Minicamp Review: NFC East
Dallas Cowboys - There were rumors all spring that the Cowboys might move Marion Barber back to his old "closer" role and start Felix Jones. Jones couldn't make it through six games last year, however, and while he undoubtedly offers explosive ability, MBIII is Dallas' fantasy back to own by a mile. As a three-down player with upside to lead the NFL in touchdowns, Barber is robbery in the second round of any draft. His fluky 2008 toe injury is healed, but still causing him to be undervalued.
Patrick Crayton ran as the Cowboys' first-team flanker while Miles Austin nursed a hamstring injury at OTAs. Austin will be healthy by camp, but it would've been nice for him to make a mark already. Roy Williams is now Dallas' split end -- where Terrell Owens used to play. It's typically the featured position in coordinator Jason Garrett's offense.
Aside from Williams, Jason Witten will benefit from T.O.'s departure more than any Cowboy. Witten is the favorite for Owens' old targets around the goal line. ... Greg Ellis' release opens the door for 2007 first-round pick Anthony Spencer to start at left outside linebacker. He'll see single teams opposite 2008 sack leader DeMarcus Ware. ... Mike Jenkins is dead on. He's the favorite to start at right corner in Dallas, because Orlando Scandrick is better in the slot. Still, expect Jenkins to be picked on all year.
New York Giants - Domenik Hixon and Steve Smith ran as the Giants' starting wideouts at minicamps and figure to keep the jobs into Week 1. Sinorice Moss is already hurt. First-round pick Hakeem Nicks and top deep threat Mario Manningham could make this a receiver-by-committee. After looking slow off the line of scrimmage at spring practices, third-rounder Ramses Barden won't be counted on.
The latest on Plaxico Burress (who won't be back with the Giants) is that he'll be suspended indefinitely ala Donte' Stallworth and Michael Vick. Burress drew some interest from 4-5 teams before this revelation. Not surprisingly, pursuit of the 32-year-old wideout has died since. Don't draft him.
New defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan's tenure is off to a rocky start. He's already lost weak-side linebacker Michael Boley to hip surgery and a one-game suspension, and pass-rushing DT Fred Robbins is a candidate for PUP after offseason microfracture surgery. ... The Giants are reportedly considering making Eli Manning the richest quarterback in the league. GM Jerry Reese is the best in the business, making this one even more of a head scratcher. ... Quietly, Brandon Jacobs is climbing up our running back ranks. Reese wants him to carry it more.
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Philadelphia Eagles - Brian Westbrook is the biggest red-flag risk in the early rounds of any fantasy draft. He's recovering from two leg surgeries (ankle, knee), is in danger of missing the entire preseason, and turns 30 before Week 1. Scariest of all, Westbrook's breakdown might already have happened. Owner of a 4.6 career YPC, he's averaged 2.9 yards per carry in his last six games, including the playoffs. The Eagles realized this and made LeSean McCoy the 53rd overall pick. Let someone else draft Westbrook this summer.
The Eagles are trying to get first-round pick Jeremy Maclin comfortable at both outside receiver positions after he mainly played in the slot at Missouri. Still, don't expect much year-one impact aside from returns. He won't beat out Kevin Curtis or DeSean Jackson. Curtis has recovered from his "clean-up" groin procedure and will push Jackson hard to regain his billing as Philly's No. 1 receiver. Curtis is a prime sleeper candidate.
Brent Celek is entrenched as Philadelphia's every-down tight end after a dominant postseason (19/151/3 in three playoff games). He's an obvious breakout candidate, and further demonstrates the depth at the position in fantasy. ... New fullback Leonard Weaver thinks he's a candidate for goal-line carries in the Birds' backfield. The key word here is thinks. Weaver has one career rushing touchdown and coach Andy Reid isn't going to make his play calls predictable by inserting a 242-pound plodder in favor of one of his versatile tailbacks in goal-to-go situations.
Washington Redskins - The most intriguing position battle in Washington is at wideout between Devin Thomas and Antwaan Randle El. The Skins desperately want (see: need) Thomas to make good on his 2008 draft status, and he stood out this spring before an unlucky hamstring pull. This battle will rage deep into August, but we're betting on Thomas. Coach Jim Zorn wants to use Randle El in the slot like mentor Mike Holmgren did with Bobby Engram in Seattle.
After Westbrook, Clinton Portis is the No. 1 breakdown candidate in the NFC East. Portis, 28, has more tread on his tires than the Eagles' all star and broke down similarly during the 2008 stretch run, averaging 2.9 yards a carry in Washington's final five games. The Skins spoke of using Ladell Betts more to soften Portis' workload, but we've heard that before. Portis drafters need to sell high if he starts hot again.
More intrigue in D.C. -- Cult favorite Colt Brennan appears poised for a move up the depth chart, at least to second string. Look for Brennan to see regular season starts if his preseason goes as well as last year's and Jason Campbell struggles to move the offense. ... The Redskins are so down on Campbell that they briefly entertained the idea of signing Michael Vick. ... Fluke alert: Chris Cooley scored just one touchdown in 2008. He averaged seven TDs a year in his first four seasons. Expect Captain Chaos to get right back on track in '09.
Dallas Cowboys - There were rumors all spring that the Cowboys might move Marion Barber back to his old "closer" role and start Felix Jones. Jones couldn't make it through six games last year, however, and while he undoubtedly offers explosive ability, MBIII is Dallas' fantasy back to own by a mile. As a three-down player with upside to lead the NFL in touchdowns, Barber is robbery in the second round of any draft. His fluky 2008 toe injury is healed, but still causing him to be undervalued.
Patrick Crayton ran as the Cowboys' first-team flanker while Miles Austin nursed a hamstring injury at OTAs. Austin will be healthy by camp, but it would've been nice for him to make a mark already. Roy Williams is now Dallas' split end -- where Terrell Owens used to play. It's typically the featured position in coordinator Jason Garrett's offense.
Aside from Williams, Jason Witten will benefit from T.O.'s departure more than any Cowboy. Witten is the favorite for Owens' old targets around the goal line. ... Greg Ellis' release opens the door for 2007 first-round pick Anthony Spencer to start at left outside linebacker. He'll see single teams opposite 2008 sack leader DeMarcus Ware. ... Mike Jenkins is dead on. He's the favorite to start at right corner in Dallas, because Orlando Scandrick is better in the slot. Still, expect Jenkins to be picked on all year.
New York Giants - Domenik Hixon and Steve Smith ran as the Giants' starting wideouts at minicamps and figure to keep the jobs into Week 1. Sinorice Moss is already hurt. First-round pick Hakeem Nicks and top deep threat Mario Manningham could make this a receiver-by-committee. After looking slow off the line of scrimmage at spring practices, third-rounder Ramses Barden won't be counted on.
The latest on Plaxico Burress (who won't be back with the Giants) is that he'll be suspended indefinitely ala Donte' Stallworth and Michael Vick. Burress drew some interest from 4-5 teams before this revelation. Not surprisingly, pursuit of the 32-year-old wideout has died since. Don't draft him.
New defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan's tenure is off to a rocky start. He's already lost weak-side linebacker Michael Boley to hip surgery and a one-game suspension, and pass-rushing DT Fred Robbins is a candidate for PUP after offseason microfracture surgery. ... The Giants are reportedly considering making Eli Manning the richest quarterback in the league. GM Jerry Reese is the best in the business, making this one even more of a head scratcher. ... Quietly, Brandon Jacobs is climbing up our running back ranks. Reese wants him to carry it more.
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Philadelphia Eagles - Brian Westbrook is the biggest red-flag risk in the early rounds of any fantasy draft. He's recovering from two leg surgeries (ankle, knee), is in danger of missing the entire preseason, and turns 30 before Week 1. Scariest of all, Westbrook's breakdown might already have happened. Owner of a 4.6 career YPC, he's averaged 2.9 yards per carry in his last six games, including the playoffs. The Eagles realized this and made LeSean McCoy the 53rd overall pick. Let someone else draft Westbrook this summer.
The Eagles are trying to get first-round pick Jeremy Maclin comfortable at both outside receiver positions after he mainly played in the slot at Missouri. Still, don't expect much year-one impact aside from returns. He won't beat out Kevin Curtis or DeSean Jackson. Curtis has recovered from his "clean-up" groin procedure and will push Jackson hard to regain his billing as Philly's No. 1 receiver. Curtis is a prime sleeper candidate.
Brent Celek is entrenched as Philadelphia's every-down tight end after a dominant postseason (19/151/3 in three playoff games). He's an obvious breakout candidate, and further demonstrates the depth at the position in fantasy. ... New fullback Leonard Weaver thinks he's a candidate for goal-line carries in the Birds' backfield. The key word here is thinks. Weaver has one career rushing touchdown and coach Andy Reid isn't going to make his play calls predictable by inserting a 242-pound plodder in favor of one of his versatile tailbacks in goal-to-go situations.
Washington Redskins - The most intriguing position battle in Washington is at wideout between Devin Thomas and Antwaan Randle El. The Skins desperately want (see: need) Thomas to make good on his 2008 draft status, and he stood out this spring before an unlucky hamstring pull. This battle will rage deep into August, but we're betting on Thomas. Coach Jim Zorn wants to use Randle El in the slot like mentor Mike Holmgren did with Bobby Engram in Seattle.
After Westbrook, Clinton Portis is the No. 1 breakdown candidate in the NFC East. Portis, 28, has more tread on his tires than the Eagles' all star and broke down similarly during the 2008 stretch run, averaging 2.9 yards a carry in Washington's final five games. The Skins spoke of using Ladell Betts more to soften Portis' workload, but we've heard that before. Portis drafters need to sell high if he starts hot again.
More intrigue in D.C. -- Cult favorite Colt Brennan appears poised for a move up the depth chart, at least to second string. Look for Brennan to see regular season starts if his preseason goes as well as last year's and Jason Campbell struggles to move the offense. ... The Redskins are so down on Campbell that they briefly entertained the idea of signing Michael Vick. ... Fluke alert: Chris Cooley scored just one touchdown in 2008. He averaged seven TDs a year in his first four seasons. Expect Captain Chaos to get right back on track in '09.
