The New Guys: NFC East

With the second installment of “The New Guys,” we will take a look at the NFC East, which features the Philadelphia Eagles as the dominant force. The Redskins, Cowboys, and Giants all had disappointing seasons last year, but all three look to try to challenge the reigning NFC East champs. Each team’s fate will be decided partially by the rookies who are brought in through the draft. Who did the Eagles add to defend their crown? What did the other teams do to catch up? Let’s take a look.

Washington Redskins

Carlos Rogers (Round 1, CB, Auburn): Rogers has all the tools: 4.42 speed combined with ridiculous leaping ability (40 pass deflections in his career). In addition, he is extremely receptive to coaching and takes well to criticism. His problem, as described by his college coaches, is that his confidence exceeds his ability and it can show through his lackluster coverage at times. This was evident in the Redskins’ preseason game against Cincinnati, where he was burned by both TJ Houshmandzadeh and Kelley Washington on consecutive fly patterns. Rogers can ease into his role, however, as he will start his career behind Walt Harris at the left cornerback spot. He should develop into an impact player after he adjusts.

Jason Campbell (Round 1, QB, Auburn): Many questioned the ‘Skins when they traded up into the late first round to grab Campbell. However, Campbell is huge for a QB (6′5″), which will allow him to easily to see over the defense. He is also very mobile for a man his size, and is very willing to run when the opportunity presents itself. His ability to throw improved immensely in his senior year, but he still has a tougher time throwing on the run. Campbell also needs to be led through a game; he doesn’t have the leadership or confidence to call his own plays or take control of an NFL game as of yet. Jason will be third on the chart behind Patrick Ramsey and Mark Brunell to start the season, but it is obvious that the Redskins are not satisfied with either of them as long-term solutions, so Campbell will get his shot down the road.

Manuel White (Round 4, FB, UCLA): White is a strong inside runner with good instincts. He is not fast enough to run to the outside effectively, but he is a quality blocker and can be used in I-form situations. The Redskins had planned to use him as an H-back this season. Unfortunately, White will see no action this year after fracturing his fibula in the preseason game against Baltimore. White was place on IR on September 2.

Robert McCune (Round 5, MLB, Louisville): McCune earned First Team All-Conference USA honors in 2004, with an impressive 115 total tackles. He is probably the fastest linebacker in the draft, running an unbelievable 4.41 40-yard dash while on campus. Is he a skilled pass rusher? No. Is he a menacing run-stopper? No. McCune is just always around the ball. Besides his speed, he is not especially athletically gifted, he simply has a knack for being where there is a play to be made, a true asset on the field. McCune could see time behind Lemar Marshall at the MLB spot this year.

Jared Newberry (Round 6, OLB, Stanford): Newberry was drafted for OLB depth. Initially, the Redskins were going to ease him into the fray by using him on special teams, but he did not fit into the team’s plans. He was released during the first round of cuts on August 29.

Nehemiah Broughton (Round 7, FB, The Citadel): Broughton was a top back at The Citadel. He sat out 2003 with an ACL tear, but he returned with a bang in 2004 with 788 yards on 179 carries. He can also be utilized as a blocking back when he is not running the ball. Broughton’s role on the team is still uncertain. He is making a run at making the team, and Manuel White’s injury may open up an FB or H-back spot for him.

Philadelphia Eagles

Mike Patterson (Round 1, DT, USC): Nicknamed “Baby Sapp” because his play is so much like veteran Warren Sapp, Patterson comes to Philadelphia where he is expected to jump right into the lineup. Pattern is ridiculously strong (benching over 500 pounds) as well as quick. There are very few flaws in Patterson’s game, as he has shown this preseason. The only concern is his size (5′11″), but the Eagles seem to think he can easily overcome this minor problem. This pick allowed Corey Simon to be expendable. Patterson will split time with Sam Rayburn at first, but he will soon take over primary duties.

Reggie Brown (Round 2, WR, Georgia): The Eagles intended to grab an impact WR in this draft, and they did that in round two. Brown has adequate size at 6′1″, and is plenty fast enough for the NFL with a 4.46 40-yard dash. He is very technical on his short and moderate routes, but he tends not to run crisp routes on deep patterns, choosing instead to try to use his pure speed (which will not work in the NFL). Brown was initially buried on the depth chart, but with the release of Freddie Mitchell and the season-ending injury to Todd Pinkston, Brown has shot up to the #3 receiver spot. The rookie has looked good thus far in the preseason, and the Eagles will need him to match this production once the games start to count.

Matthew McCoy (Round 2, OLB, San Diego St.): McCoy left college a year early to test the draft waters. He was rewarded with a second round choice by the Eagles. McCoy has fluid movements and is a solid tackler all over the field. However, he is not exactly fast for an NFL linebacker, and will need to add muscle to shed blockers at the pro level. McCoy is currently listed third on the depth chart at OLB, behind Keith Adams and Mark Simoneau.

Ryan Moats (Round 3, RB, Louisiana Tech): Moats is a Brian Westbrook-type back, shifty, quick, and stronger than you would think. Moats averaged an astounding 6.4 yards per carry at Louisiana Tech (along with 28 touchdowns). He comes across as a virtual Westbrook clone: short (5′9″), but very fast. He is not a power runner, but one who will beat his opponents to the outside. Due to the season-ending injury suffered by Correll Buckhalter, Moats will see time behind Westbrook.

Sean Considine (Round 4, FS, Iowa): Considine was a former walk-on at Iowa, but he was a team captain by the time he left. Sean can be used all over the field: he can tackle (157 tackles in his career), cover (six interceptions and 13 deflections), and serve as a very valuable special teams player (five blocked kicks while at Iowa). He will need to improve his man coverage skills, however, as he does not do enough to interfere with opponents’ routes. Therefore, look for Considine to play exclusively in zone situations during his rookie year. Considine will backup Michael Lewis at strong safety.

Todd Herremans (Round 4, OT, Saginaw Valley St.): Herremans could be a very good find. There is some concern with the lower-level competition he faced in college, but Herremans has NFL talent. He is athletic, quick, and strong enough for the position. Some scouts worry that he lacks the killer instinct that linemen should possess. They feel he is not aggressive enough and may be overwhelmed in the NFL. Herremans is a project, but will be an essential part of the Eagles team in a couple of years. He will back up Tra Thomas at the left tackle spot.

Trent Cole (Round 5, OLB, Cincinnati): Cole was always a solid player, but he stepped onto the scene in 2004, registering 68 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and 22 tackles for losses (fourth in the nation). He played DE at Cincinnati, but his size (6′2″, 257 pounds) suggests that he may make the transition to linebacker during his pro career. Do not expect Cole to see much playing time before that transition, however, because he will have to get used to the nuances of pass coverage first. If Cole can make a successful move, he could be an impact player since he is already a force against the run. Cole is listed third at left defensive end, but that will change if he makes the team.

Scott Young (Round 5, G, BYU): Young, while having little experience at guard (having only played the position at BYU for two years), is an exciting player due to his sheer power. He benches nearly 540 pounds, and it showed during his college career. His time on the defensive line has helped him make the move, because he understands the position and uses his opponents’ aggressiveness to his advantage. Young’s biggest problem is technique. Crafty defensive linemen are able to get him off-balance and off his feet at times. In addition, he is not yet able to decipher defenses, and tends to concentrate solely on the man in front of him. If Young can make the team, he will start the season third on the chart at right guard.

Calvin Armstrong (Round 6, OT, Washington St.): Philadelphia really likes Armstrong, and at 6′7″, 325 pounds, there is reason to be excited. At times, he was able to simply overpower his opponents in college. This will not be the case in the NFL. Armstrong is raw when it comes to technique. He is relatively slow off the snap, and has a small arsenal of moves to use against the defensive line. Armstrong is a raw talent, but if he develops, watch out. He is expected to start the season behind Jon Runyan at RT.

Keyonta Marshall (Round 7, DT, Grand Valley St.): Marshall is an imposing run-stopper and can contain any rusher between the tackles. At 330 pounds, however, Marshall isn’t particularly quick, and contributes next to nothing to the pass rush. He is usually only effective in a small area. The Eagles are attempting to help Marshall drop a couple pounds so that he can be instrumental in the pass rush. Marshall will fight to make the team, and he is unofficially listed third at right defensive end for now.

David Bergeron (Round 7, ILB, Stanford): Bergeron is not particularly powerful for a middle linebacker, but he is a very solid tackler in all aspects of the game. However, the Eagles felt they were deep enough at the position, and Bergeron was released during the first round of cuts on August 27.

Dallas Cowboys

Demarcus Ware (Round 1, DE, Troy St.): Ware played primarily as a DE at Troy State, but will start at one of the OLB spots as a rookie in the NFL. Ware has very few flaws. He runs a 4.5, can bench well over 400 pounds, and has a 38.5 vertical leap. His speed, size, and athleticism were only overshadowed by the fact that he played at a smaller school like Troy State In 43 games in college, he racked up 193 total tackles, 27.5 sacks, and 74 pressures. Ware will have to work on playing in various zone defenses, and will have problems with effective play-action passers, but the sky is the limit for him. The move to LB shouldn’t take too long and he should fit right in with the defense. He should be a dominant defensive force in a few years.

Marcus Spears (Round 1, DE, Louisiana St.): Spears can play several positions (he was actually rated the nation’s best TE prospect coming out of high school). He eventually found his niche at DE in 2002. It all came together in his senior year in 2004, however, when he registered 49 tackles, 9 sacks, and 17 tackles for losses. Spears’ past injuries are a concern, but he appears to be over them. Fortunately, his size and speed are molded to play in a 3-4 format, which is the defense he will find himself in while in Dallas. Spears is officially listed behind Kenyon Coleman at DE (according to NFL.com), but he will see plenty of time as he works his way into the fold. In this 3-4 scheme, Spears could also play LB if needed.

Kevin Burnett (Round 2, OLB, Tennessee): Burnett is very speedy for a linebacker, clocking in at a 4.63 40-yard dash. He proved himself by turning in 120 tackles last year, demonstrating that his season-ending injury in 2002 is nothing but a distant memory. He is very willing to learn, so Bill Parcells should mentor him into the position nicely. He is much more effective in run-stopping, as he can get confused when he is involved in elaborate coverage schemes. Burnett will back up Alshermond Singleton at the right OLB spot, but should grab a good amount of time. It would not surprise me to see Burnett getting the majority of the action by the end of this season.

Marion Barber III (Round 4, RB, Minnesota): Barber adds some power to the Dallas running game. In Minnesota, he ended his career with 3,276 yards on just 575 carries (an astounding 5.7 ypc) and 35 touchdowns (all while splitting carries with Laurence Maroney). He is strictly a power runner who consistently moves forward. He may be used in the passing game, but he will have to work on his hands first. Barber will start third on the chart behind Julius Jones and Anthony Thomas. He may see time in the red zone this year if the A-Train is unable to handle backup and goal line duties.

Chris Canty (Round 4, DE, Virginia): Canty was a highly touted prospect until he tore a ligament in his left knee that ended his 2004 season. A bar fight in January that was said to slightly impair his vision didn’t help his stock much, either. He is not especially quick off the snap, but makes up for it with his size (6′7″) and his sheer athleticism. Canty only started 26 games in his career, but he put up very impressive numbers (including 24 tackles for losses). Canty also has extensive experience in a 3-4 scheme, which is the defensive set that Dallas is expected to use this year. He will serve as veteran Greg Ellis’ backup for now, but he will be an important part of the defense in the future as long as his past injuries are truly behind him.

Justin Beriault (Round 6, FS, Ball St.): Beriault is experienced at his position, starting 45 of 46 games at Ball State. He ended his career with 508 total tackles (267 solo), and four interceptions. He is an imposing physical and mental specimen, employing a very strong build and an innate knowledge of the game to his advantage. He is not yet athletic enough, though, and his average speed (4.59 40-yard) doesn’t help. He is big enough at 6′2″, but his development will take a while. He will see limited time this year as Roy Williams’ backup at strong safety.

Rob Petitti (Round 6, OT, Pittsburgh): Petitti is huge. At 6′6″, 347 pounds, he often dominated smaller competition at Pittsburgh. Petitti is also surprisingly quick and elusive for his size. In fact, Pittsburgh position coach Bill Bleil often referred to him as “a fast twitch” for his ability to get off the line. Petitti’s classic downside is his chronic weight problem, which has caused him to become a non-factor - even a liability - late in games. He will have to curb this stamina problem quickly in the NFL, or else Parcells may send him packing. According to both cbssportsline.com and dallascowboys.com, Petitti is currently listed as the starting right tackle in front of Torrin Tucker. If this depth chart outlook holds into the season, this position could become a huge weakness for Dallas (especially late in games), barring a change in Petitti’s weight and stamina.

Jay Ratliff (Round 7, DE, Auburn): Ratliff is very strong, and is more effective against the run rather than rushing the passer, although he is adept at both. Unfortunately, not only is he not big enough to play tackle in the NFL, but he also lacks the quickness to be an effective defensive end. He will have to adjust in some way if he is to have a productive future in the league. He is much better attacking the opposition head-on, as opposed to using lateral movement (he will also have to become more flexible in this way). He is currently listed third on the Dallas depth chart at left defensive tackle.

New York Giants

Corey Webster (Round 2, CB, Louisiana St.): Webster, a former wide receiver, translated his skills to corner at LSU. He finished his career with an impressive 16 interceptions. He uses his experience at WR to help him, which is obvious by his ability to read receiver’s routes and to disrupt these routes using his physical nature. He is, however, weak at run-stopping, and has a tough time deciphering a play after the snap. Webster will start as a third-stringer at the left CB position, but don’t be surprised if he sees a little time this year on obvious passing downs.

Justin Tuck (Round 3, DE, Notre Dame): Some prognosticators had Tuck pegged for a late first or early second round selection, but the Giants were able to grab him in the third. He broke out in 2003 with 13 sacks, but fell off the radar in 2004 with a mere six sacks (due to both constant double-teams and knee surgery). However, he grabbed a school record 24.5 sacks during his time at Notre Dame. Despite his rough senior year, Tuck is an NFL player. Even though he is undersized for a DE (260 pounds), he is tall (6′5″), fast (4.56), and surprisingly powerful. With Michael Strahan as his mentor at the position, Tuck could eventually become a force to be reckoned with in the NFL.

Brandon Jacobs (Round 4, RB, Southern Illinois): Jacobs is a bruiser. At 6′3″, 250 pounds, he adds a power dimension to the Giant running game. There have already been talks of engineering the thunder/lightning tactic with Tiki Barber that is reminiscent of his days with Ron Dayne (although we all know how that turned out). Jacobs is listed fourth on some depth charts, but the reality is that he will probably back up Barber and take some goal-line carries. Jacobs’ impressive preseason performances have justified this swift move up the depth chart.

Eric Moore (Round 6, DE, Florida St.): Moore, at 6′4″ and 255 pounds, may struggle at DE early in his career before he puts on some weight. He is ineffective against power runners and on any plays between the tackles. He is much better as either a pass-rusher or chasing the ball-carrier to the outside. Giants coaches have considered moving him to LB, but they think that the adjustment would be too time-consuming. Instead, he will serve as Osi Umenyiora’s backup while he bulks up.

 
During the 2005 season, Dave McGrath will present an in-depth fantasy preview of his weekly Spotlight Games.