Content provided in partnership with

NFC east

Sporting News, The, Dec 6, 2004

DALLAS COWBOYS

In his first start, QB Drew Henson struggled with presnap reads and missed at least one hot read on a blitz. He also held the ball too long a few times because he was tentative. Q8 Vinny Testaverde played well off the bench, leading the Cowboys to a win over the Bears, so now the team has a full-fledged quarterback controversy.... The team has far too many giveaways for a Bill Parcells club. The Cowboys have 25, which have led to 85 points. Testaverde has 10 interceptions in the past five games, but Parcells says that's what you get when you constantly play from behind. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The team slowly is integrating the 3-4, Parcells' preferred scheme, into the game plans. The team doesn't have the personnel to use it full time, so Dallas is using it primarily in passing situations. LB Kalen Thornton, a good pass rusher, is inserted into the game in place of DT Leonardo Carson. Then, the team moves Thornton around to find the most favorable pass-rush matchup. There's a chance the team will adopt the 3-4 as its base defense in 2005, especially if the 4-3 continues to struggle.--Jean-Jacques Taylor

Most Popular Articles in Sports: The first family: Archie, Peyton and Eli are incredibly famous, immensely ...; The growing gap: driving distances are skyrocketing on the PGA Tour. So why ...; Which pistol caliber for self defense? Four different people come to four ...; Drag racing - National Hot Rod Association; The world's most popular .22: the Marlin Model 60 just keeps on ticking; More »

NEW YORK GIANTS

The kick and punt return games continue to sputter. Coach Tom Coughlin took a chance by cutting reliable return man Delvin Joyce this summer, and promising rookie Mark Jones hasn't produced. Special teams coordinator Mike Sweatman has shored up the kickoff and punt coverage but still has work to do on returns.... SLB Carlos Emmons has fully recovered from the broken left leg he suffered last year. He isn't flashy but is a sturdy run stopper. He also is a rangy, deceptively quick player who can set up at the line and help as a situational pass rusher. With LE Michael Strahan (pectoral) out for the season, Emmons is an important on-field leader with a quietly intense style. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Opponents have had success blitzing and won't stop until the team makes them pay with big plays. WRs Amani Toomer and Ike Hilliard still do not have a touchdown catch. The team must solve the problem soon because QB Eli Manning is learning on the job. He threw key interceptions each of the past two games against blitzes.--Neil Best

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Third-year SS Mike Lewis has developed into one of the team's top defensive players and leaders. Lewis was forced into a leadership role last season after injuries to veterans and has kept it with his words and actions. On the field, Lewis is a big hitter who does well in run support and is usually a sure tackler. Lewis' coverage skills still need to improve, but he certainly is not a liability in the passing game. He has the strength and speed to be excellent against most tight ends.... RB Brian Westbrook is healthy again, and it shows. After being bothered by a rib injury, Westbrook has come back with two consecutive 100-plus total-yard games in which he scored two touchdowns each. The team needs him to provide that balance in the offense. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson has gotten the most out of his entire unit this season. Johnson has used eight linemen in every game, and his four tackles play almost an equal number of snaps per game. That depth, as well as Johnson's different schemes, is what has helped the defense play well despite not having the star quality it has had in the past.--Mark Eckel

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

WR Laveranues Coles' effort never flags, but he has not been as effective this season as he was last season. QBs Mark Brunell and Patrick Ramsey have had trouble getting the ball to him. But Coles also has been slowed by injuries to his toe, finger and hip. He could tough it out, but the playoffs are out of sight and the team might be wise to let Colds have toe surgery and to take a look at its young receivers.... Rookie H-back Chris Cooley, a third-round pick, is becoming very reliable, especially near the goal line. He does an excellent job running quick, tight patterns into the front of the end zone, getting position on defensive backs and making catches in traffic. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: P Tom Tupa has excellent hands, and special teams coach Danny Smith helps maintain them. Smith sometimes has Tupa line up behind the goal post, then lean on the post, extend his arms forward and catch the football as Smith fires it to him. This prepares Tupa for handling snaps under duress. Fortunately, the snaps from LS Ethan Albright to Tupa have been smooth this season.--Paul Woody

NFC east

Sporting News, The, Dec 6, 2004

Find Research Guides for:

Find Featured Titles for: Health

Most Popular Articles in Sports

Most Popular Publications in Sports