Gryphon
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by Tanner Kluth
the Bleacher Report
I am bound to be dead wrong in the following predictions for the NFC East for the upcoming 2009 season, especially since it's only May. But hey, fans always thoroughly enjoy observing analysts and experts and writers fail at being prophets.
I find this season for the Birds, 'Boys, 'Skins, and Giants—who, unlike the other three teams, don't have an abbreviated nickname (I suppose you could call them the 'Ants, but that's just stupid.)—particularly difficult to anticipate.
Predictions for Washington and Dallas are particularly challenging. Was Dallas' disappointing 9-7 record last year a fluke? Has Washington's West Coast Offense made enough strides to push them over the edge?
Regardless, I believe there is going to be fierce competition for the division title.
But, then again, I predicted this last year and I was nothing short of completely wrong. My forecast division winner, I believe, will not win by any long shot.
But, who does win the division? As a Commanders fan, you might be thinking I'm just a biased and irrational dolt living in Fantasy (no pun intended) Land.
Well, the truth is, I am such a person, but I haven't picked Washington to win the division.
Philadelphia Eagles: 10-6 or 11-5
DEFENSE: 2008 rankings: OVERALL: 3; PASSING: 3; RUSHING: 4
I expect these numbers to remain relatively the same.
The losses of safety Brian Dawkins and cornerback Lito Sheppard might hurt, so, fine, we'll say their passing defense is ranked at six or seven rather than three.
Big whoop.
OFFENSE: 2008 rankings: OVERALL: 9; PASSING: 6; RUSHING: 22
The offensive line is good with the addition of tackle Jason Peters, so that is not a problem. Then again, didn't they lose two linemen as well this offseason?
So, the success of this offense trickles down to rookies making impacts. With Brian Westbrook turning thirty in September, second round pick LeSean McCoy is going to have to provide some support.
I really wish Philadelphia took a power back instead of a Westbrook-like back in McCoy. Sure, they are probably looking to the future, but with a one-two punch of versatile and explosive Westbrook plus a third-down, punch-it-in-the-endzone back, the Eagles would be a force to reckon with.
Instead, defenses now get to face two of the same type of runner, which really doesn't force them to make an extra effort to contain Philly's ground game.
The Eagles' passing game could take a big step up this year.
DeSean Jackson had a successful rookie campaign, and now Jeremy Maclin is added to the mix. If Maclin can have a similar rookie performance to what Jackson had, this offense is going to do some serious damage.
Unfortunately, I'm sure fans really wish their team had the opportunity for Michael Crabtree. At 6'0", Maclin is taller than DeSean Jackson (5'10"), but he's not the 6'3" that Terrell Owens was for them.
Two speedy receivers is nice, but we all know quarterback Donovan McNabb wants someone who can reach out and make the acrobatic grab.
New York Giants: 10-6, maybe 11-5
DEFENSE: 2008 rankings: OVERALL: 5; PASSING: 8; RUSHING:9
I don't really have much to say about the Giants' defense. It should improve with the return of Osi Umenyiora. Safety Kenny Phillips should see significantly more time.
Should be top five once again.
OFFENSE: 2008 rankings: OVERALL: 7; PASSING: 18; RUSHING: 1
The offense is the reason I have the Giants dropping to 10-6. Their offensive line is still fantastic, but the questions lie in the skill positions.
Derrick Ward is gone. He had over one thousand yards last year.
Brandon Jacobs should have even more this year, but he isn't going to get two thousand. That number one ranking up there in the rushing category likely will be filled by another team.
And, of course, the horse in the room (Or should I say the dumb*** in the room?): Plaxico Burress.
We all saw what the loss of Burress did to the Giants at the conclusion of the season and into the postseason. New York did address wide receiver in the draft, but not high enough. Manning is going to wish he had Burress back.
I was tempted to say they go 11-5, but, without Burress, defenses can put more focus on stopping the run. Without Derrick Ward, doing so is going to be much easier.
Washington Commanders: 10-6
The Commanders with a winning record? Noooo!
Whatever. I'm always optimistic, but never ridiculous.
See, what sucks about record predictions is all the variables. "Well, if this rookie does this or if this offseason addition does this..."
But, the truth is, that's how it works in the National Football League, and that's why almost everyone is dead wrong when making predictions.
DEFENSE: 2008 rankings: OVERALL: 4; PASSING: 7; RUSHING: 8
For most, I assume, it would be very difficult to predict this defense gets worse after this offseason.
Sure, linebacker Marcus Washington was released (like he did anything for them in '08). Sure, defensive end Jason Taylor was released (like he did anything for them in '08 either). Sure, cornerback Shawn Springs was released (Okay, he contributed amply, but he was out nearly half the season.)
BUT...
Albert Haynesworth.
You see, the Commanders had the fourth best defense last year while putting up an NFC-low 24 sacks.
Yes, 24.
Now, add the best defensive tackle in the league to the mix, and the pass rush, and therefore the secondary, get an instant boost.
The variable, as I mentioned earlier, is rookie defensive end Brian Orakpo.
Is he this year's version of Dwight Freeney (who posted 13.0 sacks his rookie year), or will it be a year or two before the sacks start piling up?
IF Orakpo does start off with a bang, Pittsburgh's defense may be the only one in front of Washington's.
If Orakpo doesn't have such a start, I can't see why number four isn't feasible once again.
The thing about Orakpo is that he fills two needs at once—defensive end and outside linebacker. Even if he doesn't play at an elite level at either position in 2009, he still fills a void.
OFFENSE: 2008 rankings: OVERALL: 19; PASSING: 23; RUSHING:8
It seems the question every year for the Commanders is offense. Aging line, questions at quarterback, no true number one receiver, yada yada yada...
I certainly can't argue, but the optimism is coming out in me again. Jason Campbell has a year of the West Coast Offense under his belt, Devin Thomas understands the offense now, and some new linemen have been signed recently.
So, the offense is a variable—A big one.
Really, though, it could go either way. It depends on the performance of last year's second round picks and the growth of Jason Campbell.
Frankly, if the defense is as good as I expect it to be, the offense won't need to be superb.
Dallas Cowboys: 9-7
Forget the mountains of Pro-Bowlers and all that. I see a team that had it's chance two years ago and couldn't seize it. Now, I feel, the Superbowl is out of reach.
DEFENSE: 2008 rankings: OVERALL: 8; PASSING: 5; RUSHING: 12
Safety Roy Williams is gone, Chris Canty is gone, Tank Johnson is gone, Adam Jones is gone, and Zach Thomas is gone. None of these guys made huge contributions, but that is certainly a lot of losses.
I'm not up to date on all the additions the Cowboys have made on defense, but I expect at least some drop-off from last year.
And, of course, who thinks DeMarcus Ware is going to put up 20.0 sacks again?
I don't.
OFFENSE: 2008 rankings: OVERALL: 13; PASSING: 9; RUSHING: 21
Face it: Roy Williams is overrated.
I'm sure most Cowboys fans are optimistic about Williams but know he isn't going to be what Owens was for them.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Cowboys did not address the wide receiver position (at least not efficiently) in the draft or in free agency, so I see trouble here.
As for the ground game, I see no problems.
Marion Barber III + Felix Jones is as good as it gets.
the Bleacher Report
I am bound to be dead wrong in the following predictions for the NFC East for the upcoming 2009 season, especially since it's only May. But hey, fans always thoroughly enjoy observing analysts and experts and writers fail at being prophets.
I find this season for the Birds, 'Boys, 'Skins, and Giants—who, unlike the other three teams, don't have an abbreviated nickname (I suppose you could call them the 'Ants, but that's just stupid.)—particularly difficult to anticipate.
Predictions for Washington and Dallas are particularly challenging. Was Dallas' disappointing 9-7 record last year a fluke? Has Washington's West Coast Offense made enough strides to push them over the edge?
Regardless, I believe there is going to be fierce competition for the division title.
But, then again, I predicted this last year and I was nothing short of completely wrong. My forecast division winner, I believe, will not win by any long shot.
But, who does win the division? As a Commanders fan, you might be thinking I'm just a biased and irrational dolt living in Fantasy (no pun intended) Land.
Well, the truth is, I am such a person, but I haven't picked Washington to win the division.
Philadelphia Eagles: 10-6 or 11-5
DEFENSE: 2008 rankings: OVERALL: 3; PASSING: 3; RUSHING: 4
I expect these numbers to remain relatively the same.
The losses of safety Brian Dawkins and cornerback Lito Sheppard might hurt, so, fine, we'll say their passing defense is ranked at six or seven rather than three.
Big whoop.
OFFENSE: 2008 rankings: OVERALL: 9; PASSING: 6; RUSHING: 22
The offensive line is good with the addition of tackle Jason Peters, so that is not a problem. Then again, didn't they lose two linemen as well this offseason?
So, the success of this offense trickles down to rookies making impacts. With Brian Westbrook turning thirty in September, second round pick LeSean McCoy is going to have to provide some support.
I really wish Philadelphia took a power back instead of a Westbrook-like back in McCoy. Sure, they are probably looking to the future, but with a one-two punch of versatile and explosive Westbrook plus a third-down, punch-it-in-the-endzone back, the Eagles would be a force to reckon with.
Instead, defenses now get to face two of the same type of runner, which really doesn't force them to make an extra effort to contain Philly's ground game.
The Eagles' passing game could take a big step up this year.
DeSean Jackson had a successful rookie campaign, and now Jeremy Maclin is added to the mix. If Maclin can have a similar rookie performance to what Jackson had, this offense is going to do some serious damage.
Unfortunately, I'm sure fans really wish their team had the opportunity for Michael Crabtree. At 6'0", Maclin is taller than DeSean Jackson (5'10"), but he's not the 6'3" that Terrell Owens was for them.
Two speedy receivers is nice, but we all know quarterback Donovan McNabb wants someone who can reach out and make the acrobatic grab.
New York Giants: 10-6, maybe 11-5
DEFENSE: 2008 rankings: OVERALL: 5; PASSING: 8; RUSHING:9
I don't really have much to say about the Giants' defense. It should improve with the return of Osi Umenyiora. Safety Kenny Phillips should see significantly more time.
Should be top five once again.
OFFENSE: 2008 rankings: OVERALL: 7; PASSING: 18; RUSHING: 1
The offense is the reason I have the Giants dropping to 10-6. Their offensive line is still fantastic, but the questions lie in the skill positions.
Derrick Ward is gone. He had over one thousand yards last year.
Brandon Jacobs should have even more this year, but he isn't going to get two thousand. That number one ranking up there in the rushing category likely will be filled by another team.
And, of course, the horse in the room (Or should I say the dumb*** in the room?): Plaxico Burress.
We all saw what the loss of Burress did to the Giants at the conclusion of the season and into the postseason. New York did address wide receiver in the draft, but not high enough. Manning is going to wish he had Burress back.
I was tempted to say they go 11-5, but, without Burress, defenses can put more focus on stopping the run. Without Derrick Ward, doing so is going to be much easier.
Washington Commanders: 10-6
The Commanders with a winning record? Noooo!
Whatever. I'm always optimistic, but never ridiculous.
See, what sucks about record predictions is all the variables. "Well, if this rookie does this or if this offseason addition does this..."
But, the truth is, that's how it works in the National Football League, and that's why almost everyone is dead wrong when making predictions.
DEFENSE: 2008 rankings: OVERALL: 4; PASSING: 7; RUSHING: 8
For most, I assume, it would be very difficult to predict this defense gets worse after this offseason.
Sure, linebacker Marcus Washington was released (like he did anything for them in '08). Sure, defensive end Jason Taylor was released (like he did anything for them in '08 either). Sure, cornerback Shawn Springs was released (Okay, he contributed amply, but he was out nearly half the season.)
BUT...
Albert Haynesworth.
You see, the Commanders had the fourth best defense last year while putting up an NFC-low 24 sacks.
Yes, 24.
Now, add the best defensive tackle in the league to the mix, and the pass rush, and therefore the secondary, get an instant boost.
The variable, as I mentioned earlier, is rookie defensive end Brian Orakpo.
Is he this year's version of Dwight Freeney (who posted 13.0 sacks his rookie year), or will it be a year or two before the sacks start piling up?
IF Orakpo does start off with a bang, Pittsburgh's defense may be the only one in front of Washington's.
If Orakpo doesn't have such a start, I can't see why number four isn't feasible once again.
The thing about Orakpo is that he fills two needs at once—defensive end and outside linebacker. Even if he doesn't play at an elite level at either position in 2009, he still fills a void.
OFFENSE: 2008 rankings: OVERALL: 19; PASSING: 23; RUSHING:8
It seems the question every year for the Commanders is offense. Aging line, questions at quarterback, no true number one receiver, yada yada yada...
I certainly can't argue, but the optimism is coming out in me again. Jason Campbell has a year of the West Coast Offense under his belt, Devin Thomas understands the offense now, and some new linemen have been signed recently.
So, the offense is a variable—A big one.
Really, though, it could go either way. It depends on the performance of last year's second round picks and the growth of Jason Campbell.
Frankly, if the defense is as good as I expect it to be, the offense won't need to be superb.
Dallas Cowboys: 9-7
Forget the mountains of Pro-Bowlers and all that. I see a team that had it's chance two years ago and couldn't seize it. Now, I feel, the Superbowl is out of reach.
DEFENSE: 2008 rankings: OVERALL: 8; PASSING: 5; RUSHING: 12
Safety Roy Williams is gone, Chris Canty is gone, Tank Johnson is gone, Adam Jones is gone, and Zach Thomas is gone. None of these guys made huge contributions, but that is certainly a lot of losses.
I'm not up to date on all the additions the Cowboys have made on defense, but I expect at least some drop-off from last year.
And, of course, who thinks DeMarcus Ware is going to put up 20.0 sacks again?
I don't.
OFFENSE: 2008 rankings: OVERALL: 13; PASSING: 9; RUSHING: 21
Face it: Roy Williams is overrated.
I'm sure most Cowboys fans are optimistic about Williams but know he isn't going to be what Owens was for them.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Cowboys did not address the wide receiver position (at least not efficiently) in the draft or in free agency, so I see trouble here.
As for the ground game, I see no problems.
Marion Barber III + Felix Jones is as good as it gets.
