NFC East: Fantasy DB team rankings going into 2006
Michael Harmon / FOXSports.com
NOTE THAT ALL INFORMATION IS BASED ON HARMON'S FANTASY PLAYER INFORMATION!
Some of the most anonymous players in the NFL reside in the defensive backfield. The only time that many of these players are highlighted on the telestrator are when they've missed an assignment or tackle that led to a huge play.
In edition of the FOXSports.com off-season tour, I'm rolling up my sleeves to put names to the accomplishments and update the off-season movement of players in the secondary. The list begins with a unit that fell on hard times in 2005, but returns all of its principals from past fantasy glory. We'll begin the review in Philadelphia.
1. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles return one of the best secondaries in the game, provided that they can stay on the field. Shoulder and ankle injuries took cornerbacks Sheldon Brown and Lito Sheppard out of the lineup, forcing safeties Michael Lewis and Brian Dawkins to become involved in virtually every play. The duo combined for 185 tackles last season.
The struggles of the offense following Donovan McNabb's injury (and a host of other injuries and the deactivation of T.O.), an inconsistent pass rush (29 sacks) and these injuries forced the Eagles down the defensive rankings. They finished 21st with 207.7 passing yards allowed per game, but allowed 1.5 touchdown passes per contest. I expect a return to form for this unit in 2006. The divisional games offer six tests, but the addition of Darren Howard opposite Jevon Kearse up front and the return of this Pro Bowl quartet leads me to believe that they'll pass with flying colors.
8. New York Giants
The front of the Giants defense remained intact, but finishing 27th in the league at 224 yards per game and allowing 20 passing touchdowns forced the team to shuffle players in the secondary. A severe back injury forced the Giants to part ways with cornerback Will Peterson. Cornerback Will Allen left to join the Buccaneers. Fortunately, the Giants added Will Demps from the Ravens (50 tackles) to take his place. So, some law of conservation is being observed among Giants management.
Gibril Wilson shone at strong safety last season, doubling his tackle total from 2004 to 110. New York added veteran Sam Madison at left cornerback. He made 52 tackles and snagged two interceptions for the Dolphins a season ago. Madison will line up opposite second-year cornerback Corey Webster, who performed well last season for Tom Coughlin. He'll only benefit from the on-field experience of 2005.
The NFC East figures to be perhaps the most contested division in the game this season. Washington upgraded its receivers with Brandon Lloyd and Antwaan Randle El. Terrell Owens joined the Cowboys and Philly can only be better with McNabb back under center. With that said, the pressure afforded by the Giants line will force mistakes and make this unit effective.
13. Dallas Cowboys:
The Cowboys return all members of last season's 11th-ranked pass defense (192.7 yards per game). They also added a veteran presence from Houston for third-down situations in safety Marcus Coleman. Anthony Henry and Terence Newman return at cornerback. Henry and Newman combined for 108 tackles and six interceptions last season. Keith Davis and Willie Pile are expected to battle for the starting free safety job. Davis has the edge heading into camp. He made 50 tackles last season. Finally, strong safety Roy Williams remains a threat to all those receivers who wander off the middle. Receivers do not tread lightly with No. 31 in the defensive backfield. He tallied 77 tackles, three interceptions and three forced fumbles for the Cowboys last year.
Dallas hopes that the addition of Owens will spark the offense to greater heights and force dubious decision-making and more turnovers (15 interceptions in 2005). The upgrades at wide receiver for the Redskins, the return of McNabb and the growth of Eli Manning will keep them honest.
15. Washington Redskins
The Redskins played efficient defensive football last season, ranking among the league leaders at 10th in pass defense at 192.6 yards allowed per game. However, they generated only 35 sacks and 16 interceptions. Curiously, the team averaged only one per game. Rookie Carlos Rogers gained valuable experience in this scheme last season and contributed 43 tackles and two interceptions. He'll line up opposite master cornerback Shawn Springs, who makes all the plays that don't show up in box scores. Washington added heavy hitter Adam Archuleta from the Rams this off-season. He racked up 70 tackles and four sacks last season.
The big question mark for the unit entering the season is the status of free safety Sean Taylor. Though he avoided jail time for his off-field transgressions, Taylor still faces the possibility of a suspension. His absence would create a huge void in the secondary for Joe Gibbs. Veteran Pierson Prioleau or Curry Burns would assume the role if a suspension was handed down.
Like the Broncos running game, the Washington system works. However, I believe that they'll need Taylor for a full season to remain among the league's top units. The rank reflected here assumes that Taylor is free and clear to participate fully in team activities.
NOTE THAT ALL INFORMATION IS BASED ON HARMON'S FANTASY PLAYER INFORMATION!
Some of the most anonymous players in the NFL reside in the defensive backfield. The only time that many of these players are highlighted on the telestrator are when they've missed an assignment or tackle that led to a huge play.
In edition of the FOXSports.com off-season tour, I'm rolling up my sleeves to put names to the accomplishments and update the off-season movement of players in the secondary. The list begins with a unit that fell on hard times in 2005, but returns all of its principals from past fantasy glory. We'll begin the review in Philadelphia.
1. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles return one of the best secondaries in the game, provided that they can stay on the field. Shoulder and ankle injuries took cornerbacks Sheldon Brown and Lito Sheppard out of the lineup, forcing safeties Michael Lewis and Brian Dawkins to become involved in virtually every play. The duo combined for 185 tackles last season.
The struggles of the offense following Donovan McNabb's injury (and a host of other injuries and the deactivation of T.O.), an inconsistent pass rush (29 sacks) and these injuries forced the Eagles down the defensive rankings. They finished 21st with 207.7 passing yards allowed per game, but allowed 1.5 touchdown passes per contest. I expect a return to form for this unit in 2006. The divisional games offer six tests, but the addition of Darren Howard opposite Jevon Kearse up front and the return of this Pro Bowl quartet leads me to believe that they'll pass with flying colors.
8. New York Giants
The front of the Giants defense remained intact, but finishing 27th in the league at 224 yards per game and allowing 20 passing touchdowns forced the team to shuffle players in the secondary. A severe back injury forced the Giants to part ways with cornerback Will Peterson. Cornerback Will Allen left to join the Buccaneers. Fortunately, the Giants added Will Demps from the Ravens (50 tackles) to take his place. So, some law of conservation is being observed among Giants management.
Gibril Wilson shone at strong safety last season, doubling his tackle total from 2004 to 110. New York added veteran Sam Madison at left cornerback. He made 52 tackles and snagged two interceptions for the Dolphins a season ago. Madison will line up opposite second-year cornerback Corey Webster, who performed well last season for Tom Coughlin. He'll only benefit from the on-field experience of 2005.
The NFC East figures to be perhaps the most contested division in the game this season. Washington upgraded its receivers with Brandon Lloyd and Antwaan Randle El. Terrell Owens joined the Cowboys and Philly can only be better with McNabb back under center. With that said, the pressure afforded by the Giants line will force mistakes and make this unit effective.
13. Dallas Cowboys:
The Cowboys return all members of last season's 11th-ranked pass defense (192.7 yards per game). They also added a veteran presence from Houston for third-down situations in safety Marcus Coleman. Anthony Henry and Terence Newman return at cornerback. Henry and Newman combined for 108 tackles and six interceptions last season. Keith Davis and Willie Pile are expected to battle for the starting free safety job. Davis has the edge heading into camp. He made 50 tackles last season. Finally, strong safety Roy Williams remains a threat to all those receivers who wander off the middle. Receivers do not tread lightly with No. 31 in the defensive backfield. He tallied 77 tackles, three interceptions and three forced fumbles for the Cowboys last year.
Dallas hopes that the addition of Owens will spark the offense to greater heights and force dubious decision-making and more turnovers (15 interceptions in 2005). The upgrades at wide receiver for the Redskins, the return of McNabb and the growth of Eli Manning will keep them honest.
15. Washington Redskins
The Redskins played efficient defensive football last season, ranking among the league leaders at 10th in pass defense at 192.6 yards allowed per game. However, they generated only 35 sacks and 16 interceptions. Curiously, the team averaged only one per game. Rookie Carlos Rogers gained valuable experience in this scheme last season and contributed 43 tackles and two interceptions. He'll line up opposite master cornerback Shawn Springs, who makes all the plays that don't show up in box scores. Washington added heavy hitter Adam Archuleta from the Rams this off-season. He racked up 70 tackles and four sacks last season.
The big question mark for the unit entering the season is the status of free safety Sean Taylor. Though he avoided jail time for his off-field transgressions, Taylor still faces the possibility of a suspension. His absence would create a huge void in the secondary for Joe Gibbs. Veteran Pierson Prioleau or Curry Burns would assume the role if a suspension was handed down.
Like the Broncos running game, the Washington system works. However, I believe that they'll need Taylor for a full season to remain among the league's top units. The rank reflected here assumes that Taylor is free and clear to participate fully in team activities.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:21 PM
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