Philadelphia Eagles Team Needs for 2012

Philadelphia Eagles
2011 Season: 8-8
Offense: 399.1 YPG (4th), 256.9 Passing YPG (9th), 142.3 Rushing YPG (5th), 24.8 PPG (8th)
Defense: 324.9 YPG (8th), 212.3 Passing YPG (12th), 112.6 Rushing YPG (16th), 20.5 PPG (10th)

2012 Potential Free Agents: DT Antonio Dixon, WR Desean Jackson, DEs Victor Abiamiri and Juqua Parker, FB Owen Schmitt, WR Steve Smith, QB Vince Young, OT King Dunlap, OG Evan Mathis

Third up in my 2012 offseason preview is my favorite team, the Philadelphia Eagles.  Nothing more needs to be said than that 2012 was a complete and utter disaster and almost couldn't have panned out worse.  The Eagles were projected to win 9.75 games based on their points per game and points allowed per game, but constantly collapsed in the fourth quarter, choking away at least five fourth quarter leads to lose games. Newly appointed defensive coordinator Juan Castillo couldn't do anything right the first half of the season.  He moved Nnamdi Asomugha away from the right cornerback spot at which he had so much success over the past years, playing him at safety and even nickel linebacker, although Nnamdi isn't known for his exceptional tackling.  The Kevin Kolb trade that brought in Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie probably brought with it a pressure to get Asante Samuel, Nnamdi Asomugha, and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie on the field together, even if in most situations, each was being put in the complete worst situation to succeed with their respective skill sets.

We all know the criticisms of Andy Reid.  His offense has been pass-happy even before the passing craze swept across the NFL recently.  The only problem with that is that he's had a top 10 runningback in the NFL for almost the past decade, whether it was Brian Westbrook in his prime or Lesean McCoy now, that he refuses to utilize properly.  He's horrible on challenging plays, to the tune of a 32.8% success rate (Philly.com provided the research back in 2009).  Additionally, he's quite possibly the worst coach with clock management.  Remember back to the Super Bowl when with 7 minutes left, the Eagles' offense was still huddling while down 2 scores.  Or when the Eagles had the ball at midfield with 1:50 left and one timeout, down 7 against the Saints in 2007, and punted the ball to them on 4th and 10, basically surrendering the game.  Reid's on the hottest seat in the NFL coming into 2012, and if he doesn't get this team to the playoffs, heads are going to roll.  But as with all NFL teams, we've seen about all the coaching changes that will take place this offseason, so I'll move on to addressing the Eagles' major problems.

Washington Redskins Team Needs for 2012

Washington Redskins
2011 Record: 8-8
Offense: 336.7 YPG (16th), 235.8 Passing YPG (14th), 100.9 Rushing YPG (25th), 18 PPG (26th)
Defense: 339.8 YPG (13th), 222.1 Passing YPG (12th), 117.8 Rushing YPG (18th), 22.9 PPG (21st)

2012 Potential Free Agents: QB Rex Grossman, RB Tim Hightower, WR Donte Stallworth, C Will Montgomery, DEs Adam Carriker and Kedric Golston, MLBs London Fletcher and Rocky McIntosh, S Laron Landry, CB Byron Westbrook

The Redskins started off the year 2-0 and everyone rushed to proclaim them the sleeper team in the NFC.  Rex Grossman is a real quarterback look at him play well!  They run the ball and play good defense!  Well unfortunately for the Redskins, that spiraled downward into a 5-11 finish on the season.  Lowlights of the season include:

• Two of the Redskins' good young players were suspended for the final four games for violating the league's substance abuse policy
• Mike Shanahan playing QB Carousel with Rex Grossman and John Beck
• Mike Shanahan inexplicably not playing Roy Helu consistently until the end of the season

The first thing I would suggest the Redskins do is get a new coach, new GM, and new owner.  But since none of that is realistically happening, we'll move on to the real needs of the team.

Dallas Cowboys Team Needs for 2012

Dallas Cowboys:
2011 record: 8-8
Offense: 375.5 YPG (11th), 262.6 Pass YPG (7th), 112.9 Rush YPG (18th), 23.1 PPG (15th)
Defense: 343.2 YPG (13th), 244.1 Pass YPG (23rd), 99.1 Rush YPG (7th), 21.7 PPG (16th)

2012 Notable Free Agents: S/CB Alan Ball, S Abram Elam, TE Martellus Bennett, OG Derrick Dockery, P Mat McBriar, WR Laurent Robinson, LBs Keith Brooking, Anthony Spencer, Bradie James

The Cowboys finished the year as a pretty mediocre team, but one that blew plenty of opportunities to make the playoffs.  The Giants came back to win the NFC East in Week 17, and the Cowboys definitely have room to improve from this 8-8 season.