Per Andrew Perloff on SI

elchalje · Post by **elchalje** » Mon May 15, 2006 2:06 pm

Predicting NFC East records:

1. Dallas 11-5

2. Skins 11-5 (assumes no Brunell melt down)

3. Giants 9-7 (assumes little Eli development)

4. Philly 7-9

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Mon May 15, 2006 2:21 pm

Wow, Andrew Perloff was kind enough to write that commentary for us? Well, I (for one) will sleep better now that I know that some guy who I don't know thinks we'll do better than NY, and will equal Dallas, this year.

joebagadonuts · Post by **joebagadonuts** » Mon May 15, 2006 2:22 pm

Wow. I still fail to see how TO counts for two wins for the 'boys. I just can't. Nor do I see how the Giants step backwards from last year.

USS Redskin · Post by **USS Redskin** » Mon May 15, 2006 2:24 pm

I say the Skins go 12-4, myself.
The Skins have a better Defense and even though Dallas has TO now - I would give the Skins the edge on Offense as well. The Skins only question marks on Off. is the depth of the line and if Brunell can go 18-20 games.
Dallas has a shaky O line and a shaky QB and great receiver and good runner. The Skins have a Great Runner, 1 Great receiver and 2 good ones, a Great Runner, a good line and good QB when healthy.
Oh yeah, they have Tuna - Skins have Gibbs and like every great asst. coach in the league.

rick301 · Post by **rick301** » Mon May 15, 2006 2:57 pm

elchalje wrote:Predicting NFC East records:

1. Dallas 11-5

2. Skins 11-5 (assumes no Brunell melt down)

3. Giants 9-7 (assumes little Eli development)

4. Philly 7-9

This is what Perloff has to say about each team:

DALLAS COWBOYS
Key question: Who will block?
The Cowboys added tackle Jason Fabini and guard Kyle Kosier, but until they see that left tackle Flozell Adams has fully recovered from an ACL tear, the team's offensive line has to be a concern. Dallas is fully stocked at the skill positions, and the defense is stacked with young talent. The fragile line is a potential Achilles' heel.

NEW YORK GIANTS
Key question: How will LaVar fit in?
A fresh start may be just what LaVar Arrington needed, but the Giants can't afford any more distractions in the locker room. And even if he's behaving now, Arrington is one of those players who seems to make situations difficult. The Giants, however, could have one of the scariest pass rushes in the NFL.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Key question: How well is McNabb moving?
With Terrell Owens gone, the Philly media will completely focus on quarterback Donovan McNabb, who has reportedly recovered from his sports hernia. This offseason is key for McNabb to establish a real connection with his receivers and try to repeat the success he had in 2004.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Key question: How good is Campbell?
Second-year quarterback Jason Campbell is a luxury for coach Joe Gibbs because starter Mark Brunell was pretty good last year. But you get the feeling Gibbs is itching to see what Campbell can do. Campbell's not going to beat out Brunell, but if he looks great this offseason, he'll make an eventual switch for Gibbs easier.

rick301 · Post by **rick301** » Mon May 15, 2006 3:04 pm

More from Perloff at http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/si_blo ... -east.html :

Predicting The NFC East

Before last season, predicting the NFC East was easy. The Eagles had won the division four straight years and looked like a lock. Then T.O. happened and the Giants, Redskins and Cowboys stepped into the power vacuum and had winning seasons in 2005.

Now this is the toughest division to pick in the NFL. But that's why they pay me the big bucks. Here goes:

1. Dallas Cowboys: They are loaded with weapons on offense, have systematically brought in the right players to run their 3-4 defense and addressed their kicking problems by signing Mike Vanderjagt. The two biggest fears in Big D have to be a Terrell Owens meltdown and problems on the offensive line. But if Dallas avoids those pitfalls, Bill Parcells could take his third team to the Super Bowl. Predicted Record: 11-5

2. Washington Redskins: By the end of last season, the Skins were the best team in the division. They handed out whoopings to the Cowboys, Giants and Eagles in the final three weeks of the regular season and gave Seattle a hard time in the divisional playoffs despite being totally worn out. They added another group of high-priced free agents in the offseason and have a ridiculous set of assistant coaches under Joe Gibbs. The only glaring question mark is 35-year-old quarterback Mark Brunell, but he was good enough last year. It's hard not to pencil Washington in as a playoff team, even though I would love not to just to antagonize the army of paranoid Redskins fans. Predicted Record: 11-5

3. New York Giants: Everything comes down to Eli Manning. The third-year QB's breakdown against the Panthers in last year's playoffs doesn't inspire confidence. Then again, he is a Manning, so maybe he's just bad in the postseason and will continue to develop in the regular season. The Giants' biggest problem is a horror show of a schedule. Check out their first seven games, the toughest stretch for any NFL team all season. Predicted Record: 9-7

4. Philadelphia Eagles: As Peter King pointed out in Monday Morning QB, coach Andy Reid is as cocky as ever and doesn't seem to care what the three other teams in the division do. Although the offensive problems got all the attention in '05, the defense fell apart as well. New additions on the line (Darren Howard, Ed Jasper and rookie Brodrick Bunkley) will help free up Jevon Kearse and make Philly's D dangerous again. That being said, the Eagles still can't run the ball at all and they won't have the six easy divisional wins that helped them dominate the NFC earlier in the decade. Predicted Record: 7-9

frankcal20 · Post by **frankcal20** » Mon May 15, 2006 3:06 pm

I like the record prediction.

yupchagee · Post by **yupchagee** » Mon May 15, 2006 3:55 pm

Based on recent history. Meltdowns in NY & Dal are not only possible, but probable. As stated, we were the best team in the conference at the end of last yr but had to be exhausted in the playoffs. I'm not worried about )-line depth, we have lots ov players on roster, & if anyone can turn them into good NFL players, it's Bugel.

SkinsJock · Post by **SkinsJock** » Mon May 15, 2006 4:08 pm

That is what these guys do! They are paid to come out with this - it is much more "interesting" if it is controversial.

We are a better team and I also think that the Eagles will be a lot tougher than last year. We will win this division but the other 3 will beat each other up. The Eagles defence will be better but their offense needs better skill players. I do not think Bledsoe will have a very good year with that line and Eli is just another potential QB who is not going to be that good, IMHO. Coughlin will be out coached by the other 3 and will not last in NY.

yupchagee · Post by **yupchagee** » Mon May 15, 2006 5:56 pm

I agree with you about ther Philla offence (although I don't like the term "skill players" for back & receivers, linemen need just as much skill). They lack a receiver who can stretch the D & a back who can keep the D line honest.

Countertrey · Post by **Countertrey** » Mon May 15, 2006 6:24 pm

It's hard not to pencil Washington in as a playoff team, even though I would love not to just to antagonize the army of paranoid Redskins fans.

Mods... cover your ears, so we can provide the response this truly deserves.

What an AH.

Countertrey · Post by **Countertrey** » Mon May 15, 2006 6:25 pm

Bah... I guess I was angrier than I thought. Jerk. :lol:

yupchagee · Post by **yupchagee** » Tue May 16, 2006 12:00 am

We may be paranoid, but only because we have enemies.

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Per Andrew Perloff on SI

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