Here is how it will play out....4. Washington Redskins (Bodog Over/Under 7.5)
Under. I don't know why but I can just never take this team seriously and this year is no different. The Skins were very successful in 07 with a strong defense and a game controlling run game. In 2008 the key component to their success will be Quarterback Jason Campbell. Campbell is beginning his 3rd year in the league and coming off his first as full time starter. Even though the rookie missed the final 3 games of the season because of injury he took a step in the right direction. Jason tossed for 2700 yards and 12 TDs with 11 INTs and was a good manager of the game for the Skins. However in 2008 Campbell is learning Jim Zorn's west coast offense and will be relied upon to make more plays. The question for the 2008 season is simple: Can Jason Campbell take the next step and lead the Redskins deep into the playoffs?The bulk of the offense last season came from running back Clinton Portis. Portis was the work horse for the Skins, leading the league in rushing attempts with 325, and helped control the pace of the game. Portis is entering his 7th NFL season and has accumulated 1200 + yards in 5 of his first 6. He will play a big role in the new west coast offense in 08 and is one of the most consistent RBs in the NFL. The weakness of this offense is the lack of a consistent WR. Santana Moss is a great deep threat, but he is suited more toward a # 2 or a slot, instead of the #1 he has with Washington. Moss has not gone over 1,000 yards or 65 receptions in the past two seasons and that is the problem. Moss has not shown the ability to be a 90 reception go to guy since 05 and will need to be that to help add consistency to the Skins offense in 08. Chris Cooley is a nice option in the red zone and will look to play another big role for Washington.
On the defensive side of the ball this team was very good last season. Washington ranked 8th over all and 4th against the run and the biggest reason for this was MLB London Fletcher. Fletcher was an animal in the middle of the field racking up 128 tackles. He was helped by rookie safety LaRon Landry who showed he has the ability to be a star who can play both the run and pass. The rest of the pass defense is anchored around pass rushing DE Andre Carter and veteran CB Shawn Springs. Of course the loss of long time defensive coordinator Gregg Williams will be something that could hurt this unit.
Overall the Skins have a solid running game and a good defense, but I feel like something is missing from this team. If Campbell has a big year this team could be back in the playoffs, but I would not expect that if I were a fan of the Redskins.
Prediction: 7-9
3. Philadelphia Eagles (Bodog Over/Under 8.5)
Over. There is one goal in the city of Philadelphia in 2008 and that is a goal that as alluded them for many years now...a championship. The Eagles believe they are good enough to make a run back to the Super Bowl, and like many other teams in the NFC, their success greatly depends on the Quarterback position. That Quarterback is none other than now veteran Donovan McNabb who could be gearing up for his last run at a title. McNabb, who was once one of the best QBs in the game, has been slowed by injuries each of the last 3 season. Donovan will look to get back to the form that led him to 4 straight NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl.The biggest weapon for Donovan in the offense is undoubtedly RB Brian Westbrook. Westbrook is a running back that is perfect for Andy Reid's video game approach to offense. Brian is a unique talent because he has the ability to burn defenses on the ground as well as in the passing game. Brian totaled 1300 yards rushing on just 278 attempts (4.8 YPC) and 770 yards on 90 receptions in 2007 and will be one of the most important pieces of the Eagles offense in 2008. The problem with the offense will be the same it has been for practically a decade in Philly...lack of any play makers at the WR position. There are a collection of guys looking to take the number one job such as Kevin Curtis, Reggie Brown, Jason Avant and Greg Lewis. The problem is all of these players are barely starters in the NFL and are not the kind of weapons that McNabb needs.
Defensively it really does not matter who plays for the Eagles as D Coordinator Jimmy Johnson is the star of the show. Johnson is one of the best defensive minds in Football and always has the Eagles at the top of the league's defensive rankings. Johnson is very aggressive and loves to send disguised blitzes from every direction on almost every down. If Johnson wants to be successful with his aggressive style, he needs to have good cover corners, and that is just what the Eagles have. The best of the bunch, Asante Samuel, came via the free agent route in the off season and is a big time DB. On the other s
ide Sheldon Brown and Lito Sheppard will battle it out for the starting job. Whoever wins the job will be deserving and the other player will be add great depth and strong nickel package. Last but not least is the dirtiest player in the game Brian Dawkins. Dawkins is a hard hitting veteran who can be one of Johnson's blitzers as well as drop back in coverage and run with any player in the game. This defense will do very well at stopping the run and be the strength of the Eagles in 2008.Look for a bounce back year from Donovan McNabb and the Eagles on a whole. Donovan is healthy and motivated and knows his productive years are numbered. With help from his pro bowl RB, Brian Westbrook, McNabb should lead his team back to the playoffs, but will fall short of his goal of getting back to the Super Bowl.
Prediction: 9-7
2. New York Giants (Bodog Over/Under 8.5)
Over. Entering the 2008 NFL season, the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants are the most misunderstood team in the NFL. I have heard everything from "The Giants will win the Super Bowl again" to "The Giants were a fluke and are a .500 team at best." Both of these statements are very wrong as the Giants will be somewhere in the middle of that. The biggest loss for this team was the retirement of their Hall of Fame DE Michael Strahan. Strahan was not only the leader of the defense, but was a very important part of the play on the field as well. The biggest reason for the Giants success in 2007 was the play of the defensive line, and that was anchored by #92. Without Strahan and Osi Umenyiora, who just suffered under went season ending surgery, the Giants pass rush will not be the same in 08. Justin Tuck is a talent that will be counted on greatly to replace these guys , but many believe his play came because of the double team that Strahan would always command.
On offense the Giants are full of weapons, but their biggest may be the offensive line. We all know that the key to any championship caliber team is the play in the trenches, and while the defensive line may be a question mark, the offensive line is as good as it gets. The line will be protecting Eli Manning who will look to build upon his Super Bowl MVP and become one of the elite QBs in the game. The problem with Eli is his consistency over the course of a game. I cannot remember another QB who could look so bad in one half of play and then look so good in the next. All that aside though, Manning was able to lead the Giants to the promised land last season and will be one of the better QBs in 2008. His primary target is Plaxico Burress who has had double digits in TD grabs over the last two season. Burress is a great weapon both down the field and over the middle on big 3rd down plays. Helping Plax in the receiving corp will be the very well dressed veteran Amani Toomer. Toomer is a veteran who is very consistent and a reliable target for Manning. A key loss to the passing game will be Jeremy Shockey, and I think Giants fans will realize how much they miss him as the season goes on.
The running game is full of options and seems to have the perfect mix and power. Brandon Jacobs will carry the load and is an absolute animal. He will look to use his power running style to help setup the big play ability of Ahmad Bradshaw. Ahmad will looked to be used as the home run hitting back once Jacobs has tired out the defense. Derrick Ward will be the second option to Jacobs and proved to be very consistent running to a 4.8 YPC average in just 8 games in 07.
Aside from the defensive line, this team has great strength in the secondary. The young pair of Aaron Ross and Corey Webster is one of the best in the game and both will look to take their careers to the next step in 08. Of course the loss of Osi and Strahan could prove to hurt the young Corners if the Giants cannot find a way to generate a pass rush.
The loss of Osi was huge for the Giant team and could hurt their chances of making another deep run in the playoffs. They do however have enough talent on both sides of the ball to win games and will be one of the better teams in the NFC in 2008.
Prediction: 10-6
1. Dallas Cowboys (Bodog Over/Under 10.5)
Over. The Cowboys are one of the top three teams in the NFL and are loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. The big question in 2008 will of course revolve around coach Wade Phillips and his ability to take an NFL team deep into the playoffs. Phillips has been a very successful coach in the regular season posting a career record of 61-42 with 4 playoff appearances. The problem is Phillips is 0-4 in those playoffs games and many believe he is too soft and does not have what it takes to lead a team to a Super Bowl.The Cowboys however are built to win a Super Bowl, and this may be something that even Wade may not be able to avoid. On offense they will be led by their star QB Tony Romo. Romo is coming off a season in which he threw for 4200 yards and 36 TDs, which believe it or not was his first full year as a starter. Romo has a reputation of not being able to win a playoff game, but people tend to forget that he has started 1 1/2 seasons in the NFL. Romo is full of talent and will drop that reputation this year as he leads the Boys deep into the post season. The two players who will help Romo in the passing game are Terrell Owens and Jason Witten, and they may be the best in the league at their respective positions. Owens is a freak who has the power to go over the middle and the speed to beat any corner deep. Witten is a great pass catching Tight End who is coming off an 1,100 yard season, undoubtedly the best of his career.
The running game will be led by Marion Barber and this kid is an absolute stud. After taking the job as primary RB from Julius Jones in 2007, Barber ran for 975 yards on just 204 attempts (a 4.8 YPC average) and 10 touchdowns. Now that Jones is gone, Barber is ready to take over the starting role and will be a pro bowl runner in 08. To go along with Barber, the Cowboys drafted Felix Jones in the first round of the 2008 draft. Jones expects to be the perfect compliment to Barber as he is lighting fast and has the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. By the middle of the season, this will be the most feared backfield in the NFC.
On defense Jerry Jones took some risks in the off season by acquiring two guys with a load of talent but issues off the field. Tank Johnson and Adam Jones both have had their share of run ins with the law, but if they can stay on the field they will be two very important parts of this unit. Jones is a great cover corner who has the ability to lock down most WRs in man coverage and Tank provides an intensity that is unmatched. The Cowboys also brought on board MLB Zach Thomas in what will prove to be a very smart move. Many feel Thomas was done after missing most of 2007 with injuries, but from watching this guy in the AFC East for so many years, I can tell you that he is not.
To go along with Jones , Thomas and Williams, the Cowboys will be returning Terence Newman, DeMarcus Ware, Roy Willams and Greg Ellis. All of those players are former pro bowlers and will make up the core of a very strong defense in 2008.
I do not see a weakness in this team and I really don't know if any team will be able to keep pace with them. The Cowboys are loaded with talent and will make a run at their another Super Bowl appearance in 2008.
Prediction: 14-2
No comments:
Post a Comment