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KFFL 2008-2009 NFC East Division Preview


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http://www.kffl.com/article.php/90789/512

NFC East Division Preview

June 16, 2008

17:25:46

By Bryce McRae

Edited by Cory J. Bonini

Dallas Cowboys

2007 Record: 10-6

Offseason changes

Key Additions pos

Acquire via Key Losses

Pos Status

Pacman Jones CB Trade

Julius Jones RB UFA-signed

Felix Jones RB Draft

Keith Davis DB UFA-signed

Mike Jenkins DB Draft

Jacques Reeves CB UFA-signed

Zach Thomas LB UFA-signed

Tyson Thompson RB UFA-signed

Tashard Choice RB Draft

--

Worth keeping an eye on

Positional battles

Linebacker Anthony Spencer should push Greg Ellis as the starting left outside linebacker.

Depending upon the reinstatement status of cornerback Pacman Jones, there may be a battle at the nickel back position between Jones, rookie Mike Jenkins and veteran Anthony Henry.

Fading fast

Wide receiver Terry Glenn (knee) competed in only one game last year after injuring his right knee. He needed microfracture surgery but avoided the surgery, so he is hopeful to play in 2008. He has yet to practice this offseason and, at 33, he could near the end of his time.

Coming on strong

Running back Marion Barber III had his second straight season with at least 10 touchdowns, yet he has started just three games in his career and none last season. He has maxed out at 975 yards, but with running back Julius Jones in Seattle, this could be the year Barber finally reaches that mark.

On the rebound

Cornerback Pacman Jones has been reinstated on a limited basis. His much-publicized extracurricular activities kept him off the field last season. The Cowboys have done a good job rehabilitating players with character issues, which could help Jones emerge as a Pro Bowler for the second time in his career.

Injury prone

Linebacker Zach Thomas (migraine) played in just five games last year. In this decade, Thomas has completed a full 16-game slate in just two of eight seasons. At 35, he is getting up there in years.

Offensive/defensive scheme changes

Both coordinators are set to return so there should not be many significant changes to the schemes.

New York Giants

2007 Record: 10-6

Offseason changes

Key Additions Pos

Acquire via Key Losses Pos Status

Sammy Knight DB Signing

Gibril Wilson DB UFA-signed

David Carr QB Signing

Michael Strahan DL Retired

Kenny Phillips DB Draft

Kawika Mitchell LB UFA-signed

Mario Manningham WR Draft

--

Worth keeping an eye on

Positional battles

The No. 3 and No. 4 jobs will likely be determined in training camp after a battle from wide receivers Mario Manningham, Steven Smith, Sinorice Moss and David Tyree for the No. 3 or No. 4 jobs.

Rookie safety Kenny Phillips could battle with safety James Butler to start at free safety.

Fading fast

Tight end Jeremy Shockey (leg) endured his worst season since 2004 last year. He finished the season on the sidelines and has not started practicing yet. Shockey was the center of trade speculation this offseason; however, teams balked at the Giants' high asking price.

Wide receiver Sinorice Moss, a second-round draft pick, has failed to give the team much of anything in his two seasons. With the drafting of wide receiver Mario Manningham, and the emergence of Steven Smith, Moss could be running out of chances.

Coming on strong

Defensive end Justin Tuck made his name known with a six-tackle, two-sack performance in the Super Bowl. With the retirement of defensive end Michael Strahan, Tuck should see the field more and could build off his 10 sacks of last year.

On the rebound

Linebacker Mathis Kiwanuka (leg) is versatile enough he could be used him at linebacker and defensive end this year. He struggled early learning a new position (linebacker) last year, but he was making progress before a broken leg ended his season.

Injury prone

In his first season as the starter, running back Brandon Jacobs (hamstring) ran the ball well, but he missed five games due to injuries. His upright running style leaves him open to punishment and could limit his playing time.

Offensive/defensive scheme changes

With both coordinators returning, the team's schemes should not be altered significantly.

Philadelphia Eagles

2007 Record: 8-8

Offseason changes

Key Additions Pos

Acquire via Key Losses Pos

Status

Asante Samuel DB UFA-signed

Jevon Kearse DL UFA-signed

Chris Clemons DE UFA-signed

Takeo Spikes LB UFA-signed

DeSean Jackson WR Draft

Kawika Mitchell LB UFA-signed

Worth keeping an eye on

Positional battles

Wide receivers Jason Avant, Hank Baskett and DeSean Jackson are all competing for the No. 3 role. Subsequently, the No. 4 wide receiver would be determined.

Fading fast

Defensive end Darren Howard did not start any game last year after starting all 16 in 2006. He recorded one sack and only eight tackles. His high price tag is another strike against him.

Coming on strong

Wide receiver Kevin Curtis started all 16 games last year for the first time in his career and posted a career-best 1,110 yards on 77 receptions. He has great hands on a team that lacks reliable options at the position.

On the rebound

Tight end L.J. Smith (knee, ribs) suffered two injuries - sports hernia and sprained knee - that limited him to just 10 games. He caught a career-low 22 passes and found the end zone just once. Franchise tagged this offseason, Smith is a great threat down the middle when healthy.

Injury prone

Quarterback Donovan McNabb (shoulder) started 14 games in 2007, his most in the last three years. However, the injuries are already surfacing with some shoulder tendonitis this offseason that has kept him out.

Running back Brian Westbrook (knee) is undersized and has never completed a full season during his six-year career. He finished with a career-high 15 starts last year, but with the pounding his 5-foot-10, 203-pound frame takes, he is a candidate to miss at least one or two games per year.

Offensive/defensive scheme changes

Both coordinators return for another season in Philadelphia, so no significant changes can be expected.

Washington Redskins

2007 Record: 9-7

Offseason changes

Key Additions

Pos Acquire via

Key Losses Pos Status

Jim Zorn HC Hiring

Joe Gibbs HC Retired

Devin Thomas WR Draft

Al Saunders OC Fired-hired

Fred Davis TE Draft

Brandon Lloyd WR UFA-signed

Malcolm Kelly WR Draft

Reche Caldwell WR UFA-signed

Sherman Smith OC Hiring

Keenan McCardell WR UFA

Colt Brennan QB Draft

Mark Brunell QB UFA-signed

Erasmus James DE Trade

Gregg Williams DC Fired-hired

Worth keeping an eye on

Positional battles

Wide receivers Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas should battle for the third receiver spot.

Safety Stuart Schweigert should compete with Reed Doughty for a starting spot at safety. LaRon Landry's starting spot may be determined by the winner, since the coaching staff isn't eager to determine where Landy will play.

Fading fast

Wide receiver Santana Moss managed just three touchdowns last year, two years after tripling that total with nine in 2005. With two new receivers (Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly) in town, the team has a few targets that could take away opportunities from Moss. Nagging injuries also made Moss unreliable to start a full season.

Coming on strong

Safety LaRon Landry, a first-round pick in 2007, gave the team stability as he started all 16 games during his rookie campaign. He finished with 95 tackles (63 solo) and six passes defensed.

On the rebound

One year after injuries limited him to just eight games, running back Clinton Portis bounced back with an outstanding season. He carried the ball 325 times for 1,262 yards and found the end zone 11 times. With a new passing offense, Portis could be leaned on heavily early in the season.

Injury prone

Linebacker Rocky McIntosh (knee) tore two ligaments in his knee last year and could have a degenerative condition in both knees. He broke out with 87 tackles last year, but he could have trouble staying on the field.

Wide receiver Antwaan Randle El (knee) had his best season, yardage-wise, in 2007. However, he has played a full season just once in his career - 2006 - and is already missing practice time this offseason after knee surgery.

Right guard Randy Thomas (biceps) is projected to start, but he has completed a full season only once in the last four years.

Offensive/defensive scheme changes

Head coach Jim Zorn and offensive coordinator Sherman Smith are expected to employ a quarterback-friendly version of West Coast offense. He could favor the running game early as quarterback Jason Campbell attempts to learn another new offense. Don't be shocked to see the offense look a lot like that of the Seattle Seahawks.

New defensive coordinator Greg Blache was promoted from defensive line coach, where he served for four years. He favors a 4-3 system that can generate good pressure from the down linemen. He is aggressive and likes his lineman to eat up blockers to free up the linebackers.

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http://www.kffl.com/article.php/90789/512

NFC East Division Preview

June 16, 2008

17:25:46

By Bryce McRae

Edited by Cory J. Bonini

Dallas Cowboys

2007 Record: 10-6

Offseason changes

Key Additions pos

Acquire via Key Losses

Pos Status

Cowboys didn't go 10-6 in 2007. Seems like writers continue to get regular season records wrong for both the skins and the 'boys.

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You think so?

It was debated voraciously in the Stadium (shocker, I know), and I didn't hear much that I liked.

What do you know about him?

Watched him in college a bit. Moves well and can put a good hit on a guy when necessary.

He's underperformed in Oakland for one reason or another (haven't seen many Raiders games in the last few years) but Williams tends to get good value out of safeties (Ryan Clark, Pierson Prioleau, Reed Doughty... all except Archuletta, really).

I won't say he's going to be a stud or that he'll definitely unseat Doughty, but under the idea that competition at every position is a positive, I think it's a pretty solid, under-the-radar move.

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Cowboys didn't go 10-6 in 2007. Seems like writers continue to get regular season records wrong for both the skins and the 'boys.

Which is extremely dumbfounding, because its a readily-available stat to everyone and anyone. :doh:

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Watched him in college a bit. Moves well and can put a good hit on a guy when necessary.

He's underperformed in Oakland for one reason or another (haven't seen many Raiders games in the last few years) but Williams tends to get good value out of safeties (Ryan Clark, Pierson Prioleau, Reed Doughty... all except Archuletta, really).

I won't say he's going to be a stud or that he'll definitely unseat Doughty, but under the idea that competition at every position is a positive, I think it's a pretty solid, under-the-radar move.

You do know Williams was fired and is now in Jacskonville, right?

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He's underperformed in Oakland for one reason or another (haven't seen many Raiders games in the last few years)

Shweiggert said the Raiders essentially employed a cover-0 offense and that they would stack 8 guys in the box, so if a running back did make it through he was basically one on one in open field and it was hard to bring that guy down. He felt like the scapegoat for the failures on a defense that has a major flaw, even if it does produce a lot of interceptions.

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Watched him in college a bit. Moves well and can put a good hit on a guy when necessary.

He's underperformed in Oakland for one reason or another (haven't seen many Raiders games in the last few years) but Williams tends to get good value out of safeties (Ryan Clark, Pierson Prioleau, Reed Doughty... all except Archuletta, really).

I won't say he's going to be a stud or that he'll definitely unseat Doughty, but under the idea that competition at every position is a positive, I think it's a pretty solid, under-the-radar move.

I liked it also. We gave up nothing for 3rd round talent. I also liked the Erasmus James trade. We give up a 7th round pick for 1st round talent and if he doesn't make the team, Minnesota gets nothing. These types of moves have given us a little faith in the FO lately.

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I don't see Schweigert competing directly with Doughty. Schweigert will be a FS and Doughty will be a SS. I think they will rotate because LL will rotate between FS and SS. Blache will have the freedom to rotate both these guys in as the situation dictates.

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