Why the low expectations from the pre-season mags?

pre-season predictions don't win games. don't worry too much about them.

The big reasons are a new coach and scheme, a QB that has a lot of improving to do, an old o-line, and many others. Its not one big reason its a summation of many little ones. I think 4 losses is way too low but I can see this team havving anywhere form 6 to 9 wins. If JC plays well they will win more, if he plays poorly then its less.

Pre-season predictions are worthless. Key players get hurt, marginal players improve drastically, rookies emerge as major contributors, teams that were predicted to be powerhouses end up being weak (Eagles last year), and teams that were predicted to be pushovers end up being playoff contenders (Browns last year). No one really knows until the season unfolds. Once preseason games are played, you can get a better feel about the impact of the new free agents and rookies.

Does it really shock anyone that we are placed last in our division? The Cowboys are going to be good, the Eagles have improved tenfold, and the Giants aren't a bad team either. We are the biggest question mark because we have a brand new coaching staff and we are going to run a completely revamped offense.
What have the Eagles done to improve tenfold?

What have the Eagles done to improve tenfold?

I'm still waiting to hear more on that too. Other than Samuel what else did they do that's so impressive?

Same with Dallas. Everyone is acting like Pacman Jones is the missing piece of the puzzle. He doesn't make up for those safeties. Him and Newman can only cover two receivers at once. Their LBs are also a liability in pass coverage, but yet we're still hearing about how THEY'RE the new Super Bowl favorites.

I wish TO was out or suspended most of the season so we can see just how mediocre Romo is without TO taking the coverage that he did.

I wouldn't say they've improved "tenfold" but they finished strong last year & looked like a playoff team. McNabb should come into the year fairly healthy & motivated. He's a solid vet qb & he & Ried know how to make that O work just enough to move the ball steadily w/out many big plays, though Westbrook is a big play guy.

Their D is always solid, but is certainly older & w/out as much athleticism. Samuel will help, but how much of an upgrade is he over a healthy Lito? I agree w/many that he's a bit overated.

I still see philly as a contender for the div. & playoffs. They are well coached & sadly remind me somewhat of Gibbs' old teams in that they can be overachievers w/the limited talent they have. I would be shocked if we swept philly and I don't see anyone else in the div. sweeping them either. They've played dallas well the past few years & always give them problems. I think they're better than the g-men & just a little better than us.

Same with Dallas. Everyone is acting like Pacman Jones is the missing piece of the puzzle. He doesn't make up for those safeties. Him and Newman can only cover two receivers at once. Their LBs are also a liability in pass coverage, but yet we're still hearing about how THEY'RE the new Super Bowl favorites.

I wish TO was out or suspended most of the season so we can see just how mediocre Romo is without TO taking the coverage that he did.

funny malcolm, I remember disagreeing w/you about Dallas D before last year too! They didn't play as well as I thought they would but they were still tough & got better later in the year.

Pacman could be a huge addition cause he's a very good cb & it will allow them to play the rookie Jenkins at nickel. Tank might also start to make an impact too.

I think Dallas as a super bowl pick makes a lot of sense, though I hate it. If Wade P et al have any heart they'll learn from last year & be seriously motivated this year. A parallel would be the steelers a few years ago, they went 15-1 then lost to NE in the playoffs. Next year they go 11-5 & win it all. Hate it, but it seems possible.

This is a blessing.
Remeber last year at this time...many publications had the Giants as coming in last in the NFC east....and they won the SUPER BOWL...
This is a good omen for the Skins.

...not to mention the Skins always win the Superbowl the year after the Giants do.

I'm still waiting to hear more on that too. Other than Samuel what else did they do that's so impressive?

I don't think anyone thinks that, but when they were all together last year they looked pretty good. They got their act together at the end of the season and finished at 8-8, one more win and they could have had the Skins spot in the playoffs. They improved a little on D and while standing pat on offense (and still not getting a legit receiving threat) they weren't all that bad last season.

I mean, if you look at that team last year they were a few fumbles against Green Bay away from being 9-7. Also, Donovan missed a game against the Seahawks last year, he had a pretty good year, they only lost 24-28 without him, they could have very well won that game and been 10-6.

All that said, it may be an impossibility at this point to expect Donovan McNabb to play 16 games, but that has to be what you base any prediction on. I don't see them having another down year this year, but I see the Eagles and Skins battling it out for second place.

In regards to Dallas, they didn't need to make that many upgrades. They were 11-5 last year. Granted, they're a year older, but that usually means that Romo is going to be better. Unfortunately for them they still don't have much receiving depth past TO and their safeties are liabilities, but if they can pressure the passer the way we all know they can that will take a lot of pressure off of those guys.