Inside The Nfc East

Sporting News, The, Oct 2, 2000

GAME OF THE WEEK

Tampa Bay at Washington. This game will be another test of Bucs QB Shaun King's ability to win a big game--he came up short against the Jets. If the Redskins' ends can pressure King and produce a turnover or two. Washington could prevail in this gut-check game. But the Bucs figure to be in a nasty mood after losing to the Jets.

MATCHUP TO WATCH

The Giants' offensive line vs. the Titans' defensive line. Specifically, the Giants must handle Jevon Kearse effectively to win in Tennessee. Since the Titans move Kearse around, New York's entire line, not just tackles Luke Petitgout and Lomas Brown must account for Kearse and attempt to slow him. Good luck.

ON THE SPOT

Arizona's defensive line must prove it can stop the run. Enter 49ers RB Charlie Garner, who is averaging 5.5 yards a carry and coming off a 201-yard game. Slowing or stopping Garner would be a boost to a unit that is surrendering 163 rushing yards a game.

KEEP AN EYE ON

The Cowboys' pass defense. Right now, Dallas can't cover a team's No. 2 receiver, let alone a No. 1. With the secondary still reeling from last week's torching by the 49ers, don't be surprised if Carolina's Muhsid Muhammad and Donald Hayes both have huge games.

ROOKIE REPORT

Eagles DT Corey Simon has drawn quite a few double teams early in the season. If Simon can continue to draw extra coverage, the sack totals of ends Hugh Douglas and Mike Mamula, who are already having success getting to the quarterback, could skyrocket.

FEARLESS FORECAST

After Tampa Bay, the Redskins play at the Eagles, host the Ravens. visit the Jaguars and host the Titans. They could easily go 1-3 in that stretch and be fighting for a wild-card spot instead of a division title. Quite a letdown for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.

FANTASY SOURCE After following up his best game in over a year with a horrible showing against the Packers. Jake Plummer gets a chance for redemption against a weak 49ers secondary. Logic says Plummer and David Boston should rack up the points, but history, says Plummer might just rack up more picks,

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Arizona

1-2: 4th

Running game remains stuck as line seeks cohesiveness

The hope was that when the offensive line got healthy, the running game would be in business. Instead, it looked worse than ever against the Packers, gaining only 28 yards. Offensive line coach George Warhop says that for all the benefits the team got out of using backups--getting more experience if starters do go down in the future--not having the starters get a chance to jell is a negative. C Mike Gruttadauria played his first game as a Cardinal last week, and tackle L.J. Shelton should be able to return to practice this week, which would bring all their starters back. Backup Chris Dishman looms as someone who could Lake the starting spot of either guard, Lester Holmes or Matt Joyce. Whether starters or backups become the solution, play like this will force some changes.... Third WR MarTay Jenkins may be on his way out in favor of Mac Cody. Neither are prototypical third receivers, but Jenkins had been the guy because of his speed. Cody, however, seems to be getting open and making catches when he gets his chances. Jenkins is not.... The return of DE Simeon Rice was supposed to help the pass rush. But it still hasn't. The team blitzed a bunch but still couldn't do much. Two sacks in three games isn't going to strike fear into anyone. Combine that with the fact the club gives up more than 150 yards a game rushing, and opposing offenses are licking their chops. The 49ers and all their point-scoring potential are next. Yikes.

SCOUTING REPORT: The team hoped FB Joel Makovicka would serve as the prototypical blocking back. It also hoped he could become an outlet for QB Jake Plummer in the short passing game. That hasn't happened. Makovicka hasn't proved himself as a receiver. With two pass-catching backs in Michael Pittman and Thomas Jones, Makovicka won't be used there anymore. Coach Vince Tobin continues to say he is pleased with Makovicka's blocking, even as the Cards' rushing game continues to disappoint.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The multipack of injuries that Plummer suffered last season (thumb, groin, finger) not only hurt him when he threw the ball but also slowed him when he ran and rolled out of the pocket. Now healthy, Plummer is more willing to scramble, and creating on the run remains his strong point. Of course, that's only when Plummer is running by design, and not when he's running for his life, as was often the case against Green Bay. --Darren Urban

GRADING OUT vs. Green Bay

OFFENSE F

The bottom line: three points, 28 yards rushing and four interceptions, Ugh.

DEFENSE D

It gave up only two touch-downs. But teams are going to move the ball against it,

SPECIAL TEAMS B

MarTay Jenkins had plenty of chances to return kickoffs, that's for sure.

COACHING C-

You can say the team wasn't ready, but the players took the blame for that.

CARDINALS

PASSING   Att.   Comp.   Pct.   Yds.   Long

Plummer    116      67   57.8    750     63

PASSING   TD   Int.   Rate   Sacks

Plummer    4      7   63.5       4

RUSHING     Att.   Yds.   Avg.   TD

Jones         45    110    2.4    0
Pittman       16     41    2.6    1
Plummer        5     18    3.6    0

RECEIVING    No.   Yds.   Avg.   TD

Boston        18    253   14.1    2
Sanders       16    194   12.1    2
Pittman       12    126   10.5    0

SCORING     XPM   XPA   FGM   FGA   Pts.

Blanchard     3     3     6     6     21

PUNTING        No.   Yds.   Avg.   Blk.

Player          13    592   45.5      0

KO RETURNS     No.   Yds.   Avg.     TD

Jenkins         15    360   24.0      0

PUNT RETURNS   No.   Yds.   Avg.     TD

Cody             3     34   11.3      0