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Get Dallas Cowboys news on your cellRanking the six key spots in the NFC East
4:46 PM Thu, Sep 06, 2007 | Permalink
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February 2008
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Sports Blogs |
Superstar columnist Jean-Jacques Taylor writes that the Cowboys are as strong at the six most important positions as they've been since the Super Bowl days. JJT's column inspired me to rank the NFC East dudes at these six positions. I used each team's best CB, pass rusher and WR and went with the RB tandems for these rankings. I totaled the rankings, giving four points for the best and one for the worst. QB: Donovan McNabb (Eagles), Tony Romo (Cowboys), Eli Manning (Giants), Jason Campbell (Redskins) WR: Terrell Owens (Cowboys), Plaxico Burress (Giants), Santana Moss (Redskins), Reggie Brown (Eagles) RB: Clinton Portis/Ladell Betts (Redskins), Julius Jones/Marion Barber (Cowboys), Brian Westbrook/Correll Buckhalter (Eagles), Brandon Jacobs/Reuben Droughns (Giants) LT: Chris Samuels (Redskins), William Thomas (Eagles), Flozell Adams (Cowboys), David Diehl (Giants) Pass rusher: DeMarcus Ware (Cowboys), Osi Umenyiora (Giants), Jevon Kearse (Eagles), Andre Carter (Redskins) CB: Lito Sheppard (Eagles), Terence Newman (Cowboys), Shawn Springs (Redskins), Sam Madison (Giants) Total: Cowboys 19, Eagles 16, Redskins 14, Giants 11 |
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Comments
Posted by Fred @ 5:10 PM Thu, Sep 06, 2007
Funny you chose to make RB a tandem to help your arguement. I would like to see the rankings as individual RBs as you did with the rest.
Posted by Kingcapper @ 5:14 PM Thu, Sep 06, 2007
This is a 50 dollars pick, but to brother's of the blog, it is free:
Colts/Saints under 53
Posted by Tim MacMahon @ 5:26 PM Thu, Sep 06, 2007
Fred, what's my argument? I picked Philly to win the division.
Just for you, here's how I'd rank the top RBs from each NFC East team:
1. Brian Westbrook
2. Clinton Portis
3. Marion Barber
4. Brandon "Big Mouth" Jacobs
Posted by jimbo @ 5:54 PM Thu, Sep 06, 2007
Portis/Betts? Is Portis really that good? Since he has been with the Redskins he averages high 3's low 4's yds per carry. It is a long way away from the Denver 5.5 yds per carry. JJ averages about the same, and he probably isn't event the best back on the 'boys. Plus Portis gets more that 100 more carries per season.
Posted by Alan in Lubbock @ 6:00 PM Thu, Sep 06, 2007
Do you REALLY think Reggie BRown is better than Terry Glenn?
Go back to your Fantasy Draft.
Receivers-
1) TO
2) Plexico/Moss toss-up
4) Glenn
5) Brown
Posted by Wade @ 6:49 PM Thu, Sep 06, 2007
Did you really put Lito Shepherd ahead of Terence Newman or is that a mistake? That's absolutely nuts if that's the case.
Posted by bhud @ 7:11 PM Thu, Sep 06, 2007
Lito Shepherd would rank ahead of a majority of the CB's in the NFL. Or perhaps I've just missed those pro bowls that Newman has played in. For the fifth pick of the draft, I hoped for more. I bet Jerry did too. Perhaps he will show it in the future, although on a gimpy foot, it's doubtful that it will be this year.
Posted by Rolando @ 7:20 PM Thu, Sep 06, 2007
Tim, I respect your positions -- but, come on, who are we kidding? Newman is at least as good as Lito. Eagle DB's look considerably better only because of Dawkings and their excellent pass rush -- Newman is largely regarded as a shutdown corner that offensive coordinators simply don't throw to.
And, yeah, you can make the argument all day that SINGLE RB's should be ranked, but tandems, particularly in our division, are much more indicative of a team's rushing ability. Consider that for the Giants and Eagles, there is literally no one to run the ball behind Jacobs and Westbrook, respectively. Droughns? Are you KIDDING ME? Please -- I think Coughlin would "cough" up his lower intestine if he had to rely on Droughns for his rushing attack. And behind Westbrook, Philly has a largely ineffective backup in Buckhalter.
Now, on the other hand, if you lose Barber or Portis, JJ and Betts are actually pretty strong running candidates. Betts for sure proved he could take over the load late last season after Portis went down, and JJ has always been considered the first and second down back 'round these here parts, getting "pulled" only because of the strength of Barber's running style.
If anything, combos are MORE significant than single RB rankings; you have to take into account who's going to spell that starter, since your team, at least in today's NFL, can't get to the top without a combination of backs (see: Chicago (Jones/Benson, Indianapolis Rhodes/Addai, New Orleans Bush/McCallister, Jacksonville Tayler/Jones-Drew, Giants Barber/Jacobs, etc, and of course Dallas Barber/Jones.)
Posted by kingcapper @ 10:38 PM Thu, Sep 06, 2007
Colts 41
Saints 10....under 53.
1 and 0. Ride me boys, and you'll break the bookies! Tim and Todd, this is my way of giving back. I am the best there ever was.
Posted by Richard Lauer @ 12:06 AM Fri, Sep 07, 2007
What a bunch of BS. The Cowboys look pretty good on paper. On paper they are an accomplished bunch. In fact though, very few have SHOWN that they're as good on the field as they are on paper.Maybe the whole NFL should be done on paper! Good idea? Maybe we all ought to just quit reading jjt.
Posted by tim @ 4:06 AM Fri, Sep 07, 2007
Osi is by far the best passrusher in the nfc east!
Posted by Fred @ 7:19 AM Fri, Sep 07, 2007
Tim,
Appreciate the response. After all, you are right, I am just a Giants fan trolling for news. (I assume you knew this from the "bigmouth" comment). I think Jacobs is really going to impress a lot of people Sunday, but Good Luck!
FYI: Derrick Ward is our 2nd string RB. RD is at FB now.
Posted by JR @ 11:01 AM Fri, Sep 07, 2007
King - give me a lock for Sunday/Monday, pls!
Posted by victorb @ 11:16 AM Fri, Sep 07, 2007
This blog is full of those who really seem to believe that Barber is far superior to JJ.
Don't forget - JJ was used last year to wear the defense out and Barber was playing mostly in passing and goaline offense. Of course he looks better.
I suppose most of you would also say that Reggie Bush should be carrying the load in New Orleans over Deuce?
Don't forget JJs first couple of years when he was featured and on the field (read: not injured). He certainly looked like the man.
I wouldn't be surprised to see him dominate this year.
Posted by KIngcapper @ 1:23 PM Fri, Sep 07, 2007
Jr and fellow blogger brother's:
Rams/Panthers over 42. This line will most likely move up, so get it now before it does.
1 and 0 as of today. (not bragging, this just helps me keep track of current record. Hey, what can I say,,the 70's were good to me!)
Posted by Calhoun @ 1:32 PM Fri, Sep 07, 2007
Kingcapper, I took a shot and took your under pick. I was going to go over, and I am glad I didnt. Sweet pickin Kingcapper. May I have another sir?
Posted by Gerald @ 3:02 PM Fri, Sep 07, 2007
Hit 3 in a row, and I'll pay attention.