Inside The Nfc East

Sporting News, The, Oct 16, 2000

GAME OF THE WEEK

Baltimore at Washington. TE Stephen Alexander might get more looks across the middle as the Redskins attempt to open up some running lanes for Stephen Davis against the Raven' stout run defense. Baltimore will counter with its own running back duo of veteran Priest Holmes and rookie Jamal Lewis.

MATCHUP TO WATCH

Eagles LT Tra Thomas vs. Arizona RE Simon Rice. Thomas, who has played well this season, would seem to be the easy winner in this duel against Rice, who has followed up his 16.5-sack season of a year ago with one sack this season. Then again, if Rice can motivate himself enough to show his critics that 1999 wasn't a fluke ...

ON THE SPOT

The Giants' defensive line. It must sustain the kind of pressure it put on Atlanta QBs last Sunday. Beyond getting more sacks, the unit must apply consistent pressure for two reasons: to make those quarterbacks at least a little wary and to help out the secondary.

KEEP AN EYE ON

Cowboys RB Emmit Smith. New offensive coordinator Jack Reilly wanted to employ a high-powered passing attack, but injuries have left the passing game without much bite. Dallas still functions best when Smith carries the ball 20-25 times a game.

ROOKIE REPORT

In the long run, losing his starting job will be a good thing for Arizona RB Thomas Jones. With Michael Pittman starting, Jones can take-the time to watch and learn and avoid becoming a possible scapegoat for another mediocre Cardinals season.

FEARLESS FORECAST

Philadelphia's running back-by-committee (Brian Mitchell, Darnell Autry and Stanley Pritchett) will rebound from its dreadful performance against Washington with more than 100 rushing yards against Arizona. The Cardinals are giving up 144.6 ground yards per game.

FANTASY SOURCE

Donovan McNabb has come out of his shell in recent weeks and started posting solid numbers for the Eagles. He heads into the desert Sunday to face a generous Cardinals defense that is allowing nearly 400 yards a game. Watch for McNabb to deliver again, although he must deal with a subpar running game.

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Arizona

2-3: T 4th

Pittman clearly proves he's right man for job right now

RB Michael Pittman, who never should have been demoted from his starting status before the season, has proved again that he can be very productive. As a third-year player, he simply knows when and where to hit the holes--moves rookie Thomas Jones doesn't yet grasp. Philadelphia, with a better run defense than San Francisco or Cleveland, will be a great test this week. But Pittman certainly isn't hiding his confidence, and that in turn is rubbing off on the rest of the offense.... QB Jake Plummer has avoided throwing an interception for two straight games for the first time in his career. Is it a harbinger? Plummer seems to think so. If he can continue to do a good job moving to second and third reads--like he did on his 53-yard TD pass to WR Frank Sanders Sunday (a play designed for WR David Boston)--he can produce without forcing things.... To offset their problems on the defensive line, the Cardinals are using a multitude of blitzes and five-man lines. It will probably be a season-long battle. The Cardinals went into training camp knowing the line would be a weak spot, and it has been. DE Andre Wadsworth can't get on the field because of knee problems, and DT Mark Smith and DE Simeon Rice have been set back by the practice time they missed over contract issues. Neither has made the impact the team has needed. DT Tony McCoy isn't a pass rusher and is undersized. Brad Ottis, Wadsworth's fill-in, isn't a pass rusher, either. As it is, the Cardinals use a rotation, playing Russell Davis and Corey Sears.

SCOUTING REPORT: It frustrated LB Rob Fredrickson to miss a recent game because of a hip pointer, and it didn't do much good for the team. Fredrickson has been one of the team's better free-agent pickups, a coverage linebacker who also flows to the ball well. He'll never be a star when it comes to stuffing the run, but he does a good job in pursuit of running plays away from his side. The club likes his quiet leadership and steadiness.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Jones was handed the starting running back job entering the season, though he didn't outplay Pittman in camp. Jones was the rich rookie and the team's future, so the move was understandable. He is still the future. But the future isn't now. With Pittman back in the starting lineup, Jones can take his learning experience slower. His hands have been suspect--he already has dropped several passes and lost two fumbles--and he needs time to develop without the pressure of a starting job. --Darren Urban

GRADING OUT vs. Cleveland

OFFENSE A

Ran the ball well and didn't turn it over--the performance the team was waiting for.

DEFENSE B

This group may not be able to play any better. It stoned the Browns when it counted.

SPECIAL TEAMS D

The field goals were big, but two fumbles prevented an Arizona blowout.

COACHING A

The best game of the season by far, with every decision seemingly a correct one.