Now lets take a look at the NFC East division and what the Eagles will possibly be up against next year. This year certainly didn't turn out as predicted. The Eagles and Cowboys were expected to be slugging it out for first place in the division, while the Giants were expected to end up 8-8, with the Redskins continuing to improve. That just goes to show how useful predictions can be since the Eagles are the ones who ended up 8-8 and the Giants won the Superbowl, but let's give it a try anyway.
- The Dallas Cowboys are as talented a team as there is in the NFL, and although they had an impressive regular season slumped and finally faltered in the playoffs. The cowboys are a imposing obstacle when they put it all together. They have an explosive offence and an intense defense that knows how to make the big play. Left tackle Flozell Adams, running back Julius Jones, and safety Ken Hamlin are potential unrestricted free agents. If the Cowboys decide to sign two of the three they are going to be pretty tight up against the salary-cap. They also need to take a look at Tony Romo and what happens to him late in the season. If he doesn't overcome that late season slump he gets into he won't be worth that huge long-term contract they just signed with him. The question is, "Is this something he will grow out of?" Is Wade Phillips a lame duck, with Jason Garret waiting in the wings? They also have some defensive coaching holes that need filling. Finally the Cowboys have two first round picks (22 & 28) and seem to be trying to move up in the draft.
- The Giants are coming off of an impressive upset win in the Superbowl, but in recent years teams have struggled the year after a Superbowl appearance. Give them credit though their appearance in the big game was impressive enough without the win. I guess the big question is can Tom Coughlin keep up the kinder gentler approach, especially with all the expectations to win that is natural for a defending World Championship team. They have a few players who could prove to be significant free agents, including their punter Jeff Feagles, kicker Lawrence Tynes, linebacker Kawika Mitchell, and safety Gibril Wilson. There is also what to do with Jeremy Shockey to consider. They certainly did fine without him in the playoffs and the Superbowl.
- The Redskins don't even have a coach right now, and their young quarterback is recovering from a knee injury, also their policy of trying to buy a Superbowl by bringing in every free agent they can lay their hands on is starting to come back to bite them. They really have too many problems to name so let’s just say they are facing a tough off-season and an even tougher regular season next year.
- That brings us to our team. I will be going over the Eagles in the next few weeks with a fine-tooth comb. The Eagles expect to be healthy by time for spring drills, and as I pointed out last week there have been some changes in the coaching staff but over all I think they will be headed into the spring looking pretty good, with only a few positions that really need work. The Eagles announced this week that L.J. Smith was going to be their franchise player this year. Historically the Eagles haven't done very well with the franchise tag. Smith is less than thrilled about having to play another season on a one-year deal. The 4.522 million dollar salary that accompanies a franchise tag for a tight end is nothing to sneeze at though. LJ's agent says they are still hopeful for a long-term deal. Smith along with Dallas Clark is considered one of the elite free-agent tight ends. Smith admits that his injuries this last season limited his performance and conversely his earning potential. The only other significant free agent is fullback Thomas Tapeh, and the Eagles have a lot of room under the cap. The defense needs to continue to improve and work on getting more takeaways in the coming season. Special teams definitely need work, and then there is the lack of a good solid go-to wide receiver.
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