Four of the most followed franchises in the NFL took the field for their second preseason games this week, to mixed results. Week two of the preseason gives teams, fans, and media an extended glimpse of teams forming their new identities. Over the next fortnight position battles will be won, game-plans will be formulated, and teams will find their true identities. With only two weeks left until the start of the 2013 season, take a look at how the NFC East is shaping up.
The New York Giants took on the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday Night Football ready to explore the possibilities of their talented offense. The best team from the Big Apple showed off a solid rushing attack, and little else in a 20-12 loss at home. David Wilson (8 rushes 34 yards) , and Andre Brown (8 rushes 36 yards) proved that they are ready to dominate as a tandem in 2013, if their offensive line is up to snuff. Center David Baas suffered a sprained MCL early in the contest and never returned, and is expected to miss up to six weeks. In addition to Baas, veteran right guard Chris Snee is recovering from offseason hip surgery, and may miss time on the line, leaving the Giants with more questions than answers in their protection. New York’s left tackle, Kevin Boothe , is likely to replace Baas at center. Fortunately for the Giants first round pick Justin Pugh has looked capable in camp, and will likely fill the starting role left by Baas. Should Snee’s recovery take longer than planned, Baas be unable to play, or Pugh is hurt by lack of experience, James Brewer , Jim Cordle, or Brandon Mosley will fill in along the line. For a unit with so much depth at the skill positions, the Giants’ have slim pickings on their offensive line, which could prove to be their downfall.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Giants’ struggled giving up two touchdowns to Andrew Luck before the Stanford graduate exited the game. With Jason Pierre-Paul still recovering from surgery, and Justin Tuck dinged up as well, the Giants’ pass-rush was underwhelming to say the least. New York will need to look for more production out of Mathias Kiwanuka , Cullen Jenkins , and their slew of linebackers. Middle-linebackers Dan Connor and Mark Herzlich are battling for the starting position, and it appears that Connor has the upper hand at this juncture. Connor played the entire first half in Sunday night’s loss to the Colts, while Herzlich played second-string alongside Aaron Curry and Jacquian Williams . All three linebacker spots are still up for grabs, though the battle to anchor the middle is certainly the most competitive. Spencer Paysinger has all but earned a starting spot on the outside, though the other outside-linebacker position is still an open contest.
Andrew Luck torched the Giants’ secondary for two scores in the first half though expected starter Corey Webster was held out of the game. The jury is still out on Prince Amukamara ‘s expected rise to dominance, but I’m sure it is coming Giants’ fans. Rounding things out with the lifeline of the defense, Stevie Brown played as the starting strong safety and looks to continue his 2012 form when he recorded eight interceptions. Antrel Rolle did not play in this contest, but is expected to return by the regular season opener as a versatile threat and anchor on defense. Jayron Hosley , the teams’ expected nickel corner played well Sunday recording three tackles and a pass deflection The integrity of New York’s defense depends on the play of the untested linebackers and damaged-goods on the defensive line. Without a significant pass rush, the Giants’ will struggle mightily in 2013.
The Philadelphia Eagles improved in a 14-9 victory over the Carolina Panthers showing a rejuvenated defensive front, and a glimpse of a dominant offense. Quarterbacks Nick Foles and Michael Vick continued to battle for the starting position, though a winner was eventually crowned. Both Vick and Foles performed well in the game, though Vick did appear to get the better of his counterpart. While both quarterbacks led touchdown-scoring drives, Foles threw a horrendous interception in the end zone, while Vick’s lone turnover came in a hail-Mary situation at the end of the first half. Tuesday morning Coach Chip Kelly named Vick the starter, putting an end to the months-long competition. Running back LeSean McCoy also made his preseaon debut in mid-season form, breaking ankles and scoring a rushing touchdown. If the Eagles' starting offense continues to play like they did against the Panthers, Eagles running-backs could have a productive year in the city of brotherly love.
On the defensive side of the ball, Philadelphia came out ready to shut down a talented Panthers’ offense. While much of the team’s front seven has been decided for some time, a position battle is brewing for the starting defensive end spot opposite Fletcher Cox. Vinny Curry , Cedric Thornton ,and third round pick Bennie Logan are competing for the final defensive end position, and have all shown flashes of brilliance thus far in the preseason. Curry returned to form after a sub-par first preseason game, recording two tackles and one pass deflection. Logan shined in the preseason opener recording four tackles and a sack, and followed up that performance with two tackles and a pass deflection, making his case for a starting spot. Thornton appears to be the odd man out at this stage, as he recorded just one tackle in the game. At this stage of the competition, Logan appears to be the proverbial leader in the clubhouse, as he has maintained a high level of play throughout the preseason. While the Eagles’ linebackers DeMeco Ryans , Mychal Kendricks , and Connor Barwin have locked up their starting spots, Trent Cole and Brandon Graham are adjusting to a 3-4 scheme, and battling for a final starting spot. While both players will rotate in on defense, expect Cole to get the starting nod.
In the secondary, free agent signees Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher have secured their places in the starting lineup, and Brandon Boykin looks to have earned the nickel corner role. At safety Oregon graduate Patrick Chung appears to be a frontrunner to start, but his counterpart has yet to be determined. Fifth round selection Earl Wolff is battling Nate Allen and longshot Kenny Phillips ,for the final starting position after an impressive start to his professional career. Phillips has had trouble with his surgically repaired knee, and will likely be cut due to his inability to actually make it onto the field. If the Eagles continue to improve as time goes on, and the Chip Kelly scheme works, Philadelphia could be a dark-horse contender for the NFC East title. The Eagles showed defensive poise and understanding, and their starting offense flourished against one of the better front-sevens in football. Things are looking up as the shadow of the Reid-era fades away in Philadelphia.
In a barn-burner in the desert, the Arizona Cardinals defeated the Dallas Cowboys by an awe-inspiring score of 12-7. The Cowboys turned over the ball five times in the first half, and six times total in a matchup utterly devoid of offensive production. Tony Romo and Dez Bryant were not on the same page early on, as Romo missed a wide open Bryant early in the first quarter, only to recoup by hitting Bryant in stride in the next series to then watch Bryant chuck up a fumble. While Bryant did end up with a respectable performance: four receptions, 74 yards, his inability to protect the football was very costly in his team’s defeat.
As far at the ground-game is concerned, DeMarco Murray returned to the field for the first time since suffering a season-ending injury in 2012, and showed flashes of his earlier form despite a pedestrian stat-line. Rookie Joseph Randle appears to have taken hold of the primary backup duties, as competitor Lance Dunbar tallied just a single carry. While problems persist on Dallas’ offensive line, third round pick Gavin Escobar shined in his second preseason game catching five passes for 32 yards and a touchdown. If Escobar continues to develop the Cowboys will run more two-tight end fronts, taking the pressure off of the offensive line. Escobar and Witten add another dimension to Dallas’ already loaded vertical offense, but only time will tell if a ramshackle offensive line can bring Dallas a much-coveted division title.
Jumping across the line of scrimmage, the Cowboys’ will have something to be proud of. Monte Kiffin’s unit impressed in its second game, holding the Cardinals to just four field-goals in the contest. Despite the offenses’ five turnovers, Dallas’ defense performed admirably in high-pressure and short-field situations. Cornerbacks Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne shined in their second game together and held Larry Fitzgerald to just 44 yards receiving. While the Cardinals’ offense is not elite, Dallas’ secondary held up exceedingly well despite the shortcomings of the offense. At the safety position, expect Barry Church to be a lock to start at the strong safety position, but his counter-part has not yet been decided upon. Veteran Will Allen will play a great deal in Kiffin’s Tampa-2, as he is reunited with the defensive coordinator after leaving the Buccaneers. Allen’s main competition for the starting free safety position will be rookie Matt Johnson. At the University of Eastern Washington, Johnson recorded 17 interceptions, and showed great speed and coverage ability. Expect Johnson to push Allen through the remainder of camp.
Much of the Cowboys’ competency against the pass comes from the versatility in the linebacker corps. Sean Lee is an excellent coverage linebacker, and counterpart Bruce Carter has above average speed for his position, which translates well into coverage. The other outside linebacker opposite Carter is Justin Durant who is the only real weak link on an otherwise stalwart defense. Outside of Durant and the competition at safety, the main issue defensively is regarding the health of their defensive linemen. For a Tampa-2 scheme to be successful, the Cowboys must have tremendous and sustained pressure from their defensive front.
At the beginning of training camp I picked the Cowboys’ linebackers as the weakest link on the team. Now, after watching Lee’s return from injury and Carter’s ability in pass defense, the problem area could be the defensive front. Demarcus Ware must adapt to the new scheme, Anthony Spencer has health issues, Jay Ratliff cannot seem to stay healthy, so the pressure will fall on Jason Hatcher to fill in as an edge rusher. The Cowboys’ defense has the potential for elite status, but the defensive line’s healthy issues and lack of quality talent at safety could prove fatal to the team’s playoff hopes.
The Washington Redskins took the stage on Monday Night Football to battle the Pittsburgh Steelers. Quarterback Kirk Cousins started for the injured Robert Griffin III and while he looked like a competent passer initially, Cousins was forced to leave the game after suffering a sprained right foot in the first quarter. Cousins followed up the initial diagnosis with an MRI on Tuesday, which revealed no additional structural damage. Without Cousins as a backup, Rex, Sexy Rexy, Grossman will take over the reins for the remainder of the preseason. Starting running back Alfred Morris carried just four times for 12 yards in the game, but should see some extended action in the Redskins’ next preseason game Saturday against the Buffalo Bills.
Morris’ expected backup Roy Helu appears ready to return as the teams main go-to on passing downs as he rushed once for 30 yards, and caught one pass for another 14 yards. Expect Helu to be more involved in the Redskins’ offense as the season progresses. Receivers, Leonard Hankerson , Santana Moss , and Pierre Garcon played a small part of the early portion of the game, though Hankerson did record a touchdown thrown by Rex Grossman. Tight end Fred Davis played for Washington early in the first, which is an encouraging sign as Davis is returning from ACL surgery. Outside of health issues at the quarterback position, the Redskins’ offense looks ready to continue its successes from last season, and bring another rushing title, and division title to the nation’s capital.
On the defensive side of the ball, Washington showed tremendous pass-rush early and posed problems for the Pittsburgh passing-game throughout the contest. Redskins linebacker Ryan Kerrigan was the bell of the ball after picking off an early pass by Ben Roethlisberger and returned it 22 yards for the score. Defensive tackle Barry Cofield shined before leaving the game early with a broken hand, but should be able to play in a cast. Before leaving due to his injury, Cofield also recorded two tackles and half of a sack, in addition to giving Roethlisberger nightmares for the foreseeable future. Defensive end Jarvis Jenkins , who is expected to start opposite Stephen Bowen , showed good pocket pressure and run-stop ability in limited action. Washington’s biggest detriment comes in the secondary, specifically the safety position.
Instead of spending top dollar to land one of the biggest names on the free agent market, the Redskins have turned to a youth movement to help shift the tide in an ailing and aging secondary. Bacarri Rambo and David Amerson hope to make their mark on an oft-molested unit that surrendered the third-most yards in the NFL last season, averaging 281.9 yards against per game. Washington will need a productive year out of their young guns if they hope to repeat as NFC East Champions. At the very least the team overcame some unfortunate injuries, and beat the Steelers 24 to 13.
Now we play the waiting game. Fans must drudge through two more meaningless contests before the regular season arrives. The next two games will induce more injuries than production, so why make us wait Mr. Goodell? Sure, true fans of the sport enjoy watching fourth string nobodies from North-East Missouri Valley State College compete for their livelihood, but fans and teams will agree that the preseason has lost its charm by week three. Nonetheless, the beasts of the NFC East will return to action this weekend, bringing the regular season closer with every snap.