NFL east

DALLAS COWBOYS

WR Peerless Price did not play for the second time this season and has just one reception for minus-1 yard because coach Bill Parcells says he can't figure out how to get him on the field. Sitting WR Kayshawn Johnson takes away a perimeter blocker, and Price (5-11, 190) can't replace WR Patrick Crayton in the slot. Parcells demands his slot receiver be a physical blocker because the coach wants to be able to run out of three-receiver formations. ... The team tired of rookie LS Jon Condo's poor snaps and released him in favor of another rookie: L.P. LaDoucear, who was in the Saints' training camp. The Cowboys are committed to using a young snapper so they can keep him at a cheap price for the next several years. FIRST QUARTER GRADES: Offense: 8. QB Drew Bledsoe has been better than expected. Defense: C, The secondary has allowed too many big plays. Special teams: C, There have been no difference-makers in the return game. Coaching: C+, Parcells is force-feeding young players, and the results have been mixed.--Jean-Jacques Taylor

NEW YORK GIANTS

CB Will Peterson (back) likely is out for the season, a critical blow to the secondary. Peterson was the team's best corner. Curtis Deloatch win replace Peterson for now, and rookie Corey Webster eventually will take over. Webster, a converted receiver, has good hands and excels at finding the ball in the air. Peterson's injury also means struggling CB Will Allen will stay in the lineup. Webster was poised to replace him. ... The team believes RE Osi Umenyiora can draw some double-teams away from LE Michael Strahan. Umenyiora, 24, has incredible speed and a great first step. When he gets around the outside, he's hard to stop. What he doesn't yet have is Strahan's power and leverage. FIRST QUARTER GRADES: Offense: A. QB Eli Manning has come of age; WR Plaxico Burress is becoming a star. Defense: C. The unit has been up and down against the run and way, way down against the pass. Special teams: B+, They've scored two touchdowns, and new K Jay Feely has been perfect. Coaching: B+. Tom Coughlin has his players believing in his system.--Ralph Vacchiano

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Rookie DT Mike Patterson has played well in place of Darwin Walker (thigh), showing good quickness off the bail, one of the attributes the Eagles liked when they selected Patterson. He has been active and has showed the ability to penetrate. He also is better against the run than advertised. Patterson was projected as an eventual starter, but it might be hard to move him out of the lineup. ... Todd France will fill in for Pro Bowl K David Akers (hamstring) until at least October 23 and possibly longer. France had not started an NFL game before last week, but he showed good mental toughness by making his last three field goal attempts after having his first attempt blocked. FIRST QUARTER GRADES: Offense: B. The team needs a more balanced attack, but the passing game is very good. Defense: B+. Does anyone adjust better than coordinator Jim Johnson? His unit makes all the big stops. Special teams: C-. The return game is nonexistent, and the coverage hasn't been really good, either. Coaching: A-. Other than the kicking snafu in Week 3, Andy Reid has been nearly perfect.--Mark Eckel

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

QB Mark Brunell, 35, appears to have found the fountain of youth. He's moving better in the pocket this season and still has the ability to scramble. His passes are swift, sharp and on target. The line is giving Brunell good protection, and he has developed a rhythm with and confidence in WR Santana Moss. ... An injury to CB Walt Harris gave rookie Carlos Rogers his first start, and Harris, 31, might not get his job back. Rogers is good in man coverage and is excellent at jumping short routes in the fiat and forcing quarterbacks to look for their second and third options. Plus, he has proved to be a sure tackler. FIRST QUARTER GRADES: Offense: C+. The unit is beginning to pick up yards. Now, it just has to turn all those yards into points. Defense: A. No opponent has run with consistency, and the team always finds ways to pressure quarterbacks. Special teams: B. The return game is average, but the coverage units are improving. Coaching: A-, The club is winning close games in improbable ways. Is Joe Gibbs' magic back?--Paul Woody

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