NFL
2008 NFL Draft Needs: NFC East
Already in arguably the toughest division in professional football, teams from the NFC East are hoping to make it a little tougher after Draft Day by adding top-notch talent to their teams.
Dallas Cowboys (13-3 in 2007)
Head Coach: Wade Phillips (2nd year)
Dallas ended the regular season looking like the team to beat in the NFC, at it turns out they were the team for the New York Giants to beat. But, the Cowboys are stocked full of talent on both sides of the ball and look like real contenders for 2008.
Draft Day Needs
1. Cornerback: The Cowboys’ inability to cover opponents down the field was exposed in their playoff loss to the Giants last season. With one of their two first round picks, they need to grab someone who can consistently cover opposite Terrence Newman next year.
2. Running Back: Sure, the ‘Boys are returning Pro Bowl power back Marion Barber, but the departure of Julius Jones leaves a glaring hole in the backfield for someone to fill.
3. Wide Receiver: Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn aren’t getting any younger, and Patrick Crayton dropped a few too many key passes last year to make Cowboys fans comfortable.
New York Giants (10-6 in 2007)
Head Coach: Tom Coughlin (5th year)
Who can forget the magical 2007 season that saw the G-Men defeat the undefeated New England Patriots to claim Super Bowl glory? It better be the Giants front office, which has several areas to address if they want to have a chance at repeating.
Draft Day Needs
1. Safety: Last year’s starting free safety Gibril Wilson signed with the Raiders, and veteran Sammy Knight was signed to replace him, but the Giants need to look towards the future and add a talented young safety.
2. Linebacker: Losing free agents is the lot for every Super Bowl champ, and starter Kawika Mitchell and top back-up Reggie Torbor need to be replaced.
3. Cornerback: The Giants need to add depth, given that they had to deal with multiple injuries at the position last season. You can never have enough quality depth, especially in the secondary.
Philadelphia Eagles (8-8 in 2007)
Head Coach: Andy Reid (10th year)
After winning the NFC East in 2006, the Eagles took a step back last season, falling to .500, their second non-winning season in three years. That just won’t do in Philly, and the Eagles have already busied themselves in the free agent market to prove it.
Draft Day Needs
1. Wide Receiver: Missing out on Randy Moss hurts, but the position is pretty deep in this year’s draft. Getting a couple of capable receivers could do a world of good for quarterback Donovan McNabb.
2. Defensive End: The Eagles need to add somone to get after the quarterback. Last season saw the disappointing end of rush specialist Jevon Kearse in an Eagles uniform.
3. Offensive Line: The big nasties up front could use a shot of youthful enthusiasm to bolster the ranks. Protecting McNabb should be a high priority, after 49 sacks were allowed in 2007, including an inexcusable 12 in a Week 4 loss to the Giants.
Washington Redskings (9-7 in 2007)
Head Coach: Jim Zorn (1st year)
Washington finished down the stretch to earn an unlikely playoff berth in a season that saw the Redskins deal with adversity both on and off the field. After their elimination in the wildcard round, Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs retired, and after an extensive coaching search, newly-hired offensive coordinator Jim Zorn was bumped up to head coach. For the first-year (and first-time) coach, the cupboard isn’t bare, but it isn’t exactly full either.
Draft Day Needs
1. Wide Receiver: Developing QB Jason Campbell desperately needs a playmaker who can stretch the field on gameday.
2. Offensive Line: Their starting unit isn’t young by any means, and there is little in the way of depth behind them.
3. Defensive Line: Three starters over 30 and a need for a playmaker on this side of the ball make this a high priority for Washington on Draft Day.
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