• March 28, 2024

2014 NFL Projections: The NFC East

NickFoles2New York Giants

The sun is setting on the Tom Coughlin era in New York.

The Giants really fell off last season, struggling through an ugly 7-9 campaign plagued by injuries and turnovers.

With a terrible offensive line and no running game to speak of, the weight of the team fell on Eli Manning’s shoulders, and the veteran crumbled, throwing a career-worst 27 interceptions. Eli can point to a poor offensive line as an excuse, but when you turn the ball over at such an alarming right, its more than just poor teammates around you, that’s a sign that a quarterback is making terrible decisions.

The offensive line woes haven’t been cured at all. Former elite guard Chris Snee’s career is over due to injuries, and the Giants were unable to do anything to significantly improve their situation.

Running back remains a disaster. Former first-round pick David Wilson’s career is likely over because of recurring neck injuries. Rashad Jennings, who has never been a full-time starter in his career, will get the first crack at the job with Andre Williams and veteran Peyton Hillis also in the mix.

The Giants have a decent group of receivers, headlined by Victor Cruz. They added Odell Beckham in the first round of the draft, and also brought back Mario Manningham to serve as a reserve.

Things don’t get much better for New York on the defensive side of the ball. Jason Pierre-Paul doesn’t look the same player he was back in 2011 anymore, and this defense is littered with reject-Eagles players.

Mike Patterson and Cullen Jenkins are still part of their defensive line. Talented, but frustratingly inconsistent Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was signed from Denver to be a starting corner. Quintin Demps is currently penciled in as one of their starting safeties. That has the makings of a really bad defense that’s going to get gashed week to week.

We all saw first hand back in 2012 how quickly DRC can become disinterested when he’s playing on a poor team. By mid-season, the Giants can expect to have a guy that visibly isn’t giving effort out on the field.

I feel that this is the last hurrah for head coach Tom Coughlin. The Giants just have too many serious flaws in key areas for them to succeed. They’re going to put a lot of pressure on Manning to take them far once again, and that’s a recipe for disaster.

Projected Finish: 7-9, 4th Place

Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys aren’t in much better shape than the Giants.

The offense is a little more stable here. The Cowboys have a potent passing attack, and they’ve got a quality running back in DeMarco Murray. The problem is that the coaching staff doesn’t understand the importance of a balanced attack.

Jason Garrett had a nasty habit about forgetting about Murray, and leaning too heavily on the pass in a fashion that surely reminded many Eagles fans of all of the low points of the Andy Reid era.

Romo has some great weapons to throw to in Dez Bryant, Terrance Williams, and Jason Witten, but its important for this coaching to staff to remember that Murray needs to get heavily involved.

Bryant comes off of a tremendous year with 93 catches, 1,100 yards, and 13 touchdowns. His personality gets him into trouble at times, but the physical skills that he brings to the table are almost unmatched by any other receiver in the league right now. Witten remains a solid tight end, despite entering his 13th year. He still put up over 800 yards with eight touchdowns last year.

The defensive side of the ball is where things really come undone.

Star linebacker Sean Lee just can’t stay healthy, and when he’s out of the picture this becomes a completely different unit. They’ve already lost Lee for the year, and they must also get over the loss of top pass rusher DeMarcus Ware.

The secondary is full of disappointments, with former top draft pick Morris Claiborne at the top of that list. Claiborne was so bad last year, that he lost his starting job to Orlando Scandrick. Brandon Carr, a high-priced pickup from the Chiefs a year ago also underwhelmed. Barry Church is the one bright spot in this unit, leading the team with 147 tackles.

The Dallas offense has enough explosive talent to keep them relevant and in a lot of ballgames. But the team’s defense is just a sieve, and with the questionable playcalling of Jason Garrett, and Jerry Jones’ ever-meddlesome shadow looming over the franchise at all times, the Cowboys are stuck in purgatory. They’re a team of underachievers with misused talent that is doomed to hover between seven and nine wins until some major changes take place.

Projected Finish: 8-8, 3rd Place

Washington Redskins

The Redskins start 2014 with a clean slate and a fresh coaching staff, with Jay Gruden taking over for Mike Shannahan.

However, I believe that the Redskins are a much bigger rebuilding project than they realize.

Robert Griffin has regressed significantly since his rookie season. The star quarterback has battled injuries and displayed some attitude problems while reacting poorly to adversity in his second season in the league. Things just didn’t go well for Griffin last year, and for the first time in his career he felt negative pressure from fans, media, and coaches alike.

The Redskins went out and got Griffin a new top receiver, signing DeSean Jackson after he was released by the Eagles. Jackson gives the Redskins a top vertical threat, and should help open things up for a lot of other players on the offense. His skillset compliments last year’s top wideout Pierre Garcon very well. Garcon is a possession receiver, who will work the intermediate routes very well. Those two combined with the development of young tight end Jordan Reed could give the Redskins a very good group of receivers to work with.

Alfred Morris proved that his rookie season was no fluke, and will continue to be relied on as a workhorse to help take the pressure off of Griffin. Gruden is expected to keep the same zone-blocking scheme in place that helped Morris thrive under the previous coaching staff.

The Washington defense lost its leader when London Fletcher decided to retire during the off-season. Fletcher had been the heartbeat of this defense for years, but finally decided it was time for him to walk away. Fletcher will leave the defense in the hands of young linebackers Perry Riley, Brian Orakpo, and Ryan Kerrigan. This is a solid trio that should be able to take over for Fletcher, whom them all watched and learned from for years.

DeAngelo Hall remains Washington’s top cover corner. Second-year man David Amerson is expected to step in a start alongside him after serving as the slot corner a year ago. The Redskins added another veteran presence in the off-season, signing former Pittsburgh Steeler Ryan Clark.

The fate of the Redskins is tied to what kind of physical and mental shape Robert Griffin will be in week to week. If he’s on point, Griffin has the physical tools to help run a high-powered offense that will make this group a tough out. But if he’s physically beat up or mentally worn down, the Washington offense will have a hard time getting off of the ground. When I look at Griffin, I see him as a cross between Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick. Tremendous physical talent like both, but he’s always going to have trouble making it through a 16-game schedule like Vick, and he may have skin that’s as thin as McNabb’s.

Projected Finish: 8-8, 2nd Place

Philadelphia Eagles

After surprising everyone with an exciting, record-setting offensive season that ended with a division title and a return to the playoffs, what can Chip Kelly do in year two for an encore?

All eyes will be on Nick Foles, as he sets out to prove that last season was no fluke and that he is the team’s quarterback of the future. I think that Foles has a good chance to succeed purely because of his mental makeup alone. The thing that stands out the most to me about Nick Foles through his first two seasons is that the guy never seems to get rattled, and is always in control of his emotions. He doesn’t get too high after performing well, and he’s able to quickly shake off a bad moment or a bad game to bounce back strong in the following week.

Foles will need to adjust to some new receivers, with DeSean Jackson now out of the picture. Jeremy Maclin is recovered from a knee injury, and the team has added Jordan Matthews and Josh Huff in the draft to sure up the receiver position. If the Eagles’ top wide receivers can stay healthy, then I think this group is deep and talented enough to overcome the loss of Jackson.

LeSean McCoy remains the heart and soul of the offense, but newcomer Darren Sproles will also see plenty of snaps as the Eagles try to give Shady a break here and there.

Zach Ertz is expected to make major strides in his development, and combine with Brent Celek to give the Eagles one of the better tight end tandems in the league.

Defensively, I think the Eagles are actually better than a lot of people want to give them credit for.

No one is going to mistake this defense for Seattle’s, but this is a group that held opponents to 22 points or less in 11 of their final 12 games. In five of those 11 efforts, opponents were held to less than 20 points.

This is a defense that isn’t flashy, but I think they’re very serviceable, and can do enough to compliment the high-powered offense. Newcomer Malcolm Jenkins should help sure-up a secondary by upgrading the weak spot that was Patrick Chung.

There’s no doubt that the Eagles need to get better at rushing the quarterback, and I don’t think the solution to that problem is going to come this year. Marcus Smith is unbelievably raw for a first-round pick, and the team’s top pass rusher Vinny Curry can’t get enough snaps on the field.

I think the Eagles are clearly ahead of the other three teams in the division. Out of the four franchises in the East, they’ve easily got the most stability across the board. They should have no trouble winning this division and returning to the playoffs. I don’t think they’re strong enough to knock off the other top NFC teams just yet, but they’re going to be fun to watch and it should be an exciting season in Philadelphia.

Projected Finish: 10-6, 1st Place

Denny Basens

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tsjohnson5
tsjohnson5
September 1, 2014 10:26 am

Don’t think Dallas is going 8-8 this year. They’d be lucky to hit that.

That’s just a minor quibble. Other than that as long as the Eagles don’t implode they should win the division. Similar to the Colts in the AFC South – there just isn’t much competition.

Though the Skins could get it together – there about the only ones that MIGHT be able to make some noise. The other two just seem dead in the water.

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
September 1, 2014 1:18 pm
Reply to  tsjohnson5

I’ll agree with that –

IzzellJenkins
IzzellJenkins
September 1, 2014 11:25 am

The Skins defense looks better than expected, depth and injury could derail them quickly. Ryan Clark and Merriweather have to hold up early if they have to go to the guys behind that defense can fall apart quickly.

The Cowboys are a mess….and I don’t think Romo survives the season.

I never count the Giants out of anything….for some reason they are like the Jason Vorhees and you have to kill them a million times before finally thinking they are dead.

The Birds need a defense than can just be middle of the pack and opportunistic and then we may have something that can be relied on come playoff time. Interesting to see if Coles 8 sacks at the end of the season will carry into the first part of the season. Also the maturation of Kendricks Cox Boykins are more important than anything on the offensive side. If Cox isn’t dominant this year, Birds will be a couple of years away before being a legit contender.

tsjohnson5
tsjohnson5
September 1, 2014 1:17 pm
Reply to  IzzellJenkins

Normally I wouldn’t count the Giants out of anything. But at the moment Eli doesn’t look like he remembers how to throw a football and there is nothing else about the team that could save them (like Redskins better than expected defense).

Unless he just “turns it on” once the games count Giants are gonna live and die by Eli’s arm.

patrik411
patrik411
September 1, 2014 1:22 pm

Ill miss Tom coughlin . he is a very good coach , and I loved watching his antics and his animated convo. on the field.

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
September 1, 2014 1:22 pm

I like Denny’s opinion of the birds — ten and six—Shady , Peters and Foles are irreplaceable so if one of these players gets hurt they are a .500 team at best. The Eagles were the 4th worst team in the NFL without Peters and a God awful with Vick at the helm. I also believe without Shady this team could nose dive also.

daggolden
daggolden
September 1, 2014 4:55 pm

I don’t believe that at all. I think Shady can be replaced with Polk, Sproles and Tucker. If you played Tucker behind that line he wouldn’t get you 1600 but 1000 yards no problem. Peters can be replaced and so can Foles with Sanchez. Now they wouldn’t win a SB but Chip would have them 9-7. Everyone can be replaced unless your Manning, Brees or Rogers. and your backup sucks and you depend on them not the system.

daggolden
daggolden
September 1, 2014 5:00 pm
Reply to  daggolden

Honestly Shady, Foles and Peters are important but Jason Kelce may be the most important player on this team.

tsjohnson5
tsjohnson5
September 1, 2014 5:33 pm
Reply to  daggolden

The oline needs to stay intact.

There’s no depth there and if they go – well look for more sacks, 3 and outs and intentional grounding penalties.

paulman
paulman
September 1, 2014 5:54 pm
Reply to  tsjohnson5

Why do I keep reading about lack of Depth along the Eagles O/Line
The Eagles probably have be strongest set of Back-up OL in the NFL
and are in very fine shape there .. There are plenty of Teams right now who would love to have a Dennis Kelly, Matt Tobin, Alan Barbre, on their Rosters and these Players could start for many Teams
Does anyone else watch other Teams around the NFL..

RegalEagle
RegalEagle
September 1, 2014 8:10 pm
Reply to  paulman

You are absolutely correct.

The eagles back up O-line could start for the NYG this year.

Biglion821
Biglion821
September 2, 2014 7:54 am
Reply to  paulman

You do realize they were blocking about 200 guys who are unemployed today right? Remember the guy we cut Josey? There was some thought he racked up those numbers against……. The same unemployed guys that our great oline depth was blocking.

haveacigar
haveacigar
September 1, 2014 5:33 pm
Reply to  daggolden

Dag I am curious to see what happens when shady is due a contract. Watching these no name backs shred yardage in Kelly’s system makes me wonder.
Also, nfl the copycat league this year you will see a lot more Kelly plays and concepts. The teams that ran some RO before Kelly only scratched the surface

tsjohnson5
tsjohnson5
September 1, 2014 5:35 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

They aren’t gonna pay Shady what Shady think he is worth.

I’d be surprised if they did.

You know Kelly has a “next man up” mentality. I think the only position he truly values is oline. That’s about it.

haveacigar
haveacigar
September 1, 2014 5:39 pm
Reply to  tsjohnson5

And QB accuracy

tsjohnson5
tsjohnson5
September 1, 2014 6:34 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

Nope.

But I like how you feel the need to interject a “QB” comment where none was warranted.

haveacigar
haveacigar
September 1, 2014 7:21 pm
Reply to  tsjohnson5

Um you do realize that when many on here (you may have been one) said chip needs a running qb or else shady and his offense won’t work chip himself said “I need a qb with repetitive accuracy” .
I just repeated what he said he needs for an efficient offense … I thought that was what we were talking about

tsjohnson5
tsjohnson5
September 1, 2014 7:40 pm
Reply to  tsjohnson5

LOL.

You’re having a conversation with yourself.

The comment was “I don’t think Chip values any particular position but oline”

Then you came back with “QB Accuracy”

I was unaware that “QB Accuracy” was a position.

Now if you had said he values the QB position and doesn’t feel it’s a “next man up” type deal. I would have disagreed with you but at least it would have been on topic.

Reading comprehension is a wonderful thing.

daggolden
daggolden
September 1, 2014 6:48 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

Its not coincidence that at Oregon they had a mega star RB running wild every year. Its not a coincidence that every QB at Oregon put up damn near 50 points a game including freshman QBs who couldn’t even throw. Its Chips system. Now you need some talent but you don’t need to be Shady on Peyton Manning. Does it help yes but that’s why you see the Foles and Sanchez and the Tuckers the Djaxs tearing it up. That’s why Chip wont break the bank for Foles and Shady(who obviously has superior skills) but he better not lose that shake and bake. If Shady didn’t have that “extra” dimension his ass would be gone sooner than later also.

tsjohnson5
tsjohnson5
September 1, 2014 7:13 pm
Reply to  daggolden

And the reliance on the system is also the big reason why he didn’t win a championship in college.

When they came up against better talent – better talent won.

It’s gonna be fun to see if that reality remains true in the big leagues.

paulman
paulman
September 1, 2014 8:11 pm
Reply to  tsjohnson5

Florida State was the First Non-SECTeam to win the College Championship in about 5-6 years
So there were about 215 other College Programs in the same boat as Oregon’s was as far as not winning the big one which means very little at the NFL Level…

tsjohnson5
tsjohnson5
September 1, 2014 9:05 pm
Reply to  paulman

SEC has better talent.
FSU has Jameis Winston.

My point was about talent – not 215 other college programs. Kelly’s system puts up video game numbers with mediocre to sub-par talent…but it didn’t matter when they met better competition – better comp won.

Hence why many question his “next man up” philosophy.

paulman
paulman
September 1, 2014 10:17 pm
Reply to  paulman

TSJ
Would you not say that Chip Kelly upgraded the Talent & Depth at Oregon big time to go along with his Scheme during his Tenure ?
Did it happen overnight, of course not,
He installs his Sysytem, Recruited Talent, then by Year 3-4
some of the most Athletic & Talented Players on the West Coast including California and even as far as Texas wanted to play for him. What was tre tradition or History of the Oregon Program
Before Chip Kelly? Didn’t he help create and Coach a consistent
Top 10 Program there ?
Now he is in Year #2 in the NFL which is the highest level of Football.. Let’s see what happens, but the man has an effective syst, knows Talent and how to fit that Talent into his Offense,
There is little doubt about the results..
Let’s see how he helps shape an NFL Defense and Special Teams and get a “Complete Team”, which again doesn’t happen in 1-2 Years, but He and the Eagles are well on their way and need another 1 to 2 Off-Seasons to get the Defense up to par with the Offense, then the sky’s the limit.. I believe this is what he’s working to accomplish as it’s hard to argue that the Eagles are not more Talented from Top to Bottom then they were when he took the Eagles Job as HC 18 Months ago..

Biglion821
Biglion821
September 2, 2014 7:59 am
Reply to  paulman

So who was a better college coach Saban or Kelly? Everybody wants to play for Alabama how has that talent transferred to the NFL? Who cares what kind of program you put together in college when in the NFL you need TALENT for your program to be successful.

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
September 2, 2014 8:07 am
Reply to  paulman

Sabin is the better recruiter –
X’s and O’s goes to Kelly

paulman
paulman
September 1, 2014 7:40 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

McCoy has 2-3 more Seasons to go and by the end of his Deal,
He will not be the same back, but a 85% McCoy is still pretty damn good
I do agree that good RB’s will thrive in Kelly’s System as they did at Oregon and Shady is a Special & a Great Back , but It’s about the pace, wearing down a D and of course, having the horses up front that are athletic enough to maintain the pace. Hell I could probably get 500 yards in this Offense..

haveacigar
haveacigar
September 1, 2014 7:42 pm
Reply to  paulman

No you couldn’t but your point is well taken!
Shady will be cut one year to early which many on here will whine about but in the end be a great decision

Muimuiman
Muimuiman
September 1, 2014 2:29 pm

I think people are underestimating the Skins. They can easily win 10 IF RG3 improves. Big IF though. But they are basically the only team I can see challenging the Birds.

Tough to estimate our record. If Foles can improve and can take his game to a Drew Brees level, this offense will be DEADLY. Id see us winning 13-14 games. I still think Nick has another year to go so Ill go 11-5

Muimuiman
Muimuiman
September 1, 2014 2:52 pm

Tom Coughlin is still the coach of the Giants Patrik lol

paulman
paulman
September 1, 2014 4:01 pm

I think the Giants are the Team to watch and could surprise and hang with the Eagles – Do note that they Started 0-6 Last Year, then won 7 of their final 10 Games with a piss-poor OL,QB & RB,WR play along with a Poor Defense with little to no Pass Rush, and poor tackling by LB’s & poor coverage throughout their Secondary..
Now Fast Forward to 2014 –
Giants Added 3 Solid OL (Walton,Schwartz & Richburg to go along with last years #1 Pick in Justin Pugh making their OL 100% better than last Year)
Giants Added 2 good RB’s (Rashard Jennings & Andrew Williams)
Giants Added 3 Solid CB’s (Rodgers-Cromartie, Thurmond & Bowman to go along with Amakurma and the return of Jalen Horsley
Fiants get the return of Safety Steve Brown who missed all of 2013
GIants DE to get Pressure in Robert Ayers, and hope that JPP returns to form with the young Damontre Moore who was a High Pick
Giants get a full Season with MLB Jon Beason who made a nice difference for them the last half of last Season when they obtained him from Panthers and Added the tough Jameel McClain from the Ravens as a Free Agent
DT’s are getting long in the tooth with Patterson/Jenkins but are expecting a break out season from Jonathon Hankins a 2nd Round PIck from last Draft

If the New OC (McAdoo) can get Eli Straightened out and stop thinking and get the ball out.. The Giants will be a tough out but will rely on their Running Game and attempt to grind the games and opponents out
They have questionable TE’s and Outside of WR Cruz, have no real proven big-play WR’s on the Outside.. This Years Top Pick in Odell Beckham has missed most of Training Camp and played in 0 Pre-Season Games nad Coach Coughlin is hoping he’s ready by late September/Early October and is way behind with the Playbook, so I am not sure how much of an impact he will make the 1st half of the Season .. Scat/Back – Slot Receiver Jernigan could emerge as a Playmaker in the Return Game and Screens,Bubble Routes,Reverse etc,etc but the other WR’s in Reuben Randle, Rooker Corey Washington & Practice Squad Player Preston Parker have a lot to prove..

paulman
paulman
September 1, 2014 5:20 pm

Paulman’s NFC Rankings

For Offense

Best and Most Consistent QB
1) Foles – Eagles
2) Romo – Cowboys
3) Eli Manning – Giants
4) RG3 – Redskins

Biggest Play Ability at QB
1) Romo – Cowboys
2) RG3 – Redskins
3) Foles – Eagles
4) Eli – GIants

QB most likely to make Poor Decisions & Poor Throws
1) RG3 – Redskins
2) Romo – Cowboys
3) Eli – Manning
4) Foles – Eagles

Best Running Back
1) Eagles – Lesean McCoy
2) Cowboys – DeMarco Murray
3) Redskins – Alferd Morris
4) Giants – Rashard Jennings

Best RB Corps
1) Eagles – McCoy, Sproles & Polk
2) Giants – Jennings, Andre Williams & P Hillis
3) Redskins – Morris, Ray Helu & Silas Redd
4) Cowboys – Murray, Lance Dunbar & Joseph Randle & Ryan Williams

Best TE
1) J Witten – Cowboys
2) B Celek – Eagles
3) J Reed – Redskins
4) D Fells – Giants

Best TE Corps
1) Eagles – Celek,Z Ertz,J Casey & T Burton
2) Redskins – Reed, L Paulsen & N Paul
3) Cowboys – Witten, G Escobar & J Hanna
4) Giants – Fells, L Donnell & Robinson

Best WR
1) Dez Bryant – Cowboys
2) Pierre Garcon – Redskins
3) Victor Cruz – Giants
4) Desean Jackson – Redskins

Best WR Corps
1) Redskins – (Garcon,D-Jax,A Brobers,S Moss, R Grant)
2) Cowboys – (Dez, T WIlliams, C Beasley, D Street)
3) Eagles – (Maclin,Cooper, Matthews & Huff)
4) Giants – (Cruz, R Randle, J Jernigan & O Beckham)

Best OL as a Group
1) Eagles – (Peters,Mathis,Kelce, Herremans & Johnson)
2) Cowboys – (T Smith, R Leary, T Frederick, Z Martin & D Free)
3) Giants – ( W Beatty, G Schawartz, J Walton, B Mosely & J Pugh)
4) Redskins – (T Williams, S Lauvao, K Lichtensteiger, C Chester & T Polumbus)

Best Offensive Coordinator
1) Eagles – Pat Shurmur (on the same page with Players and his Head Coach and knows all facets very well in Year 2)
2) Redskins – Jay Gruden (from his past success with the Bengals but a whole new Team with a Scrambling QB who is not very well suited for quick timing and decisive West Coast Offense Scheme)
3) Giants – J McAdoo (from his past success with Packers, but now is heading up a timing, West-Coast Scheme with a very immobile QB and not very athletic or experienced WR’s or TE’s)
4) Cowboys – Scott Linehan in charge of Passing Plays, O/Line Coach Callahan in charge of Running Plays, Jason Garrett, I am not sure what he’s responsible for so a very dysfunction group with too many hands in the pot… Cowboys will rely of the extended and broken plays that Romo makes which are many over a course of a game and Season, just like the negative and poor throws that he will make.. If RB D Murray doesn’t get 20-25 Carries a Game, which is the only chance they will have to win games and help keep their Defense off the field then they deserve to be a basement Team…

Best Head Coach
1) Giants – Tom Coughlin (2 Super Bowl Championships – but possibly at the end of a nice Career..)
2) Eagles – Chip Kelly (Can he ramp it up even more in Year #2, Has an excellent Staff, Coach’s by Inclusion and Staff’s Input, Has everyone on the Same Page on his Staff, Gives Authority and Accountability to all)
3) Redskins – Jay Gruden (Has a nice Resume but is unproven as this is his 1st Year as the HC . and wearing dual hats as OC & HC is very difficult to do during the games so keep an eye on his sideline communication, focus, getting the plays in, time management, managing the game,etc,etc)
4) Cowboys – Jason Garrett – has had most of his authority stripped away the last few years with an revolving door of Experienced Coach’s to help assist them with Callahan, Marinelli, Linehan and Owner/GM/OC wanna be Jerry Jones peaking in his ear, it’s a very dysfunctionable set up they have in Dallas and to be honest, I am not sure if any HC could be successful with so many Coordinators who are not on the same page

I will get into the Defenses and Special Teams a little later on

tsjohnson5
tsjohnson5
September 1, 2014 5:32 pm
Reply to  paulman

Someone has on green colored glasses.

lol

paulman
paulman
September 1, 2014 5:58 pm
Reply to  tsjohnson5

All-Based on Recent Player and Coach Performance’s TSJ
No Eagles Kool-Aid on my end.. I call them as I see them..

What are some of your difference’s in Position Rankings Here..
Fire away..

haveacigar
haveacigar
September 1, 2014 7:46 pm
Reply to  paulman

Paul as much as a goof ball that you are these rankings are fairly solid.i see no green glasses.

paulman
paulman
September 1, 2014 8:18 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

Thnx for the compliment HAC..
When I am serious about talking Football,
I can be objective and relatively accurate.
Unfortunately, I enjoy being a “goofball”
More often, than I do being serious… Ha..

haveacigar
haveacigar
September 1, 2014 8:37 pm
Reply to  paulman

The unfortunate part is that you will now predict the exact opposite and one will be correct and you will crow about it

paulman
paulman
September 1, 2014 9:19 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

Ha ha… Good one HAC..
I will get my Defensive Rankings
Come tomorrow… I’m pooped after the long
Weekend…

paulman
paulman
September 1, 2014 7:53 pm
Reply to  paulman

If Giants top Pick (WR Beckham) was healthy
And playing all Summer & Pre-Season
I would have had Giants WR Corp ahead of the
Eagles figuring their Top 3 of Cruz,Randle & Beckham
Would be better and more productive than the Eagles Top 3 of
Maclin,Cooper & Matthews
The Eagles WR Corps is the weakest Positional Group
Of the entire Team in my opinion and really prevents the Eagles to be a legitimate SB Contender in 2014, in my opinion..they will get locked down by good Secondaries and struggle to get separation

patrik411
patrik411
September 2, 2014 7:22 am
Reply to  paulman

Paulman nice ranking system, IM very curious as to how you will rank Billy Davis, given his past history of being just o. k. . The on thing I do know about you, is your a retired gent.

gloomysmitty
gloomysmitty
September 1, 2014 8:48 pm

The giants and redskins may have a better wr cor but it means nothing since there qb stinks. So it evens it out.

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
September 1, 2014 10:25 pm
Reply to  gloomysmitty

QB problems are more so an issue of offensive line pass protection problems. Both QB ‘s are struggling…Eli with new system and RG 3 with mechanics, but their o lines are not helping at all.

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
September 1, 2014 10:10 pm

Cliff, if you are watching Louisville vs Miami, I told you Lorenzo Mauldin Louisville OLB 94 was a stud. It’s his first game at OLB as he was moved from DE. Miami ILB Denzel Perryman is a beast also.

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
September 2, 2014 7:22 am
Reply to  Eaglehaslanded

good for Louisville — that is a big win for the program as it enters the ACC. That ref made a horrible call missing that lateral fumble TD costing the Cards 7 points.Happy it ultimately didn’t effect the result as it should have been 14-0 instead a few plays later Miami tied the game 7-7 by incorrectly erasing a 90 yard TD.

daggolden
daggolden
September 2, 2014 5:21 am

My Goodness 100 million dollars for a DT. JJ Watts just signed a ridiculous 100 million dollar contract with the Houston Texans. Yes I think he is great, yes he is a great role model, yes he may be the best defensive player in the NFL but 100 million dollars my goodness he signed QB money.I guess that means they are developing Clowney for someone else. 100 million for a DT is a steep price when you have no QB, a RB on the downside and a old receiver. I could possibly see if he was Reggie White at DE getting you 18 sacks a year but a DT on a 5 win team seems like you better find a great QB on a rookie contract and hope Clowney isn’t any good because he damn sure isn’t eating up another 10-20 million in cap space when its his turn. Thats Manning, Brees and Rogers money.

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
September 2, 2014 7:42 am
Reply to  daggolden

Houston lacks talents – I don’t see a player on Houston that is worthy of big money that Watts contract will prevent them from retaining ( Clowney is 5 years away) The Eagles are going to be in trouble next year 4 starter hit the open market ( Thornton, Maclin, Fletcher and Allen) then in 2015 4 more starters ( Foles, Ryans, Kendricks, & Cox) all will compete against each other for salary cap space)

paulman
paulman
September 2, 2014 7:49 am

Eagles should lock up Nate Allen & Cedric Thornton
With 3 year Deals before the Season gets going
Both these players have improved under Coach Davis
It doesn’t need to be over-mart or Crazy $$$
But the Eagles can sign them both now for
Reasonable Long term Deals..

paulman
paulman
September 2, 2014 7:53 am
Reply to  paulman

I do not resign Maclin until he proves he can last a full Season
WR’s are a dime a dozen in Kelkys scheme and if Matthews & Huff Develop like I think they can, I let Maclim walk after the Season

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
September 2, 2014 8:06 am
Reply to  paulman

I don’t know how they are going to do it — I think Maclin is going to have a pro bowl year this season.
The only prediction I feel safe making is Trent Cole is not making starter money next year.

paulman
paulman
September 2, 2014 3:30 pm

Here’s a look at Defensive & Special Teams Rankings for the NFC East

Special Teams

Kicker –
1) Cowboys – Dan Bailey (Very Strong Leg, Consistent Kicker, 93% of FG’s made last year with a Career 90% in FG made over Career)
2) Giants – Josh Brown (12th Year in the NFL, Make 88% of FG’s last year)
3) Redskins – Kai Forbath (3rd Year in NFL – Made 82% of FG’s last year)
4) Eagles – Cody Parkey (Very Strong leg but Unproven)

Punter –
1) Eagles – Donnie Jones (Strong Leg, Great hang time and kicks within the 20 yard Line)
2) Giants – Sean Weatherford (Strong Leg and has performed well over his Career)
3) Cowboys – Chris Jones (Nice average and Hang time)
4) Redskins – Tress Way (Nice Preseason, in his 1st Season, Unproven)

Coverage Units
1) Eagles – Made some nice improvements to this Years Coverage Units
with Braman,Maragos,Brad Smith.. Best in the Division
2) Giants – Made some improvements
3) Redskins – Have struggled in Pre-season with Coverage Units
4) Cowboys – Have looked terrible in Pre-Season with Coverage units

Return Units
1) Cowboys – Have always had good Return Teams Dwayne Harris is their main Return man, with Cole Beasley,D Murray also in the mix)
2) Redskins – Andre Roberts is a very good Punt Returner, Ray Helu on Kicks plus Have D-Jax to take an occasional Punt)
3) Eagles – Sproles on Punts is good, but Who will handle Kick-offs? (Huff, Carroll, Matthews,Maehl ??)
4) Giants – Jernigan, Randle on Returns & Kicks until Beckham gets up to speed

Defense

The DL Corps as a Base Starting Unit
1) Redskins – 3-4 Scheme (Coefield, Baker and Jenkins as Starters)
2) Giants – 4-3 Scheme(JPP, Hankins,Patterson & Kiwanuka as Starters)
3) Eagles – 3-4 Scheme (Cox, Logan & Thornton as the Base Starters)
4) Cowboys – 4-3 Scheme (Selvie,Hayden,Melton & Mincey as Starters)

LB Corps
1) Redskins – (Ryan Kerrigen, Perry Riley,Keenan Robinson & Brian Orapko)
2) Eagles – (C Barwin,M Kendricks,D Ryans and T Cole)
3) Giants – (Jacquain WIlliams, Jon Beason, Jemeel McClain)
4) Cowboys – (Bruce Carter, Anthony Hitchens & Kyle Wilber)

CB Corps
1) Giants – (DRC,Walter Thurmond, Zac Bowman, Prince Amakurama & Jaylen Hosley have the most Talent on paper, but 3 are new Players in their 1st Year with Giants and playing with each other so all new Systems, & players to adjust to.. J Hosely is returning from Knee/ACL injury)
2) Eagles – (Fletcher,Williams,Boykin,Carroll & Watkins give the Eagles Experience and 2nd Year in the System, no Stars here, but a toughness, consistency, sound tacklers and complement each other well)
3) Redskins – (DeAngelo Hall, Dave Amerson are the Starters experienced Veteran in Tracey Porter as the Nickel Back with Rookie Bashaud Breeland,. who will be a very good one after a season or two…
4) Cowboys – (Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne have both disappointed the past 2 Seasons and have been outplayed by Orlando Scandrick who faces a 4 Game Suspension..Rookie Terrance Mitchell has played well in Camp but is a 7th Round Draft Pick still adjusting to the NFL

Safety Corps
1) Giants – Antrolle Rolle, Steve Brown and Quentin Demps
2) Eagles – Malcom Jenkins, Nate Allen, Eric Wolfe
3) Cowboys – JJ Wilcox, Barry Church and Ahmad Dixon
4) Redskins – Ryan Clark, Baccari Rambo and B Merriweather

Defensive Coordinators
1) Giants – Perry Jewell – Needs better play from Front 4 or is in trouble
2) Eagles – Butch Davis – Bend but don’t break, need more Pressure
3) Redskins – Jim Haslett – High Risk,High Reward Scheme..
4) Cowboys – Rod Marinelli – The Tampa 2 Scheme has been ineffective for years now..

Best Past Rush –
1) Redskins – Ryan Kerrigen, Brian Orapko, Jason Hatcher all have the ability and scheme to reach Double Digits in Sacks
2) GIants – JPP, Robert Ayers, Damontre Moore & Kiwanuka , Cullen Jenkins all have to return to form… IF JPP returns to 2011 level of play and Damontre Moore can be consistent, this could be a dangerous group
3) Eagles – Trent Cole, Vinny Curry, Brandon Graham and then ??
4) Cowboys – George Selvie, Andrew Spencer can get after the QB, but not much after that, lots of Young Players

Best Red-Zone/Short Yardage Defense
1) Redskins – Big DL, Hard Hitting Safeties which are good in SHort Yardage and Red-Zone
2) Giants – Size and Athleticism along DL – Big Safety’s will Ball Skills
3) Eagles – Active LB’s, need Fletcher Cox & Malcom Jenkins to come thru
4) Cowboys – Have issues along Front 7, weak CB’s and Young Safety’s

Overall Defensive Units as a Team
1) Redskins – The Best Front 7 In the Division.. DeAngleo Hall is probably best Cover CB in NFC East, but is very emotional and can lose his focus and discipline, Can Ryan Kerrigan & Brian Orapko stay healthy together for an entire Season.. Does newcomer DT Jason Hatcher duplicate what he did for the Cowboys last Season and get 10+ Sacks.. can Safety’s Ryan Clark and Brandon Meriweather turn back the clock and play at High Level..
DC Haslett has his most Talented Group, can he maintain discipline and not give up so many big plays down the Field

2) Eagles – Keys are Fletcher Cox, Kendricks and Malcolm Jenkins, can they all improve and play as a Unit, Does Boykin and Nolan Carroll help contribute more Turnovers for the Defense… Who on the DL is going to contribute a more consistent Pass-Rush.. Can Trent Cole and Connor Barwin pick up where they left off last Season which was at a high level.. D Ryans is the glue that holds the Defense together, can he lead again and continue to play at a high level.. Can Vinny Curry, Brandon Graham be consistent and make impacts to get more Playing time
3) Giants – Antrelle Rolle, Stevie Brown who is a Interception machine, how do New CB’s Walt Thurmond and the enigmatic DRC, who has the talent and had a nice season last Year with Denver, but you never know what you will get with him… MLB Beason is the heart of their Defense, Can he stay healthy for a Full Season.. Can DT’s Mike Patterson & Cullen Jenkins play a Full Season at this Stage of their Careers…
4) Cowboys are a mess everywhere outside of Safety Position
Their Front 7 is probably the weakest in the entire NFL, their CB’s are below average and don’t like to tackle.. Their Safety’s play hard and hit hard,but are limited in Pass-Coverages… DC Marinelli has his hands full and the Cowboys are a 4-5-6-7 Players away from a legitimate Defense, but they do have a lot young athletic Players who will get opportunities to Play
I expect them to be the worst ranked Defense when the Season comes to an end in terms of Yards,Points, Big-Plays and especially against the Rush..

Team Record for 2014 Season

1) Eagles 11-5
2) Giants 9-7
3) Redskins 8-8
4) Cowboys 6-10

Igglessb27
Igglessb27
September 2, 2014 4:49 pm

Here is how you make sure the Eagles roster is the best in the division.

1. Drop C Matthews and promote Acho to the roster. Matthews is not NFL caliber so just throw out the trash.
2. Place Trey Burton on the Practice Squad, the opening Acho getting promoted created. Burton will pass through waivers without a sniff, he isn’t even good enough for the AFL let alone the NFL.
3. With the opening created by putting Burton where he belongs put Tucker on the roster. Need 3 healthy RB’s and Polk is softer then tissue paper.
4. Trade Barkley for anything you can get draft pick wise. Brad Smith is on the roster and can serve as the Emergency QB if Foles and Sanchez get hurt. Barkley will never see the field and if he is needed the team is in trouble so better off going with Smith and using the roster spot wiser.
5. With the open roster spot bring up Reynolds so that as he learns and catches up along with improving you don’t have to worry about losing him.
6. Just like C Matthews cut Maehl. He just simply canNOT play at the NFL level. Any available WR would be an upgrade.

Those simple quiet moves would improve this roster and help guarantee a division title. If C Matthews, Maehl, Barkley or Burton EVER see the field this teams season is OVER.

paulman
paulman
September 2, 2014 6:44 pm
Reply to  Igglessb27

Button and even Casey played some QB early in their College Careers in & High School Careers in case of a real emergency..
DCAr also has been seen passing the Ball around the Park…

paulman
paulman
September 2, 2014 7:07 pm

***NFL News*****
Panthers add WR Stephen Hill to Practice Squad.. A low-risk
High-reward type of Transaction for the Panthers who need big time help
For outside speed at the WR Position.. Maybe a change of scenery is just what he needed, if he craps out, then nothing losses by the Panthers
Smart move by them and Hill who could find himself in a few weeks after practicing with Cam & Co… Benjamin and Hill could make a nice tandem down the road..

paulman
paulman
September 2, 2014 7:10 pm

***Paulman Rumor of a Deal between
The 49ers & Eagles…
Eagles Send QB Matt Barkley & DE/OLB
Brandon Graham to 49ers for ILB Ahmad Brooks
And WR Steve Johnson…
Details at 11pm…