by David ElfinFiled under: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Redskins, NFC East
With Philadelphia's loss to visiting Green Bay on Sunday, none of the NFC East's four teams advanced past the opening round of the playoffs for the first time since 1997. However, that failure doesn't take away from the fine year by the division's receivers and tight ends.Washington's Santana Moss, Philadelphia's DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, the New York Giants' Hakeem Nicks and Dallas' Miles Austin and Jason Witten (first among tight ends) all finished in the top 20 in receiving yards. That's six, count 'em, six guys. No other division had as many as three players in the top 20. Witten (third, first among tight ends) and Moss (fourth) wound up in the top five in catches. Nicks and the Redskins' Chris Cooley (third among tight ends) joined them in the top 20. That's four, count 'em, four guys (not counting Eagles running back LeSean McCoy). No other division had more.
Only two rookies had more touchdown catches than the Cowboys' Dez Bryant and he missed the final four games with a broken ankle. Only two receivers had more touchdown catches than Nicks even though he was sidelined for three games with leg injuries. Jackson led the league in yards per catch, two spots ahead of the Redskins' Anthony Armstrong. All of this excellence came even though the Giants' Steve Smith, whose 107 catches in 2009 were the second-most ever by an NFC East receiver, missed nearly half the year with injuries.
So let's delve deeper into the performances of the guys who catch the ball in the division.
GIANTS -- One has to wonder how good New York's passing offense could've been if Nicks and Smith hadn't been hurt so much. Even with them missing a combined ten games and 13 starts, the Giants still finished fourth in yards per pass, 10th in passing, tied for seventh in scoring and fifth in yards. Nicks, maybe the hottest receiver other than Atlanta's Roddy White during the first half of the season, finished with 79 catches, 1,052 yards and 11 touchdowns. Smith (48, 529, three) was outperformed by third receiver Mario Manningham, whose 92-yard touchdown in the finale against Washington was New York's longest in 38 years and was the exclamation point on a year during which he caught 60 balls for 944 yards and nine scores. Derek Hagan, re-signed when the injuries started to occur, added 24 catches, 233 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Kevin Boss contributed 35 catches, 531 yards and five touchdowns. If there was a down note other than all the injuries it was the high number of quarterback Eli Manning's NFL-high 25 interceptions that his targets contributed to by failing to haul in balls that were within their reach or actually bounced-off them. Smith and Boss are both unsigned for 2011, but it would be very surprising if the Giants didn't try to keep them despite the organization's usually tight-fisted ways. GRADE: A-
EAGLES -- Jackson isn't just a human highlight film. He's a guy who always manages to be in the spotlight. Which Philadelphia receiver was concussed on a vicious shot from Atlanta's Dunta Robinson? Jackson. Which Philadelphia receiver was read the riot act by coach Andy Reid after a listless performance at Chicago? Jackson. Which Philadelphia receiver jawed and shoved with Washington safety LaRon Landry before toasting him on a bomb on the opening play on "Monday Night Football?" Jackson. Which Philadelphia receiver capped the incredible comeback to stun the Giants at the Meadowlands and then kissed his shoes during the postgame press conference? The never a dull moment Jackson, of course. And although the third-year man is under contract for 2011, he's making noises about redoing his deal this offseason.
But for all of Jackson's huge moments in the spotlight, he actually produced 15 fewer catches, 100 fewer yards and three fewer touchdowns than he had in 2009 although his average per catch rose from 18.6 to 22.5. Meanwhile, his much quieter partner, Jeremy Maclin, had a fine second season, rising from 56 catches, 773 yards and four touchdowns to 70, 964 and a whopping ten touchdowns. Third receiver Jason Avant remained steady with 51 grabs, 573 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Brent Celek, longtime starting quarterback Donovan McNabb's favorite target in 2009, took a while to get on the same page with Michael Vick, sinking from 76 catches, 971 yards and eight touchdowns to 42, 511 and four as the left-handed passer looked much more often for McCoy as a safety valve. Rookies Chad Hall, Clay Harbor and Riley Cooper had a touchdown catch apiece. GRADE: A-
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Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2011/01/10/the-2010-nfl-season-was-great-for-nfc-east-wrs-and-tes/
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