NFC East team reports: Impact newcomers
from SportNews.com
Magazine Exclusive
Posted: June 4, 2007
Cowboys: First-round pick Anthony Spencer has impressed the coaching staff with his first-step quickness and ability to accelerate once he has slowed down to set up an offensive tackle for a pass-rush move. He's learning the nuances of moving from defensive end to linebacker because the game looks different when standing than it does from a three-point stance. The Cowboys expect him to be a quality pass rusher and he should move into the starting lineup at some point midway through the season. That would allow Greg Ellis to be a nickel pass rusher.
Giants: MLB Kawika Mitchell is the Giants' only new player who figures to be a starter, and that's only if he beats out Gerris Wilkinson for the weakside linebacker job. A converted middle linebacker, Mitchell is a little undersized but has the kind of speed new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo wants. The Giants got little production out of that spot last year, and they believe Mitchell can have an impact, especially in the pass rush. He has good instincts, especially in coverage. The only concern is his size and whether he can get shoved off the ball, but he should be helped by the Giants now relying mostly on a 4-3 which will keep a defensive end in front of him at all times.
Redskins: MLB London Fletcher-Baker has a combination of speed, power and durability, something the team has lacked at that spot for several years. Fletcher is being counted on to solidify the entire defense. He's a sure tackler, and that will have an immediate impact on the run defense. If running backs aren't picking up extra yards after the initial hit, the defense will improve dramatically. Fletcher also is solid in pass coverage. The deep middle, a vulnerable area in the team's cover 2 defense, should be taken away with Fletcher in the lineup. He has enough speed to stay with receivers as they attempt to run those deep patterns against the cover 2.
Eagles: WR Kevin Curtis, a No. 3 his entire career with St. Louis, is being asked to become one of the team's go-to players as the split end in Andy Reid's West Coast offense. Curtis has very good speed, which helps him stretch the field, something the team needs. What is uncertain is whether the four-year veteran will be able to make the transition from the Rams' vertical attack to the Eagles' style, which involves more slant patterns and timing routes.
Magazine Exclusive
Posted: June 4, 2007
Cowboys: First-round pick Anthony Spencer has impressed the coaching staff with his first-step quickness and ability to accelerate once he has slowed down to set up an offensive tackle for a pass-rush move. He's learning the nuances of moving from defensive end to linebacker because the game looks different when standing than it does from a three-point stance. The Cowboys expect him to be a quality pass rusher and he should move into the starting lineup at some point midway through the season. That would allow Greg Ellis to be a nickel pass rusher.
Giants: MLB Kawika Mitchell is the Giants' only new player who figures to be a starter, and that's only if he beats out Gerris Wilkinson for the weakside linebacker job. A converted middle linebacker, Mitchell is a little undersized but has the kind of speed new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo wants. The Giants got little production out of that spot last year, and they believe Mitchell can have an impact, especially in the pass rush. He has good instincts, especially in coverage. The only concern is his size and whether he can get shoved off the ball, but he should be helped by the Giants now relying mostly on a 4-3 which will keep a defensive end in front of him at all times.
Redskins: MLB London Fletcher-Baker has a combination of speed, power and durability, something the team has lacked at that spot for several years. Fletcher is being counted on to solidify the entire defense. He's a sure tackler, and that will have an immediate impact on the run defense. If running backs aren't picking up extra yards after the initial hit, the defense will improve dramatically. Fletcher also is solid in pass coverage. The deep middle, a vulnerable area in the team's cover 2 defense, should be taken away with Fletcher in the lineup. He has enough speed to stay with receivers as they attempt to run those deep patterns against the cover 2.
Eagles: WR Kevin Curtis, a No. 3 his entire career with St. Louis, is being asked to become one of the team's go-to players as the split end in Andy Reid's West Coast offense. Curtis has very good speed, which helps him stretch the field, something the team needs. What is uncertain is whether the four-year veteran will be able to make the transition from the Rams' vertical attack to the Eagles' style, which involves more slant patterns and timing routes.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:10 PM
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