Eagles team to beat in NFC...

September 2007

For fans of the Philadelphia Eagles, the onset of the 2007 season brings both positive and negative news.

The good is that, with reasonable assurance, we can predict another in the now lengthy run of NFC Eastern Division titles under Coach Andy Reid.

The bad news is we can say so with confidence largely due to the glaring weaknesses of their competitors: The Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants and Washington Redskins.

Start with the guys with silver stars on their helmets.

Other than Fox Sports’ obsequious Jack Buck, is anyone out there really convinced that Tony Romo is the long-term answer at quarterback?

Come on, now.

In blunter terms, do you really think that aging coaching legend Bill Parcells would have voluntarily walked away from a team with real Super Bowl potential?

Granted the ‘Boys' have some intriguing talent in players like defensive standout DeMarcus Ware and running back Julius Jones, but come playoff time they will still be watching, at home, like the rest of America.

Then there’s our own New Jersey team, the Giants. This cagey little bunch of underachievers can only figure to go directly into the tank without passing go since the departure of their only real star, the recently retired Tiki Barber. Again, the same principle applies here as to Parcells, do you really believe Barber, who clearly had miles left in his tank, wouldn’t have returned if he thought his squad had any chance at being in Arizona come February? I don’t think so.

And between foolishly stubborn head coach Tom Coughlin, wildly inconsistent signal caller Eli Manning, whiny, oft-injured tight end Jeremy Shockey, and will-he-retire-or-not holdout Michael Strahan, this team is a disaster waiting to happen. Hear that ticking noise emanating from The Meadowlands? That’s the sound of this team waiting to implode, all before the cold, unflinching eye of the New York media swarm. If nothing else, it will sell newspapers, and drive callers to talk radio in droves.

As for the Redskins, at least they are a team heading in the right direction, especially on the defensive side of the ball. But we’re not sold on Jason Campbell as a starting NFL quarterback, and Joe Gibbs seems oddly baffled - like an old man wandering aimlessly in a grocery store - with game-day decision making since his latest return to the sidelines.

So, the road to the playoffs looks pretty favorable at this point for the guys in green. Even the rest of the NFC doesn’t pose that significant a threat, provided, of course, that Donovan McNabb’s surgically repaired knee can last the entire season. Expect to see them facing either the Seattle Seahawks or New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship game early in ’08, maybe right in South Philly.

As for the American Football Conference, things are a bit more dynamic and competitive. Right now, we see at least five teams - the defending champion Indianapolis Colts, dynastic New England Patriots, plus the Baltimore Ravens, San Diego Chargers, and Cincinnati Bengals - all superior to their cross-conference counterparts.

Throw in the Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, and possibly even the Jacksonville Jaguars as contenders, and you get some indication of the depth of talent the AFC possesses. We’ll go all the way out on a limb and predict a not-so surprising showdown between Indy and the Patriots to decide who will go on to capture the next NFL championship.

We might even be looking at a repeat of the ’06 Super Bowl pairing the Eagles and Pats.

Elsewhere in the NFL...

Here are a few quick-hitting thoughts and opinions.

Teams going up – NFC...

Minnesota Vikings - Former Oklahoma tailback Adrian Peterson is the real deal, a future All Pro running back, and the next Rookie of the Year. Great, potential job-saving news for second year head coach and former Eagles offensive coordinator, Brad Childress.

Arizona Cardinals - Yeah, we’ve heard this one before. But if Matt Leinart stays healthy he will make great use of potent wide outs Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, plus Edgerrin James, and put up some daunting, enormous numbers in the warm desert air.

Tampa Bay Bucs - Jeff Garcia will confirm that last year’s stellar fill-in work for the Eagles was no fluke.

On the decline in the NFC:

Chicago Bears - Despite playing in the weakest division in all of football, the NFC Central, Da Bears will be hard-pressed to repeat last year’s successes. We believe the trade of running back Thomas Jones to the Jets will prove disastrous for embattled incumbent quarterback Rex Grossman. Expect a QB controversy in The Windy City by the time November’s gales arrive, if not sooner.

St Louis Rams - Even with the enormously talented Stephen Jackson getting more touches than anyone, this offense, featuring esteemed, but long-in-the-tooth receivers Isaac Bruce and Tori Holt, looks to struggle. (The Eagles wily acquisition of young slot man Kevin Conway can only serve to accelerate and exacerbate their decline.)

Atlanta Falcons - Really shouldn’t require an explanation, but the magnitude of the Mike Vick train wreck will cause the most damage seen around here since General Sherman dropped in, likely crippling the franchise for years to come.

Teams going up – AFC...

New England - This Kroft/Belichick Frankenstein monster continues to reload, picking up troubled, game breaking wide receiver Randy Moss and premier defensive lineman Adalius Thomas over the off season. Remember, this team was only 30 short minutes - and a miraculous Indy comeback - away from the Super Bowl last year. Scary stuff, kids.

Tennessee Titans - Pacman or not, the undeniable physical gifts of Vince Young make Tennessee one team no contender wants to see looming on their upcoming schedule, especially late in the season. Young is capable of winning games by himself, the rarest commodity of all in this most team-oriented sport.

On the way down – AFC...

San Diego Chargers - Former head coach Marty Schottenheimer’s reward from owner Alex Spanos for a remarkable 2007 campaign was a quick pink slip after their home playoff loss. Worse yet, his replacement, Norv Turner, has shown absolutely no aptitude during previous stints with Dallas and Oakland. At least they have the superlative LaDainian Tomlinson, the very finest football player currently residing on planet Earth.

Miami Dolphins - Although they possess a stalwart defense, we don’t think that former Chiefs' quarterback Trent Green, now 35, still looking woozy and tentative from last year’s serious concussion, will return to be a top-flight NFL quarterback.

Margate's JCC Basketball Team Captures bronze in LA...

In local sports news, we’d like to take a moment to heartily congratulate the 14 and Under boys basketball team from Margate’s Jewish Community Center, and their coach Clyde Battle, on capturing a Bronze Medal at the recent Macabee Games in Los Angeles.

With 350 teams competing in this prestigious event - a sort of Jewish Olympics- from around the nation, Margate’s team distinguished both itself and our entire region.

Even more encouraging for South Jersey hoops fans was the fact that the Gold Medal team also came from southern New Jersey, representing Cherry Hill.

Restaurant openings...

An outpost of legendary New York eatery Bain’s Deli officially debuted this past month, at 636 Landis Avenue in beautiful downtown Vineland.

The new venture, dubbed Bain’s Deli and the Fuel House will offer breakfast, lunch and dinner, and feature the illustrious delicatessen sandwiches and specialty items, which made Bain’s an established brand name in the restaurant industry.

This is the initial food service venture for owner Russell Swanson, a local entrepreneur whose family has owned and operated high-volume Cumberland County hardware enterprises since the 1950’s. Michael Bain, the chain’s

Frank Gabriel may be reached at Thaibasil@AOL.com