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ESPN Breaksdown the NFC EAST's Team needs..


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Hundreds of players have already changed teams, but with the draft still to come, every roster remains a work in progress. Scouts Inc. has updated its list of needs for all 32 NFL teams. Here's a breakdown of the NFC East.

Dallas Cowboys

Free safety: Keith Davis is a physical run stuffer who plays with a mean streak, but he lacks ideal range and can't recover when he gets caught out of position, which happens far too much considering his experience. As a result, he is more of a situational run stuffer than he is an every-down player. Because Roy Williams is at his best lining up close to the line of scrimmage, Dallas needs a ball-hawk who has the range to play a center fielder-role and the cover skills to match up with slot receivers.

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Fabini

Offensive tackle: This may not appear to be a need with the signing Jason Fabini to start opposite Flozell Adams. However, Adams and Fabini are both on the wrong side of 30 and coming off season-ending injuries. In addition, the Jets released Fabini for good reason. He has had problems staying healthy and holding up in pass protection. Depth is also an issue. Jacob Rogers was released, Torrin Tucker was signed to an offer sheet by the Buccaneers and Rob Petitti was a liability in pass protection. Dallas needs to improve the depth and add a tackle who can push Fabini for playing time. Cornerback:Terence Newman and Anthony Henry form a talented starting tandem. In addition, nickel back Aaron Glenn has the ball skills to make some big plays. However, this remains a need. Newman and Henry are inconsistent, and the undersized Glenn is on the downside of his career. Dallas needs a corner who has the cover skills to compete with Glenn for the nickel back job and the size to eventually push the starters for playing time.

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Ferguson

Nose tackle: Jason Ferguson is strong and can hold his own working against double teams, but he lacks the size of a prototypical nose tackle. As a result, he fatigues when teams consistently pound the ball inside. That's reason for concern because there isn't great depth. Backup Thomas Johnson is a developmental prospect who isn't expected to play a substantial role this year. It's also worth noting that Ferguson is 31. Keeping that in mind, adding a young situational run stuffer who can spell Ferguson makes sense. Guard: Larry Allen is clearly on the downside of his career and it came as little surprise when the Cowboys made him a cap casualty. Marco Rivera, who lined up opposite Allen last year, turns 34 this year and has had some problems staying healthy. Although Dallas signed Kyle Kosier, he lacks ideal power for an interior offensive lineman. The Cowboys need to improve depth and add a guard who is capable of pushing Kosier for playing time.

Other possibilities: Quarterback and fullback

N.Y. Giants

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Torbor

Outside linebacker: The jury is still out on whether Reggie Torbor will ever realize his potential. Although he has played well at times, he is inconsistent. The bigger concern is on the strong side. Carlos Emmons, who turns 33 this year, has lost a step and is coming off a season-ending pectoral injury. With unrestricted free agent Nick Greisen wanting to play inside and likely signing with another team, there isn't much depth here either. The Giants need an outside linebacker who has the speed, athletic ability and power to supplant Emmons as the starter. That would allow him to move into a backup role where he would provide quality depth. Wide receiver: Plaxico Burress' first season with the Giants was the second most productive of his career and he returns as Eli Manning's go-to-receiver. There are concerns about the No. 2, however. Although Amani Toomer runs good routes and doesn't drop many passes, he isn't as explosive as he was earlier in his career and has problems consistently separating from man coverage. There is good depth here but Jamaar Taylor drops too many passes and Tim Carter is too raw to replace Toomer at this point. As a result, the Giants need a receiver who has the size, burst and athletic ability to make an immediate impact.

Defensive tackle: Kendrick Clancy's decision to sign with Arizona makes this a far greater need. Clancy didn't make many big plays, but he was relentless and, more importantly, consistent. Although William Joseph has far more natural ability, he doesn't always play with a mean streak and has yet to realize his potential. Exasperating the loss of Clancy is the fact that Fred Robbins, who has had problems keeping his weight down, tends to wear down over the course of games. The Giants need a defensive tackle who can replace Robbins, allowing him to move into a situational run-stuffing role.

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Petitgout

Offensive tackle: Luke Petitgout has avoided becoming a cap casualty, but he will have to compete for a starting job opposite Kareem McKenzie. Although he is a technician who plays with good intensity, Petitgout has been slowed by back pain and is having problems holding up on an island in pass protection. Bob Whitfield and Lewis Kelly provide some depth. However, Whitfield isn't an every-down player at this point of his career and Kelly's lack of strength is reason for concern. The Giants need to add a tackle who can push Petitgout for playing time. Running back: Few players do as much for a team as Tiki Barber does for the Giants. He is a smart, between-the-tackles runner, has the burst to break long runs and catches the ball extremely well. However, he is undersized and 31 years old. That has to raise concerns about his durability, especially since he gets so many touches. Brandon Jacobs is a powerful short-yardage runner, but he lacks the initial burst of an every-down back. The Giants need to start preparing for life after Barber and improve depth by adding a developmental back who has the tools to replace Barber when the time comes.

Other options: Interior offensive line and cornerback

Philadelphia Eagles

Strongside linebacker: Philadelphia did well to re-sign Shawn Barber. Although Barber has sustained two season-ending knee injuries and there are concerns about his ability to stay healthy, he is a leader on the field and knows this scheme. Philadelphia also has an insurance policy in Matt McCoy. The raw McCoy has the talent to push Barber for playing time if his technique progresses. However, neither is a good fit for the strong side because they have problems anchoring against the run. That's a concern because Dhani Jones has been inconsistent and he isn't making many big plays. Mark Simoneau provides some depth, but he too struggles when teams run at him. The Eagles need a strongside linebacker who has a nose for the ball, the power to control the point of attack and the burst to prevent backs from turning the corner.

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Brown

Wide receiver: Reggie Brown is coming off a strong rookie season and there's no reason to believe that he won't continue to improve as he gains more experience. Of course, improved stability at quarterback would also help. In addition, Philadelphia signed Jabar Gaffney. Gaffney improves depth but the Eagles still don't have a quality No. 2. Gaffney drops too many passes, Greg Lewis is undersized and Todd Pinkston ruptured his Achilles tendon last year. Philadelphia needs a receiver who has the burst and reliable hands to develop into a quality complement to Brown. Offensive tackle: This may not appear to be a substantial need at this point, as the Eagles re-signed Jon Runyan and haven't made Tra Thomas a cap casualty. However, Thomas is 31 and is coming off major back surgery. His ability to bounce back and remain healthy remains to be seen. Though Todd Herremans provides adequate depth, he is coming off a season-ending leg injury and lacks the natural ability of a quality starter. Philadelphia needs to improve depth and add a tackle capable of replacing Thomas should he sustain another injury or should his level of play drop substantially.

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Moats

Running back: Brian Westbrook is one of the most dangerous backs in the league and Ryan Moats averaged more than five yards per carry during is rookie season last year. In addition, Bruce Perry is a big-play threat who provides good depth. The only problem is all three are undersized. Correll Buckhalter is a powerful runner when he is healthy, but he has torn the patella tendon in his right knee the past two seasons, so there are obviously substantial concerns about his durability. The Eagles need a strong between-the-tackles runner who can pick up critical yards in short-yardage situations. Free safety: There aren't many weaknesses in Brian Dawkins' game. He is a stout run defender, shows good range in coverage and can get to the quarterback quickly when asked to blitz. However, he is 32 and there is no heir apparent on the roster. J.R. Reed showed promise before sustaining a serious leg injury during the 2005 offseason and Quintin Mikell is too small to develop into an every-down player. Philadelphia needs to improve depth while adding a safety who has the skills to eventually compete for a starting role.

Other options: Defensive tackle and fullback

Washington Redskins

Linebacker: Warrick Holdman is an unrestricted free agent and it came as no surprise when Washington made LaVar Arrington a cap casualty. Although Holdman has yet to sign with another team, he turns 31 this year, has had some problems staying healthy and lost the starting job to Arrington last year. If he re-signs, he will have to compete for the starting job opposite Marcus Washington. In addition, free-agent signing Andre Carter lacks ideal cover skills and should see more playing time at defensive end than at linebacker. The good news is Washington can draft the best available linebacker when it goes to fill this need because Lemar Marshall can play on the inside or the outside.

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Thomas

Guard: Randy Thomas is a powerful run blocker who can drive defenders off the ball and shows good range when asked to pull. He can also hold his own in pass protection, but the 30-year-old is coming off a season-ending knee injury. Though Derrick Dockery plays with a mean streak and shows good power at the point of attack, he isn't fundamentally sound and shouldn't be an every-down player at this point. In addition, No. 3 Ray Brown has retired and Washington is the third stop in three seasons for free-agent signing Mike Pucillo. Signing Pucillo improves depth, but the Redskins need an offensive guard who has the tools to push Dockery for playing time. Defensive tackle: Cornelius Griffin is explosive when he is fresh and Joe Salave'a is a technician who plays hard on every down, but Griffin tends to wear down over the course of the game and Saleve'a lacks ideal natural ability. With Washington making Brandon Noble a cap casualty, there isn't great depth here either. The Redskins need a defensive tackle who has the size, burst and athletic ability to take over as the starter opposite Griffin. That would allow Saleve'a to move into a reserve role where he would provide quality depth.

Cornerback: Shawn Springs possesses excellent man-to-man cover skills and Carlos Rogers should only get better in his second season in the league. However, Springs turns 32 this year and depth is an issue. (Washington made Walt Harris a cap casualty and he has since signed with San Francisco.) The Redskins need a corner who can immediately replace Harris as the nickel back and has the potential to replace Springs when the time cones for him to step down.

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Carter

Defensive end: The hope is the addition of Andre Carter, who has been a difference-maker in the past, jump starts the pass rush. However, this remains a need. Although Phillip Daniels and Renaldo Wynn are blue-collar players who are relentless in pursuit, both are on the downside of their careers. It's also unlikely either unrestricted free agent Demetric Evans or Nic Clemons ever develops into an every-down player. Washington needs to infuse some youth and add a developmental prospect who has the initial burst to push for immediate playing time on passing downs. Other options: Offensive tackle and place-kicker

Link to rest of article: http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft06/insider/news/story?id=2395294

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So this article is pretty much confirming what we have been saying: we need OL depth, a WLB, and DB Depth - which we got with the signing of Wright

It also confirms what I have been saying: Dallas' line is a big question mark and Newman, Henry, Williams are all overrated!

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Guard: Randy Thomas is a powerful run blocker who can drive defenders off the ball and shows good range when asked to pull. He can also hold his own in pass protection, but the 30-year-old is coming off a season-ending knee injury.

Knee surgery? :doh: :doh:

Though Derrick Dockery plays with a mean streak and shows good power at the point of attack, he isn't fundamentally sound and shouldn't be an every-down player at this point.

:doh: :doh: :doh:

Do they get the (Com)Post to do their editing... ?

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Good Post... i agree with the other teams-- but once again they are kind of anti-redskins just like ESPN has always been. this article was clearly written before most of our recent signings-- b/c it doesnt mention any of our new players exept andre carter-- also they didnt mension any of our young solid depth on the Dline??..i think the guy writting this is more of an AFC guy b/c i dont like his research ethic

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Good Post... i agree with the other teams-- but once again they are kind of anti-redskins just like ESPN has always been. this article was clearly written before most of our recent signings-- b/c it doesnt mention any of our new players exept andre carter-- also they didnt mension any of our young solid depth on the Dline??..i think the guy writting this is more of an AFC guy b/c i dont like his research ethic

I laughed at the Randy Thomas mistake but in ESPN's defense this article is about what they think we need and could address in the draft..and most of our recent acquisitions have sealed up doubts in those positions.

see intro: Hundreds of players have already changed teams, but with the draft still to come, every roster remains a work in progress. Scouts Inc. has updated its list of needs for all 32 NFL teams. Here's a breakdown of the NFC East.

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Though Derrick Dockery plays with a mean streak and shows good power at the point of attack, he isn't fundamentally sound and shouldn't be an every-down player at this point.

it's 2006 not 2004..... update people Dockery really made a huge leap last season :doh:

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I think it's a relatively fair and balanced analysis of all the teams in our division. We do still have some holes, however it was encouraging to see just how many serious holes the rest of the teams in the division still have.

As for Dockery, I don't agree with the author's contention that he shouldn't be starting but I do think he still has a ways to go to play up to his talent level.

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My question is: Which of these positions does the coaching staff think is the biggest priority going into the draft? Do they just take the highest rated player on the board that fills one of these needs or will they take a lesser ranked player in order to fill a position?

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it's 2006 not 2004..... update people Dockery really made a huge leap last season :doh:

The main thing I noticed was the improvement on false starts. He was the main offender in 2004, IIRC. I can only remember hearing his # called once or twice last year.

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Funny how the loss of a guy who didn't play at all for us pretty much the last two years has created a lack of depth at a position we've lost no one who actually did play for us :). Brandon Noble was hurt and wasn't depth for this team.

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The signing of Carter will help with the depth at DT. Wynn will be the primary back up at DE and also get some reps at DT. It should help Griffin and Salave'a stay fresh at the end of the game.

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Funny how the loss of a guy who didn't play at all for us pretty much the last two years has created a lack of depth at a position we've lost no one who actually did play for us :). Brandon Noble was hurt and wasn't depth for this team.

Noble did play in 2004 and was pretty good depth for us. Him going down really showed the lack of depth at the position when we were missing Saleve'a or Griffin. The point still stands that we could stand improvement at DT.

Jason

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My thoughts as a Cowboys fan:

Dallas Cowboys

Free safety: Keith Davis is a physical run stuffer who plays with a mean streak, but he lacks ideal range and can't recover when he gets caught out of position, which happens far too much considering his experience. As a result, he is more of a situational run stuffer than he is an every-down player.

Davis isn't really much of a run stuffer. He's a big time hitter, especially for his size, but I don't think he's great against the run. I don't think his range is so much of an issue, it's just he's horrible in coverage from a quickness perspective and he gets fooled all of the time on pump fakes and play action.

Because Roy Williams is at his best lining up close to the line of scrimmage, Dallas needs a ball-hawk who has the range to play a center fielder-role and the cover skills to match up with slot receivers.

Slot receivers weren't a problem last year as they'd just move Newman to the slot and he'd shut them down. The problem was Davis couldn't cover a TE to save his life and really wasn't good in helping out CB's in zone coverage. That's a problem as Zimmer has a tendency to fall back on cover 2 when things get sticky. As a result, they were horrible covering TE's and weak against most #1's.

Offensive tackle: This may not appear to be a need with the signing Jason Fabini to start opposite Flozell Adams. However, Adams and Fabini are both on the wrong side of 30 and coming off season-ending injuries. In addition, the Jets released Fabini for good reason. He has had problems staying healthy and holding up in pass protection. Depth is also an issue. Jacob Rogers was released,

Rogers was never really released. He was put on I-R and is still on the roster and will be at training camp. His chances of sticking with the team aren't particularly good. But last year they thought he was more than ready to be a starter before he hurt his knee. If he can stay healthy and they trust him to keep healthy, he could be a huge surprise for Dallas.

Rob Petitti was a liability in pass protection.

That's like saying it gets warm in Arizona in July.

Dallas needs to improve the depth and add a tackle who can push Fabini for playing time.

Nah, they need for their Tackles to stay healthy for once. Then they need for their backups to stay healthy and improve and be groomed to be the starters when Flo and Fabini will retire. If Flo and Fabini are healthy, I'll take them as my tackles just about any day of the week.

However, this remains a need. Newman and Henry are inconsistent,

Yeah, Newman gave up 0 TD's and only 30 completions last year with no pass longer than 23 yards last season.

He's too inconsistent. :rolleyes:

Henry had one bad game, against SF and Parcells admitted to working him too hard in practice the week before.

and the undersized Glenn is on the downside of his career. Dallas needs a corner who has the cover skills to compete with Glenn for the nickel back job and the size to eventually push the starters for playing time.

They actually have one, Jacques Reeves...who was very good last year and played the nickel back spot last year when Henry got injured. Furthermore, while Glenn is old, he was really good last year.

At this point I've got to question whether the author really watched Dallas games last year.

Ferguson

Nose tackle: Jason Ferguson is strong and can hold his own working against double teams, but he lacks the size of a prototypical nose tackle. As a result, he fatigues when teams consistently pound the ball inside. That's reason for concern because there isn't great depth. Backup Thomas Johnson is a developmental prospect who isn't expected to play a substantial role this year.

I wouldn't say that about Johnson. They really like him and he was very good when they activated him. I don't think he has the size to play NG in the 3-4 every down, but he should get plenty of playing time.

Guard: Larry Allen is clearly on the downside of his career and it came as little surprise when the Cowboys made him a cap casualty. Marco Rivera, who lined up opposite Allen last year, turns 34 this year and has had some problems staying healthy. Although Dallas signed Kyle Kosier, he lacks ideal power for an interior offensive lineman. The Cowboys need to improve depth and add a guard who is capable of pushing Kosier for playing time.

Yeah, this position along with FS is their weakest spot, even if everybody stays healthy.

Rich.....

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Griffin and Salavea are one of the top defensive tackle pairings vs. the run in the NFL, the idea of trading or drafting a DT to replace Salavea in the lineup as a top priority is one of the dumbest things I have seen written this offseason about the Redskins.

The signing of Andre Carter means that both Demetric Evans and Renaldo Wynn can slide in and provide depth as needed at DT.

That's the reason the Skins haven't signed a name DT to be the #3 behind the starters.

It's all to painfully obvious to Redskins fans that actually follow the team.

The only thing this writer got correct in the article is that the Redskins will be looking to land a OLB in the draft and probably augment that pick with a veteran signing for insurance.

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i like this article. there isn't any real bashing about us and praising of other teams like in most articles. for the most part i agree with their assessment. great read man.

Well, they don't take into account the addition of Kenny Wright or Tyson Walters. They don't really understand that our defensive line is VERY much interchangeable (Wynn and Evans can play DT if needed). They also didn't even recognize the presence of Clemons and McCune on the roster even though they gave mention to other, less notable players in other portions of their analysis.

This whole thing needs to be updated a bit, I guess...

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