2011 NFL Preview: NFC East

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-Digger's Daily-

Here we go. NFL 2011 season is ready to go. Teams are making last minute roster adjustments. Odds makers gearing up for a big opening weekend of betting. Players chomping at the bit to play for real after a long pre-season filled with decimating injuries.

How will the final standings read after all is said and done once the 16 game schedule concludes? One thing is for certain - once again - NFL 2011 will be action packed from opening kickoff to the final whistle.
All World All Sports goes division by division previewing/predicting how the NFL will shake out in 2011. Let's begin with the NFC.

NFC East

1 - Philadelphia Eagles

Offense: Speed. Team speed. How will defenses contain Michael Vick, DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Brent Celek, Steve Smith, Jason Avant and Riley Cooper. Out of their backfield is LeSean McCoy and Ronnie Brown. Vick's decision making may very well determine if the Eagles score the most points during the regular season. Offense is primed to average well over 30 points/game if they're able to protect the pigskin.
Defense: Eagles usually known for their D but suffered a bit by lapses in 2010. Juan Castillo is Philly's new DC. Eagles added plenty of new faces & depth for '11. Question marks surrounding all phases of defense from front line, linebackers and cornerbacks. Andy Reid is one of NFL's best. I'm believing his D will step it up a notch. However, with Philly's quick strike offense - will D be worn out by end of 3rd quarter?
Prediction: 12-4 NFC East division winners

2 - New York Giants

Offense: Eli Manning single handily wrecked the Giants season as the NFL leader in turnovers. Time after time he coughed up the ball in situations dictating throwing the ball out of bounds or taking a sack. Banged up offensive line & wide receivers didn't help matters either. Inconsistency was the Giants theme in '10. What's up for 2011? More of the same or football smarts?
Defense: Training camp took a painful toll on New York's secondary. Opponents will try exploiting this make-shift group early and often until they prove worthy of stopping opposing offenses. Good luck. Giants pass rushers will have to save the day - Justin Tuck, Jason Pierre-Paul, Mathias Kiwanuka and eventually Osi Umenyiora will rattle a few cages as NFL's top pass rushing unit.
Prediction: Don't get your hopes up this year Giants fans. 9 wins max.

3 - Washington Redskins
Offense: Shanahan recently named Rex Grossman starting QB. Gross often gets grilled by media types because he's not a prototypical QB. All Rex needs to do is play efficient football - something he's quite capable of doing regularly if teammates chip in. Key to offense is Skins running game. Shanahan produced 11 1,000+ yard rushers in 12 Denver seasons. Something tells me a secured offensive line is ready to go. Hightower is their featured back and he's ready for a breakout season.
Defense: Shanahan's sticking with 3-4 system. I'm no fan of the 3-4 as it opens up the D to many potential mistakes vs big opposing offensive lines. Skins D ranked 31st in '10 - will be tested often in '11.
Prediction: 7 win season is definitely attainable. If Rex & Co. can score - if D can sufficiently derail opposing attacks - Washingtom may become the cinderella story of 2011. Don't bet on it - don't be surprised if it happens either.

4 - Dallas Cowboys

Offense: Whoa, 2011 could turn ugly quickly. Only one good bit of news for Dallas heading into regular season opener - Tony Romo is back. Plenty of bad news beginning with a terrible make-shift offensive line featuring two rookies. Romo will be running for his life. Runningbacks soon to be challenged looking for running lanes vs formidale NFC East defensive linemen.
Defense: No NFC team surrendered more points in 2010. Dallas picked up an all star coordinator - Rob Ryan of the famously defensive minded Ryan clan (father - Buddy, brother - Rex). Don't expect miracles in 2011 as personnel is probably division's worst. Ryan will blitz from every direction out of necessity with a weak in all areas D. 2011 could bet ugly early, often and every game. Dallas is a long way off from thinking about playoff football.
Prediction: Jason Garrett is not head coach material. Will Dallas Cowboys head coach revolving door continue? 4-12 season says most definitely!
Up next - NFC North.

Giants Fumble NFC East

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The New York Giants (9-5) played strong football for a little more than 3 and 1/2 quarters this afternoon against Michael Vick's Philadelphia Eagles. During the week Giants pass rusher Justin Tuck vowed the team would "finish" without any let downs. Today, New York led Philadelphia 31-10 with 8:17 to go. One mistake after another... after another... and yet, another... led to the final mistake and 38-31 loss as time expired. "The Miracle in the New Meadowlands" was pulled off again by Philadelphia.

Players, assistant coaches and head coach Coughin all contributed to the newest Giants meltdown vs the Eagles. At stake was the NFC East division title. A win would have put the Giants in control of their own destiny at 10-4. A potential to win a much desired first round playoff bye loomed in the picture. It wasn't to be and "The Miracle at the New Meadowlands was born"

For those of you old enough to remember November 19, 1978 ... it's remembered by Giants fans as "The Pisarcik Fumble" and by Eagles fans as "The Miracle in the Meadowlands". All the Giants had to do to secure victory was for QB Joe Pisarcik to take a knee and run out the game clock. Instead he tried a handoff, fumbled, Eagles recovered and ran it in for a game winning touchdown. Today's game ended very differently but the result was the same. Another giveaway by the Giants.

Michael Vick ran for over 100 yards during Philadelphia's final two drives. With Philadelphia down by 14 points, they tried an onside kick. Apparently, the only people in attendance who didn't it with just over 5 minutes remaining were Giants coaches and special teams players. Philly recovered the kick setting up another score. Giants gave the ball back to Vick after 3 weak plays. Eagles tied it with 1:16 remaining.

Ultimate buffoonery rests inside New York's punters brain as time was running out in regulation. He was told by everyone on the sidelines (coaches and players) to punt the football out of bounds. Doing so would let time expire setting up a sudden death overtime showdown. So what does their rookie punter do? He kicks it right down the middle of the field to Eagles returner DeSean Jackson. 65 yards later the game was over. Implosion completed. NFC East lost. Eagles celebrate. Giants remain in stunned disbelief.

“I’ve never been around anything like this in my life,’’ Tom Coughlin said afterward. “It’s about as empty as you get to feel in this business, right there.’’

How quickly things change. In a New York minute the Giants went from being in 1st place to now fighting for their playoff survival. The road to the Super Bowl just got a lot longer. Rebounding from a home loss with so much at stake will not be easy. New York papers and local sports radio quick to sack coach Coughlin's and team. Defensive schemes invited and set the stage for big plays by Eagles offense. Giants offense went to sleep and couldn't make essential first downs. Special teams failed to defend an onside kick and brain blip by punter who failed to kick out of bounds. Fans want heads on a platter.

To make matters worse, New York put their divisional arch rival Philadelphia Eagles in the driver's seat. Philly's now squarely focused on winning home field advantage. These guys have the firepower to go all the way. The battle for NFL supremacy is wide open. Giants fumbled away NFC East.

(www.allworldallsports.com)

NFL 2010 Preseason Predictions - NFC East

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-Digger's Daily-

The 2010 NFL regular season kicks off September 9th with a bang. In a rematch of last year's NFC Championship Game, Minnesota takes on defending Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints. Dallas is getting a head start on competitors when they become the first team hitting practice fields (July 24th). From coast to coast plenty of news will be coming from NFL cities as teams try to stay injury free this preseason prepping for a grueling 16 game war. Every division will be a fierce battle. Plenty of question marks will be answered one way or another. Can Romo finally step up a become a big game QB? Will the Giants bounce back to Super form? Can New Orleans take advantage of a weak schedule and repeat? How about those tarnished stars? Will Roethlisberger, Vick, Owens and company ever straighten out their troubled persona's?

Each day this week I'll be breaking down the NFL division by division. First up NFC East.

1) New York Giants A series of devastating injuries to key personnel derailed New York's season (8-8) after they opened up 5-0. Manning and a young receiving corps were often out of sync. Look for the offense to be explosive this year if the line is sound. On defense, draft picks were a bit questionable and may not provide immediate impact. However, if all returning injured players are fully healthy then this will be a dangerous team in every facet of the game. 7th hardest NFL schedule heading into 2010. Coaches will have them ready to play. Giants are hungry and will emerge division winners.

2) Dallas Cowboys The Cowboys finally enjoyed a strong regular season finish in '09 winning their final 3 (2 by shutout). Dallas even found a way to win their first playoff game since December 28, 1996. Excitement is in the air once again heading into 2010 for a team which many think has never realized full potential. QB Tony Romo continues to be plagued by lack of leadership critiques and inability to perform in big games. Coaching staff play calling and lack of player control/respect carries over once again. If they can keep the sideshow off the field then Dallas could be primed for a Super run. Explosive weapons on offense and aggressive defense (NFC low 250 points against) set the stage for a big year. Despite all their talent something always seems to unhinge this squad. 2nd place on the way vs NFL's 3rd toughest schedule. They'll be in the wild card hunt.

3) Washington Redskins Welcome Mike Shanahan, new coaches and new team field general Donovan McNabb. The Redskins are finally getting their act together. Questionable first two draft picks could pay huge dividends if these players are committed to excellence (Trent Williams, OL, Oklahoma & Perry Riley, OLB, LSU). Washington is probably another 2 years from making a serious run. However, do not take this team lightly. 'Skins will be greatly improved from a dismal 4-12 shellacking of 2009. Expect these seasoned vets to play inspired football. 8-8 is well within reach.

4) Philadelphia Eagles I've always believed a few screws must be loose in the minds of Philly's personnel decision makers. On and off over the years the football world has wondered aloud what life would be like without Donovan McNabb under center. Well they're about to find out how quickly life changes after trading away a career 92-49-1 quarterback who led Eagles teams into the playoffs in 8 of 10 seasons. Worse yet, McNabb was traded to division rival Washington. Revenge is sweet McNabb gets two cracks per seasn vs a team he knows inside and out. Kevin Kolb filled in well when McNabb missed time and will be given every opportunity to claim starter status. On the field Michael Vick gets a crack to unseat Kolb. Off field troubles continue haunting this guy and might lead to getting cut or traded. It's going to be a very long season in Philadelphia. Terrible draft picks makes one wonder if it's time to replace their entire scouting staff. 11-5 might become 5-11 (if they're lucky).

Philadelphia Fans: Loyal & Classless

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-Digger's Daily-

Philadelphia. A city rich in sports tradition. Philadelphia Eagles. Philadelphia Phillies. Philadelphia Flyers. Philadelphia 76ers. Each had their fair share of time in the sun. Each produced a long list of beloved sports heroes and championship teams. Mike Schmidt, Robin Roberts, Julius Erving, Wilbert Montgomery, Chuck Bednerick, Reggie White & Bobby Clarke are just a few. Philadelphia is famously known as "the City of Brotherly Love". That is, unless you happen to root for an opposing player.

Philly has a long history and strong reputation of hosting rogue, rowdy fans. A long list of incidents have taken place in Philadelphia hosting stadiums and arenas. Even Santa Claus was soundly booed and snowballed during an Eagles 1968 halftime show soon to be made famous around the country by Howard Cosell's national sports tv show. Car fires, fields trashed, near riots, drunken spectacles and clashes with police led city officials to create a temporary prison at Veterans Stadium during football season. Current state of affairs demonstrate police seem fed up with unruly behavior when only two weeks ago a foolish fan was tased after streaking onto the baseball diamond during a Phillies game. Most recently, during Game 1 of NHL's Eastern Conference Finals, a Montreal sportswriter's car was badly vandalized during the Flyers/Canadians contest.

What's up Philadelphia? An extremely long history of pathetic actions during sporting events continues growing. To what end? For what purpose? Just to prove drunks should always be denied entrance to games? Who cares if a visitor roots for their team and against yours? What if it was your son, sister, daughter or wife getting pummeled, robbed and victimized? It's high time city officials enact legislation dictating extreme harsh penalties resulting from public disturbances at athletic events. Cut off all alcohol sales as your citizens have proven numerous times they cannot handle drinking responsibly. Team owners should be held to task for not hiring enough security to keep everyone safe. As the saying goes, it only takes one rotten apple to ruin it for everyone else. Time to crack down hard on unsavory Philadelphia fans.

McNabb Trades Wings for Hatchet!

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Season after season NFL fans have heard all the rumors claiming Donovan McNabb was about to be traded. Rumors, bloggers and various speaking heads had speculated of this day for years. Well, after 11 years of high's and low's, Philadelphia finally parted company with one of the franchises most popular players. On paper, McNabb's statistics seem impressive. 82-45-1 record, 32,873 yards on 59% completions, 216 TD vs 100 INT, 3,249 career rushing yards (5.7 average). The one glaring ommission... and NFL Super Bowl Championship for a city that hates to lose.

Perhaps it's time for the Eagles to find a new path. My biggest question isn't why was McNabb traded? Put in simplest of terms... why trade McNabb to a division rival??? There's no good reason for this. NFL teams far and wide would clearly line up for his services. Now, McNabb will not only get to play against his former team... he'll probably beat them too. He brings more to Washington than talent. He has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to education his new coaches about their division rival. He knows their defense inside and out. Offensive tendencies inside and out. Trading McNabb will be debated in Philly for years. Trading McNabb to arch rival Washington has been lambasted from cover to cover.

Washington gains something they have not had for years. A real NFL quarterback. Lack of a leader under center has taken its' toll on this once proud franchise. New Head Coach Mike Shanahan was all smiles after landing McNabb. He has an All Pro QB and can now focus attention on refining draft day strategies. Shanahan will certainly revamp a floundering Skins offense and he has a near perfect weapon to get things rolling. Look for many Washington changes approaching draft day. Not much work needs to be done to turn this group of underachievers into winners. Philadelphia fans will soon regret the day Donovan was traded. As the old saying goes, be careful what you wish for!

NAACP to March at Lincoln Field for Vick

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-Digger's Daily-

ESPN ran a story Wednesday stating the NAACP, the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and other local civil rights groups are planning to march around Lincoln Field on Thursday in support of recently signed QB Michael Vick. Say it isn't so!

Eagles management tried avoiding an "ugly scene" by phoning representatives of the various groups trying to get this event canceled. The main thrust behind this event, if taken at face value, is as follows (quoted from ESPN's Sal Paolantonio article 08/26/09):

"We believe Michael Vick has served his time, paid his debt to society and deserves a second chance and the animal rights groups want to hold him hostage for the rest of his life," J. Whyatt Mondesire, president of the Philadelphia chapter of the NAACP, said Wednesday. "We think that's patently unfair. It denies Michael Vick's basic civil rights, denies him his ability to make a living."

So what's wrong with this picture? Many things. Too many, too obvious. Here are a few simple questions for my readers to ponder. Didn't Michael Vick receive a second chance from the NFL? Yes. Did he or didn't he sign an employment contract to be a quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles? Yes. Was he or was he not named as starting QB for tonight's pre-season football game? Yes. Has Vick's civil rights been violated due to being incarcerated for running an illegal dog fighting ring? No.

So why is the NAACP and other civil rights groups planning to march tonight? To what end? Vick has been reinstated by the NFL giving him a right to play football (earn a living). Vick's debt to society has been served (jail term). He's a free man. While I'm certain many NFL teams did not want to take on a public image nightmare, Philadelphia took their chances. Now what? Civil rights groups will protest in contrast to the above Mondesire quote.

ESPN's story points out animal rights groups have used Vick as somewhat of a poster child attempting to garner support and awareness for abused animals. Everything from raising awareness, trying to find abused animals homes and seeking donations for helping animals subjected to cruelty. Local animal groups are trying to get the Eagles to match Vick's contract with a donation to their cause. How does this violate MV's civil rights? They have not called for any formal protests against the Eagles. Filed no petitions to have Vick terminated. Paolantonio wrote: "Local animal advocates seem to be keeping their distance. Rather than protest Vick or work with him, they prefer to use the public debate about his return to the NFL to raise money and awareness of animal cruelty issues." So what's the problem?

I fail to understand how a civil rights march outside Lincoln Field dedicated to "...(Vick) denied the ability to make a living" is supposed to help a person currently employed by the Philadelphia Eagles. Quite obviously, Vick's ability to earn a living has not been denied. How many other convicted felons sign a $1.6million contract in such a short time after being released from prison? This smells of something much deeper which I will address at a later date after tapping resources close to the situation at hand.

Let me take this one step further. What happens, who will be held responsible and accountable, if an innocent person(s) heading to the game suffers an injury if this protest turns ugly? Who will be responsible for any vandalism, property damage or civil injustices (which accompanies most large protests)? Afterall, we're talking about Philadelphia. It's one tough city and has been subject of many indecencies by unruly fans towards others. Remember hearing of temporary jails being set up at old Veterans Stadium in years past after drunken idiots started fighting or throwing objects during Phillies and Eagles games?

There are far better ways for the NAACP to bring positive attention to whatever cause they claim to be fighting. Engaging a protest in this manner, based on lack of "ability to earn a living", is a political sham devoid of fact and created for another purpose. If animal rights advocates have in any way, shape or form prevented Michael Vick from earning a living in the NFL or earning endorsements... then, NAACP should take up their cause directly with those they deem responsible by way of litigation or any other civil manner in which even the remote possibility of injury to others is not possible.

I'm curious why Paolantonio didn't interview Michael Vick for this news story? Is Vick for or against this march? How do Philadelphia Eagles players feel about it? Philadelphia police? Let's hope nothing bad comes from the march. It would be very unsettling should anyone get physically hurt or impared. In my opinion, far better venues for airing grievences can be found.

All World All Sports (www.allworldallsports.com)

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Cowboys Drop Terrell Owens!

All World All Sports

by Digger

Terrell Owens has done it again. Talked & played his way off of another NFL team. TO's career stats look great on paper until realizing he's a pass dropping, team chemistry destroying, trash talking former player from championship calibur underachieving teams.

During the Cowboys disappointing 2008 season, TO had many verbal spats with teammates, coaches and media types. This guys mouth has over shadowed talent. It all began from his days as an up and coming star wide receiver with the San Francisco 49ers. TO was putting up good stats but seemed to drop key passes with games on the line. Quickly became a verbal distraction when times were challenging (a trait perfected). He publicly and proudly slammed team members all too often.

Philadelphia, starving for a game changing WR, took a chance on the disgruntled 49er. It seemed like a perfect fit for a team on the verge of a Super Bowl Title. 2004 was TO's first in Philly. The Eagles advanced to the Super Bowl and lost to New England 24-21. Afterwards, TO slammed Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (who tired late in the game). Owens, often sounding like a fool in desparate need of a left hook to the jaw while keeping up relentless criticisms of McNabb and Head Coach Reid until Philly finally had enough. Eagles cut him loose after 2005 season.

Dallas was next up. A young team on the rise under legendary coach Bill Parcells. If there was ever a coach to handle this crazed player... it was Parcells. Lackadaisical practice habits, bad press, fighting with teammates and trash talking rumors surrounded his first year in Dallas. They collapsed down the stretch in '07 during Tony Romo's famous Cabo vacation right before the NFC Championship. In '08 TO's mouth sounded off all season long. Paranoia seemed to set in when TO started talking conspiracy theories of how Romo & tight end Witten were teaming up against him by designing plays excluding their loudmouth WR. This became a public fued and distraction. TO then sounded off on Cowboys Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator. On the field, TO wasn't playing 100%. He seemed to give up on pass routes. He spent many games roaming up and down the sidelines screaming at players.

If this guy could have managed to keep his energy focused on playing football instead of trash talking ... TO would have been one of the games greatest. There was always a mind numbing distraction coming from this guy. The Cowboys finally had enough and terminated his contract. Now, TO is a free to sign with any team willing to take a chance. There are many teams who could use his on field talents. Wonder how much it would cost to keep his mouth shut? Chicago, Miami, NY, Green Bay and a select list of others might come knocking.

I believe there's one team extremely eager to gobble him up. Washington Redskins. Washington and Dallas are arch rivals. Their team owners despise each other. NFC East is football's best (Giants, Cowboys, Eagles, Redskins). Skins are itching to build a Championship team. Washington is the logical solution to satisfy self gratifying revenge against Dallas & Philadelphia while improving an offense in need of shock treatment.

Wherever he lands.... buyer beware! TO is NFL's version of the good, bad and ugly.