Inside the NFC
Posted: April 5, 2008
SN correspondents
QB Alex Smith is quickly returning to form after shoulder surgery and expects to be near 100 percent by the 49ers' minicamp May 2. That's when competition for the starting job really begins. Smith has the best athleticism and strongest arm among the competitors, but Shaun Hill has the quick release coordinator Mike Martz prefers, and J.T. O'Sullivan is well-versed in Martz's offense.
ARIZONA: With the signing of Clark Haggans, the team has four outside linebackers with pass-rush skills -- Haggans, Chike Okeafor, Bertrand Berry and Travis LaBoy. Haggans, whose sack total slipped in his last two years with the Steelers, is beginning his Cardinals career as backup to Okeafor on the strong side.
ATLANTA: RT Tyson Clabo, signed as an undrafted free agent in 2006, has been arguably the team's best lineman the past two seasons. He is massive (6-6, 319), nasty and tenacious in the trenches. The new staff wants to establish the run, which plays to Clabo's strengths.
CAROLINA: The Panthers, looking to get physical up front, signed Gs Toniu Fonoti and Milford Brown. Fonoti, who has battled weight problems, reportedly is 330 now and in good shape. If so, he could have an impact. Brown, also 330, can play both guard spots and right tackle.
CHICAGO: With CB Nathan Vasher healthy (he missed 12 games with a groin pull last season) and paired with Charles Tillman, the team can get away from its base Tampa 2 coverage more often. Coordinator Bob Babich's options were limited last year because he had to use rookie CB Trumaine McBride ahead of schedule.
DALLAS: RB Marion Barber will be featured this season for the first time since high school. He shared duties in college with Lawrence Maroney, and in his first two pro seasons with Julius Jones. Barber is a punishing runner with good vision and quick feet.
DETROIT: TE Michael Gaines could start because of the uncertainty surrounding Dan Campbell (elbow). Gaines doesn't blow anybody off the line but does sustain blocks. He also has decent speed and hands.
GREEN BAY: WR James Jones, who faded badly late in his rookie season, has a lot to prove. Big and strong with powerful hands, Jones (6-1, 207) was productive at times in the No. 3 role but didn't handle the cold weather well.
MINNESOTA: With the apparent decision not to extend C Matt Birk's contract beyond 2008, the Vikings must decide whether RT Ryan Cook can step into the job. Cook, who was drafted as a center in 2006, is average at tackle and might be too tall (6-7) for center.
NEW ORLEANS: The ankle injury suffered last October by LE Charles Grant was more serious than anyone realized. Grant tore a ligament but played on before having surgery in January. The injury has kept Grant from running in the offseason -- a setback for a heavy lineman battling to keep his weight down.
NEW YORK: After the sensational rookie showing of RB Ahmad Bradshaw, the re-signing of Derrick Ward was something of a surprise. The unit of Brandon Jacobs, Ward, Bradshaw and Reuben Droughns is deep and productive.
PHILADELPHIA: Omar Gaither is a more natural middle linebacker, but his move to the weak side will help the team. Gaither is effective no matter where he plays because he's fundamentally sound and smart. The move allows the team to get second-year pro Stewart Bradley on the field.
ST. LOUIS: The re-signing of Brett Romberg helps stabilize the center position, though the starting job is anything but assured. The team seems committed to giving G Mark Setterstrom a shot in the middle. Romberg has good footwork but lacks ideal size and strength.
SEATTLE: The Seahawks signed Olindo Mare to fill the void created when K Josh Brown jumped to division rival St. Louis, but that doesn't mean the matter is settled. The team still plans to add a rookie -- either during or after the draft -- to compete against Mare in camp.
TAMPA BAY: With the addition of Warrick Dunn to an already-deep backfield -- and the addition of blocking TEs Ben Troupe and John Gilmore -- word is coach Jon Gruden might embrace a run-first offense. That would be a big change in philosophy but might make sense considering the receiving unit lacks elite talent.
WASHINGTON: Re-signing OL Jason Fabini gives the Redskins depth and flexibility on the right side. Fabini, a maximum-effort guy who was signed last year as a backup right tackle, played capably at right guard after Randy Thomas was lost.
SN correspondents
QB Alex Smith is quickly returning to form after shoulder surgery and expects to be near 100 percent by the 49ers' minicamp May 2. That's when competition for the starting job really begins. Smith has the best athleticism and strongest arm among the competitors, but Shaun Hill has the quick release coordinator Mike Martz prefers, and J.T. O'Sullivan is well-versed in Martz's offense.
ARIZONA: With the signing of Clark Haggans, the team has four outside linebackers with pass-rush skills -- Haggans, Chike Okeafor, Bertrand Berry and Travis LaBoy. Haggans, whose sack total slipped in his last two years with the Steelers, is beginning his Cardinals career as backup to Okeafor on the strong side.
ATLANTA: RT Tyson Clabo, signed as an undrafted free agent in 2006, has been arguably the team's best lineman the past two seasons. He is massive (6-6, 319), nasty and tenacious in the trenches. The new staff wants to establish the run, which plays to Clabo's strengths.
CAROLINA: The Panthers, looking to get physical up front, signed Gs Toniu Fonoti and Milford Brown. Fonoti, who has battled weight problems, reportedly is 330 now and in good shape. If so, he could have an impact. Brown, also 330, can play both guard spots and right tackle.
CHICAGO: With CB Nathan Vasher healthy (he missed 12 games with a groin pull last season) and paired with Charles Tillman, the team can get away from its base Tampa 2 coverage more often. Coordinator Bob Babich's options were limited last year because he had to use rookie CB Trumaine McBride ahead of schedule.
DALLAS: RB Marion Barber will be featured this season for the first time since high school. He shared duties in college with Lawrence Maroney, and in his first two pro seasons with Julius Jones. Barber is a punishing runner with good vision and quick feet.
DETROIT: TE Michael Gaines could start because of the uncertainty surrounding Dan Campbell (elbow). Gaines doesn't blow anybody off the line but does sustain blocks. He also has decent speed and hands.
GREEN BAY: WR James Jones, who faded badly late in his rookie season, has a lot to prove. Big and strong with powerful hands, Jones (6-1, 207) was productive at times in the No. 3 role but didn't handle the cold weather well.
MINNESOTA: With the apparent decision not to extend C Matt Birk's contract beyond 2008, the Vikings must decide whether RT Ryan Cook can step into the job. Cook, who was drafted as a center in 2006, is average at tackle and might be too tall (6-7) for center.
NEW ORLEANS: The ankle injury suffered last October by LE Charles Grant was more serious than anyone realized. Grant tore a ligament but played on before having surgery in January. The injury has kept Grant from running in the offseason -- a setback for a heavy lineman battling to keep his weight down.
NEW YORK: After the sensational rookie showing of RB Ahmad Bradshaw, the re-signing of Derrick Ward was something of a surprise. The unit of Brandon Jacobs, Ward, Bradshaw and Reuben Droughns is deep and productive.
PHILADELPHIA: Omar Gaither is a more natural middle linebacker, but his move to the weak side will help the team. Gaither is effective no matter where he plays because he's fundamentally sound and smart. The move allows the team to get second-year pro Stewart Bradley on the field.
ST. LOUIS: The re-signing of Brett Romberg helps stabilize the center position, though the starting job is anything but assured. The team seems committed to giving G Mark Setterstrom a shot in the middle. Romberg has good footwork but lacks ideal size and strength.
SEATTLE: The Seahawks signed Olindo Mare to fill the void created when K Josh Brown jumped to division rival St. Louis, but that doesn't mean the matter is settled. The team still plans to add a rookie -- either during or after the draft -- to compete against Mare in camp.
TAMPA BAY: With the addition of Warrick Dunn to an already-deep backfield -- and the addition of blocking TEs Ben Troupe and John Gilmore -- word is coach Jon Gruden might embrace a run-first offense. That would be a big change in philosophy but might make sense considering the receiving unit lacks elite talent.
WASHINGTON: Re-signing OL Jason Fabini gives the Redskins depth and flexibility on the right side. Fabini, a maximum-effort guy who was signed last year as a backup right tackle, played capably at right guard after Randy Thomas was lost.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:18 PM
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