As we’re stuck in the dead zone of the NFL I’ve been challenged to write about one player that I admire the most from every team in the NFL and why no matter how much I may dislike certain organizations. I’m a proud lifelong Eagles fan, therefore, there are a few teams where this may become a painstakingly over challenging quest. Let us begin this series with The NFC East:
1: The World Champion Philadelphia Eagles. Well, this one is easy: Quarterbacks Carson Wentz and Nick Foles, Running Back Corey Clement, Defensive End Chris Long, and Free Safety/Linebacker Malcolm Jenkins. Yes I know I added a few players from America’s team rather than one. It’s my article hence my rules. Carson Wentz: He’s not only a great Quarterback but a very admirable teammate as well. After he was lost for the season during what would have been an MVP campaign as he broke The Eagles single-season touchdown record after throwing 33 of them he was nothing but supportive of his friend and teammate Nick Foles and helped in any way that he could from the sidelines. Nick Foles: Foles began his NFL career with The Philadelphia Eagles as a former third-round pick. Foles became The Eagles starting Quarterback in just his second season and had an amazing season in which he threw for 27 touchdown passes and just 2 interceptions on his way to leading his team into the postseason in 2013. He started half of the 2014 season for the birds before suffering a broken collarbone. Then the season after that he was rather heartlessly traded to the Rams who were a terrible team at the time. In fact, Jeff Fisher‘s Rams were so bad that Nick Foles nearly retired after only one season with the team. After a stint with The Chiefs as a backup, he came back to the team that drafted him to be the backup Quarterback for Philly and a mentor to Quarterback Carson Wentz. He proved to be far more than an insurance policy as he led The Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl where they beat The New England Patriots 41 to 33. Philly Special anyone? He had an equally impressive game in last years NFC Championship Game as The Eagles crushed The Minnesota Vikings 38 to 7. Nick has earned the right to start again at some point in his career and at some point he certainly will most likely for another team. He will forever be an Eagles legend. Foles is also a great writer. If you have yet to read a copy of his New York Times bestselling book “Believe It” I highly recommend that you pick up a copy. It is a very compelling and eye-opening true story.
The Washington Redskins: Quarterback Alex Smith. Smith has had a great career as one of the games most underrated players. He got off to a rough start early on in his career with The San Francisco 49ers but has shined every season he was a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. ( I still think they were foolish to trade him. ) Last year alone Smith threw for over 4,000 yards and was an MVP candidate. He certainly provides the Redskins with an upgrade at Quarterback as he is a great leader and is highly athletic. There is some bad news. The Redskins have a very average running game, offensive line and a lack of dynamic pass catchers outside of Jordan Reed (if healthy). Smith has less than half the toys to play with the Redskins as he had for many years with the Chiefs.
The Dallas Cowboys: Linebacker Sean Lee. While I hate The Cowboys aka the bad guys of the division aka the Red Skull that my Eagles (Captain America) beat up on in Dallas 37 to 9 last year more than any other team in the NFL…this isn’t fun…I could just end the article here……Well, he went to Penn State……ok…I do admire Sean Lee for three very simple reasons. 1: When he’s on the field The Dallas defense is pretty good. When he’s off the field (which is often) Their defense is just garbage plain and simple. 2: He played his college ball at Penn State. 3: He is a great linebacker that keeps his mouth shut about it unlike his fairly talented teammate/diva and current camp holdout Defensive End Demarcus Lawrence.
Predicting The 2018 NFC East Champions: The Philadelphia Eagles. The only team in the division that could make the playoffs outside of Philly as perhaps a wildcard team is Washington and in order for that to actually happen, they need to add a couple of skill player before the season starts or be lucky enough to have a few undrafted free agent rookies have great preseasons. Washington fans there is a slim chance… but a chance. I’m picking Dallas to finish last. Yes, Elliots back but with Dak at Quarterback and nobody to throw to defenses will shut Elliot down and force Dak to beat them…and he won’t the vast majority of the time. The Giants look like .500 ball club to me…unless one of their non-Geno Smith backup Quarterbacks beats out Manning. This division still belongs to The World Champion Philadelphia Eagles and should for a while. There is a huge gap between The Eagles and the rest of their division and I’m not just saying that because The Eagles are my team. The only hole on their roster is backup Safety. The holes on The Redskins, Giants, and The Cowboys rosters are at nearly every position. Let’s go Eagles!!
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