Amen to that. ESPN has predictions up. I’m not so great at looking at the other divisions, but I can say this is how I think the NFC East will shape up:
1. Eagles
2. Redskins
3. Giants
4. Cowboys
I don’t think any of the teams are particularly good, besides the Eagles, but I think the Redskins simply need a competent offense on the field and keep their defense as good as or just a little bit weaker than last year – probably good enough for a Wild Card.
Ever time I’ve said the Patriots aren’t for real they go and win the Superbowl. So I’ll do the same again and say that I don’t think the Patriots will make or win the Superbowl this season (NE fans, make your reservations now). I think Peyton Manning may finally get to the dance.
… and maybe he can tango with Patrick Ramsey?
Hail Skins!
UPDATE: Tuesday Morning QB (the best NFL column around) makes a competent case for classifiying the retiring Jerry Rice as the best football player ever:
Consider the spread between the best-ever in several major sports categories and the second-best ever — a point TMQ has made before about Rice, but now updates for the final time. In baseball, Hank Aaron has six percent more home runs than Babe Ruth. In basketball, Kareem Abdul-Jabber has four percent more points than Karl Malone. In football, Emmitt Smith has 10 percent more rushing yards than Walter Payton. Turn to Rice and the spreads become spectacular. For most seasons with 50 or more catches, Rice is 31 percent ahead of the No. 2 guy, Andre Reed. For most receptions in a career, Rice has 41 percent more than the second-best receiver, Cris Carter. For most consecutive games with a reception, Rice is 50 better than the second-best, Art Monk. For most career touchdowns, Rice is 52 percent better than the second-best, Carter. For most receiving yards gained, Rice is 53 percent better than the second-best, Tim Brown. In team sports, only Wayne Gretzky, with 54 percent more career points than the second-best, Gordie Howe, rivals the statistical accomplishments compiled by Jerry Rice.
Rice is a shoo-in for the Hall (his bust is being finished as we speak) but why is Art Monk continually denied admittance to Football Valhalla? (Answer: idiots like Sports Illustrated’s “Dr. Z”)
Wow. Such wishful thinking. Eagles, then Cowboys, with Giants and Washington fighting it out for the cellar.
Dr. Z knows what he’s talking about. Monk is a borderline case at best.
Another few seasons like last year and we’ll need to consider retroactively taking Gibbs out.
For Peyton to get to the big game, he still has to beat the Patriots – which, so far, has never happened.
I look for Peyton to be engaged in yet another upsetting season, which, in some weird Colts-alternate-world, will justify getting another 12 million dollar contract.
Either Peyton has one of the best agents in sports or the Colts are run by the absolute dumbest people on this planet, but who gives a quarterback a multi-million dollar contract if he can’t even win when it counts?!?!
Still, I’d love to see the Redskins back in the hunt this year – at least going over on top of the Eagles.
And, for a surprise pick, I predict that the Arizona Cardinals get a wildcard spot (or at least end up over .500 for the year). Mark my words – you heard it here first!
Peyton is simply the best pure quarterback the NFL has seen in some time, and I will never understand why that bothers people so. Maybe having one of the greatest single season performances of any quarterback in history had something to do with getting a big contract. Maybe being the best QB in the NFL had something to do with it. Who knows?
What good is winning every game if you can’t win a Superbowl? The last time I checked, the point of the NFL was to win the Superbowl not to see who could score the most points or have the best QB rating.
It sounds more like Peyton is trying (trying?) to just pad his ego a little more by gaining personal stats while contributing nothing to the team.
But that’s just me…
Manning is a fine QB; is he great?
Let’s remember, Manning is very fortunate to be on a team which was completely designed around him and best features his skills (outstanding ability to see and read defenses) and hides his weaknesses (mobility of a statue).
Yeah, Toad B., that is just you. What drivel. I would prefer if he won a SuperBowl, but not having done so does not make him any less great at his positon. By your standards, Marino would have just been above average. Last I checked, it was a team game, and Manning is certainly doing his part. Maybe he should try throwing less touchdown passes, throwing for fewer yards, and winning less games, and then you will praise his greatness ?
ToddB : Apparently The Sporting News and you have quite differing opinions of Mr. Manning. Not only do they think that Peyton is the best QB in football, they think he is the best player in football, period. I am sure that they routinely recognize selfish players that pad their ego and their stats while contributing nothing to the team with this type of praise.
Yeah, but even Rice’s margin pales next to Gretzky’s. Gretzky’s career points are 51% more than the #2.