NFC focus: NFC East Problem spot (only)
SN correspondents
Each week, Sporting News correspondents provide insight and analysis on every NFL team. Here's a sample of what you'll find in the latest NFC team reports.
East Division
Dallas Cowboys
There was some question as to how Martin Gramatica would handle the competition from sixth-round pick Nick Folk. Thus far, he has responded well in practice and games. He did a good job on kickoffs in the first preseason game, which is something the Cowboys wanted him to improve in the offseason. He made 7-of-9 kicks with Dallas last season and the Cowboys signed him to a two-year deal in the offseason. But now coaches want him to win the job and leave no doubt he's the guy. Dallas expects a long playoff run and the Cowboys would prefer a veteran kicker who has performed in big games before.
New York Giants
While fortifying the back end of the defense was a top priority heading into camp, the Giants also wanted to improve a run defense that ranked 14th in the league last season. In the first preseason game, an over-aggressive approach allowed the Panthers to repeatedly gash the defensive front with cutback runs. DTs Barry Cofield and Marcus Bell (subbing for injured Fred Robbins) were ineffective and often out of position, leaving seams because they did not make the right fits. A lack of discipline and growing pains from converted SLB Mathias Kiwanuka played a role in several long Carolina gains. William Joseph, subbing for missing-in-action Michael Strahan at left end, did not control the edge. After saying all offseason that lighter, quicker defensive tackles fit the new scheme, the Giants went out and signed young free agents Manny Wright (345 pounds) and Tui Alailefaleula (375) to determine if some added bulk helps plug the holes in the run defense.
Philadelphia Eagles
The team's biggest weakness last season, it's run defense, was supposed to be fixed through offseason acquisitions and promotions. But so far it hasn't been too impressive. DT Ian Scott, a noted run stopper, just got on the field last week after nursing a leg injury, so that might help. LBs Takeo Spikes on the weak side and Chris Gocong on the strong side, brought added bulk and strength in hopes of toughening the run defense, but neither played well in the opening loss to Baltimore. Spikes was blown off the ball on one of Willis McGahee's long runs that aided a 93-yard drive.
Washington Redskins
On paper, there is plenty of quality and depth at receiver. But Brandon Lloyd has been slowed by shin splints and Antwaan Randle El had to sit out for a while with a quadriceps problem. The team is being careful with Santana Moss, its goal is to get him to the regular season healthy and ready to roll. This makes it difficult for the receivers to get their timing down with the quarterbacks. Lloyd in particular has much to prove after a disappointing 2005, and it's difficult to prove things when you don't practice. James Thrash has had an excellent training camp, but coaches view him as a No.4 receiver, a fast player, to be sure, but equipped more with straight-ahead speed as opposed to quickness in and out of cuts. The passing game does not look smooth, and it probably will not be smooth early in the season.
Each week, Sporting News correspondents provide insight and analysis on every NFL team. Here's a sample of what you'll find in the latest NFC team reports.
East Division
Dallas Cowboys
There was some question as to how Martin Gramatica would handle the competition from sixth-round pick Nick Folk. Thus far, he has responded well in practice and games. He did a good job on kickoffs in the first preseason game, which is something the Cowboys wanted him to improve in the offseason. He made 7-of-9 kicks with Dallas last season and the Cowboys signed him to a two-year deal in the offseason. But now coaches want him to win the job and leave no doubt he's the guy. Dallas expects a long playoff run and the Cowboys would prefer a veteran kicker who has performed in big games before.
New York Giants
While fortifying the back end of the defense was a top priority heading into camp, the Giants also wanted to improve a run defense that ranked 14th in the league last season. In the first preseason game, an over-aggressive approach allowed the Panthers to repeatedly gash the defensive front with cutback runs. DTs Barry Cofield and Marcus Bell (subbing for injured Fred Robbins) were ineffective and often out of position, leaving seams because they did not make the right fits. A lack of discipline and growing pains from converted SLB Mathias Kiwanuka played a role in several long Carolina gains. William Joseph, subbing for missing-in-action Michael Strahan at left end, did not control the edge. After saying all offseason that lighter, quicker defensive tackles fit the new scheme, the Giants went out and signed young free agents Manny Wright (345 pounds) and Tui Alailefaleula (375) to determine if some added bulk helps plug the holes in the run defense.
Philadelphia Eagles
The team's biggest weakness last season, it's run defense, was supposed to be fixed through offseason acquisitions and promotions. But so far it hasn't been too impressive. DT Ian Scott, a noted run stopper, just got on the field last week after nursing a leg injury, so that might help. LBs Takeo Spikes on the weak side and Chris Gocong on the strong side, brought added bulk and strength in hopes of toughening the run defense, but neither played well in the opening loss to Baltimore. Spikes was blown off the ball on one of Willis McGahee's long runs that aided a 93-yard drive.
Washington Redskins
On paper, there is plenty of quality and depth at receiver. But Brandon Lloyd has been slowed by shin splints and Antwaan Randle El had to sit out for a while with a quadriceps problem. The team is being careful with Santana Moss, its goal is to get him to the regular season healthy and ready to roll. This makes it difficult for the receivers to get their timing down with the quarterbacks. Lloyd in particular has much to prove after a disappointing 2005, and it's difficult to prove things when you don't practice. James Thrash has had an excellent training camp, but coaches view him as a No.4 receiver, a fast player, to be sure, but equipped more with straight-ahead speed as opposed to quickness in and out of cuts. The passing game does not look smooth, and it probably will not be smooth early in the season.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:02 AM
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