By Joey Esquire
NFCE Standings:
1. Eagles (11-5)
2. Cowboys (8-8)
3. Giants (7-9)
4. Redskins (6-10)
bEast Curse lives. The Eagles have a strong roster and good coaching on both sides of the ball. Wentz staying healthy is the constant caveat for this team and, I think, the only real obstacle that could prevent them from winning the division.
I predict a regression for the Cowboys based on some unsustainable trends in 2018 including record in close games, wins above expectation and year-over-year defensive performance. The wild card with this team is Kellen Moore.
The Giants are bad on paper, but Pat Shurmur and Eli Manning have enough experience between them to prevent this team from really bottoming out (maybe). I have them at 7-9 which is probably pretty close to their ceiling.
I think the Redskins have more talent than the Giants, but they are a mess at quarterback until Haskins takes over, and even when he does he’ll be learning the ropes and I don’t expect wins to result. Also Jay Gruden is terrible.
All bEast Team:
QB: Wentz
RB: Barkley
WR: Cooper, Jeffery, Jackson
TE: Ertz
OL: Smith, Martin, Kelce, Scherff, Johnson
(I know it’s two RGs. I don’t care. Fuck you)
IDL: Cox, Allen
Edge: Lawrence, Kerrigan
LB: Vander Esch, Collins*
CB: Jones, Norman, Maddox
S: Jenkins, Bethea**
K: Rosas
P: Way
*Seriously though, Smith
**Seriously though, Collins
Notes/Honorable Mentions:
RB is a two-horse race between Elliott and Barkley. Guice and Sanders don’t figure to get enough usage to be All-bEast.
Cooper is an easy pick for WR. After him nobody would surprise me, but Jeffery and Jackson are the favorites.
Frederick returns this year and he and Kelce are 1 and 1a for NFL Centers, so either could fill that spot.
Ionninonioanidas, Payne or Malik Jackson could be in the running for the DT spot next to Cox.
Maddox is a total projection at slot CB All four teams performed pretty poorly vs slot WRs in 2018, so that spot is totally up for grabs.
Collins gets the second safety spot because… my goodness the safeties in this division (outside of Jenkins) are horrible. He’ll fill up a stat sheet anyway.
All bEast Awards:
Pepsi Rookie of the Year: Sanders
FedEx Air and Ground Players of the Year: Wentz and Barkley
AP Defensive Player of the Year: Cox
Salute To Service Award presented by USAA: Prescott
AP Offensive Rookie of the Year: Sanders
AP Offensive Player of the Year: Wentz
Game Changer Award presented by Gillette: Daniel Jones
AP Defensive Rookie of the Year: Deandre Baker
NFCE Hall of Fame Class of 2019: Jeff Garcia (2006, baby); Herschel Walker (Trade Bait); Chris Warren (sucked on TWO NFCE teams); Steve Wisniewski (Stefen’s uncle); Jeff Feagles (name rhymes with Eagles); Tony Romo (broadcaster)
Built Ford Tough Offensive Line of the Year: Eagles
Moment of the Year: Eli’s final NFL pass – a touchdown to Rasul Douglas
Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award: Mara
AP Comeback Player of the Year: Frederick
AP Assistant Coach of the Year: Cannon Matthews, Redskins Defensive Quality Control
Bridgestone Clutch Performance Play of the Year: Haskins 17-yard TD pass (swing pass to Peterson) on third and four to take the lead with 0:29 remaining, Week 17.
Deacon Jones Award: Kerrigan
Touchdown Celebration of the Year: Eagles’ “Make it Rain” celebration, which Carson Wentz participates in even though he clearly doesn’t understand the reference. What a dork.
*Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award: Jason Garrett – University School, Hunting Valley, Ohio
Courtyard Unstoppable Performance of the Year: Tress Way
AP Coach of the Year: Pederson
AP Most Valuable Player: Wentz
Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year presented by Nationwide: Daniel Snyder
*(projected 2020 award)
Monz
First