For fans of the world’s greatest game, the long wait for the start of a new season its nearing its conclusion. By week four of the preseason, most depth charts have been written, game-plans formulated, and rosters trimmed down. But for a chosen few, the last week of “pretend football” is the difference between living their dream, and becoming the assistant night and weekend manager at the local used car lot. At the very least one can enjoy the beauty of competition as players fight for their livelihoods. Nevertheless, the games will be played due to Mr. Goodell’s affinity for taking every last penny out of the fans’ pockets, and the NFC East is no exception.
Last seasons’ division winners finish their preseason schedule against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and will hope to find a solution to their backup quarterback problem. Rex Grossman took over the reins from Kirk Cousins when the latter suffered a mild foot-sprain in preseason week two, leaving his availability for the start of the season in jeopardy. If Griffin III suffers a setback between now and the team’s first game September 9th, Grossman starting week one may be a more realistic possibility than Redskins’ fans realize.
Washington’s front seven is one of the most formidable in football, and would have had their hands full in this matchup if Doug Martin were to suit up. Fortunately for the least politically correct franchise in the NFL, the muscle hamster will not suit up for this contest, meaning the defenses’ focus should be in the secondary. Safety Bacarri Rambo and corner David Amerson are fighting for starting positions, so keep a close eye as these two should see extended action in both of the teams’ final preseason warm-ups.
This season’s edition of the battle for Texas will take place in the house that Jerry Jones built. The Dallas Cowboys will take on the Houston Texans for their final regular season tune up in a contest that would have been highly anticipated, if it were to happen one week later. Fans will have to sate their appetites by watching Joseph Randle battle Lance Dunbar for the second string spot at running back. Furthermore, Gavin Escobar , the team’s third round pick, should see extended action as he prepares to take on a larger role within the team’s offense.
On the defensive side of the ball, Dallas hasn’t had an ideal preseason. Injury concerns surround two of the team’s four starting defensive linemen Jay Ratliff , and Anthony Spencer , and a third is adjusting to a new role Demarcus Ware. However, Dallas’ main concern on the defensive front comes at the safety position. Experienced safeties Will Allen , Barry Church Danny McCray , Matt Johnson and longshot freshman J.J. Wilcox are competing for the two starting spots. While Wilcox shined against the Raiders recording six tackles and an interception, Johnson suffered an ankle injury against the Dolphins, and has yet to be able to regroup from his injury.
The frontrunners in this contest are Allen and Church as the former started under defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin in Tampa Bay, and Church was recently signed to an extension. If the Cowboys expect to contend for a division title, Allen and Church seem to be the right men for the job.
For the New York Giants, the 2013 preseason has been a period of turmoil, especially on the offensive line. By now many have heard about the Giants’ injuries to guard Chris Snee and David Baas as both are expected to miss the season opener. However, the Giants’ training staff will remain busy as starting right tackle David Diehl will miss the first six weeks of the season due to a thumb injury which will require surgery. Such woe begotten luck leaves the offensive line as a true weak-point on the Giants’ offense. Games in the NFL are won and lost at the line of scrimmage, which does not bode well for the boys in blue. First round pick Justin Pugh should step up for one of the injured players, probably Diehl, but who else will step up in a time of need? Expect Jim Cordle , James Brewer , and Brandon Mosley to get extended looks in the team’s final tune-up against the Patriots.
Middle linebacker Mark Herzlich entered camp as the team’s starting linebacker and many hoped the former Boston College Golden Eagle would fill a void in the Giants’ defense. Unfortunately for New York, Herzlich has not blossomed into the next Antonio Pierce. Tom Coughlin has stated that the competition will continue throughout the remainder of the preseason. if necessary. The duo will have an excellent chance to exhibition against one of the best rushing tandems in the league as Patriots running backs Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen look to repeat their impressive first season from a year ago. Keith Rivers and Spencer Paysinger are the expected starters on the outside, but don’t sleep on Aaron Curry and Jacquian Williams who will see playing time whether they break the starting 11 or not. Regardless, the Giants will round off their preseason against one of the best teams in football, even though Tom Brady will not take the field.
Chip Kelly’s Eagles will take a trip North on I-95 for their final exhibition in a familiar location against an unfamiliar foe. Philadelphia travels to the Meadowlands to take on the New York Jets in its last chance to show off some depth at receiver. Long-shot to take the roster, Ifeani Momah will need a spectacular showing and better understanding of the playbook if he hopes to make the team. Momah is a large, quick receiver with good hands, but struggles against press coverage. A more likely candidate to fill the roster spot opened by the injury to Jeremy Maclin , Russell Shepard will look to show off his possession skills and breakaway speed, as he will try to cement his position ahead of one of the largest surprises from training camp, Greg Salas . Salas shined in his first few preseason appearances before being sidetracked with an injury. If he can find a way to get on the field by week four of the preseason, Salas could push to make the team with a strong showing.
The Eagles’ defense has all but take shape, and should dominate a stagnant Jets’ offense. Two primary position battles will continue through the end of training camp for the Philadelphia, defensive end, and safety. Veteran Vinny Curry is battling Bennie Logan for the final starting position along the defensive line, and both players look more than capable of succeeding in the position. Logan, a third round pick from LSU, has surprised with his ability to penetrate second-team defensive lines. Curry is an established veteran on the Eagles roster, and has shown tremendous run stopping ability. In all likelihood, both men will see time within the defense this season, though Logan is making a strong push to start. Philadelphia’s secondary has fallen into place over the course of training camp, and the final positional battle is taking place at safety. Nate Allen , fifth round pick Earl Wolff , and Kenny Phillips are fighting for a starting job, and don’t expect this contest to end before the preseason does. Phillips must prove he can stay healthy if he hopes to make the team, which has not been the case for the majority of camp. For now, Allen and Wolff appear to be the favorites to win the job, but a strong outing from Phillips in the preseason finale would put him in a favorable position to make the team.
There is little doubt that the NFC is the more talented conference heading into 2013, so a wild-card berth may not be possible for any of the East’s four members. Each franchise heads into its’ final exhibition match with a possible season-altering decision to make. In a division so evenly matched, the smallest mistake can alter a season dramatically, just ask Tony Romo.