PFW: NFC East Offseason Reports
Dallas
Mission accomplished: The team addressed depth issues at running back and cornerback, and now those stand as potential strengths if everything holds up. The long-term deals given to RB Marion Barber and CB Terence Newman not only help clear up salary-cap space for this season, but because owner Jerry Jones got the deals done before the owners opted out of the CBA, the team sidestepped some tricky accounting had it waited. First-rounders RB Felix Jones and CB Mike Jenkins also stand to help immediately, at least on special teams, and if CB Pacman Jones is reinstated, he has major potential.
Unfinished business: There’s concern with the safety depth, especially with franchise FS Ken Hamlin likely to be playing on a one-year tender offer and SS Roy Williams possibly in his final year in Dallas. Signing Hamlin to a long-term deal might bring immediate cap relief, but it’s not clear with the league’s cloudy economic forecast if that can be done soon. As it stands, the receivers are unchanged, and though they helped the team pass for 4,105 yards, one thing is clear: Terrell Owens can’t get hurt. Anything an injured Terry Glenn and converted QB Isaiah Stanback give them is gravy. Other than Jones, LB Zach Thomas was the only veteran addition to a slightly disappointing defense from ’07.
NY Giants
Michael Strahan, Jeremy Shockey
Mission accomplished: Compensating for the loss of S Gibril Wilson, the team drafted S Kenny Phillips, who stands a great chance to start as a rookie. Second-round CB Terrell Thomas also adds depth to a secondary that could look different by September. Eli Manning has some new insurance behind him with veteran David Carr and draft pick André Woodson, and the team added several bodies at linebacker — including veteran Danny Clark, who could start, and intriguing rookie Bryan Kehl.
Unfinished business: The team is waiting to find out what happens with two in-limbo stars, DE Michael Strahan and TE Jeremy Shockey. Strahan could opt to retire, which would cause some shifting on defense, and though team officials say Shockey will return, he has yet to show up and say much about his status. The team needs to settle on starters at weak-side linebacker and at safety, and there are five QBs vying for three spots. One could get cut before the team reports to camp in July.
Philadelphia
Mission accomplished: The Eagles upgraded their pass rush with free-agent DE Chris Clemons, even if he’s a part-time player. The special-teams units should be far better with the addition of several good coverage guys, plus electric rookie RS DeSean Jackson. But the biggest addition was CB Asante Samuel, who should help improve on the Eagles’ paltry 19 takeaways from a year ago.
Unfinished business: Despite all their flirting with big-name receivers this offseason, including inquiries about Randy Moss, Chad Johnson, Roy Williams and Larry Fitzgerald, the Eagles added only one wideout — Jackson, a second-rounder, who has speed but might be too small to play anywhere but the slot. And the lingering saga with CB Lito Sheppard and his desire to be traded might not have any new developments, which would carry into training camp as one of the top stories to follow in Bethlehem, Pa.
Washington
Mission accomplished: The team found its replacement for Joe Gibbs, and new head coach Jim Zorn has been hard at work installing the new West Coast system. So far, Zorn has received high marks of approval from the players, even if his methods might be a bit unorthodox to some. Zorn insisted he needed big receivers to run this offense, and he might have scored two good ones — rookies Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly have a chance to contribute right away, especially in the red zone.
Unfinished business: The team added only two defensive linemen this offseason — injured DE Erasmus James and seventh-round DE Rob Jackson. There is concern with the ages of DE Phillip Daniels (35) and DT Cornelius Griffin, who is 31 but has had quite an injury history. On offense, QB Jason Campbell is the starter, but he must continue learning the finer points and show he can adapt. Highly regarded backup Todd Collins remains hungry to play more after last season’s flourish.
Mission accomplished: The team addressed depth issues at running back and cornerback, and now those stand as potential strengths if everything holds up. The long-term deals given to RB Marion Barber and CB Terence Newman not only help clear up salary-cap space for this season, but because owner Jerry Jones got the deals done before the owners opted out of the CBA, the team sidestepped some tricky accounting had it waited. First-rounders RB Felix Jones and CB Mike Jenkins also stand to help immediately, at least on special teams, and if CB Pacman Jones is reinstated, he has major potential.
Unfinished business: There’s concern with the safety depth, especially with franchise FS Ken Hamlin likely to be playing on a one-year tender offer and SS Roy Williams possibly in his final year in Dallas. Signing Hamlin to a long-term deal might bring immediate cap relief, but it’s not clear with the league’s cloudy economic forecast if that can be done soon. As it stands, the receivers are unchanged, and though they helped the team pass for 4,105 yards, one thing is clear: Terrell Owens can’t get hurt. Anything an injured Terry Glenn and converted QB Isaiah Stanback give them is gravy. Other than Jones, LB Zach Thomas was the only veteran addition to a slightly disappointing defense from ’07.
NY Giants
Michael Strahan, Jeremy Shockey
Mission accomplished: Compensating for the loss of S Gibril Wilson, the team drafted S Kenny Phillips, who stands a great chance to start as a rookie. Second-round CB Terrell Thomas also adds depth to a secondary that could look different by September. Eli Manning has some new insurance behind him with veteran David Carr and draft pick André Woodson, and the team added several bodies at linebacker — including veteran Danny Clark, who could start, and intriguing rookie Bryan Kehl.
Unfinished business: The team is waiting to find out what happens with two in-limbo stars, DE Michael Strahan and TE Jeremy Shockey. Strahan could opt to retire, which would cause some shifting on defense, and though team officials say Shockey will return, he has yet to show up and say much about his status. The team needs to settle on starters at weak-side linebacker and at safety, and there are five QBs vying for three spots. One could get cut before the team reports to camp in July.
Philadelphia
Mission accomplished: The Eagles upgraded their pass rush with free-agent DE Chris Clemons, even if he’s a part-time player. The special-teams units should be far better with the addition of several good coverage guys, plus electric rookie RS DeSean Jackson. But the biggest addition was CB Asante Samuel, who should help improve on the Eagles’ paltry 19 takeaways from a year ago.
Unfinished business: Despite all their flirting with big-name receivers this offseason, including inquiries about Randy Moss, Chad Johnson, Roy Williams and Larry Fitzgerald, the Eagles added only one wideout — Jackson, a second-rounder, who has speed but might be too small to play anywhere but the slot. And the lingering saga with CB Lito Sheppard and his desire to be traded might not have any new developments, which would carry into training camp as one of the top stories to follow in Bethlehem, Pa.
Washington
Mission accomplished: The team found its replacement for Joe Gibbs, and new head coach Jim Zorn has been hard at work installing the new West Coast system. So far, Zorn has received high marks of approval from the players, even if his methods might be a bit unorthodox to some. Zorn insisted he needed big receivers to run this offense, and he might have scored two good ones — rookies Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly have a chance to contribute right away, especially in the red zone.
Unfinished business: The team added only two defensive linemen this offseason — injured DE Erasmus James and seventh-round DE Rob Jackson. There is concern with the ages of DE Phillip Daniels (35) and DT Cornelius Griffin, who is 31 but has had quite an injury history. On offense, QB Jason Campbell is the starter, but he must continue learning the finer points and show he can adapt. Highly regarded backup Todd Collins remains hungry to play more after last season’s flourish.
posted by The Gryphon at 3:31 PM
<< Home