ESPN Clayton Mailbag: NFC East questions only... 1 Henry-Pacman blurb

[WoodysGirl]

Q: Going into Cowboys training camp, [URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5545"]Anthony Henry[/URL] is the starter at the second corner position. At the end of training camp and the preseason, whom do you foresee being the starter: [URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7182"]Adam Jones[/URL] or Henry?

Jeff, College Station, Texas



First, we assume that Jones will be reinstated by the commissioner. The Cowboys can't risk putting too much in Jones' hands that early. The best scenario is to start Henry, have Jones as the No. 3 corner and [URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=8802"]Mike Jenkins[/URL] as the No. 4. As the season goes on, they can make plans for Henry to move to safety in 2009. Don't forget how many good tight ends the Cowboys face this season. Henry is big enough to match up against them in the nickel. I just like the mix and the depth of this secondary. What used to be a weakness is now a strength.

Q: It seems like the Eagles are falling under the national radar. I believe they are much better than most realize. Most seem to focus on the offense, but that really wasn't the problem. With improved special teams and the much-improved secondary, Jim Johnson's defense should once again be hard to contend with. Do you think they have another serious Super Bowl run in them?

David, Princeton, N.J.



I agree wholeheartedly. They have the easiest schedule in the NFC East and can challenge for a division title. Donovan McNabb didn't have time to work on throwing fundamentals last year while rehabbing from his knee reconstruction, but this year McNabb should be at his best. People make too much of the lack of a pure No. 1 wide receiver. Fewer and fewer teams have true No. 1 wide receivers. The Eagles have enough weapons on offense, and [URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5977"]Brian Westbrook[/URL] is in his prime. The defense is loaded with good, young athletes. Getting [URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6456"]Asante Samuel[/URL] as a defensive playmaker was huge. Plus, the Giants found out last year that flying under the radar isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Q: As a diehard Giants fan stranded out in the middle of Packers/Bears/Lions/Colts/Bengals country, I rarely find anyone I can converse with about my favorite team. I was wondering what you thought of their chances in the division are.



Thomas in Fort Wayne, Ind.


Thomas, sorry I can't offer a New York accent, but let's talk Giants anyway. Their Super Bowl run was unpredictable and special, but it will be hard to repeat. They enter camp projected behind a Cowboys team with 13 Pro Bowl starters, while the Eagles and Commanders are dangerous sleepers.


Face it, it's hard playing in a division that doesn't have a losing team and arguably has four playoff contenders. Whether they make the playoffs as a division-winner or a wild card, the Giants proved the team that survives the NFC East the best can go to the Super Bowl.

That said, I wouldn't be surprised if the Giants don't make the playoffs this year. They took some hits on defense in free agency and lost leadership with Michael Strahan's retirement. The Giants should have traded Jeremy Shockey this offseason. If they had acquired a second- and a fifth-round pick from the Saints, they could have filled in for him by pairing a talented rookie tight end with Kevin Boss. If the Giants don't make the playoffs, a disgruntled Shockey could make life miserable for the Giants' management.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=3491802

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

I personally like the idea of Henry being the starter, besides his injuries the guy has been brilliant at the CB position especially against the big WR's. Henry is talented.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Clayton is finally getting it right

 

[Pick6TerenceNewman]

Bolts must make most of golden opportunity

By John Clayton
ESPN.com
(Archive)





Issues with big-name quarterbacks make it a little tricky to forecast how teams will perform this season.

Brett Favre and the Packers can't figure out whether or not he's playing.

The Colts' Peyton Manning underwent minor knee surgery and is shut down for four to six weeks.



Philadelphia's Donovan McNabb had to cut back his throwing this spring because of a sore shoulder.


Carolina's Jake Delhomme is coming off Tommy John surgery.


San Diego's Philip Rivers is coming off ACL surgery.


We have learned over the past two years that top quarterbacks have amazing recovery skills. McNabb and Carson Palmer taught us pure pocket passers can bounce back from knee reconstructions more quickly than receivers because they can operate in a seven-step box and not worry about breaking into a sprint.


Drew Brees showed us a shoulder reconstruction can't stop a determined quarterback from having a Pro Bowl season.


Manning, McNabb, Delhomme and Rivers should be fine. In the case of Favre, we're learning a fractured relationship with a team can be more damaging than a reconstructed limb. But all the QB developments make speculating on the season interesting.


From the E-mail Box



Q: Having been a season-ticket holder for 15 years and still a big fan, do you think that this is the year for San Diego to get by New England/Indy for the AFC championship?


Reid in Springfield, Mo.


The two-year window for winning a Super Bowl starts now, and the Chargers will never have a better chance than this season. They have the second-easiest schedule in football and should win at least 13 regular-season games. LaDainian Tomlinson is getting older and pretty soon the wear and tear of being an NFL running back will catch up to him.


In a couple of years, some of the contracts of the team's top young stars will expire, and San Diego won't be able to keep everybody. Right now, the Chargers are loaded, and if the Patriots didn't have the easiest schedule in football, I'd boldly predict that the Chargers are the AFC Super Bowl favorites.

San Diego will start camp with some injury concerns, but the only starter who may not be ready for the regular-season opener is center Nick Hardwick, as they signed Jeremy Newberry as insurance. This could be their year.

Q: As a diehard Giants fan stranded out in the middle of Packers/Bears/Lions/Colts/Bengals country, I rarely find anyone I can converse with about my favorite team. I was wondering what you thought of their chances in the division are.



Thomas in Fort Wayne, Ind.


Thomas, sorry I can't offer a New York accent, but let's talk Giants anyway. Their Super Bowl run was unpredictable and special, but it will be hard to repeat. They enter camp projected behind a Cowboys team with 13 Pro Bowl starters, while the Eagles and Commanders are dangerous sleepers.


Face it, it's hard playing in a division that doesn't have a losing team and arguably has four playoff contenders. Whether they make the playoffs as a division-winner or a wild card, the Giants proved the team that survives the NFC East the best can go to the Super Bowl.


That said, I wouldn't be surprised if the Giants don't make the playoffs this year. They took some hits on defense in free agency and lost leadership with Michael Strahan's retirement. The Giants should have traded Jeremy Shockey this offseason. If they had acquired a second- and a fifth-round pick from the Saints, they could have filled in for him by pairing a talented rookie tight end with Kevin Boss. If the Giants don't make the playoffs, a disgruntled Shockey could make life miserable for the Giants' management.

Q: I think the real story in Cincinnati is the defense. What are your thoughts?


Dwight


No shock here: How the defense performs is the key in Cincinnati. The Bengals will score 24 or 25 points a game, but if they can't play solid defense, they will have another losing season. The corners are the strength, but everything will fail if the defense can't generate a pass rush. And remember, this defense had no Pro Bowlers last season. New defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is putting in an aggressive scheme, featuring a lot of man-to-man defenses.

Q: It seems like the Eagles are falling under the national radar. I believe they are much better than most realize. Most seem to focus on the offense, but that really wasn't the problem. With improved special teams and the much-improved secondary, Jim Johnson's defense should once again be hard to contend with. Do you think they have another serious Super Bowl run in them?

David, Princeton, N.J.



I agree wholeheartedly. They have the easiest schedule in the NFC East and can challenge for a division title. Donovan McNabb didn't have time to work on throwing fundamentals last year while rehabbing from his knee reconstruction, but this year McNabb should be at his best. People make too much of the lack of a pure No. 1 wide receiver. Fewer and fewer teams have true No. 1 wide receivers. The Eagles have enough weapons on offense, and [URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5977"]Brian Westbrook[/URL] is in his prime. The defense is loaded with good, young athletes. Getting [URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6456"]Asante Samuel[/URL] as a defensive playmaker was huge. Plus, the Giants found out last year that flying under the radar isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Q: Do you think Bengals RB [URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5548"]Rudi Johnson[/URL] has enough left in the tank to regain the form he had when he rushed for more than 1,400 yards?



Rashad, Cincinnati


Seeing Johnson in minicamp was a revelation. He has worked out so hard this offseason -- he's a ball of muscles. It was amazing how quickly he was hitting the holes. He has the ability to get to the 1,400-yard level, but I'm not sure he will have enough carries for that number. The days of the 350-carry back are over, and the Bengals will try to get [URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6785"]Chris Perry[/URL] involved a little. From what I see, though, Johnson has a chance to have a Pro Bowl season. He looks awesome.

Q: Going into Cowboys training camp, [URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5545"]Anthony Henry[/URL] is the starter at the second corner position. At the end of training camp and the preseason, whom do you foresee being the starter: [URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7182"]Adam Jones[/URL] or Henry?

Jeff, College Station, Texas



First, we assume that Jones will be reinstated by the commissioner. The Cowboys can't risk putting too much in Jones' hands that early. The best scenario is to start Henry, have Jones as the No. 3 corner and [URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=8802"]Mike Jenkins[/URL] as the No. 4. As the season goes on, they can make plans for Henry to move to safety in 2009. Don't forget how many good tight ends the Cowboys face this season. Henry is big enough to match up against them in the nickel. I just like the mix and the depth of this secondary. What used to be a weakness is now a strength.





Q: Just say something positive about the [URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=atl"]Atlanta Falcons[/URL].
Sharell, Raleigh, N.C.




The corporate offices of Falcons owner Arthur Blank are some of the nicest I've ever seen. That's where he held the party for the signing of first-round pick [URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=8780"]Matt Ryan[/URL]. The buffet table was excellent. Parking was flawless. Corporate sponsors were friendly. Plus, Ryan should be a good quarterback. There, I said something nice about the Falcons.






Q: I want to know only one thing. Why does everyone at ESPN hate the Raiders so much? Every time you talk about the Raiders, it's like you don't even want to see the upside of anything they are doing. On any given Sunday, anything can happen. This year I think the Raiders are going to have a lot of good Sundays. We'll see how much smack you talk then.


Leo


Leo, I have called them one of my surprise teams. I said they will be 7-5 or 6-6 heading into December. It's hard to say good things when a franchise is losing. I don't see how predicting a winning record heading into December is negative. No Raider hate here.

Q: Will Cadillac Williams regain his starting spot in Tampa Bay or will he lose his spot to [URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7108"]Earnest Graham[/URL]? If so, will he go down as one of the biggest blunders in the draft at RB?


John, Fairfax


Cadillac was a great choice. He just has bad luck, and that happens in this physical game. I'm not sold he will be a factor this year coming off his knee injury, as his was the worst of all the running back knee injuries. That doesn't mean he won't play this season, but it will be hard for him to get back to his old form so soon. That's why the Bucs rewarded Graham with the three-year contract and signed [URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3893"]Warrick Dunn[/URL]. They are covered. Don't count out Cadillac for the future and never consider him a bust.

Q: Now that [URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5920"]DeShaun Foster[/URL] is out of Carolina, do you think [URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7776"]DeAngelo Williams[/URL] will become a star or just an average running back?


Coleby, Clio, Mich.


The star will be [URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=8790"]Jonathan Stewart[/URL], but that doesn't mean Williams can't have a productive season. Coming out of college, Williams looked like a young version of [URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=25"]Thurman Thomas[/URL]. Stewart looks like another [URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6783"]Steven Jackson[/URL]. Regardless, the Panthers are going to run the ball a lot this season. They should be among the top-seven rushing teams in the league. Gradually, Stewart will end up the main back.
John Clayton, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame writers' wing, is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

 

[sjordan6]

I never understood how critics say a team in the same division as another will have a easy schedule when they practically play the same teams. The only oppenents that separate divisional teams is two games, that are against other divisional teams that finish with the same place in their division.

14 of Philly games are seemly against the same teams that Dallas/Wash/NYG play. Correct?

So I guess we have an easy schedule too, right?

 

[cowboys2233]

I never understood how critics say a team in the same division as another will have a easy schedule when they practically play the same teams. The only oppenents that separate divisional teams is two games, that are against other divisional teams that finish with the same place in their division.

14 of Philly games are seemly against the same teams that Dallas/Wash/NYG play. Correct?

So I guess we have an easy schedule too, right?

If you play in the East, there is no such thing as an easy schedule. And that's the way I like it!

 

[VACowboy]

People make too much of the lack of a pure No. 1 wide receiver. Fewer and fewer teams have true No. 1 wide receivers. The Eagles have enough weapons on offense...

So...

It's not a big deal that the Iggles have no true #1 receiver because fewer and fewer teams do, but according to lots of the other "experts," Dallas may be in trouble because they haven't upgraded the #2 receiver position?

Uh, ok.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Q: Just say something positive about the [URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=atl"]Atlanta Falcons[/URL].
Sharell, Raleigh, N.C.

The corporate offices of Falcons owner Arthur Blank are some of the nicest I've ever seen. That's where he held the party for the signing of first-round pick [URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=8780"]Matt Ryan[/URL]. The buffet table was excellent. Parking was flawless. Corporate sponsors were friendly. Plus, Ryan should be a good quarterback. There, I said something nice about the Falcons.

The person asking this question was likely talking about something on the field. By answering the way he did, Clayton actually slammed that part of the team.

 

[percyhoward]

I never understood how critics say a team in the same division as another will have a easy schedule when they practically play the same teams.

Strength of schedule is blind to where the games are played.

Philly hosts Cle and Pit, we're AT Cle and Pit
Philly's AT Bal and Cin, we host Bal and Cin
Philly comes out ahead there.

Philly's at Chi and hosts Atl.
We're at GB and host TB.
Philly comes out ahead there too.

The only game I would not want to trade with the Eagles is the Seattle game. We host Seattle, they go to Seattle.

You never know how it's gonna play out, but as it stands, they're schedule is easier--easily.