Califan007 The Constipated Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 I did do a search...lol...looked under both "PFW" and "Midseason" for the last two weeks and didn't find anything...so as always, if this has been reported already, a thousand apologies... http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL+Zone/Team+Reports/default.htm?mode=nfceast Dallas Biggest surprise: The team has adapted to the 3-4 defense about as well as anyone could have expected. Looking at the roster at the start of the season, it wasn’t clear if there was enough talent at each spot on defense, but the team has come together of late, allowing only 68 points the past five games, with 10 of those being the direct result of offensive turnovers. They’ve shut down some pretty good running backs in that stretch. Biggest disappointment: Losing to the Redskins in Week Two the way they did — holding a 13-0 fourth-quarter lead — could be one of those losses that really comes back to haunt the ’Boys. Pretend they won the game for a minute; the Cowboys would be 6-2, atop the division, with an extra head-to-head win over Washington. Tough one to give away. Fantasy dud: “Dud” might be a bit harsh, but RB Julius Jones’ season hasn’t exactly panned out as planned. A painful high ankle sprain has kept him out the past three games, and he was averaging less than four yards per carry for the season with only three touchdowns and no 100-yard rushing games. Fantasy stud: QB Drew Bledsoe has been a revelation with more than twice as many TDs (13) as interceptions (six) and his first two 300-yard games since 2003. With good targets in Keyshawn Johnson and Terry Glenn, not to mention TE Jason Witten, Bledsoe has been more than anyone could have expected. What’s missing: If it’s not an offensive tackle or another cover safety, the Cowboys would love a big outside linebacker — think Willie McGinest — on the left side to spearhead their pass rush and give them some size against the run. Scott Fujita will get a chance with Al Singleton out, but he might not be the answer. NY Giants Biggest surprise: The night-and-day transformation of QB Eli Manning. Everyone knew that Manning would be good at some point, but few predicted him to be this good this quickly after struggling most of last season. He has developed into a reliable decision-maker and has developed a great chemistry with TE Jeremy Shockey and new WR Plaxico Burress. The one troublesome statistic has been his completion percentage, which has hovered around 50 percent all season. Biggest disappointment: The pass defense — a team strength last season — has been a problem until very recently. Granted, the Giants have played with some big fourth-quarter leads and played some soft zone coverage to keep things in front of them, which skews the numbers a little, but the coverage the rest of the time has been subpar. A back injury to CB William Peterson hasn’t helped, but Will Allen and Brent Alexander haven’t had great seasons, and Gibril Wilson has been just OK after a breakout rookie season. Fantasy dud: WR Amani Toomer has had his No. 1 WR status taken away from him with the acquisition of Plaxico Burress, and Toomer has been passed up by TE Jeremy Shockey as a prime option. Fantasy stud: Tiki Barber is having one of his typically productive seasons, and Eli Manning has blossomed into a first-rate passer, but Burress has been the biggest addition to what has been an opportunistic offense. He is on pace for career highs in receptions and touchdowns and has given Manning a target who can use his height to come down with jump balls, adjust to underthrown passes with his great strength and tilt the field with his speed. What’s missing: The LB depth has been killed by injuries to Barrett Green and Carlos Emmons, so converted D-linemen Reggie Torbor and Eric Moore must be ready to play in the base “D” if called upon. You’d also like to see some better play at the safety position. Philadelphia Biggest surprise: Sheldon Brown has developed into a top-shelf cornerback, better and more consistent than Lito Sheppard. Brown is the Eagles’ steadiest cover guy and one of the most reliable players on the team. He rarely gets beat deep, despite oftentimes covering the opponent’s best wideout. Biggest disappointment: The team’s lack of defensive consistency has been frightening. For a unit that prides itself on keeping teams out of the endzone, the Eagles have been very generous when teams are in position to score. Coordinator Jim Johnson expects his “D” to hold opponents to 17 points or fewer; it turned the trick 11 of the first 14 games last season and twice in the playoffs, but with much of the same personnel, it has only happened four out of eight games this year. Fantasy dud: Playing in an offense that has thrown the ball more than 70 percent of the time, you’d think that WR Greg Lewis — who had been seeing a lot of single coverage opposite Terrell Owens — would average more than 3.7 receptions, 40.6 yards and 10.8 yards per reception entering Week Nine. With Owens now out, Lewis is getting more chances, but don’t count on a big increase in his production. Fantasy studs: It would have been Owens, until he was suspended. As it was before that time, RB Brian Westbrook (five TDs, 727 yards from scrimmage) and QB Donovan McNabb (15 TD passes, 2,034 passing yards) have been the best — if inconsistent — fantasy performers. What’s missing: It’s clear that the Owens situation has left a bad air in the clubhouse, but sources believe that the action taken by Andy Reid and Co. might help create a better environment as the team looks to get back into the playoff race. On the field, some semblance of a running game might take the pressure off McNabb. Washington Biggest surprise: That Mark Brunell is playing as well as he is and not just managing the offense has to be the biggest surprise. Observers thought the offense had a chance to work once Brunell took over if he played well, but few could have predicted how much the team would open things up offensively and ask Brunell to make tough throws in critical situations. He’s not just managing games, he’s deciding them. Biggest disappointment: The declining run defense once was a team strength, even earlier this season, but a lack of DL health, poor tackling and players taking bad angles all have contributed to the team’s failures vs. the run. The most disheartening part is that most of the time, the run “D” is good, but big plays have killed the team. Fantasy dud: WR David Patten has been a disappointment, catching only 19 passes in seven games and none longer than 32 yards. Joe Gibbs went out and got Patten to help stretch the field and give his quarterbacks two legit receiving options. So far, that hasn’t happened. Fantasy stud: No question it’s Santana Moss, who is on course for a career season. He has given Brunell — who’s been pretty studly himself — a reliable target who can take any short pass a long way. Moss’ yardage after the catch has made him a great receiver and has made his fantasy owners very happy. What’s missing: A legitimate pass-rushing D-lineman. Gregg Williams has been forced to blitz — especially with LaVar Arrington playing only a minimal role until recently — to generate any kind of pressure, and that has left the back seven out of position and undermanned at times to make tackles on plays down the field. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoony Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 I did do a search...lol...looked under both "PFW" and "Midseason" for the last two weeks and didn't find anything...so as always, if this has been reported already, a thousand apologies... LOL... the double post... every ES member's worse nightmare. :laugh: Have to say, though, that is a pretty fair look at the Redskins right now. I think if we're going to throw tomatoes at bad journalism, we should applaud the fair stuff. ..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henry Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 Looks about right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drex Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 That's a pretty accurate depiction of the state of affairs so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khun Kao Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 He’s not just managing games, he’s deciding them. What a great quote about Brunell!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXREDSKINS44 Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 Dallas Biggest disappointment: Losing to the Redskins in Week Two the way they did — holding a 13-0 fourth-quarter lead — could be one of those losses that really comes back to haunt the ’Boys. Pretend they won the game for a minute; the Cowboys would be 6-2, atop the division, with an extra head-to-head win over Washington. Tough one to give away. Hey things happen for a reason! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlsbadd Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 Looks about right. We need Patten to step it up . He would have had a TD against the Eagles if not for the premature tackle by thier DB :doh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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