2007 NFL Division Ranking: #3 - NFC East

I have ranked the NFC East as #3 overall in the NFL and #1 in the NFC. I tried to do everything I could to avoid ranking this division this high. The teams in this division get more coverage and media attention than any other combined group. Year in and year out, this division is ranked as the toughest in football, yet for the most part, this has been a division of mediocre teams.

This year though, they deserve a high ranking for no other reason that three of these teams could potentially finish first as easily as third. There is not a whole lot of distance between these teams and the rivalries between all of these teams is always fierce and entertaining. So why not rank them higher? Because not one of these teams is outstanding. I don’t feel that the NFC will be represented by a team out of this division. On top of that, I don’t feel that any team in the NFC will win the Superbowl.

So, ranking the teams in this division comes down to a roll of the dice. I will start with the team that has had the most success recently and maintained a solid, consistent coaching staff throughout many changes in the division. That would make the Philadelphia Eagles my early favorites to win the East. However, there success hinges on the health of Donovan McNabb. His recent injury riddled seasons have been disappointing since their trip to the superbowl. In addition, the Eagles moved Jeff Garcia this off season to make room for a young gun at the position. With Brian Westbrook, the Eagles field the most versatile running game in this division. Westbrook is the prototypical West Coast running back and I think Reid finally realizes that he needs to make the proper usage of his talents. Kevin Curtis is an exciting addition at receiver that is an immediate upgrade to the position and should flourish in this offense.

On defense, the Eagles remain very strong. They have solid players at all 3 levels of this defense and can defend the run and pass both well. Their draft picks aren’t overly exciting, but Andy Reid has shown that he generally fields a competitive team every year and has a knack for finding talent where none is immediately apparent. No team is going to run away with the division title here, but the Eagles do seem to have the most balance and least strife of any of these teams.

It can be argued that the Dallas Cowboys have the most talent in this division. They will be extremely competitive and there is an air of anticipation from Cowboys fans that has been absent for the past few seasons. I, for one, was saddened by the departure of Bill Parcells. His disdain and contempt for the media was both unique and extremely entertaining. I will miss his press conferences immensely. Meanwhile, Wade Phillips inherits a team that is well positioned to take their perch among the elite teams again. Tony Romo is likely quite anxious to get back on the field and make the fans forget about the muffed hold in his last game. I think Romo is the real deal and will be more comfortable this year. Jones and Barber have provided a great tandem at tailback, as well as a frustration for fantasy owners every where (Jones gets the yards, Barber gets the touchdowns). Terrell Owens has moments where he is arguably the best wide receiver in the game, interspersed with unexplained drops and an eccentric personality.

The defense was good, but needs some tweaking, either by personnel or scheme, in the secondary. Too many games were lost last year by giving up the home run. The nearly complete change in coaching staff prevents me from placing them higher. Besides the transition that the any new coaching staff brings, the new offensive and defensive coordinator are both in the first year at their respective positions. This will be a very interesting season for the Dallas Cowboys. Jerry Jones is a victim of his own success. His early success with Jimmy Johnson inflated his ego and he is just now barely learning that he needs to be less hands-on at times. His hiring of Parcells was indicative that he wanted a stronger personality at coach. Is Phillips a continuation of this trend or a desire for more control by Jones?

The Washington Redskins enter the 2007 season with the same question that has arisen for seemingly forever. How can a team that has acquired nearly every big free agent recently still be floundering at the quarterback position? Every year the Redskins jump in to the free agent market head first, yet never seem to fill the most glaring need. That being said, there have been very positive reports about the progress of Jason Campbell. Clinton Portis is a complete running back that should have another solid season. And while the receivers won’t win many jump balls, they are speedy and elusive.

This is stacking up to be a classic Joe Gibbs team. An aggressive defense that can keep the games close coupled with a running game that can grind down a defense and the clock. Finally a quarterback that needs to be efficient with receivers that are play-makers when they get the ball in their hands. The Redskins will prove to be a tough draw, week in and week out this year. And while it would not surprise me if they won the division, I feel that the Eagles and Cowboys have a more complete team overall than the Redskins.

I would definitely be surprised if the New York Giants finished first in this division. In fact, I expect them to struggle and don’t see them escaping from the cellar. I really don’t like anything that I am seeing from the New York Giants. Tom Coughlin is trying to get in touch with his softer side? Coughlin suddenly looks desperate to save his job and I think he realizes that it is not going to be easy. Las Vegas needs to put an over/under on the number of games until he literally explodes.

Even with their recent success, the Giants have proven to be inconsistent. No lead is too great for the Giants to blow (or overcome seemingly). It all starts with Eli Manning. He can look exactly like his brother one play and exactly like his other brother (the one that doesn’t play football) the next. Plaxico and Shockey are both phenomenal talents that always seem to be taken out of the game by the opposition. Plaxico will sulk when he isn’t involved in the game and Shockey lets his emotions get the best of him too often. The most consistent and most dangerous player on the offense retired. On the other side of the ball, the defense has always been decent at best and somewhat porous at worst. The undisputed leader on defense is apparently set to retire instead of play for this team and there is very little concern from the management. This year is going to be tough for the Giants and they will be in complete rebuild mode next year with a new coach at the helm.

This is a 3-way tag-team battle for the division winner. I believe that there is an up and coming elite team here in the Cowboys, but it will take several seasons for the coaching staff to gel. The Eagles may be getting to the edge of their window, while it is hard to read whether the Redskins are coming or going as they are so active in the offseason. The Giants will definitely reach rock bottom this year to start their cycle again. One thing is for certain. All of these teams are all high-profile and the competition is always fierce when they play each other. Mark these divisional games down as must-see T.V.