The New York Giants did everything right in getting to the Super Bowl last year, including beating the Philadelphia Eagles three times. Coach Jim Fassel is 9-0 against the Eagles since arriving in New York in 1997. If the Eagles’ Andy Reid can’t call on the law of averages, write in the Giants to repeat because neither the Washington Redskins, Dallas Cowboys nor Arizona Cardinals can win this division.
The Redskins and new coach Marty Schottenheimer would argue they can be contenders, but the Cowboys and Cardinals are biding their time awaiting better years.
Eagles
They didn’t play offense or defense as well as the Giants and they couldn’t beat them in three tries, so why are the Eagles this year’s favorite sons? Donovan McNabb is the easy answer, but the do-everything quarterback will need more help than he got last year. Count on coach Reid to provide it.
What’s good: A defense solid up front with Corey Simon and Hugh Douglas, in the middle with Jeremiah Trotter, and in the secondary with Brian Dawkins and Troy Vincent provides a welcome complement for McNabb’s offense..
What’s bad: Running back Duce Staley must show his unusual ankle injury is healed. Washington free agent James Thrash, skinny Todd Pinkston and rookie Freddie Mitchell must spark a revamped wide receiver unit to help tight end Chad Lewis. As vaunted as the defense is, it was 20th against the run.
Giants
Running back Ron Dayne weighs 245 pounds, lightest since eighth grade. The Giants think that is good news because they need Dayne to complement Tiki Barber and help a middle-of-the-pack offense improve. Quarterback Kerry Collins had the season of his career in getting to the Super Bowl, but the defense of the Baltimore Ravens made him look ordinary.
What’s good: A fifth-ranked defense led by Michael Strahan, Keith Hamilton and Jessie Armstead should get help from second-year defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin, Tennessee free-agent end Kenny Holmes and rookie cornerback Will Allen. Fassel’s team is very balanced between offense and defense, pass and run.
What’s bad: Offensive left tackle Lomas Brown is 38. Receiver Ike Hilliard is hurt again. The punting and place kicking looks shaky. Barber has a broken left hand.
Redskins
Unlike last year, when owner Daniel Snyder’s nearly $100 million payroll demanded high expectations, Schottenheimer has gone back to basics and nobody expects more than solid blocking and tackling. Maybe that will be enough. But how can anybody in D.C. get excited without Deion Sanders leading cheers?
What’s good: It looks like second-year linebacker LaVar Arrington is ready for action and cornerback Champ Bailey–one of several players the Bears passed up to take Cade McNown–looks like the best in the league. Running back Stephen Davis remains the key, and offensive tackles Jon Jansen and Chris Samuels are the best young pair in the league.
What’s bad: Quarterback Jeff George has a sore throwing shoulder and if George can’t throw, he can’t do anything. So nervous are the Redskins that they brought in Dallas reject Tony Banks to bail them out. This is ominous. Kicker Brett Conway, the first of a parade of five last season, is back.
Cowboys
Owner Jerry Jones lost some 50 pounds, nothing compared with losing retired quarterback Troy Aikman. Next to go–Cowboys pride. Jones signed veteran quarterback Banks, then decided what the heck, he would throw rookie Quincy Carter to the dogs, starting with the season opener against Tampa Bay. Then he added Ryan Leaf, cut by the Bucs and Charges this year. Carter had better learn to hand off to Emmitt Smith quickly. He remains coach Dave Campo’s only chance.
What’s good: The Cowboys have a good offensive line, led by all-world Larry Allen, and two speed receivers in Rocket Ismail and Joey Galloway if healthy. Yet plans for Banks to toss bombs to the receivers were scrapped when Campo thought about his defense.
What’s bad: The defense was ranked dead last against the run, and if you can’t stop the run, you don’t have a chance of winning in the NFL.
Cardinals
Like the Cowboys, the Cardinals are waiting until next year when coach Dave McGinnis plans to add defensive help. Until then, they have to rely on ball control behind a huge offensive line to keep from getting embarrassed on defense.
What’s good: From the looks of his pumped-up arms breaking out of his jersey, receiver David Boston is ready for a breakout year.
What’s bad: The defense is starting from scratch after jettisoning pass rusher Simeon Rice and cornerback Aeneas Williams. Quarterback Jake Plummer has thrown 45 interceptions and 22 touchdown passes over the last two seasons. Such a ratio will get this team killed.
