- Messages
- 79,281
- Reaction score
- 45,651
Dallas
Sept. 19, 2008 By Eric Edholm
Cowboys will give Jones more touches but not at Barber’s expense
The Cowboys have loved what they have seen from Felix Jones so far, and it’s no stretch to say, as sources report, that owner Jerry Jones has a smile on his face every time his first-round back touches the ball. The team has used the rookie as a runner (12 carries and one TD in two games) and returner (38.1-yard kick-return average with a TD), but not yet as a receiver. And although Wade Phillips said this week that Jones should touch the ball more as time goes on, it’s clear that Marion Barber won’t be giving up any rushing attempts considering the way he’s running. “It’s not easy, because we’ve got such a great back already back there that can make a big play for you at any time,” Phillips said. “But I think [Jones] gives you some juice at times. We’re going to try to work him in more and more.”
View all WWHI for Dallas
NY Giants
Sept. 18, 2008 By Eric Edholm
Giants' O-line is in rhythm so far but not there yet, says Coughlin
The Giants’ offensive line was praised as perhaps the best unit — maybe not the five best individual talents, but the most cohesive group — heading into the season by NFL people. Through two games, that sentiment hasn’t changed much. Eli Manning has been sacked four times in 68 pass plays, which is a higher percentage than last season, but the running game has produced a scalding 5.6 yards per carry. ORG Chris Snee finally might be recognized for his ability this season, and ORT Kareem McKenzie is off to a great start. Still, head coach Tom Coughlin sees room for more cohesion. “I think a team can have a rhythm and I think the team — when all 11 [players] are meshing at the same time — can be productive and can appear to be in rhythm. I don’t know that we are always … that everybody is in total sync on every play. … I wouldn’t say we are there. But we are making an attempt to do that.”
View all WWHI for NY Giants
Philadelphia
Sept. 18, 2008 By Eric Edholm
Dawkins willing to take hits amid coverage struggles
A repeated image from Monday night’s 41-37 loss to the Cowboys in Dallas was FS Brian Dawkins struggling in pass coverage. Not only did he fail to get a hand on WR Terrell Owens’ second-quarter touchdown when singled up in man coverage, but Dawkins also failed to help properly on some deep plays. It’s something that critics were concerned about coming into this season, Dawkins’ 13th. He turns 35 in October and might not have the range he once did, but Dawkins told the media he believes he’s better-prepared to play the pass based on his years of film study and sharpened instincts. “Now, I recognize formations and I know where I need to be,” Dawkins said Wednesday. “A lot of times I know where I need to be, but sometimes I make mistakes.” The Eagles might lack a great coverage safety, but Dawkins and Quintin Mikell have tackled well, and the cornerbacks mostly are doing a very good job.
View all WWHI for Philadelphia
Washington
Sept. 19, 2008 By Eric Edholm
Commanders’ passing game makes strides but still needs work
The Commanders were encouraged by the improvement of QB Jason Campbell from the opening-week Giants loss to Week Two’s comeback win over the Saints. There are still plenty of adjustments and improvements that need to be made, but the Commanders got at least one thing they wanted from Campbell.
One of the things that showed up on tape from the Giants loss was that Campbell was letting the pass rush affect his timing and delivery. The coaches wanted him to be able to duck away from or sidestep pressure and still get off his throws — especially downfield — without it affecting the placement of his passes.
The best example of this improvement came on the 67-yard touchdown pass to WR Santana Moss where Campbell took a short step up in the face of pressure and still managed to make a gorgeous throw to Moss downfield.
Campbell also showed more poise in stressful situations. The Commanders trailed 24-15 and were faced with a 2nd-and-22 at their own six-yard line with less than 10 minutes left against the Saints, and on the play the Commanders had the wrong personnel and formation at the line. Instead of panicking or burning a timeout, Campbell calmly hit TE Chris Cooley for a 23-yard play that moved the chains, starting what would be a touchdown drive and leading to a victory.
Still, there are things that Campbell needs to improve on. He missed a few open receivers in the game and didn’t go to Cooley enough until late in the contest. Had Campbell hit WR Anwtaan Randle El in stride on one pass, Randle El likely would have had a touchdown. And there’s the matter of starting slowly and getting in rhythm that has been a struggle for Campbell in both games.
All told, though, the Commanders feel better about their passing prospects for the season than they did after the season-opening loss, and the slow integration of rookie WRs Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly should help.
For now, the offensive line appears to be better at pass blocking than with run blocking. The holes just aren’t there for RB Clinton Portis, at least not the ones he and the coaches expected. He’s still running hard and through would-be tacklers, but the big-play element isn’t there.
View all WWHI for Washington
Whispers — NFC East
Commanders feel compelled to use Moss as punt returner
Sept. 20, 2008
The Commanders feel they have to use Santana Moss more on punt returns going forward because Antwaan Randle El just hasn’t gotten it done back there. The problem with using them on returns in the first place is that they are the starting wide receivers. In addition, there is no other trustworthy option to return punts besides James Thrash, who is a safe returner but has no home-run ability whatsoever.
Giants head coach Tom Coughlin has really hammered home the message of players not talking to the media about anything that would give their opponents any kind of bulletin-board material. So far, it has worked. The Giants have managed to remain one of the more below-the-radar defending champions in recent memory.
The Eagles are hoping to get more production from their defensive ends. Opponents have been able to chip and tandem-block Trent Cole effectively, but the other ends are not taking advantage. Don’t be surprised if SLB Chris Gocong ends up in a pass-rushing position more as a result.
Commanders rookie S Chris Horton got the last-minute start in Week Two against the Saints when Reed Doughty couldn’t play, and Horton played exceptionally well, all things considered. However, don’t pencil Horton in as the full-time starter yet despite two interceptions and a fumble recovery in his first career start. The coaches like him but also respect the smarts and instinctive play of Doughty, who can get people lined up properly. Horton is still learning the defense, and the tape of the game showed he was out of position on a few plays.
Sept. 19, 2008 By Eric Edholm
Cowboys will give Jones more touches but not at Barber’s expense
The Cowboys have loved what they have seen from Felix Jones so far, and it’s no stretch to say, as sources report, that owner Jerry Jones has a smile on his face every time his first-round back touches the ball. The team has used the rookie as a runner (12 carries and one TD in two games) and returner (38.1-yard kick-return average with a TD), but not yet as a receiver. And although Wade Phillips said this week that Jones should touch the ball more as time goes on, it’s clear that Marion Barber won’t be giving up any rushing attempts considering the way he’s running. “It’s not easy, because we’ve got such a great back already back there that can make a big play for you at any time,” Phillips said. “But I think [Jones] gives you some juice at times. We’re going to try to work him in more and more.”
View all WWHI for Dallas
NY Giants
Sept. 18, 2008 By Eric Edholm
Giants' O-line is in rhythm so far but not there yet, says Coughlin
The Giants’ offensive line was praised as perhaps the best unit — maybe not the five best individual talents, but the most cohesive group — heading into the season by NFL people. Through two games, that sentiment hasn’t changed much. Eli Manning has been sacked four times in 68 pass plays, which is a higher percentage than last season, but the running game has produced a scalding 5.6 yards per carry. ORG Chris Snee finally might be recognized for his ability this season, and ORT Kareem McKenzie is off to a great start. Still, head coach Tom Coughlin sees room for more cohesion. “I think a team can have a rhythm and I think the team — when all 11 [players] are meshing at the same time — can be productive and can appear to be in rhythm. I don’t know that we are always … that everybody is in total sync on every play. … I wouldn’t say we are there. But we are making an attempt to do that.”
View all WWHI for NY Giants
Philadelphia
Sept. 18, 2008 By Eric Edholm
Dawkins willing to take hits amid coverage struggles
A repeated image from Monday night’s 41-37 loss to the Cowboys in Dallas was FS Brian Dawkins struggling in pass coverage. Not only did he fail to get a hand on WR Terrell Owens’ second-quarter touchdown when singled up in man coverage, but Dawkins also failed to help properly on some deep plays. It’s something that critics were concerned about coming into this season, Dawkins’ 13th. He turns 35 in October and might not have the range he once did, but Dawkins told the media he believes he’s better-prepared to play the pass based on his years of film study and sharpened instincts. “Now, I recognize formations and I know where I need to be,” Dawkins said Wednesday. “A lot of times I know where I need to be, but sometimes I make mistakes.” The Eagles might lack a great coverage safety, but Dawkins and Quintin Mikell have tackled well, and the cornerbacks mostly are doing a very good job.
View all WWHI for Philadelphia
Washington
Sept. 19, 2008 By Eric Edholm
Commanders’ passing game makes strides but still needs work
The Commanders were encouraged by the improvement of QB Jason Campbell from the opening-week Giants loss to Week Two’s comeback win over the Saints. There are still plenty of adjustments and improvements that need to be made, but the Commanders got at least one thing they wanted from Campbell.
One of the things that showed up on tape from the Giants loss was that Campbell was letting the pass rush affect his timing and delivery. The coaches wanted him to be able to duck away from or sidestep pressure and still get off his throws — especially downfield — without it affecting the placement of his passes.
The best example of this improvement came on the 67-yard touchdown pass to WR Santana Moss where Campbell took a short step up in the face of pressure and still managed to make a gorgeous throw to Moss downfield.
Campbell also showed more poise in stressful situations. The Commanders trailed 24-15 and were faced with a 2nd-and-22 at their own six-yard line with less than 10 minutes left against the Saints, and on the play the Commanders had the wrong personnel and formation at the line. Instead of panicking or burning a timeout, Campbell calmly hit TE Chris Cooley for a 23-yard play that moved the chains, starting what would be a touchdown drive and leading to a victory.
Still, there are things that Campbell needs to improve on. He missed a few open receivers in the game and didn’t go to Cooley enough until late in the contest. Had Campbell hit WR Anwtaan Randle El in stride on one pass, Randle El likely would have had a touchdown. And there’s the matter of starting slowly and getting in rhythm that has been a struggle for Campbell in both games.
All told, though, the Commanders feel better about their passing prospects for the season than they did after the season-opening loss, and the slow integration of rookie WRs Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly should help.
For now, the offensive line appears to be better at pass blocking than with run blocking. The holes just aren’t there for RB Clinton Portis, at least not the ones he and the coaches expected. He’s still running hard and through would-be tacklers, but the big-play element isn’t there.
View all WWHI for Washington
Whispers — NFC East
Commanders feel compelled to use Moss as punt returner
Sept. 20, 2008
