Thursday, August 27, 1998

NFC East Preview: Giants look defensive; Cowboys' OL still questionable

By H.W. Siner

Newspaper Enterprise Association

Dee-fense! It's the key to victory in the NFC East. This division hasn't been putting a lot of points on the board. The edge remains with New York's Big Blue - despite an improved defensive line in Washington.

Going into the 1998 season, here's a look at the division, listing the teams in their approximate order of strength.

1. NEW YORK GIANTS: This franchise is tied at 24 with Dallas as the NFL's all-time leader in postseason berths. Last season, coach Jim Fassel's Giants became the first NFC club ever to go undefeated in its division.

New York was third in the league in points allowed in 1997, but 21st in points scored. Now young QB Danny Kanell can look for WR Ike Hilliard, coming off an injury. FB Charles Way is a star. RG Ron Stone blocks hardest.

CB Jason Sehorn and LB Corey Miller are out for 1998 with injuries. So DLs Michael Strahan and Robert Harris, plus LB Jesse Armstead, must step up.

2. WASHINGTON REDSKINS: Big-money DTs Dana Stubblefield (15 sacks) and Dan Wilkinson were brought in to save coach Norv Turner's 'Skins. Washington was eighth in the NFL in points allowed - but just 28th vs. the run.

LB Ken Harvey and CB Darrell Green made the Pro Bowl team, even though the duo isn't getting any younger. Neither is veteran CB Cris Dishman.

QB Gus Frerotte has yet to learn accuracy and consistency. WRs Michael Westbrook and Leslie Shepherd, who combined for just 63 catches, must stay healthy. That goes for RB Terry Allen, too. Tre Johnson is the top blocker.

3. DALLAS COWBOYS: New coach Chan Gailey's No. 1 job is to fix the offense. Dallas had the NFL's lowest TD rate (35.2 percent) from inside the 20-yard line. The Cowboys wound up 22nd in 1997 in total points scored.

QB Troy Aikman is still very highly regarded. He needs a target to go with WR Michael Irvin (75 catches) and TE David LaFleur. Imported RB Chris Warren can ease the load on Emmitt Smith (1,074 yards, but just 4 TDs).

Despite Pro Bowlers Larry Allen and Erik Williams, the OL needs help.

Tops on defense: CB Deion Sanders, SS Darren Woodson and RT Leon Lett.

4. ARIZONA CARDINALS: Not since 1984 have the Cards had a winning year. Last season, they were 25th in the league in points scored and points allowed.

Coach Vince Tobin (11-21 with Arizona) needs a break. The Cardinals lost three games in overtime in 1997 and three others by a total of five points.

They had two Pro Bowl picks: WR Rob Moore led the NFL with 1,584 receiving yards; DB Aeneas Williams has the most NFL interceptions (27) since 1994.

Eric Swann and Simeon Rice were to get help on the DL by rookie holdout Andre Wadsworth. Second-year QB Jake Plummer is still unproven.

5. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: Ray Rhodes is another NFC East coach looking for a consistent attack. His Eagles were fifth in the league in total offense, but just 19th in scoring. The defense - 24th in points allowed - was worse.

Aging WR Irving Fryar (86 catches, 1,316 yards) can still play. Third-year QB Bobby Hoying (11 TD passes) is developing. RB Charlie Garner is averaging 4.7 yards per carry. But the offensive line isn't much.

On defense, DBs Troy Vincent and Brian Dawkins have the most talent. Import DL Hugh Douglas and LB William Thomas are also key figures.

NFC EAST in 1997: NEW YORK, 10-5-1 (champion); WASHINGTON, 8-7-1; PHILADELPHIA, 6-9-1; DALLAS, 6-10; ARIZONA, 4-12.

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