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Dallas
Dec. 7, 2007
Cowboys’ OL depth could be tested
The Cowboys’ offensive line is having a very good season and has yet to lose a starter to injury. In fact, all five guys have started all 12 games, and the reserves have only made cameo appearances. That could change Sunday. ORT Marc Colombo sprained an ankle against the Packers and was believed to be fine with the extra layoff time, but the injury is serious enough that the Cowboys are making contingency plans against the Lions. Pat McQuistan would start at Colombo’s spot, and rookie Doug Free would be elevated to the swing tackle. McQuistan has had only a handful of snaps — including one when Colombo got hurt last week — on offense this season, working mostly on special teams. But in training-camp and preseason action earlier this year, he struggled a bit. Team sources speculate that part of that struggle might be because McQuistan has been moved, in his two seasons, from left tackle to guard and now out to right tackle, hindering his progression at any one spot.
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NY Giants
Dec. 7, 2007
Backup receivers not where Giants need them to be
The coaching staff has ramped up the healing schedule for WR Steve Smith, who has missed 10 games with scapula and hamstring injuries, in order to get him into playing shape as quickly as possible. Just as it appeared that WR Sinorice Moss was getting up to speed — he had a few nice catches against the Lions and Vikings in Weeks 11 and 12 and earned some positive feedback from offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride — he has now taken a step back. After allegedly running at least two wrong routes against the Bears, Moss was benched in favor of special-teams ace David Tyree, who made two big second-half catches in the win. The pecking order could remain that way for the rest of the season. If Smith can go, he’ll be the third receiver, but the staff loved the way Tyree responded and doesn’t fear putting him out there in the regular offensive package.
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Philadelphia
Dec. 7, 2007
Has Eagles’ Dawkins hit the wall?
Few want to say it, but Eagles FS Brian Dawkins is struggling. The Seahawks and Patriots have had no trouble throwing the ball against the Eagles, especially in the middle of the field, and since Dawkins’ return to the lineup in Week Nine, he has struggled to make much of an impact. He has 22 tackles, three passes defended and no interceptions in the five games since returning. Critics say Dawkins appears to have lost a step and isn’t playing with the same anticipation skills he once did. Part of that can be blamed on age (he’s 34), even if Dawkins is in better shape than some 28-year-olds in the league. But it also appears that his long layoffs have hurt. He missed much of training camp and preseason before injuring his neck against the Eagles in Week Two. Though Eagles sources say Dawkins still has some football left, it remains to be seen if he’ll ever approach being the impact player he was as recently as the end of last season, when he had 30 tackles, three interceptions and a sack in five games in the month of December.
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Washington
Dec. 7, 2007
Gibbs’ future becomes more clouded amid tragedy
Before the death of FS Sean Taylor, Commanders sources were convinced that head coach Joe Gibbs would be the head coach of the team for 2008 and perhaps beyond. Gibbs was steadfast in his language: He repeatedly spoke of “finishing the job” and honoring his commitment to owner Daniel Snyder and the team. But the words that a grief-stricken Gibbs spoke the day after Taylor’s death belie his previous stance somewhat. A team source said to pay particular attention to Gibbs’ comments about Taylor’s death “putting things in perspective” for him. “From the time [Snyder] called me, [it] probably makes you reflect on a lot of things for yourself personally,” he said. “Where do you put your occupation? Where do you put your friends? Your family? Your kids? Your grandkids? And you realize life is so fragile. … It’s hard to concentrate on football.” Though reports have come out in the past few days refuting the idea that Gibbs will walk away at season’s end, our sources say they would not be surprised if he did.
View all WWHI for Washington
Dec. 7, 2007
Cowboys’ OL depth could be tested
The Cowboys’ offensive line is having a very good season and has yet to lose a starter to injury. In fact, all five guys have started all 12 games, and the reserves have only made cameo appearances. That could change Sunday. ORT Marc Colombo sprained an ankle against the Packers and was believed to be fine with the extra layoff time, but the injury is serious enough that the Cowboys are making contingency plans against the Lions. Pat McQuistan would start at Colombo’s spot, and rookie Doug Free would be elevated to the swing tackle. McQuistan has had only a handful of snaps — including one when Colombo got hurt last week — on offense this season, working mostly on special teams. But in training-camp and preseason action earlier this year, he struggled a bit. Team sources speculate that part of that struggle might be because McQuistan has been moved, in his two seasons, from left tackle to guard and now out to right tackle, hindering his progression at any one spot.
View all WWHI for Dallas
NY Giants
Dec. 7, 2007
Backup receivers not where Giants need them to be
The coaching staff has ramped up the healing schedule for WR Steve Smith, who has missed 10 games with scapula and hamstring injuries, in order to get him into playing shape as quickly as possible. Just as it appeared that WR Sinorice Moss was getting up to speed — he had a few nice catches against the Lions and Vikings in Weeks 11 and 12 and earned some positive feedback from offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride — he has now taken a step back. After allegedly running at least two wrong routes against the Bears, Moss was benched in favor of special-teams ace David Tyree, who made two big second-half catches in the win. The pecking order could remain that way for the rest of the season. If Smith can go, he’ll be the third receiver, but the staff loved the way Tyree responded and doesn’t fear putting him out there in the regular offensive package.
View all WWHI for NY Giants
Philadelphia
Dec. 7, 2007
Has Eagles’ Dawkins hit the wall?
Few want to say it, but Eagles FS Brian Dawkins is struggling. The Seahawks and Patriots have had no trouble throwing the ball against the Eagles, especially in the middle of the field, and since Dawkins’ return to the lineup in Week Nine, he has struggled to make much of an impact. He has 22 tackles, three passes defended and no interceptions in the five games since returning. Critics say Dawkins appears to have lost a step and isn’t playing with the same anticipation skills he once did. Part of that can be blamed on age (he’s 34), even if Dawkins is in better shape than some 28-year-olds in the league. But it also appears that his long layoffs have hurt. He missed much of training camp and preseason before injuring his neck against the Eagles in Week Two. Though Eagles sources say Dawkins still has some football left, it remains to be seen if he’ll ever approach being the impact player he was as recently as the end of last season, when he had 30 tackles, three interceptions and a sack in five games in the month of December.
View all WWHI for Philadelphia
Washington
Dec. 7, 2007
Gibbs’ future becomes more clouded amid tragedy
Before the death of FS Sean Taylor, Commanders sources were convinced that head coach Joe Gibbs would be the head coach of the team for 2008 and perhaps beyond. Gibbs was steadfast in his language: He repeatedly spoke of “finishing the job” and honoring his commitment to owner Daniel Snyder and the team. But the words that a grief-stricken Gibbs spoke the day after Taylor’s death belie his previous stance somewhat. A team source said to pay particular attention to Gibbs’ comments about Taylor’s death “putting things in perspective” for him. “From the time [Snyder] called me, [it] probably makes you reflect on a lot of things for yourself personally,” he said. “Where do you put your occupation? Where do you put your friends? Your family? Your kids? Your grandkids? And you realize life is so fragile. … It’s hard to concentrate on football.” Though reports have come out in the past few days refuting the idea that Gibbs will walk away at season’s end, our sources say they would not be surprised if he did.
View all WWHI for Washington
