamble on Vick. He wants to start and with the Eagles, he won't. It's best for him to leave. Head coach Andy Reid has already said McNabb will be his starter in 2010 but with teams making trade overtures to Philadelphia, the organization at least has to listen. The Broncos were said to have inquired but they subsequently denied that report. Then again, head coach Josh McDaniels said he wouldn't be open to trading Jay Cutler and we know how that ended. Kolb is the future, McNabb is the present. The question is just how fast is the"future" coming?
Washington Commanders
Key Question: Can Mike Shanahan turn around this once proud NFL franchise?
Outlook: Yes, over time, I think he can. Immediate dividends may be harder to come by. Many agree the Commanders have talent across the board but those players were never coached to their full ability. Now, those 53 men in the locker room are playing for a two time Super Bowl winner, whom they presumably will respect far more than they did Jim Zorn. As we know, Shanahan has always made his name as an offensive specialist with an emphsasis on the development of the quarterback. The word is Shanahan is impressed enough with Jason Campbell to give him the short term reins, though you wonder just how much Shanahan covets Oklahoma's Sam Bradford or Texas quarterback Colt McCoy. Most pundits look at Bradford as a far superior pro player than McCoy, but Shanahan has an affinity for Texas Longhorns. His son, Kyle, now his offensive coordinator played for UT coach Mack Brown.
http://www.kdvr.com/sports/kdvr-sports-blog-021310,0,3681391.story
8:37 PM MST, February 13, 2010
After four days of examining the major question facing each team in the AFC, our offseason football blog turns it attention to the National Football Conference. We will begin with the NFC East. On Sunday, February 14th, we will delve into the NFC North. On Monday, February 15th, a closer look at the NFC South. We will wrap it up with the NFC West on Tuesday, February 16th.
Dallas Cowboys
Key Question: Can they represent the NFC in Super Bowl XLV in their own stadium?
Outlook: I admit, that may be a little premature but it is an enticing proposition. No team in the previous 44 Super Bowls has ever played the game in their own stadium. Many feel, even with a disastrous Divisional round loss to the Vikings, that the Cowboys may be primed to go one step further in 2010. Last season, their dismantling of the Eagles in the Wild Card round netted them their first Playoff win since 1996. In many ways, success in the NFL comes in small increments. Remember, even the Cowboys team that won three Super Bowls in the 1990s began with a 1-15 record in Troy Aikman's rookie season. The Cowboys have taken the "first" step and that was to get over their postseason drought. Now comes the hard part. Fulfilling the massive current expectations for a team that has five Lombardi trophies in its glorious past.
New York Giants
Key Question: Will the defense stand tall again?
Outlook: The indenible image of New York's Super Bowl win over New England will almost certainly be David Tyree's catch up against his helmet. Though, the play of the Giants defense putting pressure on Tom Brady cannot be ignored. The constant pass rush rattled the perfect (to that point) Patriots and was a key factor in one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history. However, as the 2009 season taught us, less than two years after that suffocating performance, the Giants have fell on hard times defensively. Defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan was fired after just one year on the job. Defensive end Osi Umenyiora is at odds with the organization, middle linebacker Antonio Pierce was released on Thursday, and Michael Strahan is settling into his role with Fox Sports. The Giants lost a lot of swagger and that has resulted in the loss of a lot more games than they thought.
Philadelphia Eagles
Key Question: Who is their starting quarterback in 2010?
Outlook: Donovan McNabb? Kevin Kolb? Michael Vick? I think the latter name has virtually no chance. His salary cap number for next year is too much to keep him on as even a backup. Plus, there are too many teams with a need at quarterback that will gamble on Vick. He wants to start and with the Eagles, he won't. It's best for him to leave. Head coach Andy Reid has already said McNabb will be his starter in 2010 but with teams making trade overtures to Philadelphia, the organization at least has to listen. The Broncos were said to have inquired but they subsequently denied that report. Then again, head coach Josh McDaniels said he wouldn't be open to trading Jay Cutler and we know how that ended. Kolb is the future, McNabb is the present. The question is just how fast is the"future" coming?
Washington Commanders
Key Question: Can Mike Shanahan turn around this once proud NFL franchise?
Outlook: Yes, over time, I think he can. Immediate dividends may be harder to come by. Many agree the Commanders have talent across the board but those players were never coached to their full ability. Now, those 53 men in the locker room are playing for a two time Super Bowl winner, whom they presumably will respect far more than they did Jim Zorn. As we know, Shanahan has always made his name as an offensive specialist with an emphsasis on the development of the quarterback. The word is Shanahan is impressed enough with Jason Campbell to give him the short term reins, though you wonder just how much Shanahan covets Oklahoma's Sam Bradford or Texas quarterback Colt McCoy. Most pundits look at Bradford as a far superior pro player than McCoy, but Shanahan has an affinity for Texas Longhorns. His son, Kyle, now his offensive coordinator played for UT coach Mack Brown.
http://www.kdvr.com/sports/kdvr-sports-blog-021310,0,3681391.story
