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Originally created Sunday, September 3, 2006
NFL Preview 2006: NFC East capsules
New York Giants
Coach: Tom Coughlin (17-16).
Last season: 11-5, won the NFC East, lost to the Carolina Panthers in a first-round playoff game.
What they do right: They've brought back most of last season's offense, which ranked among the best in franchise history, and revamped a suspect secondary that failed them in the playoffs.
What they do wrong: They haven't done much to bolster the interior of their defense. The Giants fielded two Pro Bowl DEs but ranked 24th in total defense.
Impact rookie: Sinorice Moss isn't considered a No. 1 WR, but he gives QB Eli Manning a legitimate long-ball threat and will see plenty of man-to-man coverage.
Why they'll make the Super Bowl: Tiki Barber will continue to play the way he did last season, and Manning won't repeat the struggles he had during the second half of last season (four TDs, 10 INTs).
Why they won't: They made additions on defense, but their biggest problems are at DT, where they didn't make many moves.
Bottom line: Manning should improve, and Barber is expected to produce the way he did in 2005. The Giants likely are a playoff team again.
Washington Commanders
Coach: Joe Gibbs (157-82).
Last season: 10-6, second in the NFC East, lost to the Seattle Seahawks in the divisional playoffs.
What they do right: They embrace the total team concept. Despite a roster full of stars such as RB Clinton Portis, WR Santana Moss and S Sean Taylor, Gibbs gives none preferential treatment, fostering an environment of trust.
What they do wrong: They have been slow to develop a viable option at QB behind Mark Brunell. Second-year pro Jason Campbell is talented but still raw.
Impact rookie: Roger McIntosh has big shoes to fill in replacing departed LB LaVar Arrington, but the coaching staff believes he's capable.
Why they'll make the Super Bowl: Gibbs surrendered control of the offense to Al Saunders, who built a reputation in Kansas City for fielding high-octane offenses.
Why they won't: There are questions at RB because of Portis' injury (the Commanders traded for T.J. Duckett from the Atlanta Falcons), and Brunell still needs to perform at a high level for a full season.
Bottom line: Washington turned heads last season with its surprise run, and expectations are now high. The Commanders made several offseason additions that should put them in the hunt.
Philadelphia Eagles
Coach: Andy Reid (77-47).
Last season: 6-10, finished last in the NFC East.
What they do right: Reid believes in building teams from the lines out, which helps tremendously when it comes to protecting QB Donovan McNabb.
What they do wrong: The Eagles pass too much and clearly need to commit to the running game. McNabb passed 34 times or more in seven of his nine games last season and threw 45 or more passes in four outings.
Impact rookie: DT Broderick Bunkley, another ex-FSU standout, could be the answer the Eagles need in improving their anemic pass rush.
Why they'll make the Super Bowl: Four 2004 Pro Bowlers ended the season on injured reserve in 2005, but they all should be healthy this season.
Why they won't: Too many questions at LB, WR and RB.
Bottom line: Philadelphia drafted well and added pass-rushers through free agency. Offensively, the Eagles should be more balanced. They might contend for the NFC East title.
and now....our Dallas Cowboys......
Dallas Cowboys
Coach: Bill Parcells (25-24).
Last season: 9-7, third in the NFC East.
What they do right: They emphasize developing young talent on defense.
What they do wrong: They place too much stock in acquiring big-name players on offense.
Impact rookie: S Pat Watkins, a former Florida State standout, will receive plenty of shots at supplanting Keith Davis.
Why they'll make the Super Bowl: Terrell Owens. He gives the Cowboys the gamebreaking WR they needed.
Why they won't: Terrell Owens. Do you remember what happened in Philadelphia?
Bottom line: Parcells has taken all but one team that he has coached to the Super Bowl - the lone exception being the New York Jets. Well, this likely makes team No. 2 that doesn't reach the big show.
Originally created Sunday, September 3, 2006
NFL Preview 2006: NFC East capsules
New York Giants
Coach: Tom Coughlin (17-16).
Last season: 11-5, won the NFC East, lost to the Carolina Panthers in a first-round playoff game.
What they do right: They've brought back most of last season's offense, which ranked among the best in franchise history, and revamped a suspect secondary that failed them in the playoffs.
What they do wrong: They haven't done much to bolster the interior of their defense. The Giants fielded two Pro Bowl DEs but ranked 24th in total defense.
Impact rookie: Sinorice Moss isn't considered a No. 1 WR, but he gives QB Eli Manning a legitimate long-ball threat and will see plenty of man-to-man coverage.
Why they'll make the Super Bowl: Tiki Barber will continue to play the way he did last season, and Manning won't repeat the struggles he had during the second half of last season (four TDs, 10 INTs).
Why they won't: They made additions on defense, but their biggest problems are at DT, where they didn't make many moves.
Bottom line: Manning should improve, and Barber is expected to produce the way he did in 2005. The Giants likely are a playoff team again.
Washington Commanders
Coach: Joe Gibbs (157-82).
Last season: 10-6, second in the NFC East, lost to the Seattle Seahawks in the divisional playoffs.
What they do right: They embrace the total team concept. Despite a roster full of stars such as RB Clinton Portis, WR Santana Moss and S Sean Taylor, Gibbs gives none preferential treatment, fostering an environment of trust.
What they do wrong: They have been slow to develop a viable option at QB behind Mark Brunell. Second-year pro Jason Campbell is talented but still raw.
Impact rookie: Roger McIntosh has big shoes to fill in replacing departed LB LaVar Arrington, but the coaching staff believes he's capable.
Why they'll make the Super Bowl: Gibbs surrendered control of the offense to Al Saunders, who built a reputation in Kansas City for fielding high-octane offenses.
Why they won't: There are questions at RB because of Portis' injury (the Commanders traded for T.J. Duckett from the Atlanta Falcons), and Brunell still needs to perform at a high level for a full season.
Bottom line: Washington turned heads last season with its surprise run, and expectations are now high. The Commanders made several offseason additions that should put them in the hunt.
Philadelphia Eagles
Coach: Andy Reid (77-47).
Last season: 6-10, finished last in the NFC East.
What they do right: Reid believes in building teams from the lines out, which helps tremendously when it comes to protecting QB Donovan McNabb.
What they do wrong: The Eagles pass too much and clearly need to commit to the running game. McNabb passed 34 times or more in seven of his nine games last season and threw 45 or more passes in four outings.
Impact rookie: DT Broderick Bunkley, another ex-FSU standout, could be the answer the Eagles need in improving their anemic pass rush.
Why they'll make the Super Bowl: Four 2004 Pro Bowlers ended the season on injured reserve in 2005, but they all should be healthy this season.
Why they won't: Too many questions at LB, WR and RB.
Bottom line: Philadelphia drafted well and added pass-rushers through free agency. Offensively, the Eagles should be more balanced. They might contend for the NFC East title.
and now....our Dallas Cowboys......
Dallas Cowboys
Coach: Bill Parcells (25-24).
Last season: 9-7, third in the NFC East.
What they do right: They emphasize developing young talent on defense.
What they do wrong: They place too much stock in acquiring big-name players on offense.
Impact rookie: S Pat Watkins, a former Florida State standout, will receive plenty of shots at supplanting Keith Davis.
Why they'll make the Super Bowl: Terrell Owens. He gives the Cowboys the gamebreaking WR they needed.
Why they won't: Terrell Owens. Do you remember what happened in Philadelphia?
Bottom line: Parcells has taken all but one team that he has coached to the Super Bowl - the lone exception being the New York Jets. Well, this likely makes team No. 2 that doesn't reach the big show.
