Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

Time for a new poll, vote and discuss

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

Giants

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

I am voting for the Giants. They added a lot to thier defense. Their offense may be better with baby Moss in the picture.

Cowboys seem like an emotional rollercoaster could be in store with TO, Bledsoe, and Parcells. We will see...

Eagles will be back strong again, but I am hoping thier lack of receivers and McNabb a year older will work against them.

If I were the coach, I think I would rather be in any other division...

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

Hard to say. Giants should be better on offense and D. eagles are a mystery-- depends on McNabb and Westbrook. Cowboys are always hard to predict, but I am no fan of Bledsoe-- solid but unspectacular.

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

Definately the giants.

I don't see the Eagles doing anything but poking at a turd with a stick.

The Cowboys may actually improve, especially with the addition of TO, but they may also implode, and given TO's history, and Parcell's history with ego-maniacs who have authority issues, I don't see it lasting the season.

Giants have taken steps to improve and as long as the young manning can keep improving they're going to be a tough ass team.

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

Cowboys , because of offseason team improvment. Because of Parcells' ability to build and lead to winners. Because we HUMILIATED them................TWICE. They will givin' everything they have to do the same to us. And mostly, because it kills me to lose to...................that Cowboy trash!!!!!!

PS-LOVE the Larry Brown avatar!!

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

The Giants and Dallas are a close heat. But I'll give the nod to the Giants. We handled TO in Philly well enough, and he doesnt make or break games against us. And the Giants were tough last year, and they have only matured, and Tiki is now a consistant threat to take it to the house.

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

I voted for the Cowboys. Eli seemed to take a step backwards late in the season, so I'm not sold on him just yet. Without him in top form, they are going to struggle. The Cowboys struggled last year and still came close to the playoffs. I think that they are a better team heading into this year. The Eagles, sorry but I don't see them performing any better than last year.

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

I've got to go with the majority here and say the giants are the biggest threat. Their offense was very tough last season, and now that he's in this third season, defenses are probably starting to slow down in the lesser Manning's mind.
Their D should be much improved. They got a lot of help in their secondary, although many of the players are older and could get lose stem over the course of the season. I see Will Demps having a big year for them unfortunately. Also, as much as I hate to say it, I feel like LaVar found himself in a relatively good situation. With NY's already strong pass rush he should be free to run up behind their DEs for untouched sacks.

I still have faith in the Skins though and I think the division is winnable, if the team keeps their heads on straight. We obviously need to go undefeated at home this year, which could be tough but not impossible. No more random crappy games like the one against Oakland last year, those could really cost the team the playoffs with how well the NFC East is looking.

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

I guess I'm hoping the Giants bandwagon too.

I just don't buy the hype around the Cowboys, I didn't buy it all last year and I'm definitely not buying it this year either.

The Eagles could bounce back with a healthy McNabb... but I think their days of being a top NFC team are over. When I say bounce back I'm talking about 8-8 or 9-7, still not a true playoff threat.

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

the giants major weekness last season was corner and they went out and addressed that problem pronto.if they get anything out of lavar,who even injured is still a playmaker.thats just icing on the cake

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

I'm going on the record: TO will be suspended for conduct detrimental to the team by week 12, or earlier. That will, of course, happen because Dallas will be going nowhere, and TO will be complaining (I fully expect TO to behave like TO and I expect Tuna to behave like Tuna).

So, that only leaves the Giants and the Eagles. Eli will keep getting better, and McNabb will keep getting hurt.

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

i also voted for the giants. they're the defending champs of the east.

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

[quote=dmek25]the giants major weekness last season was corner and they went out and addressed that problem pronto.if they get anything out of lavar,who even injured is still a playmaker.thats just icing on the cake[/quote]

The Giants got themselves a gang of marginal cornerbacks this offseason, albeit improvement over last year's version. While they may have gotten better at the position, we're better at wideout too. So I don't see that helping them much.

I want to go out on a limb and say the Cowboys. While they did improve, it won't much.

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

The Cowboys are bringing out a new offense, with the 2 TE thing. I have no idea how we will adapt to that, since we have never played it before. I know we can (and will) take care of the Giants who are playing a first place schedule. I don't know what to expect from the Cowboys, which makes them my vote.

The Eagles are the biggest threat to beat [I]us[/I]. But as far as a threat through a 16 game season, they are nothing.

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

great post GTripp
I also believe the Cowboys (and yeah I'm a cowboys fan but I see it as fro ma cowboy view I see you guys as our biggest threat) just because off were the teams are, the rivally between them and that both teams have great defenses and potential great offenses with many weapons with little holes in each team but no mayor ones.

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

Really, I see all 3 teams as equal threats. Barring major injuries, the division should be the toughest in the league this year.

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

[QUOTE=cpayne5]Really, I see all 3 teams as equal threats. Barring major injuries, the division should be the toughest in the league this year.[/QUOTE]


At first I was going to vote, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Then, cpayne5 explained why.

P. Tagliabue wants any team on any given Sunday to win, and in our division it is any given Sunday.

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

Shouldn't the Redskins be an option?

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

[quote=backrow]At first I was going to vote, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Then, cpayne5 explained why.

P. Tagliabue wants any team on any given Sunday to win, and in our division it is any given Sunday.[/quote]I'm taking the team that signs Willie Beaman to win it all.

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

[QUOTE=saden1]Shouldn't the Redskins be an option?[/QUOTE]

I like the way you think. I am in agreement with you

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

Giants based on winning the divsion last year and they were a good team that added some needed talent. Dallas and Philly will be bottom feeders for a few years while we duke it out at the top.

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

Well, the Giants are the best team we have to compete with in my opinion, so I went with them.

The thing to really tihnk about is how everyone is going to beat up on each other. I really feel that the best team in this division, might not be the team that wins this division, if that makes sense. I think we have to look into who is going to beat up on who, so I dont know if I could really point to one team being the biggest "threat", because I think they are all real threats.

Personally (and biasly), I feel like the Redskins have done enough this offseason to become the best team in the divison. However, if I had to think of the team that was closest in terms of talent and improvment, I'd say NY.

I dont think the addition of T.O. puts Dallas that much further above what they were last season.

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

I said Dallas. I feel that Philly is still hurting. Their offense really doesnt have a true running back who can pound it, and their receivers are mediocre. Their defense will be solid as always with Jim Johnson.

The Giants I think will actually take a step back. This all rests upon eli's shoulders though. If he starts maturing into the type of NFL QB he could be, watch out! Otherwise, I think their defense is still going to be hurting a lot in the 2ndary. Let's see if their D Ends can keep up last years production, which I'm assuming they can't.

Love him or hate him, TO is a productive receiver. The question with Dallas is their O line especially and their D line. I think that if Bledsoe can get a little bit of time, they may be someone to look out for in our division.

That said, I think the skins have a few holes, but were the most BALANCED team. A really good defense paired with what could be a very potent offense since Saunders came in.

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

I am the lone wolf who voted for the Eagles. I'm very concerned about them.

Their defensive line is a lot more formidable now than last season, they now have bookends at DE in Jevon Kearse and Darren Howard. The Howard acquisition is kind of flying under the radar, but that tandem rivals the Giants' Osi and Strahan. Kearse is never going to be what he once was, but he's worth 8 sacks and Howard is worth 10+. They drafted Broderick Bunkley, and can pair him with last year's first rounder Mike Patterson at DT. Makes for a scary front 4.

In the secondary, Dawkins has lost a step but he's still excellent. Michael Lewis (pro bowl 2 years ago) is healthy again at SS. And Sheldon Brown and Lito Sheppard are both fully healthy again at CB. The one weakness in the secondary is nickel CB.

At LB, Trotter is still there, and otherwise it was a weak unit last year. But Dhani Jones returns from injury, and they had another under the radar acquisition: Shawn Barber.

Overall I'm very scared of the defense.

The offense is going to rebound because of players returning from injury. The obvious ones are McNabb and Westbrook, but LT Tra Thomas is back and fully healthy again, which is huge. They managed to keep Runyan at RT. The interior of the line is kind of weak, which is why they can't run very well. But drafting Winston Justice in round 2 may help matters there. The receivers are still weak too, but Jabar Gaffney doesn't totally suck.

In the end, a healthy McNabb can turn even the weakest surrounding casts into a viable offense. I think the Eagles are going to get by with a mediocre offense and rely on a serious resurgence on defense.

I don't like the Giants' coaching staff. Tom Coughlin can make your team work hard, but he's not very smart. He's not going to outscheme anybody. As for the Cowboys, I think the loss of Sean Payton as offensive coordinator should not be overlooked. He is one of the great offensive minds in the game, and now he's coaching the Saints. How the Cowboys adjust is a huge question mark. I'm also not sold on their running game. I think Julius Jones is a pansy. That Marion Barber looks alright, and he could turn into something, but I'm not exactly scared of him just yet.

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

I worry about the Giants most, because:
[LIST][*]Best running game in the division (duck & cover)[*]Little Eli groes up[*]Improved defensive secondary[/LIST]That said, the Cowboys helped themselves with an upgrade to their O-line plus the return of Flozell Adams, who means as much to them as Jon Jansen means to us. Parcells is always tough. The universe focuses on TO, because the Eagles made the Super Bowl with Owens. They (and he) don't get that Donovan McNabb made Owens better. Well, now he's in Dallas and Bledsoe is throwing to him. Bledsoe is good, but a step down from McNabb. That will show in Owens' production.

The Eagles focused almost exclusively on their O-line and defense. I wasn't impressed at first, but the more I think about them, the more solid their moves appear. The real question is where is their head after TO?

All of these teams improved themselves and all of them could go 9-7. Any of them could take the division.

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

The Giants won the division and had a good offseason, so until we dethrone them they are the toughest competition.

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

I don't think any team is as prepared as we are. That being said, I'd say the Cowboys are the biggest threat.

The Giants will be forced to rely on Tiki again, and while I don't think he even close to being done, he's on the wrong side of 30 coming off his largest workload ever. Burress ran out of juice in the end last year, with only 1 TD in his last 6 regular season games, and a big oh-fer in the playoffs (with two attempts to him getting picked off). Shockey is... Shockey - he's very good if you let him be, but can be taken out of his game.

The Eagles are the Eagles of 2003, when they won the conference title. Unfortunately for them, they're three years older and slower where they can't afford it. Westbrook got exposed as one-dimensional last year, the defense looked atrocious, and McNabb is coming off of a season-ending injury - with no one of substance to throw to. The aura of Andy Reid took a big hit last year, when the coach didn't have the likes of Dave Campo, Jim Fassell, and an overmatched Steve Spurrier to push around.

That leaves the Cowboys, and while I'm not convinced they made themselves dramatically better in any position (except WR, which chemistry-wise may not be an overall gain), they have a coach that won't tolerate mediocrity. I expect them to either contend, or implode. I hope for the latter, of course.

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

NYG spent some dough to compete with us. They know the blowout game against us last year was a fluke.

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

Giants, aside from offensively being able to mix run/pass, Their defense went from Middle late pack, they are now a top 10 defense and young and deep, plus they trimmed all the fat of useless DB's and benching alot of starters.

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

[quote=BrudLee]I don't think any team is as prepared as we are. That being said, I'd say the Cowboys are the biggest threat.

The Giants will be forced to rely on Tiki again, and while I don't think he even close to being done, he's on the wrong side of 30 coming off his largest workload ever. Burress ran out of juice in the end last year, with only 1 TD in his last 6 regular season games, and a big oh-fer in the playoffs (with two attempts to him getting picked off). Shockey is... Shockey - he's very good if you let him be, but can be taken out of his game.

The Eagles are the Eagles of 2003, when they won the conference title. Unfortunately for them, they're three years older and slower where they can't afford it. Westbrook got exposed as one-dimensional last year, the defense looked atrocious, and McNabb is coming off of a season-ending injury - with no one of substance to throw to. The aura of Andy Reid took a big hit last year, when the coach didn't have the likes of Dave Campo, Jim Fassell, and an overmatched Steve Spurrier to push around.

That leaves the Cowboys, and while I'm not convinced they made themselves dramatically better in any position (except WR, which chemistry-wise may not be an overall gain), they have a coach that won't tolerate mediocrity. I expect them to either contend, or implode. I hope for the latter, of course.[/quote]

I'm also thinking the latter because just like last year's Arizona Cardinals, the Cowboys are the "en vogue" pick for this year.

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

It was a hard decision for me, but I went with the Giants. They have more talent than, the Cowgirls. However, you can't deny that TO's presence could have a positive effect on things for them. Look what he did for the eagles in one year. On second thought, the eagles had Mcnabb at the time and the Cowgirls have Bledsoe. I guess I got a little ahead of myself....

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

Don't the giants & cowboys signings remind anyone of the Skins in 2000?
Both teams signed vets that on paper appear to improve their team. But just like us in 2000, you can't buy chemistry & you need leadership & good coaching. I have more questions about NY's new additions & how they'll play & get along w/coughlin, than I do w/TO in Dallas. I think TO's gonna behave for most of the year. Of course he's always a second away from stirrin things up. I wonder how Lavar will play in Coughlin's system & how those old d-backs will hold up. Names don't mean anything if your best years are well behind you. We'll have to see w/those guys. Plaxico is another dude that has the potential to disrupt the team too.
While I have serious doubts about bledsoe holding up the whole year, I still picked the cowpokes cause I think parcells will manage his new players well.

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection]I'm also thinking the latter because just like last year's Arizona Cardinals, the Cowboys are the "en vogue" pick for this year.[/quote]What's funny is that the Cardinals are going to have a better record than the Cowboys this year.

I picked the Giants, because their improved secondary will really compliment their outstanding pass rush. Their interior defensive and offensive lines are suspect though, and I think the Skins have the best overall team in the conference.

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

I'd agree with that. The Cardinals always fail to live up to expectations. They can have Edge or Barry Sanders running behind that line and still not do well. Too bad for them they didn't invest in great offensive line players like the Browns. That being said, if they people they drafted pan out for their offensive line, watch out.

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection]I'd agree with that. The Cardinals always fail to live up to expectations. They can have Edge or Barry Sanders running behind that line and still not do well. Too bad for them they didn't invest in great offensive line players like the Browns. That being said, if they people they drafted pan out for their offensive line, watch out.[/quote]The thing is I don't think expectations are nearly as high as they were last year since this is Leinhart's "grooming" year. But they will probably win more than a few games in that sorry divsion, especially now with Edge in the backfield. What's funny about the 2nd part of your comment is that last year, they did invest in their offensive line, and it was a Brown, Elton is his name, and I think he'll be paving a lot of holes for Mr. James this season.

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

[quote=BrudLee]The Eagles are the Eagles of 2003, when they won the conference title. Unfortunately for them, they're three years older and slower where they can't afford it. Westbrook got exposed as one-dimensional last year, the defense looked atrocious, and McNabb is coming off of a season-ending injury - with no one of substance to throw to. The aura of Andy Reid took a big hit last year, when the coach didn't have the likes of Dave Campo, Jim Fassell, and an overmatched Steve Spurrier to push around.[/quote]

First, I can tell by the results of the poll that I'm not going to have many in agreement with me on the Eagles. But I still think they're a lot better than people realize.

First, Westbrook isn't one-dimensional. I think people forget how great he is at returning punts, which he did an amazing job of two years ago. Of course the Eagles won't use him there because he's too valuable. But it is testament to his abilities. I think Westbrook only seemed one-dimensional last year because TO was out much of the season, McNabb was either coming up lame or out last season, Tra Thomas was out last season, and the interior linemen sucked last season. Westbrook was basically dealing with one of the worst surrounding casts in football last year. Now is he the kind of guy that's going to rush for 5 yards per carry? No. But he can be quite effective with a solid line and better support.

And Andy Reid got a bad rap for last year. None of that stuff was his fault last year, it was almost completely attributable to injury. The players who were injured for the Eagles last year practically reads like a pro bowl roster. They'll be so much better just because of players returning from injury. Carolina had a down year after making the Super Bowl, but they bounced right back to the NFC title game last year. I expect the Eagles to be our main competition.

But I also think we'll beat them.

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

I would have to go with the G-Men.

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

I voted for the Gints...........Tiki still a killer at RB, Eli will continue to mature and improve....they made some improvements to their defense.

The Cowboys, they still have some holes to fill, one receiver does not a Super Bowl Champion make.....I just loved what I read in the papers here in Texas about T.O. and the Cryboys...if T.O. doesn't get the ball enough.....T.O. will bypass Parcells, and will complain directly to Bledsoe...and oh dear--get out the tissues ...sniff, sniff...Bledsoe has a sensitive psyche....poor poor Drew...... :grin:

Iggles-do they have a decent runningback?????????? Will teammates rally around McNabb, or was there damage done to his leadership on the field in the T.O turmoil?

Re: Biggest division threat to the Skins (Sponsored by the boring offseason)
 

People keep saying that the Giants made improvements to their defense, but did they really? Their starting DT's are Fred Robbins and bust 1st rounder William Joesph, and rookie Cofield from NU may have to start. He played on the lowest ranked D in college football last year. And this is the most important position on D we are talking about, though not the hardest to play. They got Will Demps and Sam Madison and RW McQuarters, but those guys have been playing in the shadows of others their whole careers. I just don't but this vast G-Men defensive improvement.

Offensively, they should be strong early on...you fill in the rest.