However, the most difficult non-conference team Big Blue has to play will likely either be Pittsburgh or Cleveland. Not bad.Another key to the Giants’ success in 2008 will be how the team plays after losing key starters. After losing safety Gibril Wilson to the Raiders, the team drafted Miami’s Kenny Philips as a replacement.Add to that the fact that for a second straight year, future Hall of Fame defensive end Michael Strahan is considering retirement. With a ring on his finger, he may be less inclined to return.The offense will need to continue the success it had in the postseason if they hope to compete in 2008. The running-back committee led by Brandon Jacobs was a formidable threat in the postseason, rushing for 405 yards.Eli Manning turned it on in the playoffs, completing 72 of 119 passes for six touchdowns and one interception. Still, questions will linger about whether he can continue his success.In the end, the Giants have as good a shot as any team in the NFC in 2008.
Whether they can go deep into the playoffs remains to be seen, but the boys in blue now know what it takes to go all the way.Patrick’s Fearless Prediction: 9-7, third in the NFC East Washington RedskinsThe Redskins are the wild card in the East.The ‘Skins have a new head coach in Jim Zorn, as well as a new offensive and defensive coordinator. Many will argue that it is a similar situation to the Chargers of last year, and that it shouldn’t hinder the team’s success for 2008.Then again, the Redskins aren’t the Chargers. Not even close.That isn’t to say it’s all doom and gloom in our nation’s capital. New head coach Zorn, who was previously the quarterback coach in Seattle, should do a fine job helping quarterback Jason Campbell improve his game.In 13 games, Campbell threw 12 touchdowns to 11 picks before going down. In his place, veteran quarterback Todd Collins led the team to the playoffs. Collins’ five touchdowns and zero interceptions made many fans call for him to be the starter for 2008.Something will have to happen at the quarterback position for the team to be successful next season.
The Redskins were mediocre on offense in 2008, ranking 15th in total offense.To fit his new West Coast Offense, Zorn made the controversial decision to trade out of the first round, and draft two wide receivers and a tight end in the second round.The Redskins should have their receiving corps of the future, but the team’s defense was largely ignored. Still, the Washington defense ranked eighth overall, one above Dallas and two above Philly.For the Redskins, the team’s success, like most teams, will fall on the shoulders of Jason Campbell. His progression must be Eli Manning-like in order for the team to do any kind of damage in the playoffs assuming they can get that far.In any other division in the NFC, the Redskins would be a lock for the playoffs In the East, it remains to be seen. Of all the teams, though, their outlook is the bleakest.Patrick’s Fearless Prediction: 9-7, fourth in the NFC East. I’m sitting at my computer, seven hours after my first article and 10 hours away from my favorite sport’s championship opener, and I can’t stop thinking about the NBA Finals. So, to get my mind off of waiting for the game to start (I’m giddy), I present to you thesophomore article, if you will…As you continue to read my work, you will begin to find out that I am about as diehard of a fan you can possibly be with two teams: A) The Dallas Cowboys and B) The New York Yankees. It kills me to watch the Yankees these days because I feel like they just do not get it…Every once in a while, a city embraces a sports figure, whether it beLeBron James in Cleveland, Tony Romo in Dallas, or Tom Brady in New England.
