NFL 2000 Preview - NFC East

Over the next few weeks I will be previewing each of the individual divisions in the NFL. I will offer you my perspective on the strengths and weaknesses of the teams, the impact player movement will have, and who the key players will be. I will also give you my predictions on how they will finish.

So without further ado, lets take a look at the NFC East:

Arizona Cardinals

Last year the Arizona Cardinals headed into the NFL season with high expectations. Those expectations soon went south along with the play of quarterback Jake Plummer who suffered a dislocated thumb and fractured finger.

Jake Plummer must regain the form he showed in 1998 if the Cardinals hope to make a run in the NFC East. The Cardinals can not afford for a repeat of his 1999 performance in which he tossed 24 interceptions in only 11 games.

Dave Brown will back up Plummer to begin the season, but if Plummer should struggle in the early going look for Vince Tobin to make the move to Brown. Last year Brown completed 84 of 169 passes for 944 yards with two touchdowns and six interceptions. Brown makes a very capable back up, but Arizonas chances are in the arm of Jake Plummer.

The Cardinals are strong at starting wide receiver with the return of Rob Moore and Frank Sanders. Both players numbers were down last season, but that was more a result of the quarterbacks inability to get the ball down the field than anything the receivers were doing wrong. With a healthy Plummer the receivers should get right back on track. David Boston will also see a lot of action.

Another problem area for Arizona is at running back. The Cardinals averaged just 75 yards per game on the ground last year and unless Michael Pittman emerges as a full time back, look for the ground game to go nowhere. Tha Cards did take running back Thomas Jones with their first draft pick this year, but it is doubtful he will replace Pittman as the starter.

On defense, the Cardinals have to find a way to stop the run. Last year's team was ranked 30th in the NFL in run defense. Any hopes the Cardinals had of Eric Swann making a complete recovery became moot when Swann decided to move on to the Carolina Panthers. Even without Eric Swann, the Cardinal's defensive line is still a solid group.

The key to stopping the run though will be the linebackers. Arizona is strong in the middle with Ron McKinnon who lead the team in tackles last season, and if outside linebackers Zack Walz and Rob Fredrickson can stay healthy this trio could emerge as one of the best in the NFL. The secondary is led by Aeneas Williams, one of the best cornerbacks in the league.

Vince Tobin starts the season on the hot seat and if the Cardinals struggle early in the season, he could very well be among the first head coaches to get the axe.

Dallas Cowboys
New York Giants
Philadelphia Eagles
Washington Redskins
How Will They Finish?