The NFC East is usually the most interesting division in the NFL. Who makes the playoffs this year? Do they get one team in or two? Will Chip Kelly's system work with the Eagles? Will they be improved this year or will it take a few years? Will the Cowboys ever get over the hump? Will RGIII come back healthy and lead the Redskins back to the playoffs? Can the Giants get back to being one of the contenders in the NFC?
NFC South is interesting also and feel free to talk about it. Sean Payton has pretty much owned the Falcons and it will be interesting to see if that trend continues. I've seen a lot of smack talking lately between Falcons and Saints fans but it generally sounds like 12 yr olds trying to sound grown up on the school playground. Bucs and Panthers seem to have the potential to break through also.
While the NFC East is always interesting, this year will be VERY interesting. Here's how I think it will shake out (generally): Washington makes playoffs if RGIII is healthy Eagles are a work in progress-may need another year, but could surprise this year Cowboys will suck and Garrett will get shit canned mid-season Giants always usually find a way
I think that I'll go with the Giants being the only team to make the playoffs out of the division with the other wildcard teams coming from the NFC South and West. Not sure if it was intentional to say the Giants "always usually" find a way but that kind of fits for them. I'm not sure what to expect from the Eagles but it will be interesting to follow the progress. The preseason format would appear to work well with their situation.
When have you ever known me to talk smack? This year could finally be the Falcons shinning moment. Though the 49ers look kinda scary. And look out if Green Bay starts running the ball with conviction. With Tony Gonzalez gearing up for one more glory run and Julio now coming into a dominating role, the air attack should be lethal. In the NFL that is significant. I don't have to tell you how excited it is to see Steven Jackson lining up in the back field. Offense galore. Year 2 of Mike Nolan's defense is still a work in progress, but improving. Not really believing that Osi Umenyiora will be an upgrade over Abraham, but serviceable with the pass rush. D-backs will be talented but very young. Still as long as the Saints are determined not to repeat their super bowl success and make opponents pay with their running game, they will always bog down come playoff time. The falcons, not so much.
Didn't mean you personally and also was not aware you were a Falcons fan. I do think that Steven Jackson has another good year or two left and will be an upgrade over Turner. I know Payton felt like the Saints didn't run the ball enough last year and will bring the proper balance back. The season opener will be a good one.
He's gonna have to fight his nature. Unlike Green Bay, who had no running back that could dominate, the Saints have had a stable of capable runners, but use them as a change of pace. It's just the way Payton and Bree's think.
I agree that Payton and Brees "think" at a level higher than almost everyone else. They led the NFL in points per game 3 out of their last 4 years together. The Saints were 3rd last year so the dropoff wasn't that bad. It's always been the D holding them back.
Heard on the radio yesterday that Tony Romo is apparently up to 263 lbs as he can't work out much due to removal of a cyst in the off-season. Season is right around the corner so that can't be good for him and the Cowboys.
