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Scouts Inc.: NFC offseason needs
Breaking down the top three areas to address for every squad chasing the Saints
By Gary Horton
Scouts Inc.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
Top needs:
1. OT: The Cowboys are old and slow on the perimeter of the offensive line and they are really susceptible to speed rushers off the edge. Both tackles, Flozell Adams and Marc Colombo, lack quickness and they are near the end of their careers. Backup OT Doug Free could possibly step into this lineup, but even if he turns out to be a good player the Cowboys need better and more athletic guys at both OT positions.
2. DS: Starters Ken Hamlin and Gerald Sensabaugh are solid veterans who do not make a lot of mistakes, but they also don't make a lot of impact plays. They need a free safety with range who is a big-play difference-maker -- and in today's NFL those guys can make a defense!
3. WR: Roy Williams has not lived up to his $9 million a year salary, but the Cowboys did get good years out of surprise WR Miles Austin and No. 3 WR Patrick Crayton, and they have high hopes for young Kevin Ogletree ... but where is the guy that holds it all together, is on the same page as QB Tony Romo, and makes the clutch catch when they need one?
Other needs: ILB, CB, DT
New York Giants
Top needs:
1. S: No depth behind starters Kenny Phillips and Michael Johnson. Phillips is coming off injury and Johnson did not play with consistency; the team would like to move DS/CB Aaron Ross back to fulltime corner. In 2009, offenses attacked the deep middle of NYG's defense with regularity and safety coverage was marginal.
2. ILB: Starter Antonio Pierce is a liability in coverage and his age and durability are factors. Run stopping is nice, but they need a three-down guy who doesn't have to come off the field in pass situations. Honestly, they need depth at all three LB positions.
3. DT: Fred Robbins is an unrestricted free agent and may not be asked back; Chris Canty makes too much money for marginal production and durability, but he may be back. Barry Cofield is serviceable, and Jay Alford has a nice upside if he is healthy (knee). They need a dominating inside space-eater and penetrator along with quality depth.
Other needs: OG/OT, OLB
Philadelphia Eagles
Top needs:
1. S: The Eagles have never replaced the production and leadership of Brian Dawkins (now in Denver) and in this defense safeties have a lot of responsibilities. This secondary gave up 27 touchdown passes in 2009 and made very few impact plays in the middle of the field.
2. DE: They have one quality edge rusher, RDE Trent Cole, and their other guys are quality run-stoppers who are sound but unspectacular. The Eagles need an everyday LDE who can play on all three downs and give them an outside rush to go along with Cole.
3. OLB: Starters Will Witherspoon (short-term veteran fix) and Moise Fokou (OK versus pass, but better run defender) played late in 2009, but neither is a difference-maker and there is a real need here for a young athletic guy who can rush, cover and create more big plays.
Other needs: RB, MLB, CB, OT/OG
Washington Commanders
Top needs:
1. OT: LT Chris Samuels will likely retire and RT Stephon Heyer is inconsistent at both OT spots -- but he is not terrible. He is a restricted free agent and will likely be tendered and given one more year to improve. Levi Jones is an unrestricted free agent and not the answer at LT.
2. QB: What does the new coaching staff do with Jason Campbell? His contract could be up, but is he a guy you give one more shot to? He has good physical skills, but his supporting cast and coaching continuity has always been suspect. It's a big decision for this franchise and new coach Mike Shanahan.
3. RB: Shanahan knows Clinton Portis well, but that doesn't guarantee anything. Portis looks like an "old" 29-year-old back with durability issues and a questionable work ethic. Backup LaDell Betts is 30 and is coming off of knee surgery -- this is not a real stable position right now.
Other needs: OG, C, CB, S
Breaking down the top three areas to address for every squad chasing the Saints
By Gary Horton
Scouts Inc.
NFC East
Top needs:
1. OT: The Cowboys are old and slow on the perimeter of the offensive line and they are really susceptible to speed rushers off the edge. Both tackles, Flozell Adams and Marc Colombo, lack quickness and they are near the end of their careers. Backup OT Doug Free could possibly step into this lineup, but even if he turns out to be a good player the Cowboys need better and more athletic guys at both OT positions.
2. DS: Starters Ken Hamlin and Gerald Sensabaugh are solid veterans who do not make a lot of mistakes, but they also don't make a lot of impact plays. They need a free safety with range who is a big-play difference-maker -- and in today's NFL those guys can make a defense!
3. WR: Roy Williams has not lived up to his $9 million a year salary, but the Cowboys did get good years out of surprise WR Miles Austin and No. 3 WR Patrick Crayton, and they have high hopes for young Kevin Ogletree ... but where is the guy that holds it all together, is on the same page as QB Tony Romo, and makes the clutch catch when they need one?
Other needs: ILB, CB, DT
Top needs:
1. S: No depth behind starters Kenny Phillips and Michael Johnson. Phillips is coming off injury and Johnson did not play with consistency; the team would like to move DS/CB Aaron Ross back to fulltime corner. In 2009, offenses attacked the deep middle of NYG's defense with regularity and safety coverage was marginal.
2. ILB: Starter Antonio Pierce is a liability in coverage and his age and durability are factors. Run stopping is nice, but they need a three-down guy who doesn't have to come off the field in pass situations. Honestly, they need depth at all three LB positions.
3. DT: Fred Robbins is an unrestricted free agent and may not be asked back; Chris Canty makes too much money for marginal production and durability, but he may be back. Barry Cofield is serviceable, and Jay Alford has a nice upside if he is healthy (knee). They need a dominating inside space-eater and penetrator along with quality depth.
Other needs: OG/OT, OLB
Top needs:
1. S: The Eagles have never replaced the production and leadership of Brian Dawkins (now in Denver) and in this defense safeties have a lot of responsibilities. This secondary gave up 27 touchdown passes in 2009 and made very few impact plays in the middle of the field.
2. DE: They have one quality edge rusher, RDE Trent Cole, and their other guys are quality run-stoppers who are sound but unspectacular. The Eagles need an everyday LDE who can play on all three downs and give them an outside rush to go along with Cole.
3. OLB: Starters Will Witherspoon (short-term veteran fix) and Moise Fokou (OK versus pass, but better run defender) played late in 2009, but neither is a difference-maker and there is a real need here for a young athletic guy who can rush, cover and create more big plays.
Other needs: RB, MLB, CB, OT/OG
Top needs:
1. OT: LT Chris Samuels will likely retire and RT Stephon Heyer is inconsistent at both OT spots -- but he is not terrible. He is a restricted free agent and will likely be tendered and given one more year to improve. Levi Jones is an unrestricted free agent and not the answer at LT.
2. QB: What does the new coaching staff do with Jason Campbell? His contract could be up, but is he a guy you give one more shot to? He has good physical skills, but his supporting cast and coaching continuity has always been suspect. It's a big decision for this franchise and new coach Mike Shanahan.
3. RB: Shanahan knows Clinton Portis well, but that doesn't guarantee anything. Portis looks like an "old" 29-year-old back with durability issues and a questionable work ethic. Backup LaDell Betts is 30 and is coming off of knee surgery -- this is not a real stable position right now.
Other needs: OG, C, CB, S
