Team Needs: NFC East
by Gregg Rosenthal
The Giants are wrongly perceived as one of the most talented teams in the league. The New York spotlight and high profile players like Eli Manning, Jeremy Shockey, and Michael Strahan are primary reasons. A close look at their roster, however, reveals major question marks at nearly every position except quarterback, tight end, and defensive end.
New defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has to rebuild a linebacker group from scratch around Antonio Pierce. The secondary has one quality starter in safety Gibril Wilson. The offense has poor depth at wide receiver, and will have to break in a new starting left tackle and running back.
New GM Jerry Reese should enjoy a brief grace period, but Tom Coughlin is under more pressure than any coach in the league. Unless Reese hits on a number of draft picks, the 2007 season could be a slow plank walk for Coughlin. The Giants and the rest of the NFC East and North team needs are listed below.
AFC East and North
AFC South and West
Dallas Cowboys
1. T - Flozell Adams almost lost his job during last season and is on the decline. Expecting another healthy year out of RT Marc Colombo is also risky. Dallas could draft a potential starter on the right side to groom, possibly Levi Brown if he slips.
2. DB - Ken Hamlin was signed to be the "quarterback of the defense," but his struggles in that department is why Seattle didn't re-sign him. He's too similar to Roy Williams. Drafting a cover corner to play opposite Terrence Newman could allow Anthony Henry to move to free safety.
3. WR - This isn't a huge need, but it's the biggest one at the skill positions. Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn, and Patrick Crayton are one of the best trios in football, but the starters are in their mid-thirties. We think Crayton could step up capably in a starting role.
4. LB - This group will be expecting too much from Greg Ellis, who might not be the same after rupturing his Achilles. The starters are fine overall, but the unit needs depth.
Philadelphia Eagles
1. LB - Takeo Spikes could prove to be a nice addition, but it says a lot when he might start at any of the linebacker spots. Everything else is up in the air, although Jeremiah Trotter should be in the middle for running downs.
2. DT - Eagles fans probably don't want to hear it, but we expect yet another pick at tackle on the first day of the draft. Montae Raegor and Mike Patterson are pass rushers, not run stoppers. Brodrick Bunkley is a mystery. This defense won't hold up against the NFC East rushing attacks without help.
3. TE - L.J. Smith is one of the few Eagles veterans who haven't been approached for a long-term deal. He's entering his contract year, and perhaps the front office believes they can do better. They can draft a replacement to groom.
4. RB - Andy Reid says he wants to continue running the ball like the team did when Donovan McNabb was hurt. We'll believe it when we see it, but the team could use an upgrade for short-yardage situations from Correll Buckhalter.
New York Giants
1. LB - Gerris Wilkinson and Kawika Mitchell are currently slated to start on the outside, but both players could be replaced.
2. T - The offensive line is a sold unit group overall, but they may have lost their best run-blocker in Luke Petitgout. David Diehl is slated to move outside, but drafting a left tackle or guard on the first day of the draft would help.
3. DB - Sam Madison had a surprisingly good season in 2006, but over-30 cornerbacks are ticking time bombs. Corey Webster and R.W. McQuarters won't be able to keep up with the Cowboys and Eagles receivers four times a year.
3. WR - Amani Toomer was undergoing a career fade even before partially tearing his ACL last year. Too many times it was easy to forget that Toomer was even on the field in 2007, with six starts under 45 yards. Sinorice Moss has potential, but has five career catches. We like Moss, but the Giants need a first day pick at receiver. Toomer probably won't be around next year.
Washington Redskins
1. DL - Andre Carter was predictably inconsistent after coming over from the 49ers. Philip Daniels is Just a Guy and the depth here is poor at tackle like most of the roster. Washington only has one first-day pick on tap, so I look for them to trade down or draft the best lineman available.
2. WR - Brandon Lloyd cost roughly $466,00 per catch last year. Although in fairness, he did perform 23 post-catch celebrations free of charge. Antwaan Randle El is a decent slot receiver, but the Redskins need someone to compete to start.
3. CB - This is only a huge need if they trade Shawn Springs, which they may have to in order to sign a high first round pick.
The Giants are wrongly perceived as one of the most talented teams in the league. The New York spotlight and high profile players like Eli Manning, Jeremy Shockey, and Michael Strahan are primary reasons. A close look at their roster, however, reveals major question marks at nearly every position except quarterback, tight end, and defensive end.
New defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has to rebuild a linebacker group from scratch around Antonio Pierce. The secondary has one quality starter in safety Gibril Wilson. The offense has poor depth at wide receiver, and will have to break in a new starting left tackle and running back.
New GM Jerry Reese should enjoy a brief grace period, but Tom Coughlin is under more pressure than any coach in the league. Unless Reese hits on a number of draft picks, the 2007 season could be a slow plank walk for Coughlin. The Giants and the rest of the NFC East and North team needs are listed below.
AFC East and North
AFC South and West
Dallas Cowboys
1. T - Flozell Adams almost lost his job during last season and is on the decline. Expecting another healthy year out of RT Marc Colombo is also risky. Dallas could draft a potential starter on the right side to groom, possibly Levi Brown if he slips.
2. DB - Ken Hamlin was signed to be the "quarterback of the defense," but his struggles in that department is why Seattle didn't re-sign him. He's too similar to Roy Williams. Drafting a cover corner to play opposite Terrence Newman could allow Anthony Henry to move to free safety.
3. WR - This isn't a huge need, but it's the biggest one at the skill positions. Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn, and Patrick Crayton are one of the best trios in football, but the starters are in their mid-thirties. We think Crayton could step up capably in a starting role.
4. LB - This group will be expecting too much from Greg Ellis, who might not be the same after rupturing his Achilles. The starters are fine overall, but the unit needs depth.
Philadelphia Eagles
1. LB - Takeo Spikes could prove to be a nice addition, but it says a lot when he might start at any of the linebacker spots. Everything else is up in the air, although Jeremiah Trotter should be in the middle for running downs.
2. DT - Eagles fans probably don't want to hear it, but we expect yet another pick at tackle on the first day of the draft. Montae Raegor and Mike Patterson are pass rushers, not run stoppers. Brodrick Bunkley is a mystery. This defense won't hold up against the NFC East rushing attacks without help.
3. TE - L.J. Smith is one of the few Eagles veterans who haven't been approached for a long-term deal. He's entering his contract year, and perhaps the front office believes they can do better. They can draft a replacement to groom.
4. RB - Andy Reid says he wants to continue running the ball like the team did when Donovan McNabb was hurt. We'll believe it when we see it, but the team could use an upgrade for short-yardage situations from Correll Buckhalter.
New York Giants
1. LB - Gerris Wilkinson and Kawika Mitchell are currently slated to start on the outside, but both players could be replaced.
2. T - The offensive line is a sold unit group overall, but they may have lost their best run-blocker in Luke Petitgout. David Diehl is slated to move outside, but drafting a left tackle or guard on the first day of the draft would help.
3. DB - Sam Madison had a surprisingly good season in 2006, but over-30 cornerbacks are ticking time bombs. Corey Webster and R.W. McQuarters won't be able to keep up with the Cowboys and Eagles receivers four times a year.
3. WR - Amani Toomer was undergoing a career fade even before partially tearing his ACL last year. Too many times it was easy to forget that Toomer was even on the field in 2007, with six starts under 45 yards. Sinorice Moss has potential, but has five career catches. We like Moss, but the Giants need a first day pick at receiver. Toomer probably won't be around next year.
Washington Redskins
1. DL - Andre Carter was predictably inconsistent after coming over from the 49ers. Philip Daniels is Just a Guy and the depth here is poor at tackle like most of the roster. Washington only has one first-day pick on tap, so I look for them to trade down or draft the best lineman available.
2. WR - Brandon Lloyd cost roughly $466,00 per catch last year. Although in fairness, he did perform 23 post-catch celebrations free of charge. Antwaan Randle El is a decent slot receiver, but the Redskins need someone to compete to start.
3. CB - This is only a huge need if they trade Shawn Springs, which they may have to in order to sign a high first round pick.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:17 PM
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