The Keys to Training camp - NFC East

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys finished 2009 as the division winner, with a 11 - 5 record.  They then did something that they had failed to do since 1996, they won a playoff game.  They beat the Eagles at home, before going on the road to Minnesota, and getting hammered 34 - 3.  Obviously the playoff win was a big relief for Wade Phillips, Tony Romo and co, but what do they need to get to the next level?

 Who will be the starting WR opposite Miles Austin?

Last year the Cowboys cut T.O in the off season, as they believed that WR Roy Williams (picked up in a trade form Detroit) was going to be the answer.  Williams however struggled throughout 2009, having just 38 catches for 596 yards and 7 TD's.  These numbers may not seem to bad, but when you consider that the Cowboys were the 6th ranked pass offence in the league, its obvious Roy was not the number 1 guy.  Those honours went to little known WR Miles Austin.  I have to admit, at the beginning of last season, I didn't know who Miles Austin was.  Now after his breakout year of 81 catches for over 1,300 yards and 11 TD's, I consider Austin as one of the best WR's in the league.  This past draft, the Cowboys took WR Dez Bryant (pictured) who was perceived as the best WR in the draft.  What does this mean for Williams?  Who will start opposite Austin?  Training camp should give us some ideas.

Can they protect Romo better?

Romo sacked again!!

 A major problem the Cowboys encountered last year was that they struggled to keep Tony Romo upright.  In the Vikings playoff game especially, the talented Vikings D line ran riot.  The Cowboys also released long serving LT Flozel Adams this off season.  It will be very interesting to see how his replacement, either Doug Free or Alex Barron, cope in camp.  Also it will be interesting to see how they plan on stopping sacks occurring.  There is one good thing for the O-Line, they will get very good practice in camp, going against the sack machine that is DeMarcus Ware.

Can their secondary improve?

 The disappointing thing on the defensive side of the football for the Cowboys last year was their poor play at times against the pass.  Last year they ranked 4th against the run, but then 20th against the pass.  With the QB's that are present in this division (Manning, Kolb and McNaab) this is not good enough.  Also coming in to camp they have a couple of niggling injuries to CB's Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick.  This will put even more pressure on the rest of the secondary, Terrence Newman included (pictured), to improve this phase of the game.


New York Giants

The Giants finished last year with a very disappointing 8 - 8 record, which left them 3rd in the division, and out of the playoffs.  After starting an impressive 5 - 0, the wheels came off the Giants season and they went on a 6 game losing streak.  A strange stat that should be thrown in here, although they had a poor year, the Giants managed to beat the division winning Cowboys in both meetings - strange!

What will be the situation with the running backs?

Last season the Giants seemed to have problems with a phase of their game that has pretty much being a staple of their offence for years, the run game.  Brandon Jacobs (pictured) only managed 3.7 yards per carry and 5 TD's.  Ahmad Bradshaw had a better year rushing for almost 800 yards and 7 TD's.  This may well be a battle in camp.  These 2 players are completely different, Jacobs is a heavyweight downhill runner, and Bradshaw is more of a speed back.  But I believe that the Giants may well decide to go with Bradshaw as the number 1 back full time, if he proves his worth in camp.

Who will be the starting Middle Linebacker?

This was a major question a few weeks ago, since then though, the Giants have bought in former Titans MLB Keith Bulluck.  The Giants lost MLB Antonio Peirce at the end of last year, he had to retire due to medical reasons.  The Giants were expected address this situation, but they lost out to the Dolphins over Karlos Dansby, and then they didn't select a LB until the 4th round of the draft.  Bulluck has been bought in now though, so the thing to look out for at training camp is how he will settle in and take to the system.

Will the secondary tighten up?

The Giants secondary was hit by the injury bug last year.  Aaron Ross and Kenny Phillips were missing for a big chunk of the year, and this caused them to continually give up big plays.  They ranked 14th against the pass last year, which obviously isn't to bad, but I remember them constantly being beat over the top, especially by Eagles WR DeSean Jackson.  The Giants have obviously recognised this fact by bringing in S Antrel Rolle from Arizona.  This off season it will be interesting to see how both Rolle and Bulluck fit into this defence.



 
Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles finished last season in 2nd place in the division with a 11 - 5 record.  This was good enough for a wildcard.  They also lost this game, which was the Cowboys first playoff win since 1996.  How do the Eagles take themselves past the Cowboys in the NFC East? 

How will Kevin Kolb perform in his first year as a starter?

The Philadelphia Eagles decided during the off season that it was the right time to turn to the QB of the future - Kevin Kolb.  Donavan McNaab was traded away to the division rival Washington Redskins, and the team was handed over to Kolb.  The question is weather Kolb is quite ready yet.  McNaab knows this offence like the back of his hand, and still struggled at times.  It is concerning that a young player that is trying to learn the system may struggle at first.  The pre-season games should tell us a lot about weather or not Kolb is ready for the big time, if he is not, it might just be to late, and the Eagles could be in for a long season.

How will the secondary look?

The pressure on the Eagles secondary has been building now for the past couple of years.  Legendary S Brian Dawkins was traded to the Broncos at the beginning of last season, and during this off season starting CB Sheldon Brown was traded to Cleveland.  This has obviously weakened this unit.  The Eagles will now be hoping that CB Ellis Hobbs (pictured) will be able to step in and start alongside Asante Samuel.  This is a very difficult position to fill in the Eagles defence, as the abilities of Asante Samuel mean that teams decide to throw away from him.  This will make Hobbs the prime target for the opposing teams to attack.  Is he up to the challenge?  Training camp will give us the answer.

Can the Offensive line improve?

The last 2 games of last year for the Eagles were a complete disaster against the Cowboys.  One of the main reasons for this was their complete inability to block for the QB - then Donavan McNaab.  They will definatly have to improve in this area if they are to give new QB Kevin Kolb a decent shot at settling in early in the year.  Jason Peters (pictured) is the LT and is seen by many as their best O-Linemen.  If no other players are bought in to support the line, Peters will have to step up and become a leader.  



 Washington Redskins

The Redskins finished last year at the bottom of the division, with a poor 4 - 12 record.  There were many reasons why they ended up with this record, and many questions hanging over them moving into this year.  Here are the main ones.


How will McNaab settle in?

Donavan McNaab is a legendary QB in the NFL.  I believe that one day number 5 will be in the Hall of Fame.  All of his career though he has been in Philadelphia, with Andy Reed.  The question that needs answering is, will he be able to pick up a different offence, with different terminology.  I don't for a second doubt McNaab's mental ability to take in the information, but its just a matter of how soon he can do it. As well as taking on all of this info, McNaab will also have to settle in a different city.  This may be a problem for a player who has spent a long time in Philly.



Who will McNaab throw to?

Not only is there the question of McNaab settling in, but maybe the more pressing issue is, who will McNaab throw the ball to.  He obviously has the very talented Chris Cooley at TE, and there is no question that the Redskins will try to run the ball when they can, but McNaab likes a deep threat WR.  Last year you saw time after time in Philly, McNaab would move around in the pocket, buy himself some time, and throw a huge bomb the length of the field for DeSean Jackson.  I don't believe the Redskins have a player with this ability.  The best WR on the roster is probably Santana Moss, with Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly behind him.  I expect the Redskins to run as much as possible, using Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson and 'fast' Willie Parker.  I then expect Chris Cooley to have a big year.  Will this be enough though to get out of this tough division.

What will happen with Albert Haynesworth?

Throughout the off season the Redskins have had problems keeping DT Albert Haynesworth happy.  Haynesworth came in during last off season, and signed a HUGE contract.  When in Tennessee Albert was a dominant 4 - 3 DT.  Now in Washington though, and now playing a 3 - 4 defence, Albert is not making all the plays, and is therefore not happy.  Haynesworth has not been present at any of the Redskins off season activities.  He has had a meeting with Head Coach Mike Shanahan in the last few days and it is reported he will be at training camp.  Shanahan though, unhappy about Haynesworths off season antics, has told him he must pass a fitness test before he can practice, and even when he does it will not be with the first team.  This will be an interesting situation to watch, because even though it is not always Hayneworths name on the stat sheet, the pressure he brings up the middle is vital to the success of this defence.


Check back tomorrow for a look at the NFC North.