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Dallas
Nov. 16, 2007
Ellis finally playing pain-free for Cowboys
Updated as of 11:30 p.m. EST Sunday, Nov. 18
His 6½ sacks have been an unexpected windfall when you consider that OLB Greg Ellis suffered what might have been a career-ending injury — he told PFW last month he thought as much when it happened — and the Cowboys spent their first-round pick on Anthony Spencer, who played the same position. Spencer began the year as the starter and held his own, but getting Ellis back healthy has proven to be a big lift for a defense that has improved since the Patriots laid 48 points on it back in Week Six. Ellis’ all-around play has been great. He had recorded sacks in four consecutive games heading into Week 11 and has played the run exceptionally well, if not making the tackle, then forcing runners back inside to the strength of the defense. At first, the coaching staff was playing Ellis only in nickel situations, 10 to 15 plays a game, but he has worked back into more of a full-time role, which has allowed Spencer to occasionally spell an overworked DeMarcus Ware on the other side.
View all WWHI for Dallas
NY Giants
Nov. 16, 2007
Has Giants’ Coughlin lost that loving feeling?
The word around the Giants is that recent chinks in the team’s armor has turned the cheerier Tom Coughlin back to shades of his old self. Coughlin is best-known as a tough and rigid coach, and though observers had credited Coughlin’s kinder demeanor at the beginning of the season, perhaps because he felt his job was on the line, this change back has been noticeable in the past few weeks as the Giants have come across some choppier waters. That said, few are taking notice at the moment. Most of the recent criticism has fallen on the head of QB Eli Manning, and Coughlin went out of his way this past week to warn his quarterback of what the critics were saying and try to deflect as much of the talk as he could. The more Coughlin’s role gets expanded in matters such of these and the more the sense of doom waxes around the team, team sources speculate, the more his mood might continue to turn. Internally, there appears to be no issue — yet. But if the Giants start to slide, watch the coach’s expression turn publicly.
View all WWHI for NY Giants
Philadelphia
Nov. 16, 2007
Eagles' secondary has all the pieces but not at full strength
It has been both perplexing and ironic that the Eagles’ secondary, which in recent weeks finally has gotten all its players back on the field, has started to stumble lately. FS Brian Dawkins returned from a neck injury and showed great leadership at the end of the Eagles’ win in Washington by begging on to the kick-coverage team for the final two kickoffs, but he’s still rounding into form as a safety. More of a concern is the play of CB Lito Sheppard, who is playing hurt. Sheppard’s knee, which forced him to miss time earlier, has been aggravated and might be a nagging problem for the rest of the season. Also, nickel CB William James has been slowed by plantar fasciitis in his foot. A sagging pass rush hasn’t helped, but defensive coordinator Jim Johnson only can blitz so much, because that puts even more burden on the defensive backs to hold their coverage.
View all WWHI for Philadelphia
Washington
Nov. 16, 2007
Commanders find themselves painfully thin at receiver
Updated as of 11:30 p.m. EST Sunday, Nov. 18
You know you’re hurting when WR Brandon Lloyd gets hurt, and it’s a major concern. The receiver, who has two catches this season and has been a total bust since the Commanders traded for him before the 2006 season, broke his clavicle in practice and was placed on injured reserve, ending his season. His Commanders career could be over because he is expected to get cut after the season if his contract is not significantly redone. That said, Lloyd provided depth at an eerily thin position. Santana Moss’ heel had been bothering him for weeks until he broke out in Week 11 with nine catches for 121 yards and a touchdown. Antwaan Randle El has played every week, while James Thrash — the breakout star in Week 10 — missed last week with an ankle sprain, and he could be out longer. WR Keenan McCardell, who caught five passes for 75 yards last week, could see an expanded role, while Reche Caldwell provides depth. Neither player was on the Commanders’ roster to start the season.
View all WWHI for Washington
LINK
Nov. 16, 2007
Ellis finally playing pain-free for Cowboys
Updated as of 11:30 p.m. EST Sunday, Nov. 18
His 6½ sacks have been an unexpected windfall when you consider that OLB Greg Ellis suffered what might have been a career-ending injury — he told PFW last month he thought as much when it happened — and the Cowboys spent their first-round pick on Anthony Spencer, who played the same position. Spencer began the year as the starter and held his own, but getting Ellis back healthy has proven to be a big lift for a defense that has improved since the Patriots laid 48 points on it back in Week Six. Ellis’ all-around play has been great. He had recorded sacks in four consecutive games heading into Week 11 and has played the run exceptionally well, if not making the tackle, then forcing runners back inside to the strength of the defense. At first, the coaching staff was playing Ellis only in nickel situations, 10 to 15 plays a game, but he has worked back into more of a full-time role, which has allowed Spencer to occasionally spell an overworked DeMarcus Ware on the other side.
View all WWHI for Dallas
NY Giants
Nov. 16, 2007
Has Giants’ Coughlin lost that loving feeling?
The word around the Giants is that recent chinks in the team’s armor has turned the cheerier Tom Coughlin back to shades of his old self. Coughlin is best-known as a tough and rigid coach, and though observers had credited Coughlin’s kinder demeanor at the beginning of the season, perhaps because he felt his job was on the line, this change back has been noticeable in the past few weeks as the Giants have come across some choppier waters. That said, few are taking notice at the moment. Most of the recent criticism has fallen on the head of QB Eli Manning, and Coughlin went out of his way this past week to warn his quarterback of what the critics were saying and try to deflect as much of the talk as he could. The more Coughlin’s role gets expanded in matters such of these and the more the sense of doom waxes around the team, team sources speculate, the more his mood might continue to turn. Internally, there appears to be no issue — yet. But if the Giants start to slide, watch the coach’s expression turn publicly.
View all WWHI for NY Giants
Philadelphia
Nov. 16, 2007
Eagles' secondary has all the pieces but not at full strength
It has been both perplexing and ironic that the Eagles’ secondary, which in recent weeks finally has gotten all its players back on the field, has started to stumble lately. FS Brian Dawkins returned from a neck injury and showed great leadership at the end of the Eagles’ win in Washington by begging on to the kick-coverage team for the final two kickoffs, but he’s still rounding into form as a safety. More of a concern is the play of CB Lito Sheppard, who is playing hurt. Sheppard’s knee, which forced him to miss time earlier, has been aggravated and might be a nagging problem for the rest of the season. Also, nickel CB William James has been slowed by plantar fasciitis in his foot. A sagging pass rush hasn’t helped, but defensive coordinator Jim Johnson only can blitz so much, because that puts even more burden on the defensive backs to hold their coverage.
View all WWHI for Philadelphia
Washington
Nov. 16, 2007
Commanders find themselves painfully thin at receiver
Updated as of 11:30 p.m. EST Sunday, Nov. 18
You know you’re hurting when WR Brandon Lloyd gets hurt, and it’s a major concern. The receiver, who has two catches this season and has been a total bust since the Commanders traded for him before the 2006 season, broke his clavicle in practice and was placed on injured reserve, ending his season. His Commanders career could be over because he is expected to get cut after the season if his contract is not significantly redone. That said, Lloyd provided depth at an eerily thin position. Santana Moss’ heel had been bothering him for weeks until he broke out in Week 11 with nine catches for 121 yards and a touchdown. Antwaan Randle El has played every week, while James Thrash — the breakout star in Week 10 — missed last week with an ankle sprain, and he could be out longer. WR Keenan McCardell, who caught five passes for 75 yards last week, could see an expanded role, while Reche Caldwell provides depth. Neither player was on the Commanders’ roster to start the season.
View all WWHI for Washington
LINK