Team report rundown: NFC East only
Posted: November 20, 2007
SN correspondents
East Division
Dallas Cowboys
Terrell Owens, who led the league with 17 drops last season, has done a much better job of catching the ball over the past month after some drops early in the season. Owens said he hasn't changed anything other than maintaining his focus longer and looking the ball into his hands. These are elementary aspects of pass-catching, but sometimes you have to revert to fundamentals. In the last three games, Owens has 24 catches for 472 yards with seven touchdowns, putting him on pace for his first trip to the Pro Bowl since 2004.
New York Giants
SLB Mathias Kiwanuka (broken leg) is expected to miss the rest of the season. That's a significant loss for the defense. Kiwanuka, a converted end playing his first season at linebacker, was improving in his pass drops and run support, and he was an integral part of the team's four defensive end alignment. Reggie Torbor will replace Kiwanuka. Torbor has mostly been a special teams player and has been unable to win a starting job. He is strong at the point of attack but not adept in pass coverage.
Philadelphia Eagles
WR Kevin Curtis has adapted to the team's West Coast offense after playing his entire career in the Rams' vertical attack. Curtis has excellent speed and good hands. His toughest adjustment to playing outside after years as a slot receiver has been dealing with tough press coverage.
Washington Redskins
Chris Cooley remains an effective route runner and pass catcher. He has strong hands, a powerful lower body that enables him to run through tackles after the catch and is the team's most effective red zone receiver. He is a decent blocker who has been kept in too often to block because of problems with the offensive line. The line is settling down now, and the team needs to get Cooley out on routes and into space more often. He has a chance to have an outstanding career and end up as one of the Redskins all-time leading receivers.
SN correspondents
East Division
Dallas Cowboys
Terrell Owens, who led the league with 17 drops last season, has done a much better job of catching the ball over the past month after some drops early in the season. Owens said he hasn't changed anything other than maintaining his focus longer and looking the ball into his hands. These are elementary aspects of pass-catching, but sometimes you have to revert to fundamentals. In the last three games, Owens has 24 catches for 472 yards with seven touchdowns, putting him on pace for his first trip to the Pro Bowl since 2004.
New York Giants
SLB Mathias Kiwanuka (broken leg) is expected to miss the rest of the season. That's a significant loss for the defense. Kiwanuka, a converted end playing his first season at linebacker, was improving in his pass drops and run support, and he was an integral part of the team's four defensive end alignment. Reggie Torbor will replace Kiwanuka. Torbor has mostly been a special teams player and has been unable to win a starting job. He is strong at the point of attack but not adept in pass coverage.
Philadelphia Eagles
WR Kevin Curtis has adapted to the team's West Coast offense after playing his entire career in the Rams' vertical attack. Curtis has excellent speed and good hands. His toughest adjustment to playing outside after years as a slot receiver has been dealing with tough press coverage.
Washington Redskins
Chris Cooley remains an effective route runner and pass catcher. He has strong hands, a powerful lower body that enables him to run through tackles after the catch and is the team's most effective red zone receiver. He is a decent blocker who has been kept in too often to block because of problems with the offensive line. The line is settling down now, and the team needs to get Cooley out on routes and into space more often. He has a chance to have an outstanding career and end up as one of the Redskins all-time leading receivers.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:40 PM
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