With NFL training camps opening and players are gearing up for the preseason the first thing I want to say is welcome back football. I can now devote my Sundays to watching Touchdowns and hard hits rather then do laundry and clean the house. With that being said here are the most intriguing questions going into Training camp for the NFC east teams.
Philadelphia Eagles- Who will be named the starter for the opener? Will the Eagles be able to replace Maclin?- Both questions should be answered before the first preseason game. Many are speculating that Vick should win the starting job because he is more experienced and according to bleacher report Foles and Barkley have both been inconsistent in the pocket and neither have the speed to run Kelly’s uptempo read option/shotgun offense. With that being said Vick is fragile (having only played 10 games last year) so the real battle could be at back up. To answer the second question it was pretty obvious that the Eagles would go out and get a veteran wide out like Deion Branch or Brandon Loyd but reports from Eagles camp point to Riley Cooper 4 year man out of Florida. Cooper at 6’4 222 pounds has the size to play outside of Desean Jackson and has proven to have sure hands as shown through out camp. Only time will tell how both situations will work out.
Dallas Cowboys- There is only one question surrounding the Cowboys and that is Will Tony Romo live up to the contract? Yes we can ask will the Cowboys 19th ranked defense be better with a new scheme or is Jason Garret on the hot seat, but this team goes as far as Romo takes them. The pass 3 years the Cowboys have been in week 17 win and in games. And in those games Romo has a combined passer rating of 54.2. Will things finally change in Dallas now that Romo is a 108 million dollar man. He has all the weapons around him in Dez Bryant, Jason Witten, a sufficient running game with Demarco Murray and a so-so defense. The big question is will the Cowboys get 2011 (31 touchdowns to 10ints) Tony or the 2012 Romo ( 28 touchdowns and 19ints).
New-York Giants- The biggest question around the Giants this year are: Will the front four be better this year? Last year the Giants rush defense was ranked 25th averaging 129.1 yards against them. To make matters worst they were 22nd in sacks as a team with only 33. The stud of the team last year Jason pierre Paul only had 6.5 sacks due to constant double teams while his counter part Justin Tuck notched a mere 5. With the free agent signing of Cullen Jenkins and Marvin austin coming back from the DL the Giants hope to get more push from the interior to free up some of their outside rushers. In addition with Osi Umenyora being lost to free agency players like Mathias Kewinuka and rookie Damontre Moore out of Texas A&M should get valuable opportunities to improve the defense that in 2011 was ranked top 10 in total defense and top 5 in sacks.
Washington Redskins- The biggest question surrounding the Washington Redskins is RG3’s health and the offensive line. RG3 is coming off a tremendous season where he one rookie of the years honors and took the Redskins to the playoffs for the first time in 6 years. But all that joy and happiness ended when he tore his ACL late in the Seahawks playoff game. After last season fans are expecting more of the same but no one but Dr. Andrew and Robert himself know just how healthy that knee is. Has he lost explosion or any burst of speed that was shown last year. And will RG3 play it more safe to avoid injuries that could cost the Skins a Superbowl. In addition after Trent Williams the Skins o-line is just decent to be frank. Although last year the o-line only allowed 33 sacks that number will have to be lower in order to keep their fragile franchise quarterback upright and avoid any further injuries. With the signing of free-agent tackle Jeremy Trueblood and free-agent tackle Tony Pashos their will be alot of new big bodies to help protect RG3 more.
