{"id":77766,"date":"2019-12-12T18:18:05","date_gmt":"2019-12-12T23:18:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=77766"},"modified":"2022-02-02T18:44:57","modified_gmt":"2022-02-02T23:44:57","slug":"the-nfc-east-championship-aspirations-deceased","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2019\/12\/12\/the-nfc-east-championship-aspirations-deceased\/","title":{"rendered":"The NFC East Championship Aspirations Are Deceased"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Dallas Cowboys<\/a>, Philadelphia Eagles<\/a>, New York Giants<\/a> and Washington Redskins<\/a> are four of the most successful franchises in American football history. The NFC East teams have appeared in 21 Super Bowls and won 13 championships. With the Eagles victory over the New England Patriots<\/a> in Super Bowl LII, all four franchises have hoisted the Vince Lombardi trophy. Even more impressive than their titles is the NFC East’s roster of all-time players and coaches. It\u2019s a who\u2019s who of NFL Hall of Famers–Roger Staubach<\/a><\/strong>, Emmitt Smith<\/a><\/strong>,<\/strong> Chuck<\/strong> Bednarik<\/strong><\/a>, Reggie White<\/a><\/strong>, Lawrence Taylor<\/a><\/strong>, Sam Huff<\/a><\/strong>, Art Monk<\/a><\/strong>,<\/strong> Sonny Jurgensen<\/a><\/strong>, Tom Landry<\/a><\/strong>, Jimmy Johnson<\/a><\/strong>, Dick Vermeil<\/strong>, Bill Parcells<\/strong>, Tom Coughlin<\/strong>, and Joe Gibbs<\/a><\/strong>. The NFC East rivalries are some of the league’s most intense. But this season, the NFC East is bad. Their championship aspirations are deceased. What needs to change for the teams to live up to their proud reputations?<\/span><\/p>\n

NFC East Championship Aspirations in 2019: Dead on Arrival<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Big D May Have ED<\/span><\/h3>\n

The \u201cD\u201d is Dallas must stand for drama because most seasons since the franchise\u2019s Super Bowl run in the 1990s have been filled sensational headlines, preseason hype and ultimately bitter disappointment for Owner\/GM\/President Jerry Jones<\/a><\/strong> and the fanbase. This season is no different. The team is hovering at the .500 mark and faces major long-term contract decisions for quarterback Dak Prescott<\/a><\/strong> and number one wide receiver Amari Cooper<\/a><\/strong>. Head coach Jason Garrett<\/a><\/strong> is on the hot seat and the play-calling duties have been turned over to first-time offensive coordinator Kellen Moore<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Amidst all that instability, the main on-field problem with Dallas remains the schizophrenic nature of the offense. Rather than rely on Pro Bowl running back Ezekiel Elliott<\/a><\/strong>, Moore\u2019s offense is prioritizing Prescott\u2019s arm talent. Prescott leads <\/span>the entire NFL in passing yards<\/span><\/a> and is tied for fourth in passing touchdowns. But the production hasn\u2019t produced wins. The Cowboys are 1-3 in their last four games. Over that span, Elliott has averaged 17 rushes and 62 yards per game. The Cowboys are 20-4 when Elliott goes over 100 yards and 4-1 in 2019 specifically. Garrett needs to take control of the offense, rely on the running game or the Cowboys will go another season without a Super Bowl appearance.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Philly Special Is Ordinary<\/span><\/h3>\n

Just two seasons ago, the Eagles were the toast of the NFC East. They won their first Super Bowl title in the history of the franchise. They defeated the Patriots and backup quarterback Nick Foles<\/a><\/strong>, running back LeGarrette Blount<\/a><\/strong>, and tight end Trey Burton<\/a> <\/strong>became national heroes. Apparently the Eagles magic carpet ride has ended. The Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a> just benched\u00a0Foles, Blount spent the 2018 season with the Detroit Lions<\/a>, and Burton signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bears<\/a>. The 2019-20 version of the Eagles looks nothing like a title contender and may not make the playoffs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On paper, franchise quarterback Carson Wentz<\/strong><\/a> is an upgrade over Foles, but Wentz has failed to live up to being the second overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft. Doug Pederson<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s offense features an inconsistent running game with unheralded young backs and the secondary is struggling. If the Eagles failures are some sort of Super Bowl hangover, it could go down as the longest in history. The more likely scenario is that the depth that played such a big part in their Super Bowl win had to be sacrificed to pay Carson Wentz. He signed a new four-year contract extension deal that’s worth $128 million, with <\/span>$66 million<\/span><\/a> fully guaranteed at signing and $107.9 million in guarantees. Eagles\u2019 general manager Howie Roseman<\/strong> must add more elite talent to the roster through the draft.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Giants Come Up Short<\/span><\/h3>\n

Over the past three seasons, Big Blue has won a total of seven games, fired two head coaches, one general manager, benched their two-time Super Bowl MVP quarterback, and traded one of their best offensive weapons ever. John Mara<\/strong> and Steve Tisch<\/strong> are two of the most respected owners in the league, so who\u2019s to blame? It\u2019s the general manager and the coaching staff.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Giants hired Dave Gettleman<\/strong> as their general manager in 2018. Gettleman led the Carolina Panthers<\/a> to a Super Bowl appearance. But his Giants’ tenure is defined by illogical personnel decisions. Gettleman has tried to convince fans that New York could rebuild while remaining competitive. The Giants soured on Odell Beckham<\/a><\/strong> because of controversial behavior and inability to remain healthy. Rather than move the uber-talented wide receiver, Gettleman made OBJ the <\/span>highest-paid wideout<\/span><\/a> in the league. One year later, Gettleman traded him to the Cleveland Browns<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

In Gettleman\u2019s first draft multiple top-rated quarterbacks available to the Giants. Gettleman selected Penn State running back Saquon Barkley<\/a><\/strong> with the team\u2019s first-round draft pick, number two overall. Big Blue passed on Sam Darnold<\/a><\/strong>, Josh Allen<\/a><\/strong>, and Lamar Jackson<\/a><\/strong> to keep Eli Manning<\/a><\/strong> as their starting quarterback. Manning\u2019s tenure as franchise quarterback would end just one season later when Gettleman selected Daniel Jones<\/a><\/strong> with the sixth pick in the 2019 NFL draft. Shurmur benched Manning after the first two games of the 2019-20 season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Gettleman has tried to reconstruct the defense too. Defensive coordinator James Bettcher<\/strong>\u2019s defense doesn\u2019t consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks and is susceptible to tight ends and receivers in the middle of the field. Safety Jabrill Peppers<\/strong><\/a> was acquired in the OBJ trade by Gettleman, but has played inconsistently and is now injured. Gettleman acquired former Jets defensive tackle Leonard Williams<\/a><\/strong> in season to be a difference-maker. But Williams doesn\u2019t consistently rush the passer and wants elite lineman money when he\u2019s a free agent at the end of the season. But Gettleman\u2019s biggest failure is his choice of head coach Pat Shurmur<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dead Coach Walking<\/h3>\n

Shurmur had a reputation as a dynamic play-caller. His system thrived for the Vikings and made Case Keenum<\/a>, Dalvin Cook<\/a>, Adam Thielen<\/a>, Kyle Rudolph<\/a><\/strong>, and Stefon Diggs<\/a><\/strong> a lot of money. But Shurmur\u2019s play-calling has fizzled in the Big Apple. In two seasons as head coach, Shurmur has a 7-22 record. The Giants rank <\/span>26th in total offense<\/span><\/a> and 25th in scoring this season. The Giants are 2-11 and rumors are that both Shurmur and Gettleman could be fired at season\u2019s end.<\/span><\/p>\n

Washington Rots From the Head<\/span><\/h3>\n

The futility of the Redskins begins and ends with one man, owner Daniel Snyder<\/strong>. Snyder has <\/span>owned the Washington NFL franchise<\/span><\/a> for more than 20 seasons. The franchise has just five winning seasons and two playoff victories during his tenure. The Redskins have had 11 losing seasons since Snyder took over and have never reached a conference championship game. Now in his 21st season in ownership, Snyder has employed seven different head coaches. Washington has been led by Bill Callahan<\/a><\/strong>, Joe Gibbs<\/a>, Jay Gruden<\/strong>, Mike Shanahan<\/strong>, Marty Schottenheimer<\/a><\/strong>, Steve Spurrier<\/a><\/strong>, and Jim Zorn<\/a><\/strong>. That instability has led to a lot of losing and substantial questions about the future of the franchise.<\/span><\/p>\n

The instability of the coaching staff has impacted decisions about who\u2019s the Redskins starting quarterback. Even before the season started, there were questions as to who should be under center. Rumors circulated the former head coach <\/span>Jay Gruden did not want the organization to draft<\/span><\/a> Dwayne Haskins<\/a><\/strong>. Snyder stepped in and made the pick. The Redskins ultimately drafted Haskins in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft, 15th overall. At the start of the season, Haskins was listed third on the depth chart behind Case Keenum<\/a><\/strong> and Colt McCoy<\/a><\/strong>. So far this season all three quarterbacks have started games. Haskins has the job for now, but like most young quarterbacks he’s struggling to adjust to complex NFL defenses and having <\/span>less time<\/span><\/a> in the pocket to throw a pass.<\/span><\/p>\n

In Summation<\/span><\/h3>\n

The NFC East is traditionally home to some of the best teams in the NFL, but the one trait that three out of the four losing teams have in common is ineffective leadership.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The power and influence of Jerry Jones undercuts Cowboys\u2019 head coach Jason Garrett<\/a>. The Giants\u2019 chose the wrong general manager and head coach for the job. Snyder has never shown an ability to lead a winning NFL franchise. Eagles\u2019 owner Jeffrey Lurie<\/strong> and Doug Pederson<\/a> are proven commodities, but their team is currently struggling. With some smart draft picks and better luck, the Eagles should be the only consistent playoff contender from the NFC East going forward.<\/span><\/p>\n

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