NFC

Sporting News, The, Feb 18, 2002

NFC East

DALLAS COWBOYS: A deal with S Darren Woodson is getting closer. Woodson, a 10-year veteran, was among the leaders in tackles after the defense was built around his strong ability to play the run. He is an effective leader and a key reason why the defense finished among the top five in the NFL. The team lacks a capable replacement; second-year Ss Tony Dixon and Lynn Scott can't be counted on. Dixon, hampered by an ankle sprain, contributed little last season. Scott is better suited to be a backup.... Former offensive line coach Hudson Houck, who was recently became the Chargers' line coach, recommended that LT Flozell Adams be retained. But Adams has been told to explore the market. If Adams leaves, Solomon Page probably would move from right to left tackle, and Char-Ron Dorsey and Aaron Gibson would battle at right tackle. If Miami OT Bryant McKinnie is available at No. 6, the team could take him, despite expressed interest in a cornerback or defensive tackle.... One of the biggest needs on offense is a pass-catching tight end. With the speed of WRs Rocket Ismail and Joey Galloway, the hope is opposing defenses will have to use their safeties to contain them, which would give a tight end an opportunity to work against single coverage in the middle of the field. There are several good pass-catching tight ends in the draft, including Miami's Jeremy Shockey. Veteran TE Jackie Harris fits that mold, but he battled injuries last season and is due a $300,000 roster bonus March 1. --Jean-Jacques Taylor

NEW YORK GIANTS: New defensive coordinator Johnnie Lynn figures to retain the attacking style of predecessor John Fox, which allows players considerable freedom. Coach Jim Fassel considered more experienced options, such as Wade Phillips, who instead went to the Falcons. Lynn has been a secondary coach with the Buccaneers, 49ers and Giants since 1994. He is popular and has the charisma to keep everyone's attention. His biggest challenge: following Fox, a master at keeping the various egos and personalities under control.... There was no defensive line rotation to speak of in 2001, which put a big burden on the starters, including star E Michael Strahan. Backup DL Lance Legree, Ross Kolodziej, Frank Ferrara and Cedric Scott were decent, but none stood out. Someone has to step up this year, whether it is one of the backups or a veteran or draft pick added to the mix.... Owen Pochman has enough talent to emerge as the main field-goal kicker in place of Morten Andersen, a free agent. Pochman needs to work on his kickoffs, but he has a strong leg. He needs more consistency on midrange field goals. --Neil Best

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: WR Cris Carter has expressed interest in returning to the city where he began his brilliant career. Carter would give QB Donovan McNabb a go-to guy, and his experience could help WRs James Thrash, Todd Pinkston and Freddie Mitchell. It is believed the Saints, Rams and Dolphins also are interested in Carter, and the Ravens could get into the picture.... The team signed QB Tim Hasselbeck, the younger brother of Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck, whom Andy Reid admired when both were with the Packers, and assigned him to NFL Europe.... The front office has to decide what to do with unrestricted free-agent LB Mike Caldwell, P Sean Landeta and KR/PR Brian Mitchell. All three are coming off good seasons, but they are older than 30, and the team has frowned on giving long-term deals to older players. --Mark Eckel

WASHINGTON REDSKINS: With new coach Steve Spurrier running the offense, the team needed an experienced NFL defensive coordinator. It got perhaps the best man available in Marvin Lewis, who will find much to his liking in Washington. With the Ravens, he ran a gap-control, pressure defense that featured plenty of man coverage. That system is similar to the one the Redskins used in 2001. Lewis has at least one linebacker, LaVar Arrington, who is capable of making big-time plays. Arrington is not yet the equal of the Ravens' Ray Lewis but one day could be. If the team re-signs Shawn Barber, Lewis will have another young linebacker with speed. CBs Champ Bailey and Fred Smoot should be happy about Lewis' arrival because they like to play pressing, man-to-man coverage.... The team must decide whether TE Stephen Alexander can rebound from a hard-luck 2001. Alexander has had one Pro Bowl season, but he has been injury-prone. Alexander is a diligent worker and has decent speed, but he might need a fresh start. Zeron Flemister is a low-cost alternative. He has good size, good speed and decent hands and is an improving blocker. --Paul Woody

NFC North

CHICAGO BEARS: When G.M. Jerry Angelo said the team is in a four- or five-year period in which it can win a championship, he might have been setting the stage for a big-time trade. The reasoning: Angelo is suggesting the team is one, maybe two players away from going all the way, and that's when he believes a team should make big moves. Angelo has interest in Patriots QB Drew Bledsoe, and Angelo is calculating who might be available because of cap cuts elsewhere.... Angelo's statements might not bode well for coach Dick Jauron. While Angelo is OK with Jauron, Angelo wouldn't mind a chance to bring in his own coach. By saying the Bears are within a player of the next step, he sets up Jauron without any slack if the Bears slip from the admittedly luck-laced 2001 season.... Look for the team to be without half of its starting secondary next season. It doesn't look like there'll be much of a run made to re-sign CB Walt Harris or SS Tony Parrish.... The team very much wants QB Jim Miller back and will make its first real offer to him once a new salary-cap manager is hired. --John Mullin