I would call this year’s matchups between the Cowboys and Redskins “The Stupor Bowl”, but the Cardinals are rather awful too. In the history of the NFL (since the divisional format has been in place) has there ever been a division with three teams of such immense futility? The only comparison I can think of would be the AFC Central of the mid-to-late 80s, where I think an 8-8 team won the division one year.
If the Giants and Eagles don’t get caught napping in any of their divisional games, the 2nd place NFC East team could get a pretty sure wild card by going 5-5 or 4-6 (maybe even 3-7) against real competition.
As an Eagles fan, it grieves me to see the once-mighty NFC East reduced to this. Still, Philly is guaranteed 5 or 6 wins just in the division, so there is a bright side. If they could just beat the damned Giants…
The worst team in the division? The Redskins, no contest (literally).
If the Redskins are still without a couple of linebackers, then they have to be the worst. With a full complement of players I think they stink a little less than the Cowboys.
If either team had a QB they’d be dangerous against the half of the league with weak defenses. I’d have to rate the Redskins offensive weapons a little higher than Dallas’.
The Cards have a terrible defense with one or two individual exceptions, but a legitimately mediocre QB and good wideouts.
All I know is that my fantasy football strategy will be to pick up the RB vs the 'Skins on any given week. This week - Ron Dayne, fortunately left on the waiver wire!
I’m also an Eagles fan, being from the Philly area. Between their being a great team this year and the rest pretty much sucking, is there any doubt it’ll be between them and the Giants? I hate to say it to the dissapointment of some friends of mine, but the 'Skins just don’t have it. I’d concur with the 'Cards, but I just don’t follow them. Definately has to be one of those.
I grew up with Tom Landry, Walt Garrison and Rodger Staubach. Even so, and as much as it pains me to say this, IMHO the Cowboys are primary contractors on building the road to Suckville this year, no off ramps anticipated.
Even in Philadelphia last night, where the Boys should have ever incentive to play hard since the fans there cheered when Irvin lay on the turf with an obvious neck injury, they just laid there and got screwed in the rump. Pathetic.
The NFL obviously is geared so that teams that win for awhile are later at a disadvantage due to lower draft choices, salary cap hits from superstar players, etc. After the success they had in the 90’s (3 Superbowls in 4 years), they’re saddled with the lackluster mediocrity they can afford now. It’s going to take a decade or so to recover but, hey, parity’s awsome for the league.
Washington sucks because of an ignoramus owner. While Jerry Jones is an insufferable ass, at least he knows how to win. Snyder’s just an d*ckhead sportin a labotamy. They’ve still got some talent left off the fired/mired/retired roster. Their game with Dallas this year should be a real Tylenol PM.
The Redskins are the worst, not only in the division, but in the entire NFL.
We’ve lost twice to Dallas in years when we had a far, far better team than we do this year. I’m sure we can repeat on that score this year.
Last night, the final score looked awful from a Dallas fan’s perspective, but the Cowboys’ D only gave up 276 yards to the Eagles, on the road. The Redskins gave up twice that many yards to the Chiefs - 546 yards - at home, and nobody’s saying the Chiefs are in the same weight class as the Eagles.
I watched both games (Cowboys and Redskins) yesterday, and the Redskins were much worse. At least the Dallas players tried hard. Yes, they were completely overmatched and probably will be most of the season. But they are a very young team and they respect the coach and will play their hearts out for him.
The same can not be said of the Redskins. Just look at the missed tackles. Sticking your arm out will not bring down a NFL running back or tight end. The coach is not respected; the players don’t seem to care; the whole playbook system is a shambles.
As RTFirefly mentioned, Dallas played a lot harder than the score would indicate. You lose fumbles on 4 consecutive plays near your own 25 yard line as well as get a punt blocked deep in your own territory, and your oppenent will run up a tremendous score.
My prediction: The Cowboys will be a playoff team in 3 years. No way the Redskins come close to that.
lieu: I won’t hijack this thread to start the debate, but I haven’t seen anyone connect the dots that would show how the Redskins’ current suckosity is all The Danny’s fault. If you think you can show me, feel free to start a new thread in this forum.
divemaster: it’s actually quite possible that the Redskins could be in the playoffs in three years. But not under Schottenheimer. If the 'Skins finish 3-13 or worse, and Snyder keeps quiet throughout, then he’ll be able to (a) fire Marty with a clean conscience, and (b) hire a good GM and a good head coach, having shown that he can support the people that he hires. (I think he’s capable of doing that, btw.)
If that happens, and the new head coach is actually good, then the 'Skins could well see the postseason in 2003.
When I was watching the Redskins game yesterday, it got to the point where I almost expected the Chiefs to score a TD on a kneel down play. But then the Cowboys seemed to fumble the ball every time they touched it in the first half against the Eagles. My inclination is that the Cowboys would have a slight edge. Hmm…what would be the line if the Redskins played Rutgers?
Snyder can’t fire Marty without eating a LOT of contract. I think Marty has 4 or 5 years guaranteed big dough. He seems to be spreading the wealth with his family, too… nepotism doesn’t work in the NFL.
As long as Emmitt Smith is playing, the Cowboys will have some claim to respectability. Without him, they tie the 'Skins for the worst talent level, and performance level, in the NFL.
Lack of player talent on both teams isn’t anyone’s fault but Snyder’s and Jones’.
