Around the NFC East – Friday

Welcome to Friday! As always, it’s been a busy week in the NFC East as things are heating up in anticipation of the two big division games to be played on Sunday. Here are some of the headlines making the news:

Tony Romo Engaged to Candice Crawford

• Well, what else is there to do during the season when you are injured? It’s rare for me to dip into pop culture when talking about football, but it’s impossible not to when Tony Romo is involved.  He popped the question last night at Five Sixty in Dallas. No word yet on how Jessica Simpson is taking the news, though I am sure we will hear all about it at every turn!

Report: Grossman to replace McNabb at quarterback for Washington against Cowboys

"Grossman has not started a regular-season game in more than two years and has appeared in only one game this season. He replaced McNabb with 1:50 remaining in a loss to Detroit on Oct. 31. That triggered various explanations from the Redskins ranging from Grossman being better equipped to run the two-minute offense to McNabb having leg problems."

• I understand that McNabb is having a lousy season, and I would normally support such a move. But Shanahan is baffling to me. He benches McNabb out of nowhere during the Lions game, then immediately signs him to a long term deal to solidify his position as the leader of the offense, and is now benching him once again, against a division team that McNabb has faced multiple times over his 12 year career. The timing just seems odd to me, but I guess you never know for sure what will work in the NFL.

Eagles vs. Giants Preview, Score and More

Injuries are plaguing both teams in anticipation of their match up.

"The Eagles will be without middle linebacker Stewart Bradley, who dislocated an elbow against the Cowboys, forcing seventh-round draft pick Jamar Chaney into duty, but they could welcome back Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel, who leads the NFL with seven interceptions despite missing the past three games with a knee injury. However, Pro Bowl receiver DeSean Jackson, who torched the Giants for 178 yards last December and leads the league with 23.1 yards per catch, might be absent after being unable to practice on Wednesday and Thursday because of a foot injury suffered against the Cowboys"

• The Giants definitely do not want to see Asante Samuel back in the lineup, but that will probably be a last minute decision. The loss of Jackson means there is one less weapon for the Eagles offense, so time will tell whether this will be a factor. A rookie middle linebacker making the start for the Eagles is good news for the Giants, who should make every opportunity to exploit this change in the defense’s leadership.