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Inside the NFC

Sporting News, The, April 21, 2006

New FALCONS LT Wayne Gandy, acquired from the Saints for S Bryan Scott and a conditional 2007 draft pick, is 35 but still has an excellent first step in pass protection. That's critical because QB Michael Vick is most dangerous when rolling to his left. Gandy, though, is too stiff to be effective on cut blocks in the running game.... The Falcons soured on Scott because he became a hesitant tackler, but the SAINTS hope he can roach the potential that made him a second-round pick in 2003. Scott has good size (6-1, 219) and versatility and still is young (25). Even if he doesn't pan out, the Saints have good depth at safety.... LIONS RT Kelly Butler will have to work to keep his starting job. He isn't a powerful run blocker and needs to improve his blitz recognition skills. Butler has a mean streak and will work to eliminate his deficiencies.... Luke McCown is the BUCCANEERS' most mobile quarterback. Coach Jon Gruden has developed plays that call for McCown to run the ball and others that use him on rollouts. McCown has a strong arm and quick release and is accurate throwing on the run. He could separate himself from Tim Rattay for the backup job and possibly even push starter Chris Simms.... PANTHERS DT Atiyyah Ellison has size and skill, and the team believes he can develop into a run stuffer. But Ellison must grasp things much more quickly than he did as a rookie last season. He'll compete with Jordan Carstens and Kindal Moorehead for a roster spot. They have more experience and are fundamentally sound.... OLB Roy Manning started two games for the PACKERS last season but made too many mental errors. He's probably better suited to playing inside, but with Nick Barnett in the middle Manning will have to focus on becoming an effective blitzer and solid cover man.... 49ERS NT Isaac Sopoaga has the size (6-2,332) to fight through double-teams. He can use his low center of gravity to gain leverage and overwhelm a guard or center with a forearm rip or a bull rush. Still, his footwork suffers when he gets tired. He's working on his endurance in offseason workouts.... REDSKINS CB Kenny Wright, who started every game for the Jaguars last season, likely won't move ahead of Shawn Springs or Carlos Rogers. But Wright will be a standout nickel back. He has good size (6-1,207), experience, toughness and durability.... CARDINALS CB Antrel Rolle (knee) appears to be healthy after missing most of his rookie season. Rolle has good cover skills, but his best attribute might be his competitiveness.... The EAGLES have more than mild interest in disgruntled Packers WR Javon Walker, who tore his ACL last season and says he won't play for Green Bay this year. Coach Andy Reid coveted Walker during the 2002 draft and was dismayed when the Packers traded up in the first round to get him.... New GIANTS CB R.W. McQuarters might make his biggest impact as a kick returner. WR Willie Ponder held that role for much of last year, but he lost it because of a costly fumble and his habit of running around his blockers and toward the sideline. McQuarters averaged 23.8 yards per kickoff return last year with the Lions. ... Al Singleton is expected to start at outside linebacker for the COWBOYS. He doesn't wow coaches with big plays, but he is intelligent and consistent and rarely makes a bad play.... New RAMS coach Scott Linehan is a big believer in the no-huddle offense and likes to use it for at least a couple of series each week. He also will let his quarterback call audibles, something former coach Mike Martz didn't allow often. Linehan doesn't want a thick playbook; rather, he wants to run a handful of plays well.

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With or without you

The Seahawks added another piece to their high-powered offense when the Vikings declined to match an offer sheet to WR Nate Burleson. He has sure hands, runs precise routes and is a good blocker. He isn't a burner but is explosive coming in and out of his breaks and has good run-after-the-catch ability. Burleson, who is from Seattle, will start at split end opposite Darrell Jackson. Bobby Engram will return to the slot, where he excelled before moving outside last season. The Vikings decided to commit to Koren Robinson as their top receiver, in part because he has the deep speed Burleson lacks. But Robinson also has been known for inconsistent hands. On the other side, the team is expecting major improvement from second-year player Troy Williamson, who also has elite speed. If Robinson and Williamson can't handle major roles, though, the Vikings' passing attack will sputter.

Pet project

Bears quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson will give special attention in offseason workouts to Kyle Orton, who has slipped to No. 3 behind Rex Grossman and newcomer Brian Griese. Orton might have allowed his fundamentals to slip as a rookie. His accuracy dipped, and Wilson thinks poor footwork was the culprit. Orton needs to be quicker and smoother on his separation from center. He also must develop better touch. Orton isn't happy about his standing on the depth chart, but he views the offseason as an opportunity to focus on improving his skills.

Inside the NFC

Sporting News, The, April 21, 2006

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