Team Needs: NFC East
by Evan Silva
Offseason Low Down
www.rotoworld.com
I'll spin you around the tougher top-to-bottom conference, home of the 2007 Super Bowl Champs, beginning with the East and North divisions. The NFC West and South will be up Friday.
NFC East
If the AFC South is football's best division, then the National Football Conference's East branch is second by only a nose. Not one NFC East member finished with a losing record in 2007. The four teams' combined out-of-conference mark was 11-5. Three made the playoffs. Heading to 2008, only the Redskins can reasonably be considered non-Super Bowl contenders.
Dallas Cowboys
1. RB: In a draft loaded with speedy scatbacks, Dallas has options with its two first-round selections. Because Marion Barber isn't a homerun hitter, change of pace prospects Jamaal Charles, Felix Jones, and Chris Johnson are obvious fits. Dallas must enter May with a tailback capable of 150 effective carries as a rookie.
2. CB: Terence Newman is in a contract year and Anthony Henry could move to strong safety if Dallas lands a legitimate starting corner. The player must possess man-to-man cover skills. Return value wouldn't hurt.
3. WR: With Patrick Crayton best in the slot and Terry Glenn's reliability in doubt, Dallas could target a playmaking flanker as high as 22nd overall. If Jerry Jones finds better first-round value at another position, Kansas State's Jordy Nelson might be a consideration in round two.
New York Giants
1. FS: Sammy Knight, 32, is penciled in as a starter, but isn't a long-term solution and Michael Johnson needs another year. A speedy, proficient blitzer like Josh Barrett (Arizona State) for Steve Spagnuolo's fire-zone scheme would work nicely.
2. CB: Despite Corey Webster's solid postseason, the jury remains out on whether he can do it for 16 games. Sam Madison is 34, while R.W. McQuarters and Kevin Dockery are sub-package corners. After whiffing on DeAngelo Hall, the Giants need someone to play full time opposite Aaron Ross.
3. DT: Jay Alford is unproven and Manuel Wright can't be relied on as a third tackle. The Giants may eye a run stopper to rotate with NT Barry Cofield like Texas A&M's Red Bryant.
Philadelphia Eagles
1. WR: If the Birds can pry Roy Williams from Detroit, they'll have to ante up. Kevin Curtis could then move to the slot in three-receiver sets. Rookies are less likely to help a win-now Eagles team, but DeSean Jackson will be worth a look.
2. FS: Sean Considine can't take the pounding required of a 16-game starter. Brian Dawkins turns 35 in October. A hard-nosed safety with ball skills and punt return value (assuming they don't draft Jackson) like Tom Zbikowski could work in round three or four.
3. CB: This isn't a need with Lito Sheppard on the roster, but will become one when he's traded on April 26. While Joselio Hanson is a solid dime back, the Eagles won't want to rely on him to start if Asante Samuel or Sheldon Brown goes down.
Washington Redskins
1. WR: Not just any receiver; a big one posing an after-the-catch threat for Jim Zorn's West Coast attack. If the Redskins deem his outstanding 2007 campaign valuable enough, Michigan State one-year wonder Devin Thomas (6'2/217) could be the 21st pick overall.
2. SS: LaRon Landry is moving to free safety to man Sean Taylor's old spot. The 'Skins would rather use Reed Doughty as a third safety. This draft is brutal at the position, but a well-rounded prospect like Dejaun Morgan (NC State) could be there in round two.
3. DE: Andre Carter is set at RE, but injury-prone LE Phillip Daniels is 35 and Washington is starved for depth. If the Redskins don't find a first-round receiver they like, Phillip Merling would be an ideal choice, assuming team doctors clear him after undergoing hernia surgery in March.
4. OLB: Weak-side 'backer Rocky McIntosh (torn ACL) is questionable for Week 1. The Redskins probably don't want to enter the season with H.B. Blades at the WILL uncontested.
Offseason Low Down
www.rotoworld.com
I'll spin you around the tougher top-to-bottom conference, home of the 2007 Super Bowl Champs, beginning with the East and North divisions. The NFC West and South will be up Friday.
NFC East
If the AFC South is football's best division, then the National Football Conference's East branch is second by only a nose. Not one NFC East member finished with a losing record in 2007. The four teams' combined out-of-conference mark was 11-5. Three made the playoffs. Heading to 2008, only the Redskins can reasonably be considered non-Super Bowl contenders.
Dallas Cowboys
1. RB: In a draft loaded with speedy scatbacks, Dallas has options with its two first-round selections. Because Marion Barber isn't a homerun hitter, change of pace prospects Jamaal Charles, Felix Jones, and Chris Johnson are obvious fits. Dallas must enter May with a tailback capable of 150 effective carries as a rookie.
2. CB: Terence Newman is in a contract year and Anthony Henry could move to strong safety if Dallas lands a legitimate starting corner. The player must possess man-to-man cover skills. Return value wouldn't hurt.
3. WR: With Patrick Crayton best in the slot and Terry Glenn's reliability in doubt, Dallas could target a playmaking flanker as high as 22nd overall. If Jerry Jones finds better first-round value at another position, Kansas State's Jordy Nelson might be a consideration in round two.
New York Giants
1. FS: Sammy Knight, 32, is penciled in as a starter, but isn't a long-term solution and Michael Johnson needs another year. A speedy, proficient blitzer like Josh Barrett (Arizona State) for Steve Spagnuolo's fire-zone scheme would work nicely.
2. CB: Despite Corey Webster's solid postseason, the jury remains out on whether he can do it for 16 games. Sam Madison is 34, while R.W. McQuarters and Kevin Dockery are sub-package corners. After whiffing on DeAngelo Hall, the Giants need someone to play full time opposite Aaron Ross.
3. DT: Jay Alford is unproven and Manuel Wright can't be relied on as a third tackle. The Giants may eye a run stopper to rotate with NT Barry Cofield like Texas A&M's Red Bryant.
Philadelphia Eagles
1. WR: If the Birds can pry Roy Williams from Detroit, they'll have to ante up. Kevin Curtis could then move to the slot in three-receiver sets. Rookies are less likely to help a win-now Eagles team, but DeSean Jackson will be worth a look.
2. FS: Sean Considine can't take the pounding required of a 16-game starter. Brian Dawkins turns 35 in October. A hard-nosed safety with ball skills and punt return value (assuming they don't draft Jackson) like Tom Zbikowski could work in round three or four.
3. CB: This isn't a need with Lito Sheppard on the roster, but will become one when he's traded on April 26. While Joselio Hanson is a solid dime back, the Eagles won't want to rely on him to start if Asante Samuel or Sheldon Brown goes down.
Washington Redskins
1. WR: Not just any receiver; a big one posing an after-the-catch threat for Jim Zorn's West Coast attack. If the Redskins deem his outstanding 2007 campaign valuable enough, Michigan State one-year wonder Devin Thomas (6'2/217) could be the 21st pick overall.
2. SS: LaRon Landry is moving to free safety to man Sean Taylor's old spot. The 'Skins would rather use Reed Doughty as a third safety. This draft is brutal at the position, but a well-rounded prospect like Dejaun Morgan (NC State) could be there in round two.
3. DE: Andre Carter is set at RE, but injury-prone LE Phillip Daniels is 35 and Washington is starved for depth. If the Redskins don't find a first-round receiver they like, Phillip Merling would be an ideal choice, assuming team doctors clear him after undergoing hernia surgery in March.
4. OLB: Weak-side 'backer Rocky McIntosh (torn ACL) is questionable for Week 1. The Redskins probably don't want to enter the season with H.B. Blades at the WILL uncontested.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:03 PM
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