Giants- B
After a dismal and injury riddled 2009 season, the G-men are finally healthy and seem to have things moving in the right direction. They have settled their defensive issues of the previous year. On the offensive side of the ball, passing has been the biggest surprise with the emergence of Nicks, Smith and Manningham, a solid and threatening receiving corps.
Redskins- D-
It was not long ago that Mike Shanahan was an elite coach with the commanding presence both on and off the field. With this Skins team, he is not the same coach that he was with Denver. Maybe it's the staff, maybe it's the lack of offensive talent, but it seems to me that he just has not grasped the locker room. He assembled a stable of old, worn out running backs, instead of finding a diamond in the rough as he did in Denver. The only thing he has done worth noting is to finally sit an overpaid underachieving player in Albert Haynesworth, which in my opinion is a great move, but may very well be the reason why this team is in shambles.
Eagles- C
Eagles off season was dominated by the quarterback position as they traded away Donovan McNabb and annointed Kevin Kolb the starter. It seems that young Kolb was given keys to the car without having his license yet, however. Michael Vick, when healthy, has shown to be the more dangerous threat, sticking with Vick seems to be counterintuitive to their off-season plans of giving Kolb the job. Message to Andy Reid, figure out which direction you want to go in, stick by a QB and your team will be successful.
Cowboys- F
Enjoy your top 3 pick this year because you are an overhyped, under disciplined squad who desperately needs a strong willed leader at the helm. I mean, when was Wade Philips ever successful as an NFL head coach?? Here's your answer: NEVER. So why, oh why, did Mr. Jones leave him in charge? Someone please answer this because I'm baffled by this whole series of events. I, for one, still do not drink from the Romo Kool-Aid. His idol is Favre, but it seems the only part Romo emulates of Favre is his ability to throw to the other team, especially in crucial situations. SEASON OVER. Bring on the draft!!!
New York Giants (5-2). After some early season struggles the Giants have rebounded to put together 4 wins in a row, which has many Giants fans thinking that this will be 2007 all over again. The defense under coordinator Perry Fewell has looked every bit as formidable as it did under Steve Spagnuolo. On the offensive side of the ball, Ahmad Bradshaw has been outstanding carrying the football. However, as good as the wide receiving corps is looking, they have to do a better job of catching the football because way too many balls are going off their hands and into the hands of defenders for interceptions, which is a terrible reflection on Eli Manning. Most of all, thankfully the ridiculous calls for Tom Coughlin's head have stopped. All Coughlin has done, wherever he's coached, is win, and he continues to do it in New York. Grade: B+
ReplyDeleteWashington Redskins (4-4). Until last week, I thought things were OK in D.C.; however, apparently, Mike Shanahan has grown weary of Donovan McNabb even quicker than the fans in Philadelphia did. They're probably destined to finish with about 8 wins, which isn't too bad in the first year under Shanahan. Grade: C
Philadelphia Eagles (4-3). The quarterback situation in Philadelphia is a mess, but while Michael Vick is not 100%, they can play Kevin Kolb without much fuss. This Sunday's game at home against Indianapolis should be a good litmus test for them. Grade: B
Dallas Cowboys (1-6). This has to be the biggest disappointment in the league. The Cowboys were a favorite in the NFC to open the year, but those hopes and expectations have all been erased. There will be major changes in Dallas during the off-season, to be sure. Grade: F