# All Things NFC East 2005

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-things-nfc-east-2005/326566>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [October 17, 2005, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-things-nfc-east-2005/326566 "2005-10-17T06:01:30Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 5

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**Author:** ![Crandolph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7cd45c/32.png) [@Crandolph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crandolph)\
**Post date:** [October 26, 2005, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-things-nfc-east-2005/326566/81 "2005-10-26T20:56:22Z")

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Just saw this thread, Eagles fan checking in. You know, the “hapless and pathetic” team that has the best overall record in the league over the past 5 years… (Yes, I know no Super Bowl victory. Ah well, sooner or later…)

I fully expect we’ll be back atop the conference by the end of the season. I’m thinking likely an overall 12-4 record taking either 4 or all 5 of the remaining NFC East games. This coming game against Denver looks like the toughest game left on the schedule.

I figure a defense that holds LaDainian Tomlinson to 7 yards on 17 carries is doing pretty well. David Akers is coming back & the rest of the special teams played their strongest game of the year. Offense been sputtering lately but I expect them to adjust as well.

As always: Dallas Sucks.

Carry on.

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**Author:** ![Crandolph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7cd45c/32.png) [@Crandolph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crandolph)\
**Post date:** [October 26, 2005, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-things-nfc-east-2005/326566/82 "2005-10-26T20:59:41Z")

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By the way, has anyone noticed the Eagles are the only team in the NFC East to play in the place in the team name? Two of you other teams aren’t even the state/district! What’s up with that?

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**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\
**Post date:** [October 26, 2005, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-things-nfc-east-2005/326566/83 "2005-10-26T22:39:06Z")

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> [@Crandolph](#):
>
> By the way, has anyone noticed the Eagles are the only team in the NFC East to play in the place in the team name? Two of you other teams aren’t even the state/district! What’s up with that?

Well the NY Giants play in North Jersey because New Yorkers just think of North East Jersey as a Suburb, just like Yonkers except more expensive tolls.  
You’ll notice it has no effect on ratings or attendance and we have room left over for those new guys the Titans. I mean Jets. 😉

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**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Chitwood)\
**Post date:** [October 26, 2005, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-things-nfc-east-2005/326566/84 "2005-10-26T23:07:57Z")

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Criminy.

> [@soulmurk](#):
>
> Well, I guess that by saying “we don’t know nothing”, you’re saying we know everything, which we don’t. Or probably more likely that your post was pretty mean-spirited and unecessary.

Mean-spirited towards whom? I’ll be honest, you’ve got me mystified over here. Which posts were necessary?

> [@](#):
>
> Perhaps I misinterpreted the tone, but it comes across as snobbish and condescending.

Again, to whom? I said “we”, not **soulmurk**. I just reread my post, and I can’t see a way to read condescension into it (correcting people’s double negatives in a football thread like you were grading a paper, now that’s condescending). Anyway, if it clarifies anything, I’m an Eagles fan, and all I said was that nobody in the division has proven anything. We – fans of teams in the NFC East – don’t have enough evidence upon which to draw any strong conclusions about the balance of power this season.

> [@Ellis Dee](#):
>
> Seriously though Jimmy, why do you think the Bears wouldn’t even consider Pennington? Do you think Chad is that crappy or that Benson is that good? I figured it my be a decent trade because Jones doesn’t seem to be letting Cedric get on the field, plus all the mileage Benson racked up in college is a bit of a red flag. Combine that with the dismal performance of their QB position in the past decade, and you’d think they’d be just about ready to go with a proven winner.

Certainly they would. I just think you’re fudging way too much on the value scale. Say I’m the Bears, evaluating Pennington. This is a guy who’s going to be at least 30 by the time he throws his next meaningful pass, at which time no team can be certain he won’t be completely shot. Even if I’m being optimistic, I have to think that there’s at least a significant chance that Pennington’s never going to be a great quarterback, especially since I’m not even that close to 100 % sure he’s going to be capable of just being _a_ quarterback. Meanwhile I’ve just taken Cedric Benson at a spot where I had legitimate options at a half dozen different need positions, so I must have great faith in his ability, right? I’m not saying the Bears wouldn’t answer the phone if the Jets offered Pennington for a couple of picks or something, but Benson’s ostensibly their franchise back, as far as the organization is concerned. You can’t give up a #4 overall pick before he ever goes through a training camp, and especially not for damaged goods.

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**Author:** ![soulmurk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b782af/32.png) [@soulmurk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/soulmurk)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2005, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-things-nfc-east-2005/326566/85 "2005-10-27T00:13:13Z")

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> [@Jimmy Chitwood](#):
>
> Anyway, if it clarifies anything, I’m an Eagles fan…

That fact actually does make a difference in the perceived tone of the post. I apologize.

And I agree with your assessment. The division is far from being decided. It could very well remain pretty close all year long. I know the Skin’s last three games are intra-division, and the results of those three alone could change everything for all four teams.

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**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2005, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-things-nfc-east-2005/326566/86 "2005-10-27T05:42:30Z")

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Aikman Efficiency Ratings/Offense\*

```auto

Aikman NFL Team Rating 
  6. 2. **Washington Redskins** 83.7 
  7. 13. Denver Broncos 82.1 
  9. 15. **New York Giants** 81.6 
  15. 6. **Dallas Cowboys** 78.5 
  16. 7. **Philadelphia Eagles** 78.4 
  32. 11. Arizona Cardinals 58.6 

```

Aikman Efficiency Ratings/Defense\*

```auto

Aikman NFL Team Rating  
  4. 7. **Dallas Cowboys** 85.8 
  9. 20. **Philadelphia Eagles** 80.1 
  12. 15. Arizona Cardinals 76.6 
  18. 4. **Washington Redskins** 72.2 
  20. 31. **New York Giants** 71.8 
  23. 22. Denver Broncos 69.9 

```

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**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2005, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-things-nfc-east-2005/326566/87 "2005-10-27T05:47:40Z")

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Post yer picks?

> [@Bearflag70](#):
>
> My picks in bold:
> 
> Arz @ **Dallas**  
> Wash @ **NYG**  
> Phil @ **Den**

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**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2005, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-things-nfc-east-2005/326566/88 "2005-10-27T06:04:57Z")

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> [@Ellis Dee](#):
>
> You really think Eli would cripple the franchise to get every last penny out of the Giants?

If it’s good enough for his brother, why not?

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**Author:** ![soulmurk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b782af/32.png) [@soulmurk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/soulmurk)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2005, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-things-nfc-east-2005/326566/89 "2005-10-27T06:08:22Z")

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> [@Bearflag70](#):
>
> Post yer picks?

Arz @ **Dallas**  
**Wash** @ NYG  
Phil @ **Den**

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**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2005, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-things-nfc-east-2005/326566/90 "2005-10-27T06:15:28Z")

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> [@Ellis Dee](#):
>
> Seriously though **Jimmy** , why do you think the Bears wouldn’t even consider Pennington?

The odds are that Pennington is done. Finished. Over. As in never playing again. Look up the history of QBs who were effective after rotator cuff problems; it ain’t a long list. He’s worth a late-round pick at most, and that’s not even thinking about the salary issues. Factor those in, and he’s a net minus to any team.

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**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2005, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-things-nfc-east-2005/326566/91 "2005-10-27T06:18:43Z")

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I love my Giants, but they haven’t really had a consistently good quarterback since Phil Simms. As my father says, “In the first half, the Giants play to win. In the second half, they play not to lose.”

Adam

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**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2005, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-things-nfc-east-2005/326566/92 "2005-10-27T08:29:45Z")

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> [@VarlosZ](#):
>
> He gets thrown to more often than any other TE, with the possible exception of Gates; I bet he leads all TEs in drops over the past few years, which is the problem. Up until this season, he’s dropped entirely too many passes. He’s been much better about it this year (thank God!), but, like the man said, let’s not start sucking each other’s popsicles just yet.
> 
> Anyway, Gates is the best TE in football right now. Gonzo is also better than Shockey, though due to age that won’t be the case for very long. Until he proves otherwise with a full year of good health and good hands, Shockey is in the same class as Witten and Crumpler.

Again, Shockey blocks better than any of those guys. (With the exception of possibly Whitten, but Shockey is a better receiving threat.) Also, Shockey dropped 6 balls last season. The way you hear people talk about his drops, you’d think it was over double that. IIRC, Hilliard led the team in dops last year, and Plax leads it this year. But Shockey always draws the ire of Giants fans for his drops. I didn’t understand it last year, and still don’t this year. Are we still holding a grudge from San Francisco, or what?

Martin is not an aberration when it comes to # of carries. A decent length career is over 3000 carries. Tiki has only 1600.

And Peyton’s recent contract is relatively cap friendly, from what I’ve heard. Good point about his rookie contract going the distance; I was unaware of that. On the plus side, the Colts were able to resign their stud QB and stud WR, but not their stud RB. As far as I can see, we will only have a stud QB and stud WR to resign; Tiki won’t be around long enough to cause a quandry like Edge.

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**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2005, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-things-nfc-east-2005/326566/93 "2005-10-27T08:33:04Z")

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> [@Crandolph](#):
>
> I fully expect we’ll be back atop the conference by the end of the season. I’m thinking likely an overall 12-4 record taking either 4 or all 5 of the remaining NFC East games. This coming game against Denver looks like the toughest game left on the schedule.

You know what pisses me off? I can’t debunk this.

Also, good feedback from several of you on the Pennington to the Bears thing. Yeah, you guys are probably right.

Thank god I’m not a primary Jets fan. That would suck balls.

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**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2005, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-things-nfc-east-2005/326566/94 "2005-10-27T13:23:31Z")

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> [@Bearflag70](#):
>
> Post yer picks?

Ditto to yours – home teams all the way.

Arz @ **Dallas**  
Wash @ **NYG**  
Phil @ **Den**

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**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2005, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-things-nfc-east-2005/326566/95 "2005-10-27T13:40:24Z")

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> [@Bearflag70](#):
>
> My picks in bold:
> 
> Arz @ **Dallas**  
> Wash @ **NYG**  
> Phil @ **Den**

Looks right to me, but I be rooting for Arz to win.

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**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2005, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-things-nfc-east-2005/326566/96 "2005-10-27T14:57:05Z")

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> [@Hal Briston](#):
>
> Ditto to yours – home teams all the way.
> 
> Arz @ **Dallas**  
> Wash @ **NYG**  
> Phil @ **Den**

The only reason I agree is that in a toss-up, always go with the home team. I think Dallas is the most solid pick of the three.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Crandolph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7cd45c/32.png) [@Crandolph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crandolph)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2005, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-things-nfc-east-2005/326566/97 "2005-10-27T15:08:53Z")

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Unfortunately I have to agree with the consensus picks. Friggin’ fraggin’ Denver…

Any over/under picks for Andy Reid’s pass/rush ratio? That’s the big talk here this week: will we ever see two running plays in a row ever again? Worse: will we see 25 passes in a row (while leading a game!) again…

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**Author:** ![MysteryFellow63427](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e4f/32.png) [@MysteryFellow63427](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysteryFellow63427)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2005, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-things-nfc-east-2005/326566/98 "2005-10-27T18:02:03Z")

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Washington beats the Giants this week. I guarantee\* it.

\*notaguarantee

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2005, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-things-nfc-east-2005/326566/99 "2005-10-27T19:39:16Z")

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> [@neuroman](#):
>
> Washington beats the Giants this week. I guarantee\* it.
> 
> \*notaguarantee

Giants win. I guarantee\* it.  
_aguarantee_\*

[sub]\*\*hey, I got nothing to lose if I’m wrong, so what the hell.[/sub]

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**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2005, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-things-nfc-east-2005/326566/100 "2005-10-27T19:53:52Z")

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Giants will win and I will be there to celebrate.

I guarantee\*\* it also.

\*\*If they lose I’ll be a very unhappy camper

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