NFC East preview

It is hardly fair to call the tiny capsules we are going to do this year a preview, but we wanted to go on record with our NFL picks before the season started. The first game in recent years has been on a Thursday, this year is no different. It involves two NFC East foes, the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants and the Washington Redskins under first year coach Jim Zorn. The Giants were a shocking revelation to the Clarion last year. We predicted against them the whole way. This year brings nothing different. Without further adieu then, our NFC East picks.

1st place

Dallas Cowboys

We like Tony Romo. We are unconcerned about the so-called Jessica Simpson curse. T.O. is a super talent on the field. Besides Owens the receiver corps is thin, but the running back stable is full. Bruiser Marion Barber III is ably backed by the rookie phenom Felix Jones. Their superb defensive line is good enough to make their linebackers and secondary appear almost Pro Bowl caliber. Over 10 wins.

2nd place

Philadelphia Eagles

Here at the Clarion, we love Donovan McNabb and we don't really care what anyone thinks about it. If the Eagles had ever, ever gotten the guy any wide receivers, he'd of brought them a couple of Lombardi trophies by now. The one year they gave him T.O., the only legit number one, let alone Pro Bowler that McNabb has ever played with, Donovan got them all the way to the Super Bowl. Brian Westbrook is a terrific back, running and receiving. Andy Reid is good coach, the defense is solid. Over 9 wins.

3rd place

Washington Redskins

Jason Campbell, this is it. This is the year for Redskins QB, Jason Campbell to breakthrough. He quarterbacked an Auburn squad, on probation, through an undefeated SEC season, which was the last time that has been done. The Clarion has always believed in him as a leader. He has the savvy, the composure and the arm strength to be a good NFL starter. It helps to have Clinton Portis in the backfield and Santana Moss and Antwan Randle-El split wide. Folks are worried about first year coach Jim Zorn, but the ancient editors at the Clarion's desk have confidence in Zorn dating all the way back to the Steve Largent era Seahawks. Zorn is a sharp football mind, given time he'll be fine. If it all comes together on the defensive side of the ball, especially with the addition of defensive end Jason Taylor, the Skins could make it three NFC East playoff teams. The Clarion predicts at least 8 wins.

4th place

New York Giants

The Giants fans should delight in this prediction, if only because predictions of success by the Clarion are the kiss of death for sports franchises. Still it is hard to love the Giants when they lost both of their starting defensive ends from last year, Michael Strahan to retirement and Osi Umenyiora to injury. Worse they let underrated linebacker Kawika Mitchell depart via free agency. On the offensive side of the ball the Clarion has never been a fan of Eli Manning. (One David Tyree miracle catch from 0-1 in the Super Bowl.) Nor have we ever thought much of Plastic-o Burress, the Giants number one wideout. Amani Toomer is finishing a borderline Hall of Fame career, but he has to get old sometime. Says here that the Giants win around 7 games this year.

The rest of our NFL preview will be in the Clarion Sports section later this week.