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May 18, 2009 10:00 AM
Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley
BRISTOL, Conn. -- Greetings from the mothership. I've made my annual trip to the ESPN campus for our blog summit. But in an effort to make sure that you don't go a single day without an NFC East-related blog entry, I came up with my top five offseason moves in the division. Feel free to discuss in the comments section:
1. The Commanders signing Albert Haynesworth: This move doesn't put the Commanders in the playoffs, but Haynesworth should have a huge impact on a defense in search of an identity. Dan Snyder and Vinny Cerrato can trot out that fourth-overall ranking on defense all they want, but no one feared this unit. Haynesworth had emerged as the best defensive tackle in the game. He single-handedly took over games, and he made players around him better with the Titans. The Commanders have an opportunity to be much more disruptive with Haynesworth anchoring their line. Hopefully they'll realize how foolish it is to play Brian Orakpo at strongside linebacker, but that conversation's for another day. The Commanders made the biggest (and best) move of the offseason with the signing of Haynesworth. My biggest fear would be that he's satisfied with his enormous payday and his performance levels off. But the Commanders believe Haynesworth will be the best defensive player in the league for at least the next three years -- and that's why Snyder outbid everyone for his services.
2. The Cowboys' release of Terrell Owens -- No matter what explanation Jerry Jones provides -- and there have been several -- Terrell Owens is no longer a Dallas Cowboy because the owner knew he'd become a huge distraction. T.O. was a powerful influence in the locker room and he'd help orchestrate a division between himself and Tony Romo. Jones will tell you that T.O. may have been impeding the progress of the team's other receivers, but what he was really doing was tearing apart the team. His release was a move that desperately needed to be made, and it's a decision Jones struggled with mightily. He remains an elite receiver and it's hard to imagine Roy Williams replacing his production. But with the most insecure player in the locker room gone, the Cowboys can try to become more of a team. A lot will hinge on whether Jason Garrett can take advantage of a talented trio of running backs. But no matter what happens, the release of T.O. needed to happen.
3. The Eagles trading for Jason Peters: It took awhile for the Eagles to get rolling this offseason, but they had a strong kick in the end. The Peters trade with Buffalo jump-started everything. It's so rare to find an elite left tackle at the peak of his career. The Eagles may have acquired Peters before he even reaches his peak. I know he wasn't great in Buffalo last season, but he has the potential to be a dominant player. With Peters at left tackle and Shawn Andrews moving to right tackle, the Eagles have the makings of an excellent offensive line. If Peters can take care of some of the top pass-rushers in this division (Tuck, Umenyiora, Ware), Donovan McNabb should flourish. McNabb has to be thrilled with the move.
4. The Giants signing Chris Canty in free agency: This one's bigger than DeAngelo Hall in Washington and certainly Keith Brooking or Igor Olshansky in Dallas. I think Canty will flourish in the Giants' 4-3 defense. He'll help collapse the pocket and knock down passes with his huge wingspan. He'll also move outside and play defensive end in some subpackages. He never quite lived up to his enormous potential in Dallas. I think there's a chance he becomes a Pro Bowl player with the Giants. Tom Coughlin's already in love with him because he's watched him play so much. Very underrated move by the Giants.
5. The drafting of Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy: OK, so those are actually two moves. I just thought the Eagles had an excellent first day of the draft. If Maclin falls that far, you have to move up to take him. Maclin and DeSean Jackson should make the Eagles even more dangerous in the passing game. McCoy's a perfect fit for the Eagles' zone-blocking scheme. He has excellent vision and he'll find seams in the defense. Maclin and McCoy should contribute immediately.
Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley
BRISTOL, Conn. -- Greetings from the mothership. I've made my annual trip to the ESPN campus for our blog summit. But in an effort to make sure that you don't go a single day without an NFC East-related blog entry, I came up with my top five offseason moves in the division. Feel free to discuss in the comments section:
1. The Commanders signing Albert Haynesworth: This move doesn't put the Commanders in the playoffs, but Haynesworth should have a huge impact on a defense in search of an identity. Dan Snyder and Vinny Cerrato can trot out that fourth-overall ranking on defense all they want, but no one feared this unit. Haynesworth had emerged as the best defensive tackle in the game. He single-handedly took over games, and he made players around him better with the Titans. The Commanders have an opportunity to be much more disruptive with Haynesworth anchoring their line. Hopefully they'll realize how foolish it is to play Brian Orakpo at strongside linebacker, but that conversation's for another day. The Commanders made the biggest (and best) move of the offseason with the signing of Haynesworth. My biggest fear would be that he's satisfied with his enormous payday and his performance levels off. But the Commanders believe Haynesworth will be the best defensive player in the league for at least the next three years -- and that's why Snyder outbid everyone for his services.
2. The Cowboys' release of Terrell Owens -- No matter what explanation Jerry Jones provides -- and there have been several -- Terrell Owens is no longer a Dallas Cowboy because the owner knew he'd become a huge distraction. T.O. was a powerful influence in the locker room and he'd help orchestrate a division between himself and Tony Romo. Jones will tell you that T.O. may have been impeding the progress of the team's other receivers, but what he was really doing was tearing apart the team. His release was a move that desperately needed to be made, and it's a decision Jones struggled with mightily. He remains an elite receiver and it's hard to imagine Roy Williams replacing his production. But with the most insecure player in the locker room gone, the Cowboys can try to become more of a team. A lot will hinge on whether Jason Garrett can take advantage of a talented trio of running backs. But no matter what happens, the release of T.O. needed to happen.
3. The Eagles trading for Jason Peters: It took awhile for the Eagles to get rolling this offseason, but they had a strong kick in the end. The Peters trade with Buffalo jump-started everything. It's so rare to find an elite left tackle at the peak of his career. The Eagles may have acquired Peters before he even reaches his peak. I know he wasn't great in Buffalo last season, but he has the potential to be a dominant player. With Peters at left tackle and Shawn Andrews moving to right tackle, the Eagles have the makings of an excellent offensive line. If Peters can take care of some of the top pass-rushers in this division (Tuck, Umenyiora, Ware), Donovan McNabb should flourish. McNabb has to be thrilled with the move.
4. The Giants signing Chris Canty in free agency: This one's bigger than DeAngelo Hall in Washington and certainly Keith Brooking or Igor Olshansky in Dallas. I think Canty will flourish in the Giants' 4-3 defense. He'll help collapse the pocket and knock down passes with his huge wingspan. He'll also move outside and play defensive end in some subpackages. He never quite lived up to his enormous potential in Dallas. I think there's a chance he becomes a Pro Bowl player with the Giants. Tom Coughlin's already in love with him because he's watched him play so much. Very underrated move by the Giants.
5. The drafting of Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy: OK, so those are actually two moves. I just thought the Eagles had an excellent first day of the draft. If Maclin falls that far, you have to move up to take him. Maclin and DeSean Jackson should make the Eagles even more dangerous in the passing game. McCoy's a perfect fit for the Eagles' zone-blocking scheme. He has excellent vision and he'll find seams in the defense. Maclin and McCoy should contribute immediately.
