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NFC east

Sporting News, The, Dec 23, 2005

DALLAS COWBOYS

Jason Witten is the first tight end in more than a decade to have consecutive 50-catch seasons with the Cowboys. He is one of the elite players at his position in the NFL; however, the Cowboys want him to become even more of a factor as a blocker. He has the size (6-5, 261) to be effective, but he doesn't always demonstrate the mentality to consistently knock people out of the way.... C Al Johnson is an intelligent player with good size (6-5, 296) and quickness, but he lacks the power and consistent pad level to play with strength and leverage. He struggles when opponents line up a nose tackle in front of him. Johnson is at his best in space--pulling or blocking on screens-because of his athletic ability. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: For a player such as QB Drew Bledsoe, who has limited lateral movement, the shotgun normally is a good way to help him avoid pressure. Bledsoe hasn't used it much with Dallas, however, because G/C Andre Gurode, who often rotates with Johnson, isn't good at the shotgun snap.--Jean-Jacques Taylor

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NEW YORK GIANTS

CB Will Peterson (back) has been placed on injured reserve, so the Giants signed CB Terrell Buckley to help bolster their defensive backfield. Buckley, a veteran with good speed, could replace Curtis Deloatch as the starter opposite CB Will Allen by the playoffs. At the very least, Buckley figures to push Corey Webster for the nickel role and play in dime packages.... The Giants' offensive line is suddenly in trouble. If LT Luke Petitgout's (back) and RT Kareem McKenzie's (hamstring) injuries suffered in the OT win over the Eagles are serious and cause both to miss time, the team will have to add depth. G Rich Seubert was inactive, so the Giants had no available linemen after replacing Petitgout and McKenzie on Sunday. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: DT Kendrick Clancy is a big reason the Giants' run defense is among the NFL's best. He's stout (6-1, 305), which gives him leverage against centers and guards. He's also powerful, which he showed against Dallas in Week 13, when he forced a fumble by blowing past the center and knocking the ball loose from QB Drew Bledsoe. Clancy isn't usually that quick, but on that play he showed his smarts--reading the play and recognizing a backup center was in the game.--Ralph Vacchiano

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

RB Brian Westbrook (foot) is out, so Lamar Gordon, Reno Mahe and Ryan Moats will audition for a role on next season's team. Moats will be watched closest. He was slow to pick up the system and had not made much of an impact until he gained 114 yards in Sunday's overtime loss to the Giants. Despite Moats' big game, don't be surprised if the team drafts a back early who can block, catch and better complement Westbrook.... Looking for more production, coordinator Jim Johnson is giving more time to DTs Mike Patterson and Sam Rayburn. Patterson showed some talent early, then hit a wall, but he has come back in recent weeks. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: One strength of the defense under Johnson has been its play inside the 20. Not this year. Through 13 games, Eagles opponents have been inside the 20 44 times and have scored 41 times, getting a touchdown 26 times. The problem is twofold: The team does not get enough pressure on the quarterback, and the coverage, especially from the linebackers, has been dismal.--Mark Eckel

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

MLB Lemar Marshall reads and reacts quickly, learns from mistakes and rarely is caught out of position. He used to hit ballcarriers too high, but he has corrected that problem. Marshall, who was a defensive back in college, might be better suited to play on the weak side. His future with the team is might because he is versatile and hard working.... QB Mark Brunell throws the ball away rather than trying to force it into a tight spot when he thinks a throw might be dangerous. That might frustrate some fans, but it's one of the qualities coach Joe Gibbs--who believes the best play a quarterback makes often is the one he does not try to make-wants in a starter. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: OLB LaVar Arrington studies film during the week, but his most valuable study time is on the field. Early in games, he watches opponents' body leans, postures and eyes for patterns that tip off directions of plays. His observations have resulted in several big plays at critical moments, especially in the second halves of games.--Paul Woody

NFC east

Sporting News, The, Dec 23, 2005

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