Big questions for NFC teams
Big questions for NFC teams
By John Clayton
ESPN.com
Did the Cowboys make a mistake not drafting a top-flight receiver from a deep pool of talent?
Terry Glenn and Terrell Owens are in their 30s, and Owens is coming off major finger surgery. Patrick Crayton is a decent third receiver, but it's hard to project him as a starter. While the Cowboys did the right thing in the draft swap with Cleveland that netted them a first-round choice in 2008, they bypassed the chance to get one of the draft's best receivers. The Browns aren't expected to be good in 2007, so the Cowboys could be at the top of the draft looking at the best receiver.
The Cowboys also have to look at replacing left tackle Flozell Adams, who is in the final year of his contract. If Tony Romo takes a step back, they might have to look at a quarterback, too. Maybe the delay in getting a receiver will work. The Cowboys got a nice pass-rusher in Anthony Spencer in the first round. The offense needed some help at the skill positions. A receiver injury could be a major problem for the Cowboys.
Did the Giants make a mistake in not getting a left tackle?
The Giants needed help at linebacker, cornerback and left tackle. They had only one first-round pick, so three problems couldn't be solved at once. The value on the board pointed to cornerback Aaron Ross from Texas. Left tackle Joe Staley of Central Michigan was another option. By letting a first-round left tackle pass, the Giants have to go ahead with their plan to move guard David Diehl to left tackle and hope that works. The concern is the psyche of QB Eli Manning. Manning is under a lot of heat because of his November and December struggles over the past two seasons. His accuracy dips as the thermometer falls. One reason for last year's drop-off was the poor play at left tackle. If the Diehl experiment doesn't work, Manning could be in trouble early in the season.
How will Donovan McNabb accept having Kevin Kolb as a potential threat behind him?
Heading into the draft, the Eagles really didn't have many needs. They fixed the linebacking problems by trading for Takeo Spikes. They've drafted well on the offensive and defensive lines for years. Kevin Curtis was signed to help the receiving corps. Other than taking safety Brandon Meriweather, who wasn't available when the Eagles selected, Andy Reid's best option was to trade down. Kolb wasn't in the plans for the Eagles. He just fell to them, and Reid made the pick. If you're McNabb, though, you have to question the rationale behind the pick. The Eagles didn't draft Kolb to be the inactive quarterback from week to week. Although Kolb probably will be the No. 3 in 2007, the Eagles will try to groom him into being a potential starter. McNabb just got over the bad emotions of the Terrell Owens signing. He had just reasserted himself as the leader of the offense. Now, he might have to be looking over his shoulder.
Can another safety help the pass rush?
Joe Gibbs thought LaRon Landry was the best defensive player in the draft, so he made him the sixth pick after repeated efforts to trade down. Now the Redskins have two of the most talented safeties in the league -- Landry and Sean Taylor, who was the fifth pick in the 2004 draft. The problem is the Redskins passed over a pass-rusher, Jamaal Anderson, to take Landry. The Redskins are calling all around to see if a veteran pass-rusher is available. The Redskins had only 19 sacks last season. Without any pressure on the quarterback, opponents had a 97.8 quarterback rating against them. Unless the Redskins can find a way to get a pass rush, Landy and Taylor might get a lot of opportunities to get tackles downfield.
By John Clayton
ESPN.com
Did the Cowboys make a mistake not drafting a top-flight receiver from a deep pool of talent?
Terry Glenn and Terrell Owens are in their 30s, and Owens is coming off major finger surgery. Patrick Crayton is a decent third receiver, but it's hard to project him as a starter. While the Cowboys did the right thing in the draft swap with Cleveland that netted them a first-round choice in 2008, they bypassed the chance to get one of the draft's best receivers. The Browns aren't expected to be good in 2007, so the Cowboys could be at the top of the draft looking at the best receiver.
The Cowboys also have to look at replacing left tackle Flozell Adams, who is in the final year of his contract. If Tony Romo takes a step back, they might have to look at a quarterback, too. Maybe the delay in getting a receiver will work. The Cowboys got a nice pass-rusher in Anthony Spencer in the first round. The offense needed some help at the skill positions. A receiver injury could be a major problem for the Cowboys.
Did the Giants make a mistake in not getting a left tackle?
The Giants needed help at linebacker, cornerback and left tackle. They had only one first-round pick, so three problems couldn't be solved at once. The value on the board pointed to cornerback Aaron Ross from Texas. Left tackle Joe Staley of Central Michigan was another option. By letting a first-round left tackle pass, the Giants have to go ahead with their plan to move guard David Diehl to left tackle and hope that works. The concern is the psyche of QB Eli Manning. Manning is under a lot of heat because of his November and December struggles over the past two seasons. His accuracy dips as the thermometer falls. One reason for last year's drop-off was the poor play at left tackle. If the Diehl experiment doesn't work, Manning could be in trouble early in the season.
How will Donovan McNabb accept having Kevin Kolb as a potential threat behind him?
Heading into the draft, the Eagles really didn't have many needs. They fixed the linebacking problems by trading for Takeo Spikes. They've drafted well on the offensive and defensive lines for years. Kevin Curtis was signed to help the receiving corps. Other than taking safety Brandon Meriweather, who wasn't available when the Eagles selected, Andy Reid's best option was to trade down. Kolb wasn't in the plans for the Eagles. He just fell to them, and Reid made the pick. If you're McNabb, though, you have to question the rationale behind the pick. The Eagles didn't draft Kolb to be the inactive quarterback from week to week. Although Kolb probably will be the No. 3 in 2007, the Eagles will try to groom him into being a potential starter. McNabb just got over the bad emotions of the Terrell Owens signing. He had just reasserted himself as the leader of the offense. Now, he might have to be looking over his shoulder.
Can another safety help the pass rush?
Joe Gibbs thought LaRon Landry was the best defensive player in the draft, so he made him the sixth pick after repeated efforts to trade down. Now the Redskins have two of the most talented safeties in the league -- Landry and Sean Taylor, who was the fifth pick in the 2004 draft. The problem is the Redskins passed over a pass-rusher, Jamaal Anderson, to take Landry. The Redskins are calling all around to see if a veteran pass-rusher is available. The Redskins had only 19 sacks last season. Without any pressure on the quarterback, opponents had a 97.8 quarterback rating against them. Unless the Redskins can find a way to get a pass rush, Landy and Taylor might get a lot of opportunities to get tackles downfield.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:27 PM
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