Although it's still early for football, trainging camps still about 1 and 1/2 months away, I have to get my thoughts out on the Giants after reading an article by Paul Bessire. Paul claims in his article 2009 NFC East Preview (http://www.whatifsports.com/beyondtheboxscore/default.asp?article=2009NFLNEAST) that the NY Giants will finish 9-7 and be the second Wild Card team, with Philly winning the division title and Dallas finishing with the same 9-7 record but as the first Wild Card team. I do understand that everyone in entitled to their opinion but there is no way that Dallas finishes ahead of the Giants, I'll give you the Philly argument, but just barely.
While T.O. was a headache as he always is, the guy still produced and it was because of his presence that Jason Witten enjoyed so much success and their running game thrived the last couple of years. I'm not taking anything away from Witten, but the middle of the field is bound to be more open when a receiver the caliber of T.O. is taking the coverages with him down the sidelines. That being said, Roy Williams has yet to demonstrate that he can be a legitimate number 1 receiver and Romo still has to prove that he can win when the season matters most, notably December, I won't even go into the playoffs because that's too easy, he hasn't won a playoff game yet. Furthermore, Dallas does have a strong run game but I would not put it ahead of the Giants running attack. The loss of Derick Ward might seem like a major blow to most but may I remind you that Ahmad Bradshaw is waiting in the wings who with limites carries last year will be a fresh, faster compliment to the Juggernaut Jacobs, both of whom will be behind what is still the best offensive line in the league, Philly looks good on paper but let's see how that translates onto the field. Also, the Giants have the most underrated fullback in the league in Madison Hedgecock. The league will also be introduced to Danny Ware who is one of the best kept secrets in the NFL, just ask Matt Mosley. Going back to the wide receivers, while it is clear that the Giants do not have a clear number 1 reciever, I would take their recieving corps over the Cowboy's corps in a heartbeat.
However, the defenses is where the biggest difference in these teams are for me. While the Giants lost James Butler (Kenny Phillips will make no one miss him) and added Chris Canty, Rocky Bernard, and Michael Boley not to mention getting Osi back, the Cowboys lost Pacman Jones, Tank Johnson, Roy Williams, Canty, and Greg Ellis. I think that the loss of Ellis will hurt the most as he seemed to the leader of that defense. Losing Canty will hurt too once they see what he can do with guys like Osi, Tuck and Kiwanuka around him. The other losses won't be too bad although I think that their run-defense will hurt with the loss of Williams. If I were running the Cowboys I would have asked him to beef up by 20 pounds and put him at outside linebacker to use in run-defense and pass-rush situations. DeMarcus Ware is without a doubt the brightest spot on this defense but after a season like 2008, he can expect much more double teams and chips from running back this year, with no real threat on the other side, Jay Ratliff is not even close to Ware, I think his production will drop, but his presence will help nonetheless. Last but not least I think that the Giants have a superior secondary. Kenny Phillips in his second year will have a chance to make more plays now being a full-time starter and with the benefit of the best D-Line in the league. I think Michael Johnson is a fundamentally sound player and will continue to improve. Corey Webster picks up where he left off last year with Aaron Ross right behind him. Terrell Thomas is a product of USC and will now serve as the nickel back in his second year and Kevin Dockery has his moments, you remember Cowboys fans don't you? As for the Cowboys, I like Terrance Newman but what else is their after him? They traded starter Anthony Henry away for a back up QB and they added Ken Hamlin who will be better than Roy Williams in coverage but is not a great run-support safety.
The Giants won this division last year going 12-4 after a Super Bowl season which many people called a fluke because they got "hot" at the right time. This is still a young team, and with many of the players being apart of the last two seasons, it is a young team with playoff experience. This division is still between the Giants and Eagles. A quick word on the Eagles, they will only go as far as Brian Westbrook takes them, McNabb is good but can't do it all by himself. The releasing of Brian Dawkins will hurt more than people think. I have watched Philly games for years and he was the heart and soul of that defense, replacing his leadership will not be easy, if it is possible at all. Giants and Eagles each win at least 11-12 games vying for the division title, Dallas as long as Wade Phillips is there they won't do much, they go 8-8 and miss the playoffs again which will spell the end of Wade's tenure as head coach, the Redskins once again Super Bowl champs of March will be lucky to win 6 games, Haynesworth got paid and now will not equal his play of the last 2 years, DeAngelo Hall is the T.O. of DB's. Jason Campbell can play but cannot win without anyone to throw the ball to. The NFC team in the Super Bowl this year will be either the Giants or Eagles.
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