The NFC East is shaping up as the toughest division in the NFL. The Cowboys are loaded with talent and should be the frontrunners heading into this season. The Eagles are hoping a healthy Donovan McNabb can be the difference and in Washington the Jim Zorn era brings new hope that a perennial underachiever like the Skins can take the next step. All eyes will also be on the Giants and whether or not they have the goods to repeat as champions.  




1. DALLAS COWBOYS

3 KEYS ENTERING 2008

1. GROUND GAME: With Julius Jones gone the onus will fall on Marion Barber to be a full time starter for the first time in his career. In limited duty he displayed the kind of power and drive to be a starter but now that he has to lug it 15-22 times a game, will he be as effective? That is why rookies Felix Jones or Tashard Choice must prove they can step up and absorb carries.

2. A SOLID SECOND RECEIVING OPTION MUST EMERGE: Cowboys fans might say that the second option at wide receiver is Patrick Crayton but that’s not the case because as the season wore on, Crayton faded. With Terry Glenn gone, either Crayton needs to step up or someone else must emerge to take pressure off of Terrell Owens and Jason Whitten.

3. D MUST PROVE ITS WORTH: We all know how potent the Cowboys offense is but what about the defense? Over the course of the 2007 season, the defense played well for the most part, they forced turnovers and got to the quarterback. The problem is they give up big plays and had a tendency to allow offenses to drive the ball on them at crucial times in a game. If the Cowboys are to get to Tampa, they have to limit the points they give up and get off the field on third down.

IN THE END: The Boys are loaded and are not only one of the most talented teams in the NFC but in the entire league as well. There is no doubt they’ll win 11 to 13 games and get into the playoffs. The question is, can Tony Romo finally prove he is the guy to get them there and is the defense going to rise up when it has to?

2. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

3 KEYS ENTERING 2008

1. MCNABB HAS TO STAY HEALTHY: The Eagles are always a sexy pick but so much of their success rests on the right arm of Donovan McNabb. If McNabb can stay on the field the entire season, then this is a team that could threaten the Boys supremacy atop the NFC East. If he can’t, Philly is rather ordinary with either AJ Feeley or Kevin Kolb under center. The Eagles can go a long way in keeping McNabb on the field if they can effectively run the ball better.

2. ANOTHER PLAYMAKER MUST EMERGE: We all know what Brian Westbrook can do but someone else must step up and complement him namely a receiver. Kevin Curtis sort of became that guy last season but he struggled at times and had “big” games in bunches. Either Reggie Brown or LJ Smith or even rookie DeSean Jackson must step up and develop into that guy or at least be another piece.

3. SAMUEL MUST SOLIDIFY SECONDARY: We all know DC Jim Johnson loves to bring pressure and play exotic fronts but in order to do those things, you needs to have a secondary that can match-up regardless of the coverage. Asante Samuel “got paid” to do that and he needs to be the catalyst for what is fast becoming a weak secondary.

IN THE END: The Eagles played well enough down the stretch last season to possibly get in but it was too late. On paper, they are a playoff team but too much of their success will hinge on the health of Donovan McNabb, a suspect receiving corp. and an aging D. If all of those come together, this is a good team but if not, 7-9 or 8-8 is once again on the horizon.

3. WASHINGTON REDSKINS:

3 KEYS ENTERING 2008

1. LIFE AFTER JOE: The Skins are now entering the Jim Zorn era and the unlikely head coaching candidate has made quite an impression so far. The 55 year old Zorn is energetic and bring a youthful presence to his approach especially at handling players. He is from the Bobby Ross, Mike Holmgren trees respectively and his philosophy has been shaped by those two men. Interestingly enough, Zorn will keep Gibbs’ run game and incorporate a Seahawks style passing game.

2. IS CAMPBELL THE GUY? That is one of the most frequently asked questions in Washington D.C and around the league. There is no question Campbell has the size and the arm to play in this league but can he adapt to a new “complex” passing offense and can he master yet another system? Jim Zorn will give him every opportunity to land the starting job, whether or not he does, is another story entirely. So far he has looked good in camp but only tells some of the story. We’ll see what happens when the games start counting.

3. CHANGES MUST ADAPT: Dan Synder has brought in new mercenaries in the form of rookies Fred Davis, Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly along with recently acquired Jason Taylor. We all know what Taylor will bring to the Redskin front four and their defense as a whole but he along with the rookies must adapt to new roles. In the end, I think they all will but in the past the Skins have had trouble with chemistry.

IN THE END: There is no question that Zorn’s hiring will re-energize this organization, the question is, will it translate to wins? On the famed piece of paper, the Skins are talented but they have struggled recently to harness that talent and do better than 10-6 or 9-7. Zorn must come in and bring these pieces together right from jump street. If he can do that, this team is good enough to win 12 games. Obviously much of that success will hinge on the right arm of Jason Campbell and a healthy Clinton Portis. If all falls into place, why not the Skins?

4. NEW YORK GIANTS:

3 KEYS ENTERING 2008

1. NO SUPER BOWL HANGOVER: Nothing against the G-men but its easy to forget sometimes that you have to defend your title. Now that all the commercials have been filmed and all the free agents have left along with Michael Strahan retiring, can this team focus and get back towards defending their title.

2. CAN THE HOLES BE PLUGGED? With Jeremy Shockey, Strahan and certain free agents gone, can the Giants replaces these veterans who were so crucial to their success last season. We will see pretty early if Kevin Boss is the right guy at tight end or if James Butler or rookie Kenny Phillips can replace Gibril Wilson at free safety or if Justin Tuck can replace a legend and still be productive.

3. CAN ELI CEMENT HIS REPUTATION AS AN UPPER ECHELON QB? There is no doubt that Eli Manning grew up in front of our eyes in the Super Bowl but can he now become what Tom Brady is or what his brother is for that matter? A great Super Bowl performance is one thing, but Eli now must prove he has staying power and that he is the unquestioned leader of this team. With Strahan gone and arch enemy Jeremy Shockey shipped out, Eli must step up to the podium and accept the role!

IN THE END: I KNOW Giants fans are going to roast me and call out who the hell do I think I am? Well, I am the doctor and I don’t buy the G-Men as a repeat champion, PERIOD! You don’t replace what they have to and not feel it! Last season’s end run was one for the books but this team overachieved and played way above their heads especially in beating New England. Its hard to imagine them doing it again especially in what is arguably the toughest division in the game. A .500 record is realistic but anything more than that and the fat-happy G-Men overachieved.