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NFC
EAST |
| Jim's
Outlook |
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Cyd's
Outlook |
PHILADELPHIA
EAGLES
Outlook: Veterans Stadium has all the charm of a downtown bus terminal at 3 a.m. The players loathe the turf, which is so bad they had to cancel a preseason game because,
basically, the carpet had a run in it. But, if former Eagle cheerleaders are to be believed, players loved the locker rooms. A suit by some ex-Eagle-ettes contends that opposing players would
watch them undress through a peep hole. Ah, the fringe benefits of being a pro jock. This team will make a serious Super Bowl run. The defense is superb, and every bit as good as those in Baltimore and Tennessee. The offense, led by dynamic Donovan McNabb, should be more explosive, and coach Andy Reid knows what the hell he is doing.
Forecast: Philly comes up short again in the NFC semis because of a lack of a big-play passing game. But a Super Bowl trip wouldn't shock me in the least. |
1 |
WASHINGTON
REDSKINS
Outlook: Marty Schottenheimer knows how to
coach. In the regular season. He's been brought in
by owner Daniel Snyder (whom we haven't heard much from since
camp opened) for that reason - to get this team to the
playoffs. While QB Jeff George is a bit of a mystery -
great arm but a mental case - he holds the key to the 'Skins'
success. Look for lots of Stephen Davis, and for George to
accept his role on this team.
Forecast: 9-7. Playoff loss in
the Wild Card round. |
NEW
YORK GIANTS
Outlook: Jason Sehorn is getting on my nerves. The most over-exposed he gets, the more I realize he's parlaying his model looks and killer bod far beyond his actual talent as a cornerback. The much-publicized marriage to Angie Harmon hasn't helped any. Watching him get exposed in the Super Bowl was that snoozer's only highlight. The Giants will come back to Earth this year. They were 1-3 against non-division teams with winning records
last year and now everyone will gun for them. I'm not sold on Kerry Collins at quarterback and the receivers are just OK. The defense is solid, so they won't fall too far.
Forecast: No playoffs and only their Super Bowl memories of a year ago to warm their hearts. |
2 |
PHILADELPHIA
EAGLES
Outlook: With Duce Staley back in the
backfield, the Eagles will have one of the best one-two punches
in the NFL. They also have one of the best defenses in the
NFL. The killer: their schedule. Instead of
Cleveland and Cincinnati this year, they get Oakland and San
Diego. Instead of the Falcons, they get the Rams. A
solid team that could make noise in the playoffs, they will
struggle to get there.
Forecast: 9-7. Possible spot in
the NFC Championship. |
WASHINGTON
REDSKINS
Outlook: Meet Marty Schottenheimer, master of the
cliché. With Marty, it's never ``the league,'' it's always ``the National Football League.'' So as not to confuse us with the Macedonian Football League. He says less using more words than any coach in the
National Football League. It's one of his charms. He takes over a 'Skins team that was the most-over-hyped bomb since ``Pearl Harbor.'' Marty's cleaned house, but he still has some decent talent on both lines. The skill positions aren't much and any team that relies on Jeff George as its quarterback really
shouldn't expect much.
Forecast: The Redskins fade along with the budget surplus. |
3 |
NEW
YORK GIANTS
Outlook: Sehorn is injured. Things are
looking up in New York. While the flashy pretty boy can
put up some pretty plays from time to time, he and his defense
were the victims of big plays last season - and you know their
Monday Night date at Minnesota in November will expose
this. Look for the running attack to come back to earth,
along with the rest of the Giants.
Forecast: 8-8. The playoffs aren't out
of the question, but they'll be just out of reach. |
ARIZONA
CARDINALS
Outlook: The Cardinals change coaches more than a guy changes his
outfit prior to a circuit party. The latest victim is Dave McGinnis, who took over near the end of last year. He has some decent offensive talent in Thomas Jones, David Boston and Leonard Davis, and if Jake Plummer can get his game back this team will be
fun to watch. The defense looks to be a disaster area, though.
Forecast: The Cards challenge the Redskins for third. |
4 |
ARIZONA
CARDINALS
Outlook: One of the more intriguing teams this
year, they could be the Jekyll and Hyde the League this year
with a flashy offense and a porous defense. We have all
been waiting for Jake Plummer to do what we thought he'd do out
of Arizona State. This might be the year, with injuries
behind him, a big-play receiver in David Boston, and two
up-and-coming backs in Thomas Jones and Michael Pittman.
Forecast: 6-10. Though, in this
weak division, they could end up closer to .500. |
DALLAS
COWBOYS
Outlook: Troy Aikman is gone to join buddy Darryl Johnston in the Fox booth. Have you seen Troy in those Fox promos with
Moose? He actually looks happy. Would love to compare and contrast
those images with some from his wedding day. Memories of Troy will be all that can sustain Cowboys fans this year.
The Boys will will be truly awful. Quincy Carter is a joke as a
starting quarterback, teams will gang up on Emmitt Smith, and the defense will be just as easy to run on as last year.
Forecast: Can you say 0-16? Probably not, but we can always dream. |
5 |
DALLAS
COWBOYS
Outlook: The worst team in football. No
21-6 win over Oakland in the preseason can mask the fact that
this team is finally paying the piper. Rookie Quincy
Carter is NOT Daunte Culpepper for two reasons: he's not
throwing to Randy Moss and Chris Carter. And the Cowboys'
defense should be one of the worst in the league, with big
losses at cornerback and tackle.
Forecast: 3-13. This just might
be the worst team since the 1-15 New York Jets of five years
ago. |
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