2012 NFC East Preview

Hello fellow NFL fanatic and future drink enthusiast. I'll do something that CNN/Fox News have a hard time doing: provide accurate facts and educated opinions on the NFC East.

1. New York Giants (10-6)
Head Coach: Tom “Squinty Eyes”Coughlin (9th season w/ Giants; 17 years total exp.)
Quarterback: Eli Manning (29 TD, 16 Int, 4933 Yds, 61.0 Cmp%)
Running Back: Ahmad Bradshaw (659 Yds, 9 TD); David Wilson (R)
Wide Receiver: Victor Cruz (82 Rec, 1536 Yds, 9 TD); Hakeem Nicks (76 Rec, 1192 Yds, 7 TD)
Tight End: Thanks to my exercise routine, yes. (Bear Pascoe? Martellus Bennett? Adrien Robinson (R)? You?)
Defensive Player: Jason Pierre-Paul (DE; 16.5 SCK)
Rookie to Watch: David Wilson (RB; Virginia Tech) - Wilson should be splitting carries with Bradshaw, and could potentially be the go-to running back by the end of the season.

The champs are looking to repeat after beating the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl (again). The running game could take a hit with the absence of Brandon Jacobs (to San Francisco). Last three games of the season are rough (@ Atlanta, @ Baltimore, vs. Philadelphia). Look for Eli to throw the ball a lot, and expect him to have a pity face when he or his players do something wrong; Peyton will join him as well.

2. Dallas Cowboys (9-7)

God Blessed Texas... just not the Cowboys recently.

Head Coach: Jerry Jones Jason Garrett (3rd season w/ Cowboys; 3 years total exp.)

Quarterback: Tony Romo (31 TD, 10 Int, 4184 Yds, 66.4 Cmp%)

Running Back: Felix Jones (575 Yds, 1 TD); DeMarco Murray (897 Yds; 2 TD)

Wide Receiver: Miles Austin (43 Rec, 579 Yds, 7 TD); Dez Bryant (63 Rec, 928 Yds, 9 TD)

Tight End: Jason Witten (79 Rec, 942 Yds, 5 TD)

Defensive Player: DeMarcus Ware (OLB; 19.5 SCK)
Rookie to Watch: Morris Claiborne (CB; LSU) - With him on the field, along with Ware, Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan will be having more fun than him at a buffet.

The so-called “America’s Team” looks to rebound after losing four of their last five games last season and missing the playoffs. The center of criticism, Tony Romo put up career numbers last season. If DeMarco Murray and Felix Jones stay healthy, the rushing attack is a nice one-two combo. Same with Miles Austin, Jason Witten, and Dez Bryant regarding receiving (NOTE: Bryant, keep your hands to yourself and cut down on the bling-bling).

3. Philadelphia Eagles (9-7)
Head Coach: Andy “Punt, Pass, and Kick” Reid (14th season w/ Eagles; 14 years total exp.)
Quarterback: Michael “No Joke, Dawg” Vick (18 TD, 14 Int, 3303 Yds, 59.8 Cmp%) NOTE: 589 Yds rushing; 1 TD
Running Back: LeSean McCoy (1309 Yds, 17 TD)
Wide Receiver: DeSean Jackson (58 Rec, 961 Yds, 4 TD); Jeremy Maclin (63 Rec, 859 Yds, 5 TD)
Tight End: Brent Celek (62 Rec, 811 Yds, 5 TD)
Defensive Player: Jason Babin (DE; 18 SCK)
Rookie to Watch: Fletcher Cox (DT; Mississippi St) - If he can team up with DT Cullen Jenkins, one of the two should easily achieve double-digit sack totals.

Last year, it was the “Dream Team.” This year, it is a “dynasty.” The Eagles finished hot last season, winning their last four games (albeit, all four wins were against non-playoff teams). Michael Vick must improve his performance from last season, along with DeSean Jackson (who can stop moaning now he got his contract). LeSean McCoy has the potential to be the best running back in the NFL IF Andy Reid has the brains to just hand him the damn ball. NOTE: Condolences to the Reid family.

Uh oh. She's giving me the stare down for my Redskins prediction.

4. Washington Redskins (7-9)
Head Coach: Dan Snyder Mike “Red Face” Shanahan (3rd season w/ Redskins; 18 years total exp.)
Quarterback: Robert Griffin III (R)
Running Back: Roy Helu (640 Yds, 2 TD); Evan Royster (328 Yds, 0 TD); Tim Hightower (321 Yds, 1 TD)
Wide Receiver: Pierre Garcon (70 Rec, 947 Yds, 6 TD); Leonard Hankerson (13 Rec, 163 Yds, 0 TD); Santana Moss (46 Rec, 584 Yds, 4 TD)
Tight End: Fred “I’m Cheech. Trent Williams is Chong” Davis (59 Rec, 796 Yds, 3 TD)
Defensive Player: Brian Orakpo (LB; 9 SCK) 
Rookie to Watch: See QB above

The Redskins started off 3-1 last season with QB Rex Grossman; they finished the season 5-11, so you do the math for Washington’s performance in the last 12 games. RGIII is the future of the franchise. Shanahan is praying RGIII stays healthy for the season, or else... Fantasy fans: Washington is implementing RBC (Running Back by Committee), so avoid drafting the aforementioned three. Leonard Hankerson has potential to be comeback player of the year, or drop more easy passes than ex-Redskin CB Carlos Rogers.

Next up: NFC West preview. Will be posted Thirsty Thursday 9 pm. Start pre-gaming.