NFC East Primer

Part 2 of our look into the 2010 NFL season brings us to the NFC East.

Did Dez forget something?

Dallas Cowboys
2009 record: 11-5, 1st in division
Head coach: Wade Phillips
Key Additions: T Alex Barron
Key Losses: T Flozell Adams, S Ken Hamlin

1. Are the Cowboys a newer "version" of the San Diego Chargers?
They are. All the talent, very little results. Sure, Dallas manage a playoff win last year. A playoff win. Nothing more.

2. Will Dallas feel the pressure of trying to become the first team to play the Super Bowl on its home field?
In all honesty, they shouldn't care one bit. You always hear phrases similar to "keep your eyes on the prize", but you wonder if that prize doesn't create unnecessary pressure.

3. Seriously, is Wade Phillips the right guy in Dallas?
He does whatever Jerry Jones wants...except win a Super Bowl. I don't think he is, but Phillips isn't a terrible coach.I just feel here's more of a defensive coordinator.

There's nothing that should keep these guys from winning the division...except themselves.

If Bulluck is healthy, Giants opponents better
be aware of his whereabouts on the field.

New York Giants
2009 record: 8-8
Head coach: Tom Coughlin
Key Additions: S Antrel Rolle, S Deon Grant, LB Keith Bulluck
Key Losses: S C.C. Brown, CB Kevin Dockery

1. Will the G-men be able to bounce back from a deplorable second half of 2009?
Anyone that knows how Coughlin coaches will answer this as a resounding "yes". He demands excellence and attention to detail. There's no way the Giants stumble in 2010 like they did in 2009. This coaching staff, for the most part, has been together long enough to realize they made critical mistakes last year, too. That will be the difference in 2010.

2. Is the offensive line still as good as it was a couple of seasons ago?
We saw cracks in the armor last year during the dreaded second half. They're still good, but they're also not the best O-line in the league like may thought in 2007 and 2008.

3. Can the defense get back to the level it was during the Super Bowl season?
It can and it will come close this season. The Giants shored up the defensive front in the draft with Jason Pierre-Paul and Linval Joseph. They brought in Keith Bulluck and signed Antrel Rolle. Every level was addressed so there's no reason to believe they can't excel.

8-8 is not where these guys belong.

"You take it!" "No, you take it!"

Philadelphia Eagles
2009 record: 11-5, 2nd in division
Head coach: Andy Reid
Key Additions: RB Mike Bell, WR Kelley Washington, LB Joe Mays, LB Ernie Sims
Key Losses: QB Donovan McNabb, RB Brian Westbrook, LB Will Weatherspoon, S Sean Jones, CB Sheldon Brown, LB Chris Gocong

1. How well will the Eagles adjust to Kevin Kolb?
It better be fast and it better be smooth. Kolb is the polar opposite of McNabb as far as football goes. Kolb is a pocket passer and will not make the plays on the run like #5 did. Eagles fans must recognize that he's still pretty much a rookie even with this being his 4th season.

2. Will the defense find a way to improve in 2010?
Not really seeing it. The front seven got a gift in landing Brandon Graham in the draft. They traded for a high motor LB in Sims, but what else?

3. Could this be Andy Reid's last hurrah?
Quite possible if the Eagles fall off substantially. I'm a fan of Andy Reid's. Despite never winning the Super Bowl, I believe he's an excellent coach. He has guided the Eagles to many NFC Championships games during his tenure. He's just got the one win in those games and people continually knock him for that. If he's not in Philly after this season, he will be elsewhere in 2011.

The guys lost a lot and gained a little.

He looks so lost and lonely.

Washington Redskins
2009 record: 4-12
Head coach: Mike Shanahan
Key Additions: QB Donovan McNabb, T Jamaal Brown, LB Chris Draft, RB Willie Parker, RB Larry Johnson, WR Mike Furrey, WR Joey Galloway
Key Losses: WR Antwaan Randle-El, RB Rock Cartwright, QB Jason Campbell

1. Will this Albert Haynesworth-Mike Shanahan thing ever end?
It will. An MRI revealed no structural damage to Albert's sore knee. It's just a matter of time before this locking of the horns ends and both parties realize they're acting like a couple of school children.

2. Who does McNabb throw to?
Better yet, why does McNabb have to pass as much as he did in Philly? He won't have to because of Mike Shanahan's scheme. There's a veteran stable of backs in Clinton Portis, Parker and Johnson. If McNabb does have to venture downfield, his options are all that eye opening. He has TEs Chris Cooley and Fred Davis. It his options at receiver that aren't great, but not that bad. Santana Moss is still dangerous but the two 3rd-year receivers (Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly) must rise to the occasion.

3. Can we really expect the defense to stand?
The first hurdle was cleared when Jim Haslett was brought in as defensive coordinator. Not that the Redskins were a bad defense in 2009 (10th overall). Shanny prefers a 3-4 scheme and Haslett is just the right guy to bring in. The linebackers are the group under the microscope. Brian Orakpo could be the supreme beneficiary to the scheme switch. Throw in vets like Rocky McIntosh and London Fletcher should provide a better performing group.

A 4-12 season will not be duplicated in D.C. In fact, if these guys are below .500, I'd be surprised even with the tussle between Albert and Shanny.

Predicting a winner for this division is the easiest. It's how the other three fall. I'm grasping here, but...

1. Dallas. Has to be them Cowboys.
2. New York. Coughlin won't let '09 happen in '10.
3. Washington. Love the McNabb move.
4. Philadelphia. Hate the McNabb move.

That Crazy Dez

You could almost consider it a rite of passage. Rookie hazing. Nothing severe. For example, a rookie being "drafted" to carry the shoulder pads of a veteran player. Non-compliance could result in "severe" consequences. Taped to a goal post, faulty credit card charges. It's NFL training camp.

Apparently, there's an "issue" with Dallas Cowboys #1 draft pick Dez Bryant and vet Roy Williams.

While Bryant was conducting an impromptu interview for a couple of members of the local media, Williams went toward Bryant, placed his shoulder pads on the ground and asked the rookie if "got it". Bryant acknowledged the veteran's request, but did not honor it.

"I'm not doing it," Bryant said. "I feel like I was drafted to play football, not carry another player's pads."

"If I was a free agent, it would still be the same thing. I just feel like I'm here to play football. I'm here to try to help win a championship, not carry someone's pads. I'm saying that out of no disrespect to [anyone]."

First of all, almost any time you hear the words "out of no disrespect" or some variable thereof, disrespect will either be taken or assumed.

C'mon, Dez. It's a tradition. Where's your sense of humor? Where's your sense of camaraderie? So Dez, are you saying you never had to perform some silly chore as a freshman while at Oklahoma State? Weren't you recruited there to play football?

Williams put the incident into perspective.

"Everybody has to go through it," Williams said. "I had to go through it. No matter if you're a No. 1 pick or the 7,000th pick, you've still got to do something when you're a rookie.

"I carried pads. I paid for dinners. I paid for lunches. I did everything I was supposed to do, because I didn't want to be that guy."

I guarantee you Ndamukong Suh will carry the pads of Kyle Vanden Bosh. I guarantee you that Ryan Mathews will carry the pads of Darren Sproles. I guarantee you that Jason Pierre-Paul will carry the pads of either Osi Umenyiora or Justin Tuck. And they were all taken ahead of you in the draft.

There's even a story of former Cowboys coach Bill Parcells having a first round pick retrieving him water and Gatorade during camp. Would Dez be so bold as to reject The Tuna? I doubt that, and even if he the stones to do that, could you imagine the ramifications of that one?

When the "penalties" are delivered, and they will be delivered, we'll see what Bryant thinks about carrying a set of shoulder pads. He may decide to honor Williams or Miles Austin or Patrick Crayton in their request today. And then again, he may not.

I know it sounds like this is a non-story considering all the issues the Cowboys have faced in the past. It's not quite a story. I'll agree with that...for now.

But what this provides is a window into Bryant's already over inflated opinion of himself.

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!! Two More Divisional Playoff Games!!

What would a Sunday be without football, and the NFL will present two more battles on the road to the Lombardi Trophy.

If you missed the peeks at Saturday's games, you can view them here.

NFC: Dallas Cowboys @ Minnesota Vikings; FOX 1 ET PM (Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver, Chris Myers)

Most will watch: Cowboys QB Tony Romo and Vikings QB Brett Favre.
Yet another river to cross for Romo. He's never gotten past the first round before, so this is unchartered waters for Romo. His confidence has never been higher during his short career.

Favre will be looking to exercise his Cowboys playoff demons, as in 0-3 against Dallas in playoff game. But the MVP candidate does have a flair for the dramatic. That might be something for him to put in his hip pocket.

You should watch: the trenches.
Wonder why the Vikings struggled toward the end of the season? They were not winning the battle at the line of scimmage. The O-line really struggled against Carolina and some teams picked up on that. Don't think for a minute that slipped by Wade Phillips either.

Can the O-line protect Favre? You have an All-Pro at guard (Steve Hutchison). Can the D-line get to Romo? You have an All-Pro end (Jared Allen) and tackle (Kevin Williams). Minnesota did lead the NFL in sacks, but seem to possibly tire down the stretch. That excludes the Giants game. The answers to my aforemantioned questions must be "yes" and "yes" for the Vikes to get the win.

But don't forget: Vikings RB Adrian Peterson.
On some level, Peterson seems almost like an afterthought for this game. I know he's a threat on every play. Make no mistake, AD will need to get the workload we're used to seeing out of him. If the Vikes become too dependent on the pass, it will be a long day. One last thing on Peterson, secure the ball. Some habits die hard.

One last thing: Vikings CB Antoine Winfield's health.
He's been nursing a bum foot for most of the season. Minnesota doesn't have anyone else that can stay with the speed of Miles Austin. If Winfield isn't 100%, or even 90%, the passing game for Dallas becomes even more lethal.

Bottom line: All the home teams are favored, but the Vikings are only a slight fave ( 2.5 to -3). It used to be that home field gave you 3 points on a spread. So, if I use my primary math skills, I arrive at the fact that Minnesota is really being considered a very slight dog to even at best. I feel Dallas has so much momentum going into this game. The main thing Dallas needs to be aware of is being overconfident.

Cowboys 24, Vikings 21...Dallas is doing everything right at this point.

AFC: New York Jets @ San Diego Chargers; CBS 4:40 PM ET (Jim Nantz and Phil Simms)

Most will watch: Jets CB Darrelle Revis v. Chargers WR Vincent Jackson.
Jets head coach Rex Ryan says Revis is the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year. Outside of those that voted for the award and Packers fans, it's hard to disagree. It's not Revis' domination of other #1 WR that has me intrigued. I'm wondering how Revis will cope with Jackson's size and strength.

You should watch: Chargers TE Antonio Gates.
Exactly who can cover him? Will Ryan have to tweak his defense to account for Gates? S Jim Leonhard (5'8", 186) cannot be singled up on Gates (6'4", 260). Will we see Kerry Rhodes (6'3', 214) on him? Do you use a linebacker? Any way you cut it, Gates presents so many mismatches for the Jets.

Don't forget: Jets RB Shonn Greene.
With the health of Thomas Jones a concern, Greene will have to have even more of an impact than he had last week in the game against the Cincinnati Bengals. I'm not sayong he has to have more yards. He has to have more impact, and that includes helping protect that rookie QB Mark Sanchez.

Bottom line: The Chargers are heavily favored, but did they lose some steam having a week off? They had won 11 in a row after starting 2-3. Talk about being on a roll. Hard to imagine Chargers QB Philip Rivers had the season he did without C Nick Hardwick who missed 13 games. The Jets defense, as we all know, is the #1 overall unit, but it's also the best pass defense. The Chargers don't run too well (31st for the regular season). If the Bolts are to win, LT and Darren Sproles must assert themselves and command a presence. Cincinnati's Cedric Benson did bust 100+ yards on them last week.

Bolts 27, Jets 14...unless Mark Sanchez somehow channels his inner Joe Namath.

Eagles and Cowboys - Round 3

In what many term the "ugliest rivalry in the NFL", the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys resume that this evening in a Wild Card playoff game at Jerry's Playpen.

Before we delve too deep into that game, if you wish to catch a view of the New York Jets/Cincinnati Bengals matchup, click here.

You hear said every year that it's hard to best a team three times. Not true. It has happened 19 times leading up to tonight's game. On 12 occassions, the team that won the first two games, also won the third. In this day and age of the extreme usage of stats, that's a telling one.

The game.

Philadelphia: These guys almost looked like they didn't care to really be in a gae last week. I found that surprising considering if the Eagles had won, tis game would be in Philly instead of Dallas, or the Funhouse of Jerry. Does it really matter? Not if the Eagles show up.

The major conern I have with the Philly offense is that they may be geared a bit too much for the big play. The Eagles only averaged 24 rushing attempts per game during the regular season while they averaged 34.6 pass attempts a game. That translated into a time of possession of 28:14, 28th in the league. If you've watched the Eagles play this season, you know they are without a doubt a pass-first offense. And head coach Andy Reid wouldn't have it any other way. That shouldn't be a major issue tonight considering where the game is being played, but a lack of balance could present difficulties for Philly.

Wide receiver DeSean Jackson has been pointed as the "X factor" when Philly has the ball, but I'm looking to two others, WR Jeremy Maclin and TE Brent Celek (left). Maclin and Celek both have to find the creases and seams in the Cowboys defense to take pressure off Jackson and QB Donanvan McNabb. If either of them can establish a position on the field, that should enable Jackson to get open. Plus, it's not so bad to utilize Maclin's speed and/or Celek's presence. The Cowboys TE Jason Witten may be going to the Pro Bowl as a backup to Vernon Davis, but Celek should be there.

There's been something missing with the Eagles defense more than just Jim Johnson and Brian Dawkins. The Eagles have been ravished with injuries to the linebacking unit the whole season, but new DC Sean McDermott has done a very good job with all the adversity. The one thing that can be hard to defend is a truly balanced offense, and Dallas has just that.

For Philly, the defensive line must produce pressure on Cowboys QB Tony Romo. They must rattle his confidence because Romo's cofidence has to be at a career high. If McDermott can dial up a scheme that shatter Romo's confidence, Romo jusy may revert to his past December and playoff self we're used to seeing. Eagles DE Trent Cole will be the guy to watch.

One last bit of info. The Eagles finished 2nd in turnover ratio with a +15. Romo, playoffs, turnovers. Get the picture.

And on the Dallas side...

Cowboys End Saints Perfection

Last night, the Dallas Cowboys looked like a potential serious playoff contender. The New Orleans Saints lost their bid at a perfect regular season. And the NFC playoff picture was brought more into focus with Dallas pulling off a stunning 24-17 win in the Superdome agains the Saints.

The Cowboys outgained New Orleans 439-336, stifled the NFL's #5 rushing attack, held about a 13 minute advantage in time of possesson, and sacked Drew Brees four times. Yet, the Saints still had a chance to tie the game in the closing minute.

Four things to take away from this one.

First, Tony Romo (right) had another good game. He had more passing yards than Brees (312 to 298), a higher QB rating (104.0 to 81.5), and no INT. In Romo's last three games, he has 6 TD and 0 INT. Last night was his lowest QB rating in those three games. December has actually been good to Romo.

Second, Dallas stayed with the running game and that was a major reason the Cowboys were able to take such a decided edge in time of possession. Marion Barber produced two rushing TDs for his first since week 8. That's a sign all Cowboys fans should love seeing.

Third, just when you think you have the Saints, they battle back. Dallas led 24-3 going into the 4th quarter. A couple of Saints scores made it 24-17 with 8:06 remaining. New Orleans got the ball back with 2:16 left and started a drive to a tie which was thwarted by a sack of Brees and a fumble recovered by Dallas' Jay Ratliff.

Maybe the most important thing going forward was this. Dallas took the kickoff after New Orleans made it 24-17 and drove all the way to the Saints 6. With 2:19 left, Cowboys kicker Nick Folk did his best Shaun Suisham impression and knocked his filed goal attempt off the right post. That miss was the sixth straight game Folk has missed a FG attempt. That missed permitted the Saints a last gasp. That's something the Cowboys will no longer be able to afford as the Redskins and Eagles await.

Dallas did solidify its playoff position and holds their fate in their own hands...win out and they're in the postseason.

That just might get Wade Phillips (left) another season or two.

But with Jerry Jones calling the signals, I stress the word "might".

sports

Thanksgiving Day NFL Recap

Happy Friday. I hope eveyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I also hope you could find a way to enjoy the NFL games yesterday. I know, not much excitement. But there was if you were Lions QB Duante Culpepper. Read on if you're not sure what I mean.

 Packers (7-4) 34, Lions (2-9) 12

During pregame, Culpepper was informed that he would not be starting, and that Matthew Stafford would. Culpepper did not appear to be too pleased with the team's decision. He did practice with the first team for the short week. Remember, Stafford suffered a separated shoulder during Sunday's 38-37 win over the Cleveland Browns.

Maybe, Culpepper would have been the better selection based on the game Stafford had. 20 of 43, 213 yards, 1 TD, 4 INT. One of Stafford's INT was a pick 6 by Packers CB Charles Woodson. Overall the Lions had five turnovers.

One last quick (maybe not so quick) note from the game. There's 2:51 left in the game and the score is 34-12, Green Bay. Detroit has the ball on their own 28. It's 2nd and 10 and Stafford completes a pass to backup TE Casey Fitzsimmons. Upon being tackled, it appears that Fitzsimmons fumbles the ball but the officials ruled that Fitzsimmons was down by contact.

I know...not so quick. Sorry. I have to say this next part though. Packers head coach Mike McCarthy (left) challenged the play. It was reversed and Geen Bay got the ball. I am massively irritated with McCarthy's decision to challenge that play. You're already winning 34-12 and there's less than three minutes left. What a heartless call by McCarthy. Happy Thanksgiving, Coach. You are no doubt, my Turkey of the Day. Congrats!

Some may say I'm off base. I say to you that you're as heartless as McCarthy. You already have the "W". What more do you need?

Game ball: Packers QB Aaron Rodgers: 28-39, 348 yards, 3 TD

Dallas, we have a problem

I don't get it. It was just one loss. Fans will deal with wins and losses of their favorite NFL team every week. Some fans express their displeasure in a variety ways. Some will boo. Some will post on message boards calling out a player and/or coach. Some just let it roll and look to next week's game.

Sometimes, fans react in a way that make you scratch your head. Look at the situation currently unfolding in Dallas. There are two players that are under fire following the Cowboys loss to division rival New York Giants last Sunday night: tackle Flozell Adams and quarterback Tony Romo. The message boards are very active!

Adams has already been fined twice by the league this season. He was fined $5,000 for an unnecessary roughness penalty against Tampa Bay after the Cowboys week 1 win. His wallet lost more dough as he was nicked for another $12,500 following his trip of Giants Justin Tuck. The Cowboys "faithful" is calling him out. It seems that some want Adams out. Here's just a bit of proof from a blog post authored by Todd Archer for dallasnews.com. It's not what Archer writes, but it's the reaction to what he writes that grabbed my attention.

Before Cowboys fans want to pass judgement on Adams, think about this. He's is a five time Pro-Bowler ('03, '04, '06, '07, '08) and was voted All-Pro in '07. With the exception of four games in his rookie season, every game he's suited up for, he's started. That's not a coincidence. It's a pattern, and there's a reason for that pattern. He reliable and dependable. Just food for thought.

And what about all the people calling for Romo's head? In week one, Romo threw for a career high 353 yards and the 'Boys won convincingly. But now after a three pick week against the hated Giants, you want him gone, too? Dallas had the lead late in the game and lost on a last second field goal. Were Romo and Adams on the field when that happened? They were on the sideline.

Now, Hall of Famer and former Cowboy great Tony Dorsett has also taken to the task of calling out Romo. David Moore reacts to Dorsett's diss of Romo on dallasnews.com. I know Romo hasn't won a playoff game and can barely win a December game, but to want him out is a bit harsh and unjustified. He's good, but he's not Aikman. He's good, but he's not Staubach. He's Romo and he can't be Staubach or Aikman.

I'm not piling on Cowboys fans, but one loss doesn't spell doom for your season. You do play in the NFL's toughest division and divisional games may seem to be more at a premium. But don't point your finger at just one or two players. It is a team game. One player doesn't win a game on his own and one player doesn't lose a game on his own. Sure, you'll hear a player say he lost a game due to his lack of execution or poor performance. His teammates should pick him up in that situation and they usually do.

I believe it was Bill Parcells that once said, "Coaches coach and players play". And there's that issue: coaching. Don't even get the Cowboys fans started on that issue.