NFL Combine Greets NFC East Teams With Various Needs

Filed under: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Redskins, NFC East

More than six weeks after their last member was eliminated from contention in 2010, the coaches, scouts and general managers of the four NFC East teams converged on Indianapolis Wednesday for the start of the 2011 Scouting Combine.

As was the case last season when the eventual division champion Philadelphia Eagles and the runner-up New York Giants battled for supremacy while the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins simply tried to avoid finishing last, the NFC East quartet is really more like a pair of pairs.

The Eagles and Giants both appear to be primarily looking to strengthen their battered and/or aging offensive lines with their first-round selections, Nos. 23 and 19, respectively, in April's draft. Right tackle Winston Justice's knee surgery this week only added to that focus in Philadelphia, which played virtually all of 2010 without center Jamaal Jackson while right guard Nick Cole became a hobbled backup. New York played most of last season without center Shaun O'Hara, 33. Left guard Rich Seubert, 31, blew out a knee in the season finale. Left tackle David Diehl, 30, also missed extensive time in 2010.

On the other hand, the Cowboys and the Redskins need to fix their messes on the other side of the ball. Despite returning nearly all its starters and staying very healthy, Dallas crashed from one of the NFL's top defenses in 2009 to one of the worst in 2010. New coordinator Rob Ryan can only fix so much.

Although new coach Jason Garrett could push for help for the aging offensive line, the weak secondary has to be the priority with the ninth overall pick. Cornerback Terence Newman, the unit's top player, didn't have a great 2010 season and will be 33 before the start of the 2011 season. Fellow cornerback Michael Jenkins seemingly bought into those telling how good he is and the safeties were simply lousy.

Any kind of negative adjective probably applies to Washington's defense in 2010. Playmakers DeAngelo Hall and Brian Orakpo barely made a play in the second half of the season after physical safety LaRon Landry was sidelined. The line, which was supposed to be led by Mr. Malcontent, Albert Haynesworth, was unproductive to say the least.

Inside linebacker London Fletcher remained a joy to watch, but he'll be 36 in May. A lockout could actually help the Redskins if the likelihood of greatly curtailed offseason workouts and training camp convinces coach Mike Shanahan to bypass a quarterback with the 10th overall choice and go for more immediate defensive help.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2011/02/23/nfc-east-teams/

Denver Nuggets San Diego Chargers