Friday, August 23, 1996

East Preview: Cowboys still have what it takes
By Howard Siner
Newspaper Enterprise Assn.
(August 23, 1996)

Dallas figures to dominate the NFC East again. Where the rest of the pack will finish in only a so-so bunch is anybody's guess.

Going into the 1996 NFL season, here's a preview of the division.

Vince Tobin, Arizona's new head coach, is a defensive ace. DT Eric Swann, MLB Eric Hill and CB Aeneas Williams stand out. Rookie DE-LB Simeon Rice is promising. But the Cards were 30th in the NFL in points allowed in 1995.

On offense, Arizona tied for 27th in points scored last season. Boomer Esiason is the team's ninth starting QB in nine seasons. Larry Centers had 101 receptions, an NFL record for RBs. Import OT Lomas Brown helps a lot.

Despite off-the-field woes, the Super Bowl champs still have the most talented team in the NFL. Dallas was third in both points scored and points allowed. Coach Barry Switzer's worries: free-agency losses, aging OL stars.

QB Troy Aikman and RB Emmitt Smith (1,773 yards) better not miss much action. WR Michael Irvin is suspended (five games); TE Jay Novacek has a bad back. DB-WR Deion Sanders is hot stuff. But the Cowboys defense might slip.

Coach Dan Reeves is going in the wrong direction. He's taken New York from 11-5 to 9-7 to 5-11. But the Giants had the league's toughest schedule last season. And they lost six times after fourth-quarter leads or ties.

All of the Giants' top stars are under 30. QB Dave Brown and his rebuilding OL have a long way to go. The Giants were last in the NFL in passing yards per game. RB Rodney Hampton is the key weapon. The DBs lack support.

This club's MVP is coach Ray Rhodes. He reached the playoffs with a team that was only 21st in the NFL in points scored and 15th in points allowed. Small QBs Ty Detmer and Rodney Peete don't have strong enough arms.

But RBs Ricky Watters (1,273 yards) and Charlie Garner (588 yards) lead a solid ground attack. The OL could be OK. WRs? TEs? Don't ask. DE William Fuller, OLB William Thomas and CB Troy Vincent could use some more help.

The 'Skins (6-10) won three of their last four games, including their second victory of '95 vs. Dallas. But coach Norv Turner must stick with either Gus Frerotte (consistency?) or Heath Shuler (durability?) at quarterback.

RB Terry Allen (1,309 yards) and WR Henry Ellard (1,005 yards) are fine. However, the OL is lackluster. Import DT Sean Gilbert upgrades the defense, which has plenty of room to improve. Its No. 1 star: OLB Ken Harvey.

NFC EAST in 1995: DALLAS, 12-4 (champion); PHILADELPHIA, 10-6 (wild card); WASHINGTON, 6-10; NEW YORK GIANTS, 5-11; ARIZONA, 4-12.

Copyright1996 NEWSPAPER ENTERPRISE ASSN.

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