Inside The Nfc East

Sporting News, The, Nov 6, 2000

FIRST-HALF AWARDS

OFFENSIVE MVP

Stephen Davis, RB, Redskins. Davis has helped the Redskins go 5-0 in the toughest stretch of their schedule, providing a steadying influence after the team's 1-2 start. Look for Davis to continue to be effective in the second half--as the games get more important, he should produce even bigger numbers.

DEFENSIVE MVP

Hugh Douglas, DE, Eagles. Being healthy has enabled Douglas to record 12 sacks (his career high is 12 1/2). Playing on a unit that boasts a healthy Mike Mamula at the other end spot and a fairly effective tackle in rookie Corey Simon also has helped the production of Douglas, who could be in line for his first Pro Bowl berth.

TOP ROOKIE

Chris Samuels, LT, Redskins. Although LaVar Arrington may end up as the best rookie in Washington's 2000 class, Samuels gets the midseason nod. He has started every game and played well in helping to protect slow-footed QB Brad Johnson.

TOP COACH

Andy Reid, Eagles. He has kept his team in playoff contention despite losing his best offensive player in RB Duce Staley. Although Reid's offensive scheme is an ever-evolving proposition, it has been decent enough to complement the team's strong defense.

BIGGEST BUST

Troy Aikman, QB, Cowboys. True, injuries (his own and those of teammates) have played a part in his ineffectiveness, but Aikman's performance against the Giants in Week 7 (five INTs) indicate the future Hall of Famer is now just another serviceable quarterback.

BIG GAME OF THE SECOND HALF

N.Y. Giants at Washington, December 3. The Redskins' 16-6 win over the Giants in Week 4 triggered Washington's recent five-game winning streak, The rematch, in Week 14, will likely determine the NFC East champion and, perhaps, the No. 2 seed in the playoffs.

2-6: 5th

Arizona

WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED: The Cardinals knew going into the season that their defensive line was not going to be their strongest point. But it has performed worse than expected, partly because of underachievement--the disappointing play of T Mark Smith is the most glaring example--and partly because of a lack of talent. Overall, the tackling has been incredibly poor. The offense, which the Cardinals had counted on to keep them in games, has been a huge disappointment. QB Jake Plummer hasn't been bad, but he hasn't been great, either. The team has suffered greatly without a third receiver to replace the injured Rob Moore. WR David Boston is having a breakout season and is a great talent, but he allows his emotions to take him out of the game too often. The running game remains spotty, and the Cardinals consistently get off to slow starts.

NEWCOMER ANALYSIS: The Cardinals took RB Thomas Jones with the seventh overall pick in the draft, expecting him to be an impact player. He hasn't been. Jones, handed the starting job prematurely by now-fired coach Vince Tobin, still doesn't look comfortable when he spells Michael Pittman. The Cardinals' two biggest free-agent pickups, C Mike Gruttadauria and DT Tony McCoy, haven't had much of an impact. McCoy is out at least a month after undergoing knee surgery. K Cary Blanchard has been generally reliable. Rookie DT Mao Tosi may be good eventually, but he isn't ready yet, even though he's starting. Fellow starting DT Russell Davis hasn't proved he can be a solid starter, either.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Interim head coach Dave McGinnis has the rest of the season to create a different attitude in the team and improve his resume, whether he stays in Arizona or works somewhere else. That alone gives the players, who like McGinnis personally, reason to try and salvage what they can. The offense will be much more aggressive in trying to break out of its first-quarter doldrums. A taste of that came Sunday against the Saints when the Cardinals scored their first opening-quarter offensive touchdown since the 1998 season. Plummer will continue his up-and-down career, driving McGinnis and the fans nuts. Pittman will continue to establish himself as a viable starter-as long as he can get 20-to-25 carries a game. The defense will play better, but it still will get run over by good offensive teams. The schedule is loaded with road games against tough teams. The Cardinals will be more competitive, but they simply don't have the horses to pull off many victories. --Darren Urban

MIDSEASON GRADES

QUARTERBACKS      C 
RUNNING BACKS     C 
RECEIVERS         C
OFFENSIVE LINE    D
DEFFENSIVE LINE   F
LINEBACKERS       C-
SECONDARY         D
SPECIAL TEAMS     C
COACHING          D
OVERALL GRADE     D
CARDINALS

PASSING   Att.   Comp.   Pct.   Yds.   Long

Plummer    295     172   58.3   1842    70t

PASSING   TD   Int.   Rate   Sacks

Plummer   10     14   68.2      10

RUSHING     Att.   Yds.   Avg.   TD

Pittman       80    364    4.6    2
Jones         81    266    3.3    2
Plummer       21    127    6.0    0

RECEIVING    No.   Yds.   Avg.   TD

Boston        42    625   14.9    4
Pittman       34    299    8.8    1
Sanders       27    361   13.4    4

SCORING     XPM   XPA   FGM   FGA   Pts.

Blanchard    11    11    12    15     47

PUNTING        No.   Yds.   Avg.   Blk.

Player          30   1356   45.2      0

KO RETURNS     No.   Yds.   Avg.     TD

Jenkins         40   1016   25.4      0

PUNT RETURNS   No.   Yds.   Avg.     TD

Cody            18    113    6.3      0