Keys to Success: NFC East
Posted: Saturday July 25, 1998 02:22 PM
The War Room offers up five keys
to success in the 1998 season for all 30 teams. Here's a look at the NFC
East: Arizona Cardinals  - 1. Questionable OL must protect
franchise QB Plummer and keep him healthy, while opening run game.
- 2.
Talented DL must put pressure on QB to compensate for marginal back seven.
- 3. Offensive coordinator Trestman must design quick rhythm passing game
to cover offensive weaknesses.
- 4. Cardinals must solve kicking game
problems as close games are anticipated...no experience at PT
- 5. "Big
Red" must get off to a good start to build a fan base and excitement level
in Valley of the Sun.
Dallas Cowboys  - 1. Aging veteran leaders must put up
career numbers and stay healthy for one more run.
- 2. Experienced team
must buy into new coach Chan Gailey's offensive schemes.
- 3. OL is
getting old and must stay healthy to protect QB Aikman against zone blitz.
- 4. Cowboys must upgrade the WR group to have the ability to play 4-WR
formations.
- 5. Defense must develop pass rush off the edge, with two
new starters and questionable depth.
New York Giants  - 1. Head coach Jim Fassel needs to have
healthy offensive weapons to spread the field.
- 2. "RB by committee"
must find a guy that can carry the load in windy Meadowlands.
- 3. DL
that played great in 1997 must put together another productive season in
'98 and attack QB.
- 4. QB Kanell must lead this team but Fassel can't
expect him to win games with his arm...efficiency.
- 5. Upgraded
receiving corps must jell quickly (young group) and open up the offense.
Philadelphia Eagles  - 1. Young QB Bobby Hoying must
continue 1997 success and stay healthy with less offensive weapons.
- 2.
Revamped OL must provide protection for QB and key run game with a lot of
changes and replace center Everett in short terms.
- 3. RBs Garner and
Staley must stay healthy and improve durability to make fans forget
Watters.
- 4. Eagle coaching staff must compensate for loss of offensive
"braintrust" of Callahan and Gruden.
- 5. Key defensive players Hall &
Taylor must return from injuries to provide depth on defense.
Washington Redskins  - 1. High-priced DTs Dana
Stubblefield and Dan Wilkinson
must earn their salaries by making plays.
- 2. QB Frerotte must prove to
teammates and coaches that he can "carry" this team in 1998.
- 3. Either
veteran RB Allen must stay healthy or rookie Hicks must learn quickly to
boost run game.
- 4. A lot of shuffling in the OL could be trouble...this
unit must jell in training camp for offense to go.
- 5. 'Skins must
develop "killer instinct" and learn to put away opponents earlier in games.
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