Which NFC East team is most likely to implode
 

I think we all agree that the NFCE is one of the toughest divisions in the league. We also have 4 dedicated owners, high profile coaches, strong defenses, and each team's fanbase is certainly not shy about letting their feelings known about their team. Very reminiscent of the 1980's when the teams were all playoff/sb bound each year.

However, this version of the NFCE also seems more fragile to me. I don't remember Gibbs being on the hot seat other than his first year, or Parcells in NY feeling unsecure, and certainly Landry never worried.

This year it seems to me that at least one of the teams, possibly more, will implode under the various strains or if they underperform by late November.

So who do you guys think will be the first? (if you feel it's too early to play this game, you can feel free to opt out)

Dallas: Wade Phillips is in his last year of the contract, and the speculation was that he was gone at the end of last year. If he has to devote more time to HC and less to the defense he could really be in deep trouble. Jason Garrett and Tony Romo also have to show that they can keep the locker room together. And, yes I know TO is gone, but if Romo starts struggling in Nov/Dec again, the question of who was at fault will come back up

NYGiants: They are certainly the most stable, but it was just 2 years ago, before the SB run, that Tom Coughlin and Eli were being hammered by the fans. Last season they certainly got a pass from their fans with all the off field drama. But if Eli has a couple of outings like the Cleveland game last year, or if they end up 3rd or 4th in the division, will their fans start calling for some heads?

Philly: Umm, hmm, what could possibly cause an implosion there? ([SIZE="1"]we want vick[/SIZE])

Washington: Everyone here knows the deal. If the Skins start slow(unlikely do to schedule) or if after the bye, when the schedule gets serious, a couple bad games by JC, and the stories of Zorn's imminent demise will be in all the headlines.

As Trample says:
What sayeth the mob?

Re: Which NFC East team is most likely to implode
 

Landry should have worried...once Jerrah was in town.

Sticking with this Dallas theme, I vote the Cowpies. I think that overall they lack leadership and resilience. What I saw last year was that if they face adversity, they fold like a cheap table. When the going gets tough, they go to Cabo. They have lots of talent but little direction, so they are like a fancy yacht which is useless because it lacks a rudder. I think that they will have trouble winning, what little authority that Wade has will disappear, and by January they will be looking for a new coach, having finished last in the division.

I've already got my broom ready for our sweep of Dallas this year.

Re: Which NFC East team is most likely to implode
 

I think Philly has a good chance of imploding first because their fans will be calling for Vick and causing emotional trauma for the insecure McCrybaby. Shortly followed by the Cowgirls as they soon realize a new stadium with an underachieving team just gives you a new place to lose.

Re: Which NFC East team is most likely to implode
 

I agree every team is sorta a one way or the other type deal. I suspect it'll be a lot like last year. One team will blow. Two will be in contention all year. One team will roll or a while then cool and then roll again and win the division.

Re: Which NFC East team is most likely to implode
 

[quote=FRPLG;581900]I agree every team is sorta a one way or the other type deal. I suspect it'll be a lot like last year. One team will blow. Two will be in contention all year. One team will roll or a while then cool and then roll again and win the division.[/quote]

Fair enough. My thought about this is again how fragile the teams seem to be. Most teams go through ups and downs throughout a season, but to me it seems the East is ripe for a dramatic implosion in one, maybe two teams. I think Dallas is most likely to really blow up, especially if Dallas makes blows the home opener against the Giants, and Jerry starts feeling his ego pushed.

Re: Which NFC East team is most likely to implode
 

[quote=CRedskinsRule;581881]So who do you guys think will be the first? (if you feel it's too early to play this game, you can feel free to opt out)

Dallas: Wade Phillips is in his last year of the contract, and the speculation was that he was gone at the end of last year. If he has to devote more time to HC and less to the defense he could really be in deep trouble. Jason Garrett and Tony Romo also have to show that they can keep the locker room together. And, yes I know TO is gone, but if Romo starts struggling in Nov/Dec again, the question of who was at fault will come back up

NYGiants: They are certainly the most stable, but it was just 2 years ago, before the SB run, that Tom Coughlin and Eli were being hammered by the fans. Last season they certainly got a pass from their fans with all the off field drama. But if Eli has a couple of outings like the Cleveland game last year, or if they end up 3rd or 4th in the division, will their fans start calling for some heads?

Philly: Umm, hmm, what could possibly cause an implosion there? ([SIZE=1]we want vick[/SIZE])[/quote]My pick is the Giants. Losing Burress and Toomer changes their offense dramatically. More important than the loss of Burress is the loss of Spags, he's a very good DC and the driving force behind their success in 2007. The Giants lines are solid, QB/RB solid, but on the outside they will go into most games mismatched on both sides of the ball. Without Spags to scheme them out of some tight spots they may be in trouble. They lose to us on opening weekend and follow that up with a loss to Dallas, they're in real trouble.

Dallas is my second choice. As high-maintenance and high-drama as TO is, he was still a top WR and I'm not sure R. Williams is ready to step into that role for Dallas. That being said, QB (until Nov/Dec.), RB, TE are solid. OL while aging should be solid. D has a lot of talent. But it all starts at the top. Wade Phillips is a mediocore head coach at best, he's better as a DC. When adversity hits he's not the guy you want in charge, he doesn't have a personality to "right the ship", or take a team to the "next level".

Philly should be OK even with the loss of Jim Johnson. Solid on the lines, good QB Good RB, speed at WR, very good secondary. Vick will be a non-factor/minimal factor and the fans have been calling for McNabb's head for years, that won't faze McNabb/Reid.

Re: Which NFC East team is most likely to implode
 

[quote=53Fan;581889]I think Philly has a good chance of imploding first because their fans will be calling for Vick and causing emotional trauma for the insecure McCrybaby. Shortly followed by the Cowgirls as they soon realize a new stadium with an underachieving team just gives you a new place to lose.[/quote]

I also vote for Philly but Vick is the least of their problems.

Re: Which NFC East team is most likely to implode
 

[quote=53Fan;581889]I think Philly has a good chance of imploding first because their fans will be calling for Vick and causing emotional trauma for the insecure McCrybaby. Shortly followed by the Cowgirls as they soon realize a new stadium with an underachieving team just gives you a new place to lose.[/quote]

I'd like to agree. I thought McNabb's career in Philly (and possibly Andy Reid's as well) was done when he got benched for Kevin Kolb in that debacle against the Ravens last year. How'd that work out? A berth in the NFC Championship game. Say what you will about McNabb, he's resilient. If anything it's their defense that hurts them.

All that said, I don't think any of the 4 teams will implode. I think it will be tough until the end.

Re: Which NFC East team is most likely to implode
 

Dallas, no T.O no excuses when Tony cant get it done and their offense becomes 1 dimensional.

Re: Which NFC East team is most likely to implode
 

Dallas is the easy pick, but they sort of already imploded, and will spend the first month or so of this year trying to pick up the pieces.

So I'll go with Philly. They have not looked good at all in the preseason, and Vick/McNabb is just begging for problems. Shawn Andrews has not gotten any preseason reps at RT, and frankly, Jason Peters hasn't been anyone's solution yet. It's a bad line trying to protect a very gimmicky offensive situation, and Brian Westbrook, always their fallback in past seasons, is not completely healthy.

Right now, they're a bunch of spare parts, and that makes an implosion realistic.

Re: Which NFC East team is most likely to implode
 

Even I don't believe it, I am kind of surprised no one has said the Redskins. Maybe there is a sense of optimism pervading the board yet :)

Re: Which NFC East team is most likely to implode
 

[quote=CRedskinsRule;581947]Even I don't believe it, I am kind of surprised no one has said the Redskins. Maybe there is a sense of optimism pervading the board yet :)[/quote]Well, there hasn't been anything in the preseason to suggest a collapse on our part. At least the Giants are a little banged up. This has really been a dream of a preseason for us.

Re: Which NFC East team is most likely to implode
 

i'm going giants...tough media market, and tough fans...well all tough in this side of the NFC. But Burress is a bigger deal than most people think.

Re: Which NFC East team is most likely to implode
 

[quote=CRedskinsRule;581881]So who do you guys think will be the first? (if you feel it's too early to play this game, you can feel free to opt out)

Dallas: Wade Phillips is in his last year of the contract, and the speculation was that he was gone at the end of last year. If he has to devote more time to HC and less to the defense he could really be in deep trouble. Jason Garrett and Tony Romo also have to show that they can keep the locker room together. And, yes I know TO is gone, but if Romo starts struggling in Nov/Dec again, the question of who was at fault will come back up

NYGiants: They are certainly the most stable, but it was just 2 years ago, before the SB run, that Tom Coughlin and Eli were being hammered by the fans. Last season they certainly got a pass from their fans with all the off field drama. But if Eli has a couple of outings like the Cleveland game last year, or if they end up 3rd or 4th in the division, will their fans start calling for some heads?

Philly: Umm, hmm, what could possibly cause an implosion there? ([SIZE="1"]we want vick[/SIZE])

Washington: Everyone here knows the deal. If the Skins start slow(unlikely do to schedule) or if after the bye, when the schedule gets serious, a couple bad games by JC, and the stories of Zorn's imminent demise will be in all the headlines.

[/quote]

WoW! You make the case quite well for all of the above!

Re: Which NFC East team is most likely to implode
 

Have to say Dallas. They can least afford to lose there starting QB.

Re: Which NFC East team is most likely to implode
 

I'd go with the cowgurls they will miss TO & romo can't handle the pressure, followed by the small people they will miss burress & will still have a great DF.

Re: Which NFC East team is most likely to implode
 

They're all going to be good. 8-8 or 7-9 will be the worst record in the division this year. Just hope it won't be the Skins bringing up the rear again.

Re: Which NFC East team is most likely to implode
 

wishful thinking but I am calling a cowboys implosion, roy williams isnt very good and romo will be exposed for his true mediocre self with no TO. They're running game is legit though. I hope felix jones isn't as good as I think he is.

Re: Which NFC East team is most likely to implode
 

I believe that the Giants are best positioned to stay together no matter what the won-lost record is. They already have their SB rings and Coughlin is a taskmaster who is in lockstep with the owners who don't meddle. There is no obvious successor to Manning so although the fans will get grumpy, they will go with their game plan.

The Redskins are also in good shape although some believe that Danny Boy will fire Zorn if season is disappointing. I do not believe this will happen since Danny has learned that another coach will requre 3 - 5 years more to get to the Big Show. Danny is not meddling and roster moves made to date seem to be good ones.

The problems that the Cowboys will encounter will be laid at the feet of Jerrah Jones since the perception is that he fired TO and not the coach. Phillips will not be able to save this train wreck so Jerrah will blame Romo, Phillips and the scoreboard. Anything can happen here but we KNOW who is in charge.

The Eagles, to my mind, seem to have most of the problems. They have lost several starters and the addition of Vick will only aggravate McBlabb as he knows there is a threat sitting on the bench or maybe even throwing passes. I have to believe Reid was NOT interested in Vick as he knows the disruptions a divided fan base and a locker room can cause from his TO experience. If Lurie was the instigator, fine but Reid is the franchise face and will take the heat. A train wreck waiting to happen.

Re: Which NFC East team is most likely to implode
 

the eagles. with all of their issues surrounding the offensive line. and McNabb's frail ego, might not be long until Vick is taking some snaps in a regular season game. losing Johnson and Dawkins make the defense average at best

Re: Which NFC East team is most likely to implode
 

Washington, QB is under the gun. The team tried to replace him twice in the offseason. Zorn is going to be on the hot seat, especially if the offense stumbles in the first few weeks of the season.

Only team in the division where BOTH starting QB and Coach are under the microscope.

Second would be Philly, the Vick "circus" will have its affect. It was obvious at the signing presser that the Eagles owner did the deal under extreme duress. McNabb is making offensive calls on the sidelines and actually has more authority than the O-Coordinator.

Re: Which NFC East team is most likely to implode
 

I say philly too, but not just because of Vick. They have been talked up more then any other team in the nfc East and to me dont look like it at all. Honestly i cant figure out why everyone thinks they are a top 5 team, i barely have them in the top 15. So once they start loosing games and showing as a mediocre team people are gonna go looking for heads.

Honestly though, if we loose a 2 starters on our o line for any extended time period, people around here, including myself are gonna go nuts.

Re: Which NFC East team is most likely to implode
 

[quote=mlmpetert;581995]I say philly too, but not just because of Vick. They have been talked up more then any other team in the nfc East and to me dont look like it at all. Honestly i cant figure out why everyone thinks they are a top 5 team, i barely have them in the top 15. So once they start loosing games and showing as a mediocre team people are gonna go looking for heads.

Honestly though, if we loose a 2 starters on our o line for any extended time period, people around here, including myself are gonna go nuts.[/quote]

Agreed. I don't think it's just because of Vick either though I do expect the fans to call his name when they lose. I think their defense and o-line will suffer this year causing more problems than they're prepared to handle.

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Every year I predict Philly = fail. Every year they don't. This year, I predict they will win the division, suffer no injuries and have perfect team harmony.

Dallas, however, ....

Re: Which NFC East team is most likely to implode
 

[quote=sandtrapjack;581994]Washington, QB is under the gun. The team tried to replace him twice in the offseason. Zorn is going to be on the hot seat, especially if the offense stumbles in the first few weeks of the season.

Only team in the division where BOTH starting QB and Coach are under the microscope.[/quote]

I don't think Washington would implode for a few reasons. First, the expectations are so low. Second, we don't have a TO, Pacman, or Brandon Marshall kind of guy who is going to cause a ton of drama.

Dallas, on the other hand, is under enormous pressure to produce a playoff victory. Dallas' wide receiver corps is the worst in the division, and that's saying a lot. They shed a lot of their "bad character" guys in the offseason, but I see big trouble if they swoon in December.

Dallas is a contender, but I think they are the most likely to implode.

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I say it will be Dallas. The low hanging scoreboard already gives off a bad omen for the Sallad Cowgirls. I didn't know Zorn was a "high-profile" type of coach?

Re: Which NFC East team is most likely to implode
 

[quote=cochise;582100]I say it will be Dallas. The low hanging scoreboard already gives off a bad omen for the Sallad Cowgirls. [B]I didn't know Zorn was a "high-profile" type of coach?[/B][/quote]

Now you know the rest of the story.

Re: Which NFC East team is most likely to implode
 

I have to say that both the Giants and Cowboys will implode.

The cowboys with their billion dollar stadium and 3 million pixel scoreboard that even the fans in the nose bleeds can see whats going to happen. Many questions remain with this team:
Does the defense hold up?
Is Roy Williams ready to step up and be the number one receiver that the Cowboys traded so much for?

The Giants have no number one receiver, no number two receiver, and lost there defensive coordinator to the Rams. Is Eli going to live up to his new 93 million dollar contract?

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Philly again. Look, if McBlabb goes bonkers when a felon is out there imitating him during a preseson game, wait until the calls come VICK, VICK, VICK...........during the real season. Ried is going to wish he was at home with his sons.

I stick with my nominee.

Dallas #2.

Re: Which NFC East team is most likely to implode
 

All of us have a chance...Dallas most likely though.

Re: Which NFC East team is most likely to implode
 

[quote=sandtrapjack;581994]Washington, QB is under the gun. The team tried to replace him twice in the offseason. Zorn is going to be on the hot seat, especially if the offense stumbles in the first few weeks of the season.

Only team in the division where BOTH starting QB and Coach are under the microscope.

Second would be Philly, the Vick "circus" will have its affect. It was obvious at the signing presser that the Eagles owner did the deal under extreme duress. McNabb is making offensive calls on the sidelines and actually has more authority than the O-Coordinator.[/quote]

You've got to be kidding us right? I'll be honest I don't like Dallas but I would not pick them to be the ones to implode cause I honestly don't think they will be in the running this yr. To me implosion means a team expected to do well and ends up having a horrible year. So with that in mind....everyone is picking the Eagles to win the division and end up in the SB. Maybe they will fool me but I don't see the high flying Eagles we saw in the SB a few yrs ago. I see implosion written all over them.

The Giants are a close second. I still think they are the team to beat but losing two WR's of the caliber they did is going to hurt them. They have been taken down a notch.

I don't think anyone can say the Skins since most people had the Skins finishing last in the division this yr and honestly from what I'm seeing so far it looks like (again in my oppinion) we may be the team to beat if we can just get the first win against the Giants.

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[quote=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;582067]I don't think Washington would implode for a few reasons. First, the expectations are so low. Second, we don't have a TO, Pacman, or Brandon Marshall kind of guy who is going to cause a ton of drama.

[B]Dallas, on the other hand, is under enormous pressure to produce a playoff victory. Dallas' wide receiver corps is the worst in the division, and that's saying a lot. They shed a lot of their "bad character" guys in the offseason, but I see big trouble if they swoon in December.[/B]

Dallas is a contender, but I think they are the most likely to implode.[/quote]


This is exactly why I don't count them as "in the running." Their star WR now is getting all banged up and hurt by rookies. LOL

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I say , if we can get the last 4 minutes of our 2005 MNF game in dallas to play ,,, over and over and over again on the cowturds new mega million " big screen " during there home games ,,, they implode first . " he's my qb man " ,,, " I love him " ,,,, he's my qb ... waaa waaa waaaa :) GO SKINS

Re: Which NFC East team is most likely to implode
 

[quote=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;582067]I don't think Washington would implode for a few reasons. First, the expectations are so low. Second, we don't have a TO, Pacman, or Brandon Marshall kind of guy who is going to cause a ton of drama.

[b]Dallas, on the other hand, is under enormous pressure to produce a playoff victory.[/b] Dallas' wide receiver corps is the worst in the division, and that's saying a lot. They shed a lot of their "bad character" guys in the offseason, but I see big trouble if they swoon in December.

Dallas is a contender, but I think they are the most likely to implode.[/quote]
This is the NFC East my friend. One of only 2 divisions in the past several years to send 3 of 4 teams to the playoffs practically every year. There is no greater pressure to produce than in the NFC East.

Teams like Cincy, Cleveland, Kansas City, Houston can publicly state "we are rebuilding" and get away with it for 3 or 4 years. But "rebuilding" is simply not a luxury the teams in the NFC East have. You will never hear that phrase used from the 4 teams in this division. All 4 teams rank in the top 10 in NFL Franchises for revenue. All 4 teams have the highest following than any other division. Failure is not an option.

What, you do not think that if Washington does not make the post season that Zorn will be listed as one of the coaches on the hot seat?

How many threads have we seen on this site alone that state the if Zorn does not come through that Shannahan will get the call from Snyder? And Zorn is only in his second year as a head coach.

Think about it. When you read or hear the media talk about other teams in the NFL, they classify a playoff BERTH as a successful season. But in the NFC East, anything less than playoff wins and Super Bowls is a failure.

They don't call it the NFC "Beast" for nothing.

Re: Which NFC East team is most likely to implode
 

Depends on your definition of 'implode'.

I don't think Dallas is going to implode because I don't feel that they are very good to begin with. They are a 9 win MAX team. I'd be more surprised if they went 11-5 than if they went 5-11.

The Giants are probably a solid 10 win team by just showing up, not much chance they will fall apart.

The Eagles however are closer to the team that was in last place and benched their QB in November than they are to the NFC Championship Game team they were at the end of the year. Westbrook is ALWAYS injured, I like D. Jackson but no-one else on their WR group scares me, their defense will miss Johnson and Dawkins much more than they think.

Our concerns have been well documented but we have no external expectations so there's not really the chance of an 'implosion' the way I define it.

Re: Which NFC East team is most likely to implode
 

By implode, I was picturing a team who, due to poor performance and/or record, found it's lockerroom in turmoil, it's fan base enraged, the owner pulling the plug on somebody, and the hc/qb positions thrown into question.

I was looking at the poor performance/record igniting an implosion, not being the end result of it.

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I think that the team most likely to implode are the Dallas Cowboys. They lose a few games and it's the end of the world for them. It's like they stop showing up.

The two teams that will not implode will be Filthy and Washington. Both teams have had their ups and downs, but you never count them out on Sunday.

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[quote=CRedskinsRule;581947]Even I don't believe it, I am kind of surprised no one has said the Redskins. Maybe there is a sense of optimism pervading the board yet :)[/quote]
I go into each year thinking we have a chance to make the playoffs or just maybe the SB. I wear rose colored glass until the implosion is impossible to miss.

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[quote=firstdown;582381]I go into each year thinking we have a chance to make the playoffs or just maybe the SB. I wear rose colored glass until the implosion is impossible to miss.[/quote]

:laughing2 I know the feeling.

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I just don't see us as having the necessary interpersonal dynamics for an implosion. We may not have the dynamics to win the Super Bowl (although I hope that we do), but I just don't see that catalytic ingredient which would lead to a meltdown.