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NFC focus: Saints have top defensive end talent
by SportsNews correspondents
SportsNews.com
1. Saints. Will Smith and Charles Grant give the team one of the league's best young duos. But the Saints don't have much depth, with Rob Ninkovich and veteran Willie Whitehead leading the pack.
2. Panthers. Julius Peppers is an elite pass rusher in his prime. Mike Rucker is coming off a major knee injury, which could mean significant early-season playing time for Charles Johnson and Stanley McClover.
3. Giants. When healthy, Osi Umenyiora and Michael Strahan may be the best 1-2 end punch in football. Primary backup Justin Tuck is coming off a foot injury.
4. Buccaneers. The team has three superb pass rushers in Simeon Rice, Kevin Carter and rookie Gaines Adams. Carter likely will be moved inside to tackle.
5. Packers. Aaron Kampman is coming off a Pro Bowl season. Tackle Cullen Jenkins moved to end last season, which allowed Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila to be a third-down specialist.
6. Bears. Adewale Ogunleye holds up better against the run than he is given credit for. Alex Brown is a hustle player on the other side. He may get pushed out of a job by explosive second-year end Mark Anderson.
7. Falcons. John Abraham brings the heat from the right side but is injury-prone. Rookie Jamaal Anderson has been handed the other starting job. Top backup Chauncey Davis is stout against the run.
8. Rams. Leonard Little remains one of the NFL's best pass rushers. James Hall was acquired to provide a much-needed complementary pass rush on the right side. Victor Adeyanju is a high-motor player whose strength is defending the run.
9. 49ers. Bryant Young and Marques Douglas have the strength, experience and willingness to do the dirty work expected of ends in the 3-4. Melvin Oliver and Ronald Fields will provide needed relief.
10. Seahawks. Bryce Fisher wore down last season. Patrick Kerney, who brings closing speed and intensity to the mix, had the same problem in Atlanta. Backup Darryl Tapp's forte is rushing the quarterback.
11. Cowboys. Marcus Spears, Chris Canty and Jason Hatcher have loads of potential but have yet to come close to realizing it.
12. Cardinals. Darnell Dockett has moved from tackle to end and seems to have the skills to play that spot. Antonio Smith has been a solid backup, but it's questionable how he'll hold up as the starter. Chris Cooper is the backup on both sides.
13. Eagles. Jevon Kearse is coming back from a knee injury, and Darren Howard has not been the player the team thought he was when it signed him before last season. Backup Trent Cole is a strong pass rusher.
14. Vikings. The team hopes to get more of a rush from starters Kenechi Udeze and Darrion Scott. Erasmus James, Ray Edwards and rookie Brian Robison will be of some help.
15. Lions. Dewayne White is versatile and has a nonstop motor, but he never has been a full-time starter. Kalimba Edwards has great speed and skill but is inconsistent. Rookie Ikaika Alama-Francis has excellent speed and uses his hands well.
16. Commanders. Andre Carter must show he can generate pressure for a full season. Phillip Daniels is coming back from surgery on both wrists. Demetric Evans is a proven backup.
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for more updates visit http://gryphononcowboys.blogspot.com/
by SportsNews correspondents
SportsNews.com
1. Saints. Will Smith and Charles Grant give the team one of the league's best young duos. But the Saints don't have much depth, with Rob Ninkovich and veteran Willie Whitehead leading the pack.
2. Panthers. Julius Peppers is an elite pass rusher in his prime. Mike Rucker is coming off a major knee injury, which could mean significant early-season playing time for Charles Johnson and Stanley McClover.
3. Giants. When healthy, Osi Umenyiora and Michael Strahan may be the best 1-2 end punch in football. Primary backup Justin Tuck is coming off a foot injury.
4. Buccaneers. The team has three superb pass rushers in Simeon Rice, Kevin Carter and rookie Gaines Adams. Carter likely will be moved inside to tackle.
5. Packers. Aaron Kampman is coming off a Pro Bowl season. Tackle Cullen Jenkins moved to end last season, which allowed Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila to be a third-down specialist.
6. Bears. Adewale Ogunleye holds up better against the run than he is given credit for. Alex Brown is a hustle player on the other side. He may get pushed out of a job by explosive second-year end Mark Anderson.
7. Falcons. John Abraham brings the heat from the right side but is injury-prone. Rookie Jamaal Anderson has been handed the other starting job. Top backup Chauncey Davis is stout against the run.
8. Rams. Leonard Little remains one of the NFL's best pass rushers. James Hall was acquired to provide a much-needed complementary pass rush on the right side. Victor Adeyanju is a high-motor player whose strength is defending the run.
9. 49ers. Bryant Young and Marques Douglas have the strength, experience and willingness to do the dirty work expected of ends in the 3-4. Melvin Oliver and Ronald Fields will provide needed relief.
10. Seahawks. Bryce Fisher wore down last season. Patrick Kerney, who brings closing speed and intensity to the mix, had the same problem in Atlanta. Backup Darryl Tapp's forte is rushing the quarterback.
11. Cowboys. Marcus Spears, Chris Canty and Jason Hatcher have loads of potential but have yet to come close to realizing it.
12. Cardinals. Darnell Dockett has moved from tackle to end and seems to have the skills to play that spot. Antonio Smith has been a solid backup, but it's questionable how he'll hold up as the starter. Chris Cooper is the backup on both sides.
13. Eagles. Jevon Kearse is coming back from a knee injury, and Darren Howard has not been the player the team thought he was when it signed him before last season. Backup Trent Cole is a strong pass rusher.
14. Vikings. The team hopes to get more of a rush from starters Kenechi Udeze and Darrion Scott. Erasmus James, Ray Edwards and rookie Brian Robison will be of some help.
15. Lions. Dewayne White is versatile and has a nonstop motor, but he never has been a full-time starter. Kalimba Edwards has great speed and skill but is inconsistent. Rookie Ikaika Alama-Francis has excellent speed and uses his hands well.
16. Commanders. Andre Carter must show he can generate pressure for a full season. Phillip Daniels is coming back from surgery on both wrists. Demetric Evans is a proven backup.
__________________
for more updates visit http://gryphononcowboys.blogspot.com/
