UTTQ 2011 NFL Predictions: NFC East

The 2011 season may have not begun, but our 2011 NFL Regular Season predictions have. Here's a brief summary of each NFC East team, in no particular order, starting with the defending division champion Philadelphia Eagles:

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
The Dream Team certainly looks that way on paper. Among the most prized addition to this team includes Nnamdi Asomugha, perhaps the purest shutdown corner in the NFL. Michael Vick is as dangerous as ever; only questions about durability and blitz/coverage reads remain. Questions on the offensive line remain, but the receiving core of Jackson, Maclin, Avant, and Smith looks strong. Celek, McCoy, and Brown should also apply offensive support. The defense also looks studly, particularly the backfield group.

DALLAS COWBOYS
The boys in blue sucked last season, to put it bluntly. After a switch to a new coach in Jason Garrett, the Cowboys look to improve with a revamped offensive line, a stable core of receivers, and a familiar defense. Oh, and Tony's back too. As shown last season, Romo is vital to this team's success (or failure), and it is key that the o-line work together and stay healthy.

NEW YORK GIANTS
The Giants are an interesting team. After tough losses through free agency (Steve Smith, Shaun O'Hara, Kevin Boss) and a recent rash of injuries (Prince Amukamara, Terrell Thomas), this Giants team may end up on the outside of the playoffs looking in. Eli Manning...is he a top quarterback? He has his ups and downs...but if this team is to win, he'd better look start looking more like one.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS
This once proud franchise has had fleeting moments of excellence, but recently, they have struggled. Coach Mike Shanahan hopes that will change this season. Of course, this depends on who plays under center. Will the tenured Rex Grossman start? Or the perennial backup John Beck? Either way, the Redskins have little shot at taking the division crown unless they can shore up their quarterback battle. Perhaps newcomer Tim Hightower can take pressure off this situation, for a while at least.


NFC EAST TITLE: Philadelphia Eagles

• Yes, I'm a victim to the hype. But with arguably the most favorable schedule (save for the Redskins) in the division, I believe Philadelphia has all the ingredients necessary to steal the division.

WILD CARD TEAMS: Dallas Cowboys

• The Cowboys may be this year's dark horse team. After an underwhelming season last year, look for the Boys to bounce back with a vengeance. The Skins have a favorable schedule, but too many questions are left to be answered (particularly at quarterback). The Giants are too inconsistent.

Where will Shaun Rogers end up?

Perhaps one of the most recognizable defensive linemen in the NFL today is Shaun Rogers. Rogers, known for his tremendous size and strength, has been the inevitable backbone of the Detroit Lions from '01-'07, and the Cleveland Browns for the last two years. Rogers has been to 3 Pro Bowls during his career, and has been an effective nose tackle throughout his career. The only problem is that he's been stuck on some really crappy teams. The Lions and Browns have both combined for only 45 wins over Rogers' tenure with both teams, and surely he feels like he would like to compete. Rogers has visited the Washington Redskins, Kansas City Chiefs, and New Orleans Saints. Assuming he'd like to play for a winner, the Saints look to be the best option. The Saints could be losing a lot of players in free agency, and they will need to look for improvement on both sides of the ball. Rogers would be an immediate upgrade to Sedrick Ellis and Remi Ayodele in the front.

Alternatively, Rogers could opt for the Chiefs, with a defense led by former Browns coach Romeo Crennel, who briefly coached Rogers in Cleveland. The veteran NT Ray Edwards has been respectable, but hasn't been as consistent as Rogers over the years. The Redskins could also use Rogers, or anyone, for that matter, considering how badly the Albert Haynesworth situation has turned out. Rogers would be a fair substitute for Haynesworth if he continues to be a distraction. Overall, Rogers would pretty much fit anywhere that his services are needed, if the situation is right.