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NFC midterm grades
Don't know if this is a repost.
By Charles Robinson, Yahoo! Sports
November 10, 2005
On one end of the spectrum, the NFC has closed the gap on the AFC, offering a slew of competitive teams that can hold their own against anyone in the league. On the other end of the spectrum, the conference's bad teams are really, really bad. While the AFC might have a few slackers, the NFC has enough to hold a town hall meeting.
That lack of quality shows up in this year's midterm grades. One NFC team earned an "F," and five others came close, notching something in the "D" neighborhood. Not surprisingly, much of the shame comes from the NFC North, where even mediocrity could be perceived as excellence at this point.
And while the NFC couldn't muster a single "A," a handful of teams came awfully close.
NFC EAST
New York Giants (6-2)
Grade: B+
The Giants are on the cusp of an "A" grade, needing at least one more quality win – and maybe even two – to elevate them into the conversation with teams like Denver (Yes, I know the Giants beat the Broncos) and Indianapolis. But if the defense keeps playing the way it has the last few weeks, that's not an impossibility. Maybe no NFC team scares people more than the Giants, who have an offense that can run and pass and features big-play makers in Plaxico Burress, Jeremy Shockey and Tiki Barber. The defense has made the most strides of late, getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks and taking heat off of the secondary.
Second-half improvements: Barber hasn't played much of an instrumental role in the passing game, and that's left a void beyond Shockey and Burress. The Giants either need to incorporate Barber more or find a way to get consistent contributions from Amani Toomer.
Washington Commanders (5-3)
Grade: B
The wins over Seattle and Philadelphia are impressive, and you have to include the Dallas victory, even if it was a miracle. With all due respect to Mark Brunell and Santana Moss, the defense is still the unit that makes this team click. The front seven is very good, and the tandem of safety Sean Taylor and cornerback Shawn Springs has been special. As long as Cornelius Griffin can return healthy, this unit should be strong all year, and if LaVar Arrington can play inspired football the rest of the year, it could get better.
Second-half improvements: As good as Brunell has been, the passing game has sputtered a bit the last few weeks as defenses have schemed to take away Moss. Either David Patten or James Thrash needs to step up.
Dallas Cowboys (5-3)
Grade: B+
Surprisingly, the offense has been outstanding. It was assumed that Drew Bledsoe would step in and be more of a caretaker who makes one or two big plays a game. Instead, he and Terry Glenn energized a passing game that led to production spikes from Jason Witten and Keyshawn Johnson. And despite the injuries to Julius Jones, the tailback spot has kept grinding along with Marion Barber. The unit will only get better when Jones comes back healthy. The six-man defensive line rotation will keep the stingy run defense fresh the rest of the season.
Second-half improvements: Bledsoe and the vertical passing game have floundered a bit the last few games. When and if Patrick Crayton returns, the Cowboys shouldn't be afraid to open the offense up a bit more.
Philadelphia Eagles (4-4)
Grade: C+ The Terrell Owens saga did some mental damage to this team, whether the players want to admit it or not. It has been a tremendous distraction, and at times the Eagles have played as if their minds were somewhere else. That said, Andy Reid continued to rely far too much on Owens, when there was always a possibility the situation could blow up. The offense never really diversified to the point where other receivers and the running game were forced to develop. Now, with T.O. suspended, Reid could pay dearly for not trying to get Brian Westbrook going earlier. Second-half improvements: The defense has its share of problems, and many of them can be traced to the line. Defensive ends N.D. Kalu and Jevon Kearse have only produced five sacks, and the interior linemen must help the linebackers more against the run.
Don't know if this is a repost.
By Charles Robinson, Yahoo! Sports
November 10, 2005
On one end of the spectrum, the NFC has closed the gap on the AFC, offering a slew of competitive teams that can hold their own against anyone in the league. On the other end of the spectrum, the conference's bad teams are really, really bad. While the AFC might have a few slackers, the NFC has enough to hold a town hall meeting.
That lack of quality shows up in this year's midterm grades. One NFC team earned an "F," and five others came close, notching something in the "D" neighborhood. Not surprisingly, much of the shame comes from the NFC North, where even mediocrity could be perceived as excellence at this point.
And while the NFC couldn't muster a single "A," a handful of teams came awfully close.
NFC EAST
Grade: B+
The Giants are on the cusp of an "A" grade, needing at least one more quality win – and maybe even two – to elevate them into the conversation with teams like Denver (Yes, I know the Giants beat the Broncos) and Indianapolis. But if the defense keeps playing the way it has the last few weeks, that's not an impossibility. Maybe no NFC team scares people more than the Giants, who have an offense that can run and pass and features big-play makers in Plaxico Burress, Jeremy Shockey and Tiki Barber. The defense has made the most strides of late, getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks and taking heat off of the secondary.
Second-half improvements: Barber hasn't played much of an instrumental role in the passing game, and that's left a void beyond Shockey and Burress. The Giants either need to incorporate Barber more or find a way to get consistent contributions from Amani Toomer.
Grade: B
The wins over Seattle and Philadelphia are impressive, and you have to include the Dallas victory, even if it was a miracle. With all due respect to Mark Brunell and Santana Moss, the defense is still the unit that makes this team click. The front seven is very good, and the tandem of safety Sean Taylor and cornerback Shawn Springs has been special. As long as Cornelius Griffin can return healthy, this unit should be strong all year, and if LaVar Arrington can play inspired football the rest of the year, it could get better.
Second-half improvements: As good as Brunell has been, the passing game has sputtered a bit the last few weeks as defenses have schemed to take away Moss. Either David Patten or James Thrash needs to step up.
Grade: B+
Surprisingly, the offense has been outstanding. It was assumed that Drew Bledsoe would step in and be more of a caretaker who makes one or two big plays a game. Instead, he and Terry Glenn energized a passing game that led to production spikes from Jason Witten and Keyshawn Johnson. And despite the injuries to Julius Jones, the tailback spot has kept grinding along with Marion Barber. The unit will only get better when Jones comes back healthy. The six-man defensive line rotation will keep the stingy run defense fresh the rest of the season.
Second-half improvements: Bledsoe and the vertical passing game have floundered a bit the last few games. When and if Patrick Crayton returns, the Cowboys shouldn't be afraid to open the offense up a bit more.
Grade: C+ The Terrell Owens saga did some mental damage to this team, whether the players want to admit it or not. It has been a tremendous distraction, and at times the Eagles have played as if their minds were somewhere else. That said, Andy Reid continued to rely far too much on Owens, when there was always a possibility the situation could blow up. The offense never really diversified to the point where other receivers and the running game were forced to develop. Now, with T.O. suspended, Reid could pay dearly for not trying to get Brian Westbrook going earlier. Second-half improvements: The defense has its share of problems, and many of them can be traced to the line. Defensive ends N.D. Kalu and Jevon Kearse have only produced five sacks, and the interior linemen must help the linebackers more against the run.