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  • September 03, 2008 08:55 PM ET

Philadelphia Eagles will soar to the top of the NFC East again this season.

BombSniffinDog (0-5-0) vs Cowboys-Celtics-Chisox (384-168-36)
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After a lackluster season, the Eagles are flying a little under the radar as they've revamped major aspects of their team and are posed to regain control of the NFC East and perhaps the NFC in general.

Offense: they still have what many NFL minds think might be the most dangerous matchup problem, Brian Westbrook.

Intangibles: Andy Reid never admitted it, but being a devote mormon and having two of his sons battle drug problems, trouble with the law, house arrest, and then prison time must have dealt an unimaginable toll on him last season. I'm surprised he just didn't take a leave of absence. Over the years and recently, losing coaching staff Harbaugh (Ravens), Spagnoulo (Giants), Childress (Vikings) couldn't have been easy, but he still has Jim Johnson, and Morningweg is established and has a healthy QB to work with now. I think Reid has gathered his wind, and will be back to prove he's one of the NFL's best.

Defense: New young faces and legs. Most notably, out with the old: Javon Kearse, Jeremiah Trotter etc. and a new fresh linebacking corp that is eager and fast, and flashy free agent star CB Asante Samuel. I'll talk more about defense in my next argument.


On paper the Eagles are certainly an intriguing team and looks to have improved some in the off-season.

There are a few problems with this team making the playoffs, let alone winning the Division, though.

Their starting QB and RB are both another year older and seemingly as fragile as china dolls. McNabb hasn't been available for all 16 games in 5 years. Westbrook has NEVER been available for all 16 games. In a lesser division they might be able to get away with Donovan and Westbrook missing the inevitable game or three, but not in the NFCE where even a short term absence can find them out of the race quite quickly. A long term injury to either of those guys and the offense shuts down completely.

And, of course, the competition in that division is absolutely brutal. Standing in the Eagles way from last year are THREE playoff teams.

A revamped and much improved Redskins team that just added the NFL defensive player of the year from a couple of seasons ago to what was already a stout D.

The defending world champs who will be on a mission to prove last year was no fluke and has plenty of talent to do just that.

Finally, Dallas returns 13 pro-bowlers and major upgrades.


Forfeited Turn


Bad case of premature ejaculation? Did you blow your whole load on the first argument and had nothing left for a second? I feel for your wife/girlfriend.

What it comes down to is that there are 3 other teams in the division that were better a year ago. You are predicting they will leapfrog all 3.

I'll even concede the Redskins. No need to make your argument for you here.

The Giants are still a deeper and more talented team than Philly. I know, that alone doesn't give them the nod but they learned a little something about winning last year, don't ya think?

Finally, the argument you knew was coming. Dallas Cowboys. Easily the best team not just in the East, but in the entire NFC...on paper. Philly isn't anywhere CLOSE to this team talent wise. Most every rational Eagles fan will admit that.

This is a team returning 13 pro-bowlers and went 13-3 a year ago. But they still had weakness. Two. Secondary and kick returns.

What did they do? Well, the traded for Pac Man, drafted Mike Jenkins in the 1st round and traded for Adam Jones.

Ah...Adam Jones. He actually fills BOTH deficiencies. Did you know he was a better kick returner than Devin Hester two years ago? You do now.


Eagles Defense: The NFC East has talent at the WR positions ie. T.O. and Burress. But, if there was one secondary perhaps in the NFL i'd have, its the Eagles with Sheldon Brown, Brian Dawkins, Asante Samuel, Lito Shepard.

looking at the players who left (like Jevon Kearse), I don't see much to miss. And they've brought in younger hungrier guys like Chris Clemons who will fit in with Trent Cole and Juqua Thomas to turn up the sack totals.

A new linebacking corp younger, faster, and physically bigger, gone is Takeo Spikes. Stewart Bradley, Chris Gocong, and Omar Gaither will be showing what they've learned last year.

Let's be honest, when it comes down to the QB, who do you REALLY want? McNabb's been healthier and looking great for a long time. what has Tony Romo won recently? And Eli is a champ, I give him credit for that, but it wasn't Eli who shut down the Patriots offense.

Speaking of which, the giants defense won't be the same this season. Their biggest strength, the Def. Line has been decimated.

The Cowboys have talent, but they need to keep an OLDER T.O. productive and Romo on a leash as he plays golf and goes on vacations with blondes.


"Let's be honest, when it comes down to the QB, who do you REALLY want?"

Romo, and it's not even open for debate. You do realize he has the #1 career passer rating among ALL active QB's right? Yep, higher than Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Nearly 11 points higher than McNabb.

McNabb - 85.8
Romo - 96.5

Add in that Romo is younger and much less injury prone and it's no contest at this stage in their careers who I'd much rather have as my QB.

"The Cowboys have talent, but they need to keep an OLDER T.O. productive "

You mean the old guy who leads ALL NFL receivers in TD receptions over the last two years? Yep, more than Moss.

"Romo on a leash as he plays golf and goes on vacations with blondes."

Please. Romo broke every major single season team passing record there is last year. A franchise that has two QB's in the HOF, mind you. In his FIRST full season in the NFL, Tony had a better year than any of them.

To say the Cowboys have talent is the understatement of the year. In addition to the 13 pro-bowlers they return, in addition to trading for Pac-man and drafting Felix Jones and Mike Jenkins...they ALSO signed 7 time pro bowler Zach Thomas. This team is loaded.

Comments (61) Add A Comment

September 3, 2008  09:30 PM ET
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I think the Cowboys will win it.

September 3, 2008  09:30 PM ET
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Leaning to CCC

September 3, 2008  09:49 PM ET
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They won't get it this year. Let's see in McNabb can manage to have a healthy year for once.

September 3, 2008  10:42 PM ET
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The NFL is funny league. Repeat champions rare in the NFC outside of Seattle. Things will not go how we think.

September 3, 2008  11:16 PM ET
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i do believe McNabb had one of those incomplete seasons when he went to the SB....

September 3, 2008  11:49 PM ET
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Who exactly is McNabb going to throw to when he is healthy?

September 3, 2008  11:56 PM ET
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personally ... I think Philly will be better this year than last, but I don't think they're over the hump yet ... only the season will tell ...

September 4, 2008  01:26 AM ET
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Tough act to follow bball_star.

I'll just have to remain mute until later on in this TD, I guess.

September 4, 2008  03:51 AM ET
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Who exactly is McNabb going to throw to when he is healthy?
Sooner in WA- Cardinals blow | 09/03/08, 11:49 PM


kevin curtis....brain westbrook

next question

September 4, 2008  09:37 AM ET
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im a die hard eagles fan, but this is hard for me to vote for the eagles, though the areas they lacked most!! I will list here and how they have addressed them.

Kick return- Demps has shown he is a solid kick returner has avereraged 37 yards a return.
Punt return- Jackson took one to the house and had a 44 yard return negated by a penalty
Turnovers- Added asante samuel and lets not forget the other reason we suffered from that is because of injuries and pass rush. Added chris clemons to help on rush, and lito missed 5-6 games and so did dawkins! They are both healthy and we added samuel.
Redzone- Healthy LJ is going to help that alot, he is a very underrated tight end. Lets not forget 2 years ago he was an alternate in the pro bowl!

People talk about our recivers but our offense still ranked 6th in the nfl. But to the top of the division i dont know that yet!! Ill wate and see all arguments here, but i am leaning on CCC for vote right now

September 5, 2008  12:28 AM ET
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I just can't see the 'Girls not winning the division this year. They were a great team already last year, and now with Romo with another year under his belt and the Cowboys improving (Adam and Felix Jones), I would be shocked if they didn't lock up the #1 seed again.

September 5, 2008  12:32 PM ET
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This is Simple the Eagles are old and fragile. Redskins suck anyone watch last night, with that said the Giants could only put up 16 points on a defense that was clueless. Watch out NFC East the Boys are back in town....We will see you in February Cowboys....
Go Pats....

September 5, 2008  01:18 PM ET
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Eagles on top? Are you serious...noway shape noir form will they be at top....GO COWBOYS!

Will be no mediocre Giants and just average/below average Eli going to win with luck this year..luck has ran out and so has some of there key players....didnt look all that impressive against the Skins for being "returning superbowl champs"

But wins a win, it was sloopy non the less.

Sunday here yet damnit!!!!

September 5, 2008  01:58 PM ET
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I wish the Giants were healthy..they would've been the best. Also, I don't quite understand letting Wilson and Mitchell walk.

September 5, 2008  02:19 PM ET
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Eagles on top? Are you serious...noway shape noir form will they be at top....GO COWBOYS!

Riggs | 09/05/08, 01:18 PM

Careful. We can lay things out on paper and speculate that there is no way the Eagles will be a better team than Dallas this year. But the NFL has a funny way of humbling everyone who thinks they know what will happen in the coming year.

However, based on the arguments presented, CCC takes this one.

September 5, 2008  02:40 PM ET
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I would love to see what they can do but, unfortunately they can't win the big games. Sorry Philly fans you know more than I.

September 5, 2008  02:46 PM ET
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If there is one thing that alleviates my hatred of the Cowboys, it is the absolute disdain I have for all things Philadelphia. If I could hate both cheese and steaks, I'd do that too.

September 5, 2008  02:48 PM ET
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I wish the Giants were healthy..they would've been the best. Also, I don't quite understand letting Wilson and Mitchell walk.

Jason Kidd is a Yankee Fan! | 09/05/08, 01:58 PM
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It's very simple. Gibril Wilson was going to get a monster contract (he did) that the Giants did not value him for. He essentially got overpaid. In the NFL, you have to be very wary about overpaying talent that can be replaced through the draft.

And with the Kawika Mitchell thing - alot of people confuse me on this. Mitchell was a nobody who we picked up for the LB corp. He was very strong in a good defensive scheme. They weren't going to pay him like a great LB. Because, well, he isn't. I have no problem with losing those 2, though our linebacking corp. is now shorthanded (via Osi's injury).

September 5, 2008  02:51 PM ET
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The Eagles are taking it, but right had better and more arguments.

 
September 5, 2008  02:54 PM ET
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I see CCC is getting cheap wins whereever he can. Very unimpressive dude.

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