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Here's a preseason look at the Cowboys, Giants,
Redskins and Eagles:
Dallas Cowboys - 2005 Record: 9-7 SU; 7-7-2 ATS
Odds to win 2007 NFC East Championship: 3/2
The thing about adding an
impact player like Terrell Owens is it improves
all facets of the offense.
Have a receiver that got
too much attention last year? Well, he (Terry
Glenn) might just fly under the radar now.
Need to get more out of the
running game? Owens will draw the consideration
of safeties that might otherwise have been focusing
on running back Julius Jones.
Of course, the thing about
adding a me-first player like Terrell Owens is
that the distinct advantage he provides can also
be the team's downfall. What if he's not satisfied
playing the role of decoy, even once in a while?
"Next question!" is what.
As always, the success of
the big heroes will depend most on the development
of the grunts in the trenches. Drew Bledsoe was
sacked 45 times last year. The protection in front
of him must improve. Granted, the addition of
Owens should help the Cowboys' offensive line,
since bringing the house is a pretty serious risk
with Number 81 left to feast on DBs.
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"The receiver
position in general has volatile guys
who are highly competitive and often
don't touch the ball as much as they
want to. I've dealt with a lot of
these guys."
- Drew Bledsoe to ESPN.com (July
29, 2006)
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New York Giants - 2005 Record: 11-5 SU; 10-5-1
ATS
Odds
to win 2007 NFC East Championship: 9/4
The Giants were a pleasant
surprise for their fans last season. After finishing
6-10 in 2004 - a year that witnessed the extremely
shaky debut of quarterback Eli Manning - a division
crown for the G-men appeared a laughable proposition
in Week 1.
But on the strength of a
more composed Manning (294-557, 3,762 yards, 24
TD, 17 INT), the running of Tiki Barber (1,860
yards, second in the NFL), the receiving of Plaxico
Burress (1,214 yards, ninth in the NFL), and scoring
production of Jeremy Shockey (seven TDs, tied
for second among NFL tight ends), New York took
the division and earned a home wild-card game
against Carolina.
Unfortunately, that's when
it all fell apart, especially for the young quarterback.
In the process of his team getting hammered 23-0
in front of a very displeased East Rutherford
crowd, Manning threw for just 118 yards and was
intercepted three times.
While it's certainly not
back to square one in Gotham, the questions involving
Manning are being asked louder than ever. Can
he lead? Can he handle the pressure? Or, is he
just another version of his brother, Peyton -
all show, no results when it counts.
Harsh? Perhaps, but such
is life under the New York spotlight.
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"The
next step in my mind is for him to
become a leader and just step up and
take control of this team in a way
that fits his style. Just as a team
takes the personality of its coach,
an offense has to take on the personality
of its quarterback." Tiki
Barber on Manning to the The Philadelphia
Inquirer (Aug. 2, 2006)
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Washington Redskins - 2005 Record: 10-6 SU; 10-6 ATS
Odds to win 2007 NFC East Championship: 9/4
There's a lot to like about
this year's version of the Hogs.
One of the top defensive
minds in football, as well as the highest-paid
assistant coach in the NFL (three years, $8 million),
Gregg Williams, is back to lead one of only nine
squads that surrendered less than 300 yards per
game in 2005. New additions Andre Carter and Adam
Archuleta should only strengthen things.
Star running back Clinton
Portis (nine 100-yard games in 2005) will continue
to work with receivers Santana Moss (1,483 yards,
nine TD) and Chris Cooley (774 yards, seven TD)
to give Washington a balanced attack. Newcomer
Antwaan Randle El should help both the receiving
corps and special teams. Last season, he had two
kick returns for touchdowns with the Steelers.
(Randle El also boasts a career passer rating
of 139.6! Just ask the Seahawks about his trick
plays.)
Unfortunately, the position
most beltway fans are worried about happens to
be the most important one. Quarterback Mark Brunell
had a good year in 2005, throwing for 23 touchdowns
and just 10 picks, but the 36-year-old isn't getting
any younger (or faster). If Brunell stays healthy,
the 'Skins have a shot. If not, it's all up to
former Auburn hero Jason Campbell, a second-year
pro without a single regular-season snap under
his belt.
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"I
think I can make it through the season.
That was a smart answer. I'm sorry."
- A somewhat sarcastic Mark Brunell
to the The Virginian-Pilot (Aug. 1,
2006)
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Philadelphia Eagles - 2005 Record: 6-10 SU; 5-11 ATS
Odds to win 2007 NFC East Championship: 7/2
The big stories in Philly
last year involved offensive players. There was
the Owens saga, the season-ending injury to quarterback
Donovan McNabb, and the subsequent season-ending
injury to running back Brian Westbrook.
That said, things were equally
glum on the defensive side. Philadelphia ranked
23rd in total defense, a far cry from its No.
11 rank in 2004. The Eagles managed just 29 sacks,
compared to 47 in 2004, and where it really counts,
the Eagles surrendered an average of 24.2 points
per game, versus 16.2 a year before. (Mitigating
factor for the D: Replacement quarterback Mike
McMahon had three interceptions returned for touchdowns
and the final scoring play of the Eagles' season
was a 39-yard touchdown return by Washington's
Sean Taylor.)
Philadelphia was the fifth
straight team to miss the playoffs one season
after losing the Super Bowl, and its fall leaves
myriad questions for bettors. Can McNabb return
physically after his hernia injury? Can he return
mentally after all the attacks on his character?
Can Westbrook take the pounding that comes with
being an everyday running back? Can second-year
man Reggie Brown be the big-play receiver the
Eagles so desperately need?
That's a lot of questions,
and answering in the affirmative to all of them
is a significantly tall order.
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"I
would not do it again. You look back
on it — one year great, the
second year a disaster. Nobody should
be able to be as disruptive and really
cut the energy of the team down."
- Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie
to the Associated Press on signing
Terrell Owens (Aug. 3, 2006)
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PHOTO: Terrell Owens is hoping
for a fresh start in Dallas. (Getty Images photo)
Note: All
NFL lines subject to change.
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