Diner Morning News: NFC East
FROM MICHAEL LOMBARDI:
13 March 2009
QUOTE: “Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in that grey twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., Speech at the Hamilton Club, Chicago
FROM JENNY VERENTAS OF THE NEWARK STAR-LEDGER… Update: An NFL executive familiar with the Giants’ thinking told our Paul Needell he doesn’t expect them to pursue (Anquan) Boldin if he is indeed put on the trading block. Needell is hearing that the Giants and Eagles are among the interested teams. Both teams could use Boldin’s powerful style and 1,038 receiving yards from the 2008 season — the Giants, as they await Plaxico Burress’ future, and the Eagles, who always seem to be wideout-needy. Both teams also have three picks each in the first two rounds of the upcoming draft. After the Super Bowl, it was reported Boldin wanted out of Arizona, but he later appeared open to a new deal with the team. He is expected to want a yearly salary closer to the $10 million per season teammate Larry Fitzgerald earns.
It appears to me, based on the work the Giants have done this offseason, they are going to use their draft choices to improve their skill positions on offense. The Giants have focused on defense in the free-agent market, but with the draft looming, it appears they have the ability take the best players available on offense. Here is a breakdown of key NFC East questions.
DALLAS
1. Who is going to make plays on the ball in the secondary? The Cowboys were one of the worse teams in the NFL in interceptions. They must improve their secondary play.
2. Where is the depth in the offensive line going to come from? Every starter is over 30 years old.
3. Will the Cowboys be able to repair their run defense with the addition of Keith Brooking? They allowed too many big plays in the run game, and some of this was a result of some of the worse safety tackling in the NFL.
4. Who will be the main return man for the ‘Boys? Pacman Jones averaged a “whopping” 4.5 yards per punt return. They need to improve their vertical field position.
5. Will they have enough depth at wide receiver? Miles Austin and Patrick Crayton take a larger role in the offense. Who will fill their roles?
NY GIANTS
1. Who will assume the No. 1 wide receiver role if Plaxico Burress doesn’t make it back to the field? Domenik Hixon is much better as the third receiver, not as the one. The Giants were 28th in the NFL in dropped passes.
2. Where is the depth in the offensive line? The Giants have been fortunate to keep their line together and avoid injuries. This is the year to add depth to that area.
3. Do the Giants have enough corners? In the NFL, corners are hard to find and harder to keep because of the cost of re-signing them. The Giants can add depth by finding the right corners.
4. How do they improve the kicking game? The Giants ranked 31st in the NFL in allowing returns on kicks, an indication they need additional speed in depth positions.
PHILADELPHIA
1. Who will be the offensive tackles for the Birds next season? Will Shawn Andrews be able to contribute to the team?
2. Who will provide depth on the offensive line? Is it Max Jean-Gilles? Winston Justice? Not sure that will work.
3. Will the Eagles ever get a blocking tight end? For some reason, they are anti-blocker at the position. Why not get someone who can at least hold the point of attack? They ranked 32nd in the NFL in converting third-and-one and fourth-and-one. And 32nd in red-zone offense inside the five-yard line. Might want to think about a blocker.
4. Who will complement Brian Westbrook? The Birds are also anti-big back. However, all the numbers show them deficient in short yardage areas.
5. Is it time to think about a young kicker? They were 22nd in field-goal percentage.
WASHINGTON
1. Can they win and be productive with the same older offensive line? Pete Kendall played better in ‘08 than new signee Derrick Dockery.
2. Who is going to be the kicker? The Redskins were the worst team in the NFL in field-goal percentage.
3. How can they make explosive plays and big plays? They ranked 30th in points scored the last 10 weeks of the season. Do they have enough skill players?
4. Who is going to make Ray Gustini happy and play left end? Losing Demetric Evans to the 49ers almost killed Rapid Ray. Where is the depth on the defensive line
5. Can quarterback Jason Campbell be the player they hoped? Can he solve all the problems?
13 March 2009
QUOTE: “Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in that grey twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., Speech at the Hamilton Club, Chicago
FROM JENNY VERENTAS OF THE NEWARK STAR-LEDGER… Update: An NFL executive familiar with the Giants’ thinking told our Paul Needell he doesn’t expect them to pursue (Anquan) Boldin if he is indeed put on the trading block. Needell is hearing that the Giants and Eagles are among the interested teams. Both teams could use Boldin’s powerful style and 1,038 receiving yards from the 2008 season — the Giants, as they await Plaxico Burress’ future, and the Eagles, who always seem to be wideout-needy. Both teams also have three picks each in the first two rounds of the upcoming draft. After the Super Bowl, it was reported Boldin wanted out of Arizona, but he later appeared open to a new deal with the team. He is expected to want a yearly salary closer to the $10 million per season teammate Larry Fitzgerald earns.
It appears to me, based on the work the Giants have done this offseason, they are going to use their draft choices to improve their skill positions on offense. The Giants have focused on defense in the free-agent market, but with the draft looming, it appears they have the ability take the best players available on offense. Here is a breakdown of key NFC East questions.
DALLAS
1. Who is going to make plays on the ball in the secondary? The Cowboys were one of the worse teams in the NFL in interceptions. They must improve their secondary play.
2. Where is the depth in the offensive line going to come from? Every starter is over 30 years old.
3. Will the Cowboys be able to repair their run defense with the addition of Keith Brooking? They allowed too many big plays in the run game, and some of this was a result of some of the worse safety tackling in the NFL.
4. Who will be the main return man for the ‘Boys? Pacman Jones averaged a “whopping” 4.5 yards per punt return. They need to improve their vertical field position.
5. Will they have enough depth at wide receiver? Miles Austin and Patrick Crayton take a larger role in the offense. Who will fill their roles?
NY GIANTS
1. Who will assume the No. 1 wide receiver role if Plaxico Burress doesn’t make it back to the field? Domenik Hixon is much better as the third receiver, not as the one. The Giants were 28th in the NFL in dropped passes.
2. Where is the depth in the offensive line? The Giants have been fortunate to keep their line together and avoid injuries. This is the year to add depth to that area.
3. Do the Giants have enough corners? In the NFL, corners are hard to find and harder to keep because of the cost of re-signing them. The Giants can add depth by finding the right corners.
4. How do they improve the kicking game? The Giants ranked 31st in the NFL in allowing returns on kicks, an indication they need additional speed in depth positions.
PHILADELPHIA
1. Who will be the offensive tackles for the Birds next season? Will Shawn Andrews be able to contribute to the team?
2. Who will provide depth on the offensive line? Is it Max Jean-Gilles? Winston Justice? Not sure that will work.
3. Will the Eagles ever get a blocking tight end? For some reason, they are anti-blocker at the position. Why not get someone who can at least hold the point of attack? They ranked 32nd in the NFL in converting third-and-one and fourth-and-one. And 32nd in red-zone offense inside the five-yard line. Might want to think about a blocker.
4. Who will complement Brian Westbrook? The Birds are also anti-big back. However, all the numbers show them deficient in short yardage areas.
5. Is it time to think about a young kicker? They were 22nd in field-goal percentage.
WASHINGTON
1. Can they win and be productive with the same older offensive line? Pete Kendall played better in ‘08 than new signee Derrick Dockery.
2. Who is going to be the kicker? The Redskins were the worst team in the NFL in field-goal percentage.
3. How can they make explosive plays and big plays? They ranked 30th in points scored the last 10 weeks of the season. Do they have enough skill players?
4. Who is going to make Ray Gustini happy and play left end? Losing Demetric Evans to the 49ers almost killed Rapid Ray. Where is the depth on the defensive line
5. Can quarterback Jason Campbell be the player they hoped? Can he solve all the problems?
posted by The Gryphon at 6:14 PM
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