RedskinsFanInTX Posted March 18, 2004 Share Posted March 18, 2004 Landscape Changing For NFC East Rivals 03/17/2004 http://www.redskins.com/story.asp?ContentID=12592 By Gary Fitzgerald Redskins.com In just a few months, the very personality of the NFC East seems to have undergone a dramatic overhaul. As the division takes shape for 2004, this much is certain: The NFC East is loaded with premiere talent. Is it the toughest division in football? If not, it has to be among the toughest. The division has always been fiercely competitive, but some of the recent acquisitions by all four teams seem to have raised the stakes. Certainly the NFC East winner in 2004 will be battle-tested heading into the postseason. Some of the high-profile players in the division now? The Redskins alone have Clinton Portis, Mark Brunell, Laveranues Coles, LaVar Arrington and Shawn Springs, to name a few. Look around at the rest of the NFC East and there’s Philadelphia’s newest acquisition Terrell Owens, who will pair with quarterback Donovan McNabb. On defense, the Eagles added Jevon Kearse to a unit with Pro Bowl safety Brian Dawkins. The Cowboys already boast the league’s top-ranked defense with stars like defensive tackle La’Roi Glover, safeties Roy Williams and Darren Woodson and cornerback Terence Newman. Add newly acquired defensive end Marcellus Wiley to the mix. Offensively, the Cowboys’ biggest acquisition this offseason could be Keyshawn Johnson; negotiations are ongoing, according to newspaper accounts. The New York Giants appear to be undergoing major changes, but they still have premiere talent in quarterback Kerry Collins, running back Tiki Barber, tight end Jeremy Shockey and defensive end Michael Strahan. For the Redskins, the two biggest player acquisitions so far this offseason have been Brunell and Portis. When mini-camp begins March 26, plenty of focus will be on quarterbacks Brunell and Patrick Ramsey. But it is Portis who could eventually become the primary focus of the Redskins’ offense. At the age of 22, he has already rushed for more than 3,000 yards in his NFL career. His presence means that NFC East foes must take into account a premiere rushing threat when game-planning the Redskins. Here’s a look at the player acquisitions and departures of NFC East teams this offseason (as of Wednesday, March 17): Washington Redskins In: QB Mark Brunell, RB Clinton Portis, DT Cornelius Griffin, C Cory Raymer, DE Phillip Daniels, C Lennie Friedman, CB Shawn Springs, LB Marcus Washington, LS Ethan Albright, TE Walter Rasby, P Tom Tupa, LB Kevin Mitchell Out: CB Champ Bailey, LB Jessie Armstead, P Bryan Barker, DE Bruce Smith, DT Lional Dalton, DT Martin Chase Restricted: FB Bryan Johnson, WR Darnerien McCants, LB Antonio Pierece, S Ifeanyi Ohalete Unrestricted (still available): DB David Terrell, DT Bernard Holsey, WR Patrick Johnson, DE Peppi Zellner, TE Zeron Flemister, G Daryl Terrell Dallas Cowboys In: DE Marcellus Wiley, QB Drew Henson (pending approval by NFL Management Council), C Gennaro Dinapoli Out: P Toby Gowin, OT Ryan Young, DE Ebenezer Ekuban Restricted: DE Willie Blade, RB Aveion Cason, OL Javier Collins, G Matt Lehr, S Lynn Scott, LB Marcus Steele, WR Randal Williams, TE James Whalen Unrestricted (still available): CB Mario Edwards, RB Michael Bates New York Giants In: LB Carlos Emmons, DT Martin Chase, LB Fred Robbins, DE Keith Washington, LB Barrett Green, G Shaun O’Hara Out: DT Cornelius Griffin, LB Dhani Jones, LB Michael Barrow, RB Dorsey Levens, RB Brian Mitchell, C Chris Bober, DB Ike Charlton, QB Jason Garrett Restricted: DT Lance Legree, QB Jesse Palmer, CB William Peterson, TE Marcellus Rivers Unrestricted (still available): DB Ralph Brown, WR Ron Dixon, S Johnnie Harris, DE Kenny Holmes, CB Kato Serwanga, LB Brandon Short Philadelphia Eagles In: DE Jevon Kearse, WR Terrell Owens, DT Paul Grasmanis, LB Dhani Jones Out: LB Carlos Emmons, RB Duce Staley, CB Troy Vincent, DE Marco Coleman Restricted: LB Keith Adams, RB Correll Buckhalter Unrestricted (still available): CB Bobby Taylor, G Bobbie Williams, DT Jim Flanigan The talent in the division isn’t restricted to the players, of course. As has been well documented by now, the Redskins have added a Hall of Fame coach in Gibbs, a legendary offensive line coach in Joe Bugel (his title is assistant head coach of offense) and a defensive assistant head coach in Gregg Williams who has impeccable credentials. Add veteran coaches Greg Blache, Don Breaux, Rennie Simmons and Jack Burns, and the Redskins have a staff that is unrivaled in the NFL experience. Think about it: there are 200-plus combined years of coaching experience at Redskins Park now. The quality of coaches in the NFC East doesn’t stop with the Redskins, though. Dallas has Bill Parcells, of course, and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, the architect of the NFL’s top-ranked defense. Philadelphia’s Andy Reid combines with defensive coordinator Jim Johnson. Tom Coughlin brings his hard-nosed, disciplined style to a New York Giants team that finished 4-12 last year. If his old-school tactics work, he’ll become an instant hero in New York like Parcells did during the 1980s and early 1990s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinsarethebest Posted March 18, 2004 Share Posted March 18, 2004 just out of curiosity, who is Dallas RFA DE willie blade? Anybody worth checkig out, as a possible steal from the 'boys, who might strengthen our D line? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Posted March 18, 2004 Share Posted March 18, 2004 Note that "RFA" means you can steal him if you're willing to give up a draft pick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heavy Jumbo Posted March 18, 2004 Share Posted March 18, 2004 I thought we had only released Chase, not Dalton too. Or maybe it was the other way around? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonsofwashington Posted March 18, 2004 Share Posted March 18, 2004 I wanted Dhani Jones. That sucks he is an Eagle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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