Whether it’s Densel Washington with the Titans, John Candy with the Jamaican bobsled team, or Ben Stiller with the kids at fat camp, Hollywood recognizes the importance of external motivation when pursing a goal. We here at The LEB Sports would like to do the same. So I give you the NFC East ranking of coaches and other factors that will influence the divisional race in 2008.

1. New York Giants

Coaching: Entering the 2007 season, Tom Coughlin found himself coaching for his job and asking himself, “do you like your gig?”. Well, apparently the answer was “yes” because after a 2006 season filled with disgruntled players using the media to complain about their coach’s approach, Coughlin made adjustments to his coaching style during the 2007 campaign. We all saw the result in Super Bowl XLII. Add in the fact that DC Steve Spagnulo was the only coordinator to devise a scheme to slow down Brady & Co last winter and the skins on the wall of this unit is unparalleled within the division.

Biggest Question: Attitude. The G-men lost two big players in the attitude department from last year’s squad. The loss of Michael Strahan will be felt on the field as Justin Tuck experiences full-time responsibility for the first time but losing Strahan may hurt more off the field. “The Great Gap” possessed a confidence that was contagious in the locker room and the Giants will definitely miss his “we must protect this house” attitude. One personality they won’t miss, however, is that of Jeremy Shockey. Constantly upset at someone in the organization, Shockey’s removal from the Big Apple will be a good thing for the continued development of a positive locker room culture. As they found in their run to the title, without Shockey, Eli Manning can take ownership of the offensive huddle and the team will follow his attitude instead of Shockey’s (still waiting to see if that’s a good thing). Additionally, the Giants will need to figure out how to pacify WR Plaxico Burress as he always seems to be frustrated by something.

Biggest Positive: The obvious intangible here is the fact that they’re the champs. The experience gained on their run to the title last year is invaluable. No matter the situation, they’ve been there. Need to win three games on the road…done. Need a huge grab by an otherwise unheralded player…done. Need to beat the “unbeatable”…done. No matter the talent deficiency facing the Giants, this team now assumes it will win.

2. Philadelphia Eagles

Coaching: Andy Reid is far and away the most tenured of the head coaches in the division. Call me old school if you wish, but i place high value on that fact. Well, maybe I should clarify. The length of Reid’s relationship with the Eagles is important not simply because of the length of time but because he’s sustained success for the great majority of his time in Philly. Four trips to the NFC championship game and one trip to the Super Bowl allows Reid to command the respect of his players and the organization’s management. As Ryan mentioned in his evaluation of the division’s defenses, Jim Johnson is one of the most feared defensive coordinators in the league. His scheme seems almost collegiate because they can shuttle players in and out every four years without skipping a beat.

Biggest Question: Open window? The NFC East titles are currently in the rear view mirror along with the championship games. Has their window closed. Those of us in the metroplex are experiencing the difficulty of facing a team with a MVP caliber player trying to retool around him, and it seems that’s what the Eagles are doing right now. With McNabb’s eventual replacement already on the roster, how long will the team pursue current success before deciding to turn to their future?

Biggest Positive: Lowered expectations. The burden of being expected to win your division and the conference year after year can take a toll on a ball club. Sports fans may get tired of hearing that players like the role of underdog, but this could be good for Philadelphia. McNabb has been at the center of fan’s success requirements taking both credit and blame, but being under the radar going into the 2008 season may be just what the doctor ordered for the QB and his team. With all the attention on the defending champion New York Giants and the fully loaded Dallas Cowboys, the Philadelphia Eagles can finally just relax and play ball.

3. Dallas Cowboys

Coaching: Billed as the Dauber Dybinski of the bunch, head coach Wade Phillips has a lot to prove and he knows it. During the first episode of HBO’s “Hard Knocks”, Jerry Jones mentioned that during the interview process, Wade admitted that he’s happy with his reputation as a D-coordinator but remains driven to improve his standing as the head of a franchise. With no playoff wins to his credit (thanks to the “music city miracle”), Phillips MUST get his team to perform in the 2008 post season. His coaching staff is littered with quality expositors of pigskin philosophy. OC Jason Garrett was offered two head coaching gigs this off-season but was ultimately wallet whipped by Jerry and stayed with the ‘Boys. Former head coach Dave Campo has returned to reconstruct a talented secondary and coach Joe is probably bumbling his way through an ESPN radio gig at the moment.

Biggest Question: December Decline. The last two seasons have seen a team enter the final month of the season poised for a deep playoff run only to find that success fumbled away by a series of lackluster performances. Have they figured out how to convert early wins into post season production?

Biggest Positive: Texas Stadium. With the 2009 arrival of “Jerry World” in Arlington, 2008 will be the last season in historic Texas Stadium. This bodes will for America’s Team as the stars are aligned for ultimate success. Jerry Jones has strategically assembled a team to help him justify the PSLs for the team’s new home and the stadium in Irving will do it’s part to ensure a division title caps off it’s time serving the community. Will there be a bigger home field advantage in the league in 2008?

4. Washington Redskins

Coaching: There’s no question that first year head coach Jim Zorn would follow the rest in this ranking. Coming to the Redskins after seven seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, Zorn doesn’t even have the title of Offensive Coordinator on his resume. Now, he obviously did well in grooming Matt Hasslebeck into a solid QB but how much of that was Mike Holmgrien? I’m not saying he won’t do well, but it’d be like SPORTS radio 1310 The Ticket announcing that Chris House would be the replacement for the departed Greggo. I love me some top ten, but the qualifications aren’t there just yet.

Biggest question: Motivation. These guys are all professionals, so motivation isn’t necessarily a concern (or it shouldn’t be) but their run to a post season birth last year was the result of a team motivated to play for their teammate Sean Taylor. Please don’t interpret this as an assumption that they manufactured motivation out of a horrible situation, but as time has passed it’ll probably be less of a driving force in the locker room. They’ll want to play hard for their new coach, but with the lack of talent compared to other teams in the league is that enough?

Biggest Positive: Experience. In the most critical position on the field, quarterback, the Redskins are suffering through some growing pains. Jason Cambell has shown flashes of ability and will improve greatly throughout the 2008 season as his comfort improves. He showed at Auburn that he can lead a team and will make great strides through gained experience this season. Is that enough to gain a 2008 playoff position in such a crowded division?

As I conclude this ranking of coaching/intangibles, I leave you with the ultimate motivational quotation from Tony Perkis:

“At age 12, I weighed 319 pounds. I had bad skin, low self-esteem, and no self-respect. Now, I eat success for breakfast, with skim milk.”