newjerseynewsroom.com

BY SAM HITCHCOCK

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

COMMENTARY

Ironically, it is the nickname of one of my least favorite athletes, and why it has stuck is beyond me. There is no denying Kobe Bryant’s greatness as a basketball player, and while he wants “Black Mamba” (a snake in Africa that is very aggressive, very agile, and very deadly) to be his nickname because of its predator attributes, it may suit a team more.

Before a Black Mamba kills its prey, it freezes, then launches itself at the target and ferociously tears it to bits. The Black Mamba feeds and then goes about its business, kind of like the New York Giants.

The G-Men have won two of the last five Super Bowls, retain the most clutch quarterback in the NFL in his prime, and yet somehow are still flying under the radar. They have the best pass rush in the NFL when healthy (and unquestionably one of the most formidable of all-time), and Eli Manning put up career numbers last year.

The Giants are more suited to the nickname “Black Mamba” because they get off to a fast start (the reptile moving along the ground hunting for food), then they “freeze” to create complacency in their prey (the Giants’ annual second half swoon), and then they strike with a ferocity and vigor that makes them one of the most feared in the animal kingdom (the Giants always seem to find themselves at their healthiest at regular season’s end and wreak havoc in the playoffs).

Here is a team-by-team NFC East breakdown of who stands in the Giants’ path for the divisional title.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES:

Somehow, the Philadelphia Eagles, in the wake of a horrible tragedy (Andy Reid’s son dying), with a quarterback who is the biggest question mark durability-wise in the entire conference (Houston Texans’ Matt Schaub may be his biggest competitor for the NFL), and with a lot of huge egos on both sides of the ball (their receivers and cornerbacks think quite highly of themselves, despite the lack of postseason success), are somehow a more popular Super Bowl favorite than Big Blue.

As sad as it is to think of the implications of what can happen when a terrible event unfolds, such as with Reid’s son, the Giants saw the effects last year in the playoffs. In the NFC Conference Semi-Finals, Green Bay Packer’s offensive coordinator Joe Philbin’s son died shortly before the game. Philbin tried to courageously work through it and called the game, but quite understandably the Packers looked out of sync and the Giants rolled on.

The Eagles had major issues at linebacker last season, but brought in DeMeco Ryans to try to help alleviate that layer of defense. The Eagles’ management also moved cornerback Asante Samuel to Atlanta, and now seem content with Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie as their primary defensive backs.

Even the Eagles’ biggest strengths are clouded with question marks. How will star running back LeSean McCoy fare now that Demetress Bell, and not Jason Peters, is lined up along the starting line? The Eagles’ defensive line was loaded last year and got tons of pressure and sacks on opposing quarterbacks – but even with that high-energy, consistent pass rush, they allowed 21 or more points in their first 12 games (going 4-8 in that stretch). The Eagles have a lot of offensive and defensive firepower, but there certainly will be health concerns once the season gets moving -- and whether this team can sustain a consistent, winning week-to-week performance is highly unquestionable.

DALLAS COWBOYS:

The Cowboys’ secondary was anemic last year, but this offseason they went ahead and made it a strength when they signed free agent defensive back Brandon Carr and drafted Morris Clairborne.

They have a very capable quarterback in Tony Romo, some nice offensive weapons (providing receivers Miles Austin, Dez Bryant, running back DeMarco Murray, and tight end Jason Witten can stay on the field), and have quite possibly the best defensive player in the game in DeMarcus Ware.

But similar to the Eagles, with the ‘Boys you will find many more questions than answers. Will Dallas give Romo any time to pass? Will their safeties provide stability against divisional deep threats like Victor Cruz, DeSean Jackson, Hakeem Nicks, and Jeremy Maclin? What is the number of sacks that DeMarcus Ware will need to hit if he wants the Cowboys to have another efficient pass rush (Ware accounted for 19.5 of the Cowboys’ 42 sacks last year)?

The Cowboys certainly have some major talent at assorted positions, and Romo has the right temperament and skill-set to develop a championship pedigree. But Dallas is lacking depth in a league in which the season is a war of attrition. That will not bode well, especially if they suffer any injuries along their offensive line or secondary.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS:

You need a top-caliber quarterback to win, and running the ball is secondary; you need a top-caliber quarterback to win, and running the ball is secondary; you need a top-caliber quarterback to win, and running the ball is secondary. The NFL has changed a lot over the last decade, and this has become the zeitgeist of the modern NFL, getting steadily drilled into every fan’s head by front offices, players, and the media for the past three years.