Miami Dolphins
Key Additions:
C Mike Pouncey (draft)
RB Daniel Thomas (draft)
RB Reggie Bush (trade)
LB Kevin Burnett (FA)
T Marc Colombo (FA)
QB Matt Moore (FA)
LB/DE Jason Taylor (FA)
Key Departures:
RB Ronnie Brown
RB Ricky Williams
LB Channing Crowder
CB Al Harris
Report:
The Dolphins have a controversy on their hands. After a disappointing season from QB Chad Henne many of the fans are begging for them to start Matt Moore or bring in new a quarterback. Whoever does start will not be asked to do much, instead they will rely on thier running game. RB's Reggie Bush and Daniel Thomas will be splitting carries. The starting quarterback will have good receivers to throw to. WR Brandon Marshall is an ultra-talented player, but has had a distracting offseason. Other wide receivers Brian Hartline and Davone Bess are reliable players, along with TE Anthony Fasano. The offensive line should be more consistent with the additions and T Marc Colombo and C Mike Pouncey.
The defensive was the strength for Miami last season. The defensive line is not the most star studded, but they get the job done. Kendall Langford, Randy Starks, and Paul Soliai hope to get more pressure with addition of Jason Taylor. Linebacker was one the strengths of the defense. Karlos Dansby had the season they expected when they signed him from Arizona. Koa Misi had a good rookie year, and Cameron Wake exploded onto the scene with 14.5 sacks. Kevin Burnett now joins them. The secondary is headlined by CB's Sean Smith and Vontae Davis. Will Allen is coming off an injury and looks to provide in the defense. S Yeremiah Bell is one the league's best safeties. He is paired up with Chris Clemons.
K Dan Carpenter had a stretch last season where he on fire, but he is inconsistent from 40+ yards. P Brandon Fields is a good punter, and ranked 5th in the NFL in punting. KR Davone Bess is a shifty returner.
Review:
Miami has reasons to be positive. The defense looks solid again and they have weapons in the offense. The key for the Dolphins is the quarterback position. If Henne or Moore can produce they should be set. Also Bush needs to stay healthy or produce for the trade to be good for Miami.
Division Finish: TBA
Philadelphia Eagles
Key Additions:
G Danny Watkins (draft)
CB Nnamdi Asomugha (FA)
CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (trade)
DE Jason Babin (FA)
WR Steve Smith (FA)
DL Cullen Jenkins (FA)
QB Vince Young (FA)
RB Ronnie Brown (FA)
T Ryan Harris (FA)
DT Derek Landri (FA)
Key Departures:
QB Kevin Kolb
LB Ernie Sims
S Quintin Mikell
G Max Jean-Gilles
LB Stewart Bradley
Report:
The Dream Team looks to be a force on offense. QB Michael Vick, after a spectacular comeback season, will look not to regress. Vick is a dual threat quarterback. The Eagles may need him to be with the holes in the offensive line. In a preseason game against Cleveland there were many holes and the offense couldn't get into rhythm. The running game relies on RB LeSean McCoy and pick-up Ronnie Brown. McCoy is more of a speed and elusive back, while Brown will be asked upon in short yardage situations. Vick has talented targets at his disposal. WR DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin are always threats to catch it deep. Third WR Jason Avant is an underrated player and is usually open on the field. TE Brent Celek has good hands, but Vick doesn't use him that much.
The Eagles will send out two rookies at kicker and punter. Alex Henry is going to have to replace longtime Eagle David Akers. P Chas Henry will start in place of one the best punter in the league last year. KR DeSean Jackson showed what he can do in New York when he won the game for them.
Review:
The Eagles certainly were the winners of the free agency period. Their pick-ups were talk of the time, but people aren't focusing on their weaknesses. The offensive line and run stopping down the middle must step up if a Super Bowl is a possibility. Philadelphia can win their division and a Super Bowl is not out of the realm.
Division Finish: TBA
Washington Redskins
Key Additions:
DE Ryan Kerrigan (draft)
DT Jarvis Jenkins (draft)
CB Josh Wilson (FA)
S O.J. Atogwe (FA)
RB Tim Hightower (trade)
P Sav Rocca (FA)
T Sean Locklear (FA)
DT Barry Cofield (FA)
DE Stephen Bowen (FA)
G Chris Chester (FA)
WR Jabar Gaffney (trade)
Key Departures:
CB Carlos Rogers
C Casey Rabach
DE/LB Andre Carter
DL Vonnie Holliday
Report:
Mike Shanahan is in year two with the Redskins, and it may be a long one. Washington is still unsure who will be starting at quarterback. The battle is between Rex Grossman and John Beck. Whoever does start, do not expect much as both players are not very talented. At running back they are expected Tim Hightower to take over the bulk of the carries. Rookie Roy Helu should be the back-up, and get a good amount of playing time. WR Santana Moss and Jabar Gaffney are projected as the starters, but Anthony Armstrong had a good season last year and could get a starting spot. TE Chris Cooley is back as a consistent receiver. The offense line returns most of its starters and adds more good pieces, which is important when they have instability at quarterback.
K Graham Gano is an underrated kicker, and newly acquired one of the best punters in the league in Sav Rocca. KR Brandon Banks can take it to the house on occasion.
Review:
Washington is in a rebuilding process, and that is tough for Shanahan to say. Quarterback is not a strong position and that is the biggest position on the field. In an increasingly difficult NFC Washington looks to be slipping backwards. Playoffs does not look to be in the plans this season. Winning 6 games may be a victory for this team.
Division Finish: TBA
New York Giants
Key Additions:
CB Prince Amukamara (draft)
C Davis Baas (FA)
Key Departures:
TE Kevin Boss
DT Barry Cofield
C Shaun O'Hara
G Rich Seubert
WR Steve Smith
CB Terrell Thomas (injury)
Report:
You think New York would like a play redo? If not for DeSean Jackson's "Miracle at New Meadowlands" the Giants would have had a chance to win, go 11-5, and make the playoffs. Playoffs is what the Giants aspire for this season, and it relies heavily on QB Eli Manning. Manning passed for over 4,000 yards last season, but led the league with 25 INT. Making life easier for Manning are running backs Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. The duo of Bradshaw and Jacobs is a great combination of smash n' dash. New York lost some depth at wide receiver when Steve Smith left for Philadelphia. Hakeem Nicks proved last season that he can be a number one wide receiver, and Mario Manningham as a number two. They need Victor Cruz and Domenik Hixon to step up be a reliable third receiver. The Giants need to fill a whole after TE Kevin Boss left. They plan to have Travis Beckum to take that role. The offensive line lost some longtime starters, but still looks to be good. The question mark of the line is T Will Beatty.
Defense was a strong suit for the Giants. The defensive line caused a lot of turnovers and put countless pressure on opponents. DE Justin Tuck is back and DE Jason Pierre-Paul will have to replace Osi Umenyiora until he returns. Chris Canty and Linvall Joseph are at defensive tackle. Linebackers Michael Boley, Mathias Kiwanuka, and Jonathan Goff are a consistent group. The secondary suffered a major blow when Terrell Thomas was injured for the season. Luckily, the Giants have CB's Aaron Ross and Prince Amukamara to fill the void. Kenny Phillips returns at safety along with Pro Bowler Antrel Rolle.
K Lawrence Tynes has good and bad memories with the Giants. At punter Matt Dodge is battling for his starting spot after his mess up against the Giants. KR's Danny Ware and Jerrel Jernigan will try to make things interesting.
Review:
The Giants were one game away from making the playoffs last season which gives them reasons to be positive. Eli Manning needs to cut down on his turnovers and the running game need to be consistent. The defense looks good, but how can they replace Osi and will they be able to not have depth at corner.
Division Finish: TBA
