As training camps open, and the Free Agent feeding frenzy continues, one of the more hotly debated topics around the NFL is the Philadelphia Eagles and the signing of Pro-Bowler and hot commodity, Nnamdi Asomugha. After the inevitable trade with Arizona for Rogers-Cromartie (which this writer thinks was a STEAL for Philly), the Eagles are looking stacked in the defensive backfield, and should former pro-bowler Asante Samuel stay put in the city of brotherly love, there's little argument that they are the best in the business. Trade rumors abound however, and should Samuel be moved in the next week or so, here are a few teams that would give the Eagles secondary a run for their money:
The New York Jets - Assumed by many to be the front-runner in the Asomugha sweepstakes, the Jets just re-signed the second best Free Agent corner on the market, Antonio Cromartie. In addition, they still have second year corner, Kyle Wilson who disappointed a bit in year one, but who may have fallen pray to unrealistic expectations based on Darelle Revis' prolonged holdout in 2010. The aforementioned Revis is the best shut down corner in the business, and with all three corners in the same system in a lockout shortened camp, it's reasonable to expect that they'll be more successful early than the new look Eagles.
The Green Bay Packers - Don't sleep on the Super Bowl champs. This secondary is largely intact and features future hall-of-famer Charles Woodson. Make no mistake, at 34, Woodson can still bring it, and Tramon Williams can flat out play. Look for the Packers to be a strong contender to repeat, as they're getting quite a few players back from injury this year, and they are still one of the younger teams in the NFL.
There are many out there who have already anointed the Eagles as the NFC representative in the big game in Indy this year. I think there are a few teams out there who have been there, and who will likely be there again before the Eagles can break through.
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Based on the title of this article, I'm sure there are those of you who have already decided that I'm a bit nuts, but all I ask is that you reserve judgement until you've reached the end.
Sure, based on statistics, there are more than six starting QBs in the NFL that have outpaced third year starter, Mark Sanchez. Moreover, there have been certain starts by the USC grad that have been downright awful, but here are three reasons that I'd take him over any of the Tier II quarterbacks:
Work Ethic - You have to give it to the kid. He wants to be great. Some young QBs come into the NFL wanting to make a squad, learn a playbook, and compete for a starting job. This kid came into New York City and wanted nothing less than to be the next Joe Willie, and I think that he has the drive to get close. The spotlight certainly does not phase him.
Playoff Wins - Love him or hate him, Sanchez holds the NFL RECORD for most road wins in the playoffs. This is only his THIRD YEAR! This stat has been downplayed by several of the NFL TV pundits, but I think it shows him to be a tough-minded pro with a penchant for shining when the spotlight is brightest.
Professionalism - Recently, Sanchez offered to re-structure his contract to free up cap space. The result has been a quick signing of number 1 WRSantonio Holmes, and a serious courtship with lockdown corner and would-be broadway star, NnamdiAsomugha. This kind of team-first mentality is not just rare, but non-existent in this era of professional sports. I guarantee this won him no brownie points with an Players' Association that just ended the longest work stoppage in NFL history, and that seems to be OK with Sanchez. It's all about winning with this kid, and I guarantee the other Jets (veterans and rookies alike) are taking notice.
There are plenty of other reasons to believe that Sanchez will have success in 2011 (newly re-signed Santonio Holmes as a target, another year in the same system with Shottenheimer, the trust of head coach Rex Ryan), but i believe it's his grit and commitment that separate him from many of his contemporaries.
Is he Peyton Manning....no. But as a life-long New York Jets fan, I'll take my chances with Mark Sanchez!
