NFC East reports: Hard truths
Sporting News correspondents
Each week, Sporting News correspondents provide insight and analysis on every NFL East only. Here's a sample of what you'll find in the latest NFC East team reports.
East Division
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys need to spend what it takes to sign offensive tackle Flozell Adams, an unrestricted free agent, to his third contract with the team. The Cowboys see him as a risk because he is entering his third contract, but left tackles can generally play well into their late 30s, which means Dallas should get at least three or four good seasons before they need to replace him.
New York Giants
Anyone connecting the dots could come to the conclusion that the offense in general, and Manning in particular, was better off without TE Jeremy Shockey, who missed the last two regular-season games and the entire postseason with a broken leg. With Shockey out of commission, Manning was at his best, spreading the ball and at times finding rookie TE Kevin Boss for big plays. That led to a discussion of Shockey's worth, and whether his high-strung temperament hurts the offense. Shockey has developed into a top-flight blocker and, despite too many drops, is always a threat as a receiver. The team has no plans to trade Shockey, who is expected to make a full recovery after surgery to repair a fractured fibula and ligament damage in his ankle.
Philadelphia Eagles
Players aren't supposed to lose their starting job to injuries, but the strong safety job next season should be Quintin Mikell's, not Sean Considine's. Considine, the original starter, missed the second half of the season with his second shoulder surgery in three years, but Mikell flat-out outplayed Considine and should be the front-runner when training camp opens.
Washington Redskins
QB Jason Campbell is going to have some rough days ahead. He was primed for a breakthrough in 2008 but now has to learn a new passing game in which Jim Zorn thinks timing is everything. He wants Campbell to take three- or five-step drops and release the ball quickly. Campbell was just getting to the point in the Joe Gibbs/Al Saunders offense where he had confidence to throw the ball where the receivers were going to be instead of waiting for something to happen. Zorn does not want his quarterback hanging onto the ball because he thinks that leads to turnovers and injuries.
Each week, Sporting News correspondents provide insight and analysis on every NFL East only. Here's a sample of what you'll find in the latest NFC East team reports.
East Division
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys need to spend what it takes to sign offensive tackle Flozell Adams, an unrestricted free agent, to his third contract with the team. The Cowboys see him as a risk because he is entering his third contract, but left tackles can generally play well into their late 30s, which means Dallas should get at least three or four good seasons before they need to replace him.
New York Giants
Anyone connecting the dots could come to the conclusion that the offense in general, and Manning in particular, was better off without TE Jeremy Shockey, who missed the last two regular-season games and the entire postseason with a broken leg. With Shockey out of commission, Manning was at his best, spreading the ball and at times finding rookie TE Kevin Boss for big plays. That led to a discussion of Shockey's worth, and whether his high-strung temperament hurts the offense. Shockey has developed into a top-flight blocker and, despite too many drops, is always a threat as a receiver. The team has no plans to trade Shockey, who is expected to make a full recovery after surgery to repair a fractured fibula and ligament damage in his ankle.
Philadelphia Eagles
Players aren't supposed to lose their starting job to injuries, but the strong safety job next season should be Quintin Mikell's, not Sean Considine's. Considine, the original starter, missed the second half of the season with his second shoulder surgery in three years, but Mikell flat-out outplayed Considine and should be the front-runner when training camp opens.
Washington Redskins
QB Jason Campbell is going to have some rough days ahead. He was primed for a breakthrough in 2008 but now has to learn a new passing game in which Jim Zorn thinks timing is everything. He wants Campbell to take three- or five-step drops and release the ball quickly. Campbell was just getting to the point in the Joe Gibbs/Al Saunders offense where he had confidence to throw the ball where the receivers were going to be instead of waiting for something to happen. Zorn does not want his quarterback hanging onto the ball because he thinks that leads to turnovers and injuries.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:11 PM
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