How does the NFC East stack up?

[Bizwah]

Well, we seem to do this every year. It kinda helps ease the boredom. It's also fun to see others' opinions of where we stack up with the rest of the East. I know the game is played according to match-ups, but this exercise tends to show us where we are talent-wise.

Here goes:

QB:
Philly
Dallas
Washington
NY Giants

I feel Romo has the potential to pass McNabb, but McNabb is proven. Philly also has good depth with Holcomb and Feely. Campbell is the worst starting QB, but Washington's depth is much better than NY's.

RBs:
Washington
Dallas
Philly
NY Giants

Yes, I know this is going to be debated. But seriously, Portis is the best back in the East (when healthy), and Betts filled in nicely. I'm not sure what NYork's going to look like with Jacobs as the starter. If he lives up to his measureables, he could be scary.

WRs/TEs:
Dallas
Philly
NYG
Washington

This was a tough one. I think we clearly have the best top three WRs/TE...but after that, I'm not sure. I think all of the teams in the East have solid to good WR TE combos. I like the Curtis addition for Philly. I also think Burress and Shockey make for a dangerous tandem.

OL:
Philly
Washington
Dallas
NYG

Again, this is a tough one. All the OLs in the East are decent. I do think Philly is clearly the best....they're just massive. Washington is good at 4 of 5 positions. I think we have the potential to be better than Washington's, but right now it's too early to tell. NY's OL is good too. All good lines in the East....we may be the exception due to all our questions.

DL:
Dallas
NYG
Philly
Washington

We win this by default. I think we can have a very good DL if Canty continues his progress. Hatcher and Spears can really put us over the top if the light comes on. NY has the best set of ends (I don't buy for one minute that Strahan is retiring). Philly's DL always appears to be soft, but the scheme allows them to be agressive. Washington's best player is Griffin. I know the Skins' fans will try to tell us that Carter was coming on, but I'm not buying yet....this was a bad group last year.

LBs:
Dallas
Washington
Philly
NYG

We're far and away the best group here. Maybe there's strenght in numbers. Ware is probably the best defensive player in the NFC East. Washington gets my nod for number two. I like Fletcher and Washington...not sure on McIntosh. They should be stout...they may be busy due to the DL situation. Philly is aging, but big. Trotter always seems to hurt us in some way. I'm curious to see how much Spikes has left. NY is a mess. If Kiwi can learn to cover, they may have something though.

CBs:
Philly
Dallas
Washington
NYG

Again, a tough one to measure due to mediocrity. Philly still has the best CBs. Brown and Sheppard are easily the best duo, but James makes an interesting trio. Newman is the best CB in the NFC, but Henry is streaky. Glenn is a great third CB. I like Springs a lot, but he has health issues. After that, Washington has a lot of questions. Is Rogers going to take the next step? Can Smoot revive his career in Washington? Will their safeties be able to help erase the coverage shortcomings of the CBs? NY is a mess. Madison was once great, but now he's slipping. Webster doesn't seem to be the answer. I was never a big fan of Aaron Ross.

Safeties:
Washington
Dallas
Philly
NYG

All teams have good safeties. I know I'll catch flack for this, but Washington has the makings of a scary safety tandem. I know folks criticize Taylor for his tackling and coverage inadequacies, but he's an intimidator. Landry is going to be pretty darn awesome. I don't think Hamlin is going to be an all-pro safety, but he'll let Roy be Roy. Dawkins is the most complete safety in the NFC East, but I'm not sure how good Consindine will be. Demps and Wilson are solid...not spectacular.

Kickers:
Philly


Dallas
Washington
NYGiants

Punters:
Dallas
NYG
Washington
Philly

Curious to know your thoughts....not necessarily on what I think. I'd rather see what your opinions are.

 

[Rampage]

agree except for wrs/te and dl

wrs/te
1. dallas
2. giants
3. philly
4. wash

dL
1.nyg
2.philly
3.dallas
4.wash

 

[Bizwah]

agree except for wrs/te and dl

wrs/te
1. dallas
2. giants
3. philly
4. wash

dL
1.nyg
2.philly
3.dallas
4.wash

Yeah, I thought NY's DL could be the best....but I though Osi and Strahan were coming of injuries, and their DTs aren't all that great.

I disagree about Philly's DL. Kearse was slipping even before his major knee injury. Cole is a good pass rusher, but struggles vs the run. The DTs for Philly haven't shown much.

Canty reportedly is turning the corner and Fergeson is one of the league's better NTs. If either Spears or Hatcher come on, then we'll have the best DL....Yeah, a little wishful.

 

[Rampage]

Yeah, I thought NY's DL could be the best....but I though Osi and Strahan were coming of injuries, and their DTs aren't all that great.

I disagree about Philly's DL. Kearse was slipping even before his major knee injury. Cole is a good pass rusher, but struggles vs the run. The DTs for Philly haven't shown much.

Canty reportedly is turning the corner and Fergeson is one of the league's better NTs. If either Spears or Hatcher come on, then we'll have the best DL....Yeah, a little wishful.

i hear that but it has mostly been against rookie lt/rt so i'm not sold until i see it against starting tackles. also philly's line is rather average/poor against the run but they can apply pressure. also philly's dline kills us every time

 

[Bizwah]

i hear that but it has mostly been against rookie lt/rt so i'm not sold until i see it against starting tackles

Good point.

Like I said....it's wishful thinking on my part.

I still think Philly's DL isn't all that great. I don't think they're any better than us....Again, if Canty and Spears finally perform, then we'll easily surpass them.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

good analysis, but we have the makings of a great S tandem as well

Roy is the 2nd best safety in the East, behind Dawkins, and Hamlin is pretty good, and if he can return to his form of '04, he could be scary good

 

[tomson75]

Pretty fair analysis until you got to the Safety position...then you **** the bed a bit.

I could care less if Washington's safeties are "intimidating". The fact is, they'll more than likely suck again this year. Washington, again, will have two guys back their more suited for the SS position...and I think we all know how that worked out for us. Landry and Taylor have tremedous potential, but aren't ideally matched up together...unless you've got two CB's in the Newman mold. Washington doesn't have one.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

very good assessment.

 

[BourbonBalz]

Defensive line has to be the weakest position in the East. Washington is terrible, Philly can't stop the run, and if Strahan retires or is traded, N.Y. drops off quite a bit. Even if he stays, he'll be 36 this year. No one to replace him. We obviously have the most potential with our group of good, young linemen. If they play to their potential, we take this position with ease. I also think many will be surprised at how good our offensive line is going to be this year, barring injuries. Someone posted that Philly's line is massive. Yes, it's big, but not as big as ours.

 

[Bizwah]

Defensive line has to be the weakest position in the East. Washington is terrible, Philly can't stop the run, and if Strahan retires or is traded, N.Y. drops off quite a bit. Even if he stays, he'll be 36 this year. No one to replace him. We obviously have the most potential with our group of good, young linemen. If they play to their potential, we take this position with ease. I also think many will be surprised at how good our offensive line is going to be this year, barring injuries. Someone posted that Philly's line is massive. Yes, it's big, but not as big as ours.

Yeah....they're bigger....not by much....They also have an advantage in the fact that they've been playing together, and in the same system longer. Also, guys like Max Jean-Giles 6-4 358 and Winston Justice are backing up the massive starters.

Take a look:

Flozell Adams: 6-7 340
William Thomas: 6-7 335

Kyle Kosier: 6-5 310
Todd Herremans: 6-6 321

Andre Gurode: 6-4 320
Jamaal Jackson: 6-4 330

Leonard Davis: 6-6 360
Shawn Andrews: 6-4 340

Marc Columbo: 6-8 325
Jon Runyan: 6-7 330

Splitting hairs I know, but they outsize us in every position except LT and RG.

 

[RomoIsBack]

i agree pretty good

 

[Bizwah]

Pretty fair analysis until you got to the Safety position...then you **** the bed a bit.

I could care less if Washington's safeties are "intimidating". The fact is, they'll more than likely suck again this year. Washington, again, will have two guys back their more suited for the SS position...and I think we all know how that worked out for us. Landry and Taylor have tremedous potential, but aren't ideally matched up together...unless you've got two CB's in the Newman mold. Washington doesn't have one.

I don't know......I thought I was being fair.

We Cowboy fans love to rail on Taylor because he's a threat to Roy Williams perch as top safety.

But, he's still good.....yes, he has coverage issues, but most safeties outside Darren Woodson do.

Landry is an excellent player. I know several of us on this board liked him a lot....I was praying that he'd have some sort of major fall.....

I agree about Washington's CBs. Their safeties are gonna have to play SAFETY. Washington will have to pray that their CBs can cover because they won't get pressure on the QB unless they sell out to blitz.

 

[Mansta54]

I don't know......I thought I was being fair.

We Cowboy fans love to rail on Taylor because he's a threat to Roy Williams perch as top safety.

But, he's still good.....yes, he has coverage issues, but most safeties outside Darren Woodson do.

Landry is an excellent player. I know several of us on this board liked him a lot....I was praying that he'd have some sort of major fall.....

I agree about Washington's CBs. Their safeties are gonna have to play SAFETY. Washington will have to pray that their CBs can cover because they won't get pressure on the QB unless they sell out to blitz.

In college, he's done absolutely JACK in the NFL. Its a completely different game..

 

[tomson75]

I don't know......I thought I was being fair.

We Cowboy fans love to rail on Taylor because he's a threat to Roy Williams perch as top safety.

I don't even think Williams is the top safety in the NFC east, nevertheless the NFL...and Taylor is no threat to anyone except perhaps on "jacked up" segments.

But, he's still good.....yes, he has coverage issues, but most safeties outside Darren Woodson do.

He has coverage issues is an understatement. He led the league in giving up TD's last year...how does that correlate to any sort of good play? He also has tackling issues. He also led (or was close) the league in missed tackles. If you'd like to believe what so-called experts and analysts from ESPN and the like tell you, I can't and wont' stop you. However, in my opinion, a degree from the "U" and a few big hits dont' translate to being a good player. The guy is all hype. He's not a playmaker. He's not even an average safety in the NFL.

Landry is an excellent player. I know several of us on this board liked him a lot....I was praying that he'd have some sort of major fall.....

I like Landry as well. I think he has all of the ability that Taylor has. Whether he utilizes it remains to be seen. I think I'll wait till he's played at least one snap in the NFL before I label him as a success, however. Letting his potential change the ranking here reminds me of an article I read yesterday about current players chances at making the HOF...several one year guys were on the list over guys that have started for 15 years.

I agree about Washington's CBs. Their safeties are gonna have to play SAFETY. Washington will have to pray that their CBs can cover because they won't get pressure on the QB unless they sell out to blitz.

Washington is going to have to pray. Period.

 

[Bizwah]

I don't even think Williams is the top safety in the NFC east, nevertheless the NFL...and Taylor is no threat to anyone except perhaps on "jacked up" segments.



He has coverage issues is an understatement. He led the league in giving up TD's last year...how does that correlate to any sort of good play? He also has tackling issues. He also led (or was close) the league in missed tackles. If you'd like to believe what so-called experts and analysts from ESPN and the like tell you, I can't and wont' stop you. However, in my opinion, a degree from the "U" and a few big hits dont' translate to being a good player. The guy is all hype. He's not a playmaker. He's not even an average safety in the NFL.



I like Landry as well. I think he has all of the ability that Taylor has. Whether he utilizes it remains to be seen. I think I'll wait till he's played at least one snap in the NFL before I label him as a success, however. Letting his potential change the ranking here reminds me of an article I read yesterday about current players chances at making the HOF...several one year guys were on the list over guys that have started for 15 years.



Washington is going to have to pray. Period.

Stats don't always tell the complete story. Remember, Washington's CB situation was terrible last year. They had several injuries...plus, he had to cover for Archuleta (a terrible safety).

I've seen him play with my eyes. I WANT him to be a bust in the worst possible way. I WANT him to be a bad player.

The simple fact is....he isn't.

Now, I'd rather have Roy. He's a better man, and a better hitter/tackler. But Taylor is a very good player. We're kidding ourselves if we think otherwise.

I'd rank the safeties in the NFC like this:

FS:
Dawkins
Taylor
Hamlin
Demps

SS:
Roy Williams
Wilson
Landry
Consindine

I think there's a considerable gap between Dawkins and Taylor and Hamlin/Demps. There's also a large gap between Roy and the rest of the crew. But Landry has great potential to move up close to Roy. That's why I think Washington has the best safeties.

 

[tomson75]

Stats don't always tell the complete story. Remember, Washington's CB situation was terrible last year. They had several injuries...plus, he had to cover for Archuleta (a terrible safety).

Stats don't tell the complete story. True...but when your stats say that you're the WORST in the league, there's probably some truth behind those stats. Archuletta wasn't given the biggest payday for a safety for being a "terrible safety". The guy simply doesnt' fit Washington's scheme. They were to stupid to realize it.

I've seen him play with my eyes. I WANT him to be a bust in the worst possible way. I WANT him to be a bad player.


The simple fact is....he isn't.

I live in Commanders country...I think its fair to say that I've seen my fair share of Taylor's play as well. Your statement isn't a fact. It's an opinion...one that I happen to disagree with. He's an incredibly overrated player. I hope he keeps playing at the level he currently does...the skins will overpay when it comes time to extend his contract, and the Cowboys will continue to take advantage of him on the field.

Now, I'd rather have Roy. He's a better man, and a better hitter/tackler. But Taylor is a very good player. We're kidding ourselves if we think otherwise.

I'm not kidding myself. I'm watching that team play every week. I'm reading that teams newspaper every day. I'm listening to the local media. I'm giving you My educated opinion on the subject. Apparently we'll just have to disagree.

I'd rank the safeties in the NFC like this:

FS:
Dawkins
Taylor
Hamlin
Demps

SS:
Roy Williams
Wilson
Landry
Consindine

I think there's a considerable gap between Dawkins and Taylor and Hamlin/Demps. There's also a large gap between Roy and the rest of the crew. But Landry has great potential to move up close to Roy. That's why I think Washington has the best safeties.

I'm reserving judgement on Hamlin until I watch him play more...but I think its safe to say that if he plays as poorly as Taylor did last year, there's going to be a lot of dissapointed cowboys fans.

 

[Bizwah]

Stats don't tell the complete story. True...but when your stats say that you're the WORST in the league, there's probably some truth behind those stats. Archuletta wasn't given the biggest payday for a safety for being a "terrible safety". The guy simply doesnt' fit Washington's scheme. They were to stupid to realize it.



I live in Commanders country...I think it sfair to say that I've seen my fair share of Taylor's play as well. Your satatement isn't a fact. It's an opinion...one that I happen to disagree with. He's an incredibly overrated player. I hope he keeps playing at the level he currently does...the skins will overpay when it comes time to extend his contract, and the Cowboys will continue to take advantage of him on the field.



I'm not kidding myself. I'm watching that team play every week. I'm reading that teams newspaper every day. I'm listening to the local media. I'm giving you My educated opinion on the subject. Apparently we'll just have to disagree.



I'm reserving judgement on Hamlin until I watch him play more...but I think its safe to say that if he plays as poorly as Taylor did last year, there's going to be a lot of dissapointed cowboys fans.

It's all cool.

The purpose of this thread was to hear differing opinions.

No problem.

I would rather you be correct in your assessment of Taylor than me.

Thanks for responding.

 

[tomson75]

It's all cool.

The purpose of this thread was to hear differing opinions.

No problem.

I would rather you be correct in your assessment of Taylor than me.

Thanks for responding.

No worries.

I hope we're both wrong about Landry. With some improvement at CB and DL, the skins could really have a major player there...shoot, it could make Taylor even MORE overrated.

 

[Bizwah]

No worries.

I hope we're both wrong about Landry. With some improvement at CB and DL, the skins could really have a major player there...shoot, it could make Taylor even MORE overrated.

:laugh2:

For some reason, I've always been worried about Washington. Every year I look at their roster and think, "you know.....they're really not that bad". But it seems that they're bad more often than not.

Springs, Smoot, Rogers all seem like they're talented. But Springs always seems nicked, Smoot is all hype, and Rogers can't seem to turn the corner.

I always had great respect for Gregg Williams, but last year the wheels came off. I really hope that's the trend rather than an anomole (sp?). Two years ago, their defense had average talent, yet played great......

Oh well.....

 

[TobiasEagle77]

Pretty good I think. There were a couple I didn't agree with but they were close and I'm not unbiased.

I'd like to join a couple of the other poster's in saying that your ranking of the safetys is well, wrong : P

I truly believe that Sean Taylor is the most over-rated player in the NFL right now. He's still living off the reputation he came into the league with. Sure, he might have tremendous physical abilities, but his head is simply not in the game. Despite missing tackles, commiting stupid penalties, repeatedly biting on play fakes and being out of position, he's still given a pass because of the reputation he came into the league with.

Then you have Landry, who comes in with the same kind of reputation Taylor had. You're anointing him a great before he even plays a season? Let him play 3 and then get back to me. Taylor himself, as well as guys like Robert Gallery, were once hailed as sure things... so hold the judgement.

Here's how I'd rank the safeties:
Dallas/Philly - I can't choose. My instincts tell me philly, but I know that's just biased. Still, you have Dawkins, then the questions with Considine. But Hamlin and Williams come with their own set of questions... call it a push.
Washington
NYG - I like Wilson, but they've got to find someone to man the other side