Post by EagleGene on Jul 11, 2006 19:01:41 GMT -5
NFC East training-camp preview
Don Banks, SI.com
Team on the rise
WASHINGTON
We know all eyes seem to be on Texas, with the Cowboys signing you-know-who and finally landing a kicker, Mike Vanderjagt, who can decide a few close games all by himself. But let's not forget it was the Redskins that nobody wanted to play in last season's final month after they won their last five regular-season games and a wild-card game at Tampa Bay. Washington's defense was making plays all over the field down the stretch, and we think it's going to be even better without the LaVar Arrington situation to worry about. New offensive coordinator Al Saunders knows how to best use his weapons, and his play-calling touch could do for the offense what coordinator Gregg Williams has done for the defense. The Redskins won't sneak up on anyone this time around, but another 10-win season should be their rock-bottom minimum.
Team in transition
PHILADELPHIA
Remember when the Eagles could count on five or six division wins every year, jacking up their season record by taking care of business in their own backyard? Ah, but the NFC East isn't Philly and the Three Stooges anymore. The Eagles went 0-6 in the division last year, only one loss fewer than Philadelphia had against NFC East opponents in the five previous seasons combined. The Eagles can climb right back into the thick of playoff contention if they find a way to at least split their division games. Recommitting to a balanced offense with a legitimate running game, fielding a healthy Donovan McNabb and improving the pass rush would be the obvious ways the Eagles could close the gap in the East.
Coach in the spotlight
BILL PARCELLS, DALLAS
This just in: The Tuna isn't getting any younger and may not coach forever. We are not going to play the Parcells-retirement guessing game again (and that goes for you, too, Brett Favre), but it's fair to speculate that he's gearing up for one last run at the big shiny silver trophy. We're not buying into the idea that Terrell Owens is the final piece of the puzzle in Dallas, but that doesn't mean his addition won't be a huge upgrade for the passing game. It's worth noting that Parcells has yet to endure three consecutive non-playoff seasons.
Impact player in the making
ANDRE CARTER, WASHINGTON
We haven't heard much from Carter since his breakthrough 12.5-sack season of 2002 in San Francisco, but he's a great athlete who should create havoc coming off the edge in Williams' defense. Carter can play the 4-3 end position and handle a 3-4 outside linebacker slot when Williams decides to change up the Redskins' look. If Carter plays like we think he will, the Redskins faithful will forget about Arrington by mid-October.
Story to watch
Sorry, haters of hype. Normally I'm with you. But when it comes to watching how the Parcells-Owens shotgun marriage will play out this season, well, who will be able to totally avert their eyes? We happen to think that this particular honeymoon will be rather lengthy, but that won't keep anyone from taking daily temperature readings. Even Andy Reid's curious.
Biggest offseason splash
Let's see. The Eagles' headline addition was defensive end Darren Howard. The Giants picked up yet another pass rusher in Arrington. And the Redskins signed almost every available free agent, as usual. And all those moves combined didn't move the needle one tenth of the amount that the long-anticipated Owens-to-Dallas relocation did. As splashes go, it was the equivalent of a Nate Newton cannonball into the deep end of the pool.
Pay no attention to ...
The endless Eli-Peyton Manning comparisons. The Giants' third-year starter had his moments last season, but he's nowhere near the polished product his older MVP-winning brother is. Eli has a propensity for sailing a few passes high over the heads of his targets, and his tendency to stare down his receivers in key situations cost him in 2005. As young quarterbacks go, Eli is doing fairly well. But as Peyton's little brother, the bar is set almost impossibly high.
Potential land mine
The Giants' locker room. New York running back Tiki Barber is the consummate professional and way too sharp to repeat his blunt assessment of Tom Coughlin's coaching job after New York's 23-0 playoff loss at home to Carolina. But Coughlin-style discipline tends to best be accepted when it is accompanied by winning. The Giants have more than their share of opinionated veterans -- such as Plaxico Burress, Jeremy Shockey and Michael Strahan -- who have chafed a bit in the brief Coughlin era. Let's see what happens to team harmony if New York struggles early, not an unlikely scenario given the Giants' tough September schedule (vs. Colts, at Philadelphia, at Seattle).
Updated on Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 2:13 pm EDT
Don Banks, SI.com
Team on the rise
WASHINGTON
We know all eyes seem to be on Texas, with the Cowboys signing you-know-who and finally landing a kicker, Mike Vanderjagt, who can decide a few close games all by himself. But let's not forget it was the Redskins that nobody wanted to play in last season's final month after they won their last five regular-season games and a wild-card game at Tampa Bay. Washington's defense was making plays all over the field down the stretch, and we think it's going to be even better without the LaVar Arrington situation to worry about. New offensive coordinator Al Saunders knows how to best use his weapons, and his play-calling touch could do for the offense what coordinator Gregg Williams has done for the defense. The Redskins won't sneak up on anyone this time around, but another 10-win season should be their rock-bottom minimum.
Team in transition
PHILADELPHIA
Remember when the Eagles could count on five or six division wins every year, jacking up their season record by taking care of business in their own backyard? Ah, but the NFC East isn't Philly and the Three Stooges anymore. The Eagles went 0-6 in the division last year, only one loss fewer than Philadelphia had against NFC East opponents in the five previous seasons combined. The Eagles can climb right back into the thick of playoff contention if they find a way to at least split their division games. Recommitting to a balanced offense with a legitimate running game, fielding a healthy Donovan McNabb and improving the pass rush would be the obvious ways the Eagles could close the gap in the East.
Coach in the spotlight
BILL PARCELLS, DALLAS
This just in: The Tuna isn't getting any younger and may not coach forever. We are not going to play the Parcells-retirement guessing game again (and that goes for you, too, Brett Favre), but it's fair to speculate that he's gearing up for one last run at the big shiny silver trophy. We're not buying into the idea that Terrell Owens is the final piece of the puzzle in Dallas, but that doesn't mean his addition won't be a huge upgrade for the passing game. It's worth noting that Parcells has yet to endure three consecutive non-playoff seasons.
Impact player in the making
ANDRE CARTER, WASHINGTON
We haven't heard much from Carter since his breakthrough 12.5-sack season of 2002 in San Francisco, but he's a great athlete who should create havoc coming off the edge in Williams' defense. Carter can play the 4-3 end position and handle a 3-4 outside linebacker slot when Williams decides to change up the Redskins' look. If Carter plays like we think he will, the Redskins faithful will forget about Arrington by mid-October.
Story to watch
Sorry, haters of hype. Normally I'm with you. But when it comes to watching how the Parcells-Owens shotgun marriage will play out this season, well, who will be able to totally avert their eyes? We happen to think that this particular honeymoon will be rather lengthy, but that won't keep anyone from taking daily temperature readings. Even Andy Reid's curious.
Biggest offseason splash
Let's see. The Eagles' headline addition was defensive end Darren Howard. The Giants picked up yet another pass rusher in Arrington. And the Redskins signed almost every available free agent, as usual. And all those moves combined didn't move the needle one tenth of the amount that the long-anticipated Owens-to-Dallas relocation did. As splashes go, it was the equivalent of a Nate Newton cannonball into the deep end of the pool.
Pay no attention to ...
The endless Eli-Peyton Manning comparisons. The Giants' third-year starter had his moments last season, but he's nowhere near the polished product his older MVP-winning brother is. Eli has a propensity for sailing a few passes high over the heads of his targets, and his tendency to stare down his receivers in key situations cost him in 2005. As young quarterbacks go, Eli is doing fairly well. But as Peyton's little brother, the bar is set almost impossibly high.
Potential land mine
The Giants' locker room. New York running back Tiki Barber is the consummate professional and way too sharp to repeat his blunt assessment of Tom Coughlin's coaching job after New York's 23-0 playoff loss at home to Carolina. But Coughlin-style discipline tends to best be accepted when it is accompanied by winning. The Giants have more than their share of opinionated veterans -- such as Plaxico Burress, Jeremy Shockey and Michael Strahan -- who have chafed a bit in the brief Coughlin era. Let's see what happens to team harmony if New York struggles early, not an unlikely scenario given the Giants' tough September schedule (vs. Colts, at Philadelphia, at Seattle).
Updated on Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 2:13 pm EDT