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NFC East

Sporting News, The, Sept 20, 2004

DALLAS COWBOYS

The Cowboys must get more from RE Greo Ellis, DT La'Roi Glover and LE Marcellus Wiley because the secondary is not good enough to cover receivers if the quarterback can go to his second and third options. Dallas has a dilemma: It doesn't want to blitz and leave the corners alone, but if it doesn't blitz it can't get to the quarterback.... RB ReShard Lee, a long shot to make the roster at the start of camp, is forcing himself into game-plan consideration. He has good vision and acceleration and makes plays.... QB Vinny Testaverde remains a physical marvel at 40. Given time, he still can make any throw on the passing tree. He has powerful legs, the result of offseason work.

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SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The club wants to give RCB Pete Hunter safety help and eliminate big plays. The best way to do that is to play conservatively and force teams to drive the length of the field, so look for the Cowboys to use a lot of two-deep zones early in the season.--Jean-Jacques Taylor

NEW YORK GIANTS

The team needs TE Jeremy Shockey to be a fearsome offensive weapon and an emotional leader. That won't happen if he makes the kind of errors he did in the opener, when he dropped two passes. In Shockey's defense, he had not played in more than 10 months. This week's game against the Redskins, a team he has had success against in the past, will be a key test.... WR Tim Carter is the fastest receiver on the team and can provide a needed deep threat. But he missed time the past two seasons with injuries and still has to adjust to the pro game. A DIFFERENT GAME: Coordinator lira Lewis promised to juice up the defense with new looks, especially with the rebuilt front seven. He delivered in the opener, showing the Eagles all sorts of exotic fronts, with linemen rushing from unusual directions and players lining up in unexpected places. The Eagles didn't appear to be confused by the strategy, though, and the Giants failed to exert consistent pass pressure. The scheme is a work in progress.--Neil Best

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Rookie RG Shawn Andrews (broken leg) is out for the season, so LG Jermane Mayberry will shift back to his old spot on the right side. Artis Hicks will replace Mayberry at left guard. Hicks is not as powerful of a run blocker as Andrews but is very good in pass protection. Steve Sciullo, recently claimed on waivers from the Colts, will back up both guard position.... CB Sheldon Brown has good speed and excellent quickness in smaller areas. One of his strengths is his ability to jump routes and make plays on the bali. He's also a sure tackler an is more physical than his size (5-10, 200) might indicate. He always will have trouble against taller receivers who can beat him on jump balls or on fade routes. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The line's play suffered last season after Mayberry went out because of an elbow injury. Mayberry, a fundamentally sound technician, makes the players next to him, in particular C flank Fraley, better. Mayberry should do the same for RT Jon Runyan.--Mark Eckel

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

MLB Antonio Pierce, who started last Sunday in place of Mike Barrow (knee), is one of the team's smartest defenders and can play all three linebacker spots. He doesn't have Barrow's bulk but is excellent at avoiding blocks and getting into position to make tackles. He also can make plays in coverage.... WR Laveranues Coles is a perfect fit for coach Joe Gibbs' offense. Coles is fast enough to get deep and quick enough to get off the line and run the short patterns Gibbs loves. Coles also will go over the middle, and he rarely drops a pass. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Gibbs favors individual instruction, and his staff follows his lead, Linebackers coach Dale Lindsey has worked with LaVar Arrington on maintaining the proper base. Defensive line coach Greg Blache has done the same with T Cornelius Griffin. Defensive backs coach Steve Jackson and SS Matt Bowen have worked on stripping the ball; Bowen, in fact, forced a fumble on a sack against the Bucs.--Paul Woody

NFC East

Sporting News, The, Sept 20, 2004

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