Wednesday, August 28, 1996

NFC East Capsules
By Bob Rubin
Knight-Ridder Newspapers
(August 28, 1996)

1. DALLAS COWBOYS

Last year: 12-4, 3-0 in playoffs.
Coach, career record: Barry Switzer, 28-9.

Offense: The Cowboys' dynasty - and three Super Bowls in four years makes the term legit - has been based offensively on the Big Three of QB Troy Aikman, RB Emmitt Smith and WR Michael Irvin operating behind the game's best OL. But one spoke of the wheel will be missing the first five games as Irvin serves a suspension for a drug-related arrest, and his absence as the clutch, go-to target will hurt, especially in light of TE Jay Novacek's back injury, which could sideline him for the year. The Cowboys hope the foursome of Deion Sanders, Kevin Williams, Kelvin Martin and rookie Stefret Williams will hold down the fort until Irvin returns. Age is a concern on the line, with OLG Nate Newton 34, OLT Mark Tuinei (who suffered a knee injury in the third exhibition and will likely miss the regular-season opener) 36 and C Ray Donaldson 38.

Defense: Four starters were lost to free agency: DT Russell Maryland, LBs Dixon Edwards and Robert Jones and CB Larry Brown, MVP of January's Super Bowl victory over Pittsburgh. The Cowboys did add LBs Fred Strickland and Broderick Thomas through free agency and traded for S Roger Harper, but, strapped by the cap, they figure to be thinner and weaker overall. The line should be strong at the Ts with Leon Lett and Chad Hennings and at nose with Tony Casillas re-signed, but both DEs, Tony Tolbert (knees) and Charles Haley (back), are coming off injuries. If they're not fully recovered, especially Haley, the pass rush will suffer.

Noteworthy: It took Walter Payton 13 seasons to score his NFL-record 110 rushing touchdowns. After just six years, Smith has 96.

2. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Last year: 10-6, 1-1 in playoffs
Coach, career record: Ray Rhodes, 11-7.

Offense: Strange birds last year, the Eagles were great on the ground but awful in the air. Ricky Watters and Charlie Garner gave them one of the league's best 1-2 RB duos, helping the Eagles finish fourth in rushing. But they were next-to-last in passing with Rodney Peete throwing just eight TD passes. Peete may miss the opener with a sprained knee, leaving the job to Ty Detmer. WRs Irving Fryar and Mark Seay were signed to provide better targets (second-year man Chris T. Jones also had a terrific preseason), and veteran OTs Steve Wallace and Richard Cooper, plus 320-pound No.1 draft choice Jermane Mayberry, should make for better blocking.

Defense: The Eagles were first in the NFC in pass defense and fourth in the NFL in total defense, and have added a good CB in free agent Troy Vincent to go with standout second-year man Bobby Taylor. DE William Fuller and DT Andy Harmon are a high-quality tandem on the left side, accounting for 24 sacks between them last year, but two starting LBs departed, Bill Romanowski and Kurt Gouveia, and must be replaced. Former Packer James Wills will likely get one spot, with Ray Farmer and Marc Woodard vying for the other.

Noteworthy: Mayberry is legally blind in his left eye. Garner led the league in yards per carry (5.44).

3. WASHINGTON REDSKINS

Last year: 6-10
Coach, career record: Norv Turner, 9-23.

Offense: In keeping with tradition, the Redskins have a QB controversy - or had one, until Gus Frerotte, taken in the seventh round of the '94 draft, got the nod over Heath Shuler, the third overall selection that same year. At WR, veteran Henry Ellard (35) is back following back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, and look for a breakout year from Michael Westbrook, the third overall pick of the 1995 draft who was hampered by injuries half of last season. The running game improved from 24th to seventh in the league last year, thanks to Terry Allen's 1,309 yards.

Defense: The addition of free agent DE Sean Gilbert gives a much-needed boost to a line that finished next-to-last in the league against the run last year and has averaged just 15-1/2 sacks over the past three seasons. The LB trio of Pro Bowler Ken Harvey, Rod Stephens and Marvcus Patton is strong, as is the CB duo of old Darrell Green and young Tom Carter.

Noteworthy: Allen, a free agent from the Vikings who signed for $450,000, finished as the league's fifth-leading rusher last year and had to be considered a candidate for steal of the year.

4. NEW YORK GIANTS

Last year: 5-11
Coach, career record: Dan Reeves, 143-105-1.

Offense: The Giants finished dead last in the league in passing, next-to-last in total offense and 24th in scoring last year. Improvement rides mostly on the progress of QB Dave Brown, who is in the put-up-or-else stage as he enters his third season as starter. Help was added at WR by signing free agent and former FSU star Lawrence Dawsey and drafting Michigan's Amani Toomer, who had an impressive preseason. Rodney Hampton and Tyrone Wheatley form a fine one-two punch at RB, but the OL, which lost Jumbo Elliott to free agency, is in disarray.

Defense: The Giants took DE Cedric Jones with their No. 1 draft pick to help a line that was porous against the run (27th in the league) and managed only 29 sacks. The situation at LB, traditionally a Giant strength, is even worse, thanks in good measure to the departure via free agency of Michael Brooks. One bright spot is the secondary, especially CBs Phillipi Sparks, a coming star, and Thomas Randolph. Depth, however, is a problem.

Noteworthy: Last year, the Giants lost four games they were leading going into the fourth quarter, most in the league.

5. ARIZONA CARDINALS

Last year: 4-12
Coach, career record: Vince Tobin, first year.

Offense: Old Boomer Esiason (35) has replaced even older Dave Krieg (37) at QB (Krieg is now the Bears' backup), inheriting an offense that tied for 27th in scoring and finished 29th (next to last) in rushing. RB Garrison Hearst was cut, leaving the starting job to rookie Leeland McElroy and the backup role to speedster LeShon Johnson. Frank Sanders and Rob Moore are respectable WRs and FB Larry Centers last year became the first RB in history to catch more than 100 passes, but will Esiason have time to find them? The line allowed 55 sacks last year, third worst in the league. A bright spot: OLT Lomas Brown, a good one, signed as a free agent.

Defense: Dead last against the run and in points allowed last year, but there is some fine talent to build around in DT Eric Swann (who bounced back from a poor 1994 season), MLB Eric Hill and CB Aeneas Williams. Plus, hopes are high for DE Simeon Rice, the third overall pick of the draft. But there are too many holes to expect dramatic improvement.
Noteworthy: The Cardinals haven't had a winning season since 1984 and haven't won a playoff game since 1947.

(c) 1996, The Miami Herald. Distributed by Knight-Ridder/Tribune Information Services.

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