GiantFan
Bench Warmer
Here is a review from the NY Daily News Giants beat writer about the NFC East and the draft.
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/giants/2009/04/eagles-giants-were-draft-beast.html
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/giants/2009/04/eagles-giants-were-draft-beast.html
Eagles, Giants were draft beasts of NFC East
The interesting thing about the NFC East this year - and the last few years, really - isn’t necessarily how tough the division is or how close all four teams are. It’s how good they all are, and how close each team is to being a real contender. All four have been to the playoffs in the last two years. Two have been to the NFC championship game. One has won a Super Bowl.
And all four entered into this offseason - and the 2009 NFL Draft - in a “win now” mode.
Sure, the draft is about the future, but given that each of the four teams can make a reasonable argument that they’re just a move or two away from being a Super Bowl contender, they had to have their eye on immediate help last weekend. And looking at the way the four teams drafted in the early rounds, that mostly appears to be the case.
So here’s a look at how the division immediately improved itself last weekend. No grades, but they are ranked in order of which teams I think improved themselves the most with the 2009 season in mind. A year from now this will all look different, and five years from now who knows what we’ll see? But this is about who improved themselves the most right now:
1. Philadelphia Eagles: The might have gotten the steal of the draft when they traded up to 19 for Missouri WR Jeremy Maclin. I’m told the Giants would’ve been more aggressive about moving up for him if he slipped a spot or two farther, but they weren’t prepared to pay the price to get above 20. Maclin isn’t the big target some thought the Eagles needed, but good luck to teams in the future trying to cover DeSean Jackson on one side and Maclin on the other.
Of course, rookie receivers are very hit-and-miss, so who knows how big an impact Maclin will have right away? He’s got as good a chance as any, though, since most teams had him ranked right there with Michael Crabtree, especially in terms of NFL readiness. Still, the more likely player to make an immediate impact is their second round pick, Pitt RB LeSean McCoy - another player I’m told the Giants loved. For years Andy Reid has talked about transitioning his offense to more of a power running game, but he just didn’t have the back to do it. Now he does. The dangerous Brian Westbrook can give way to the powerful McCoy, who should immediately become their short-yardage and goal-line back. And oh, by the way, don’t forget he’s running behind a restocked (LT Jason Peters) offensive line.
Also, don’t forget this: The Eagles traded for veteran CB Ellis Hobbs, which counts as part of their draft-day haul. There are better corners in the league, but at least he serves as insurance for the potential distraction that might be caused by the unhappy Sheldon Brown.
2. New York Giants: The key to their draft is obviously the receivers. How good Hakeem Nicks really is, and how quickly Ramses Barden can develop will go a long way towards determining how immediately helpful this draft class can be. But while we’re watching and evaluating them, keep in mind that Nicks (first round) and Barden (third) are basically what the Giants chose over Braylon Edwards, since they likely could’ve gotten the veteran from Cleveland for those two picks. Putting Edwards in the Giants’ lineup could’ve made them instant Super Bowl contenders. Can Nicks and Barden do the same?
The best thing about the Giants’ draft is they systematically filled needs. They got a tough, over-the-middle receiver (Nicks) and a skyscraper for the red zone (Barden). They got a pass-rushing linebacker from the strong side (Clint Sintim), a promising young tackle (William Beatty) and a running back to replace Derrick Ward (Andre Brown). The head-scratcher is the pick of TE Travis Beckum, only because I can’t figure out how they’ll use him and incumbent TE Kevin Boss. That’s not to say it’s a bad pick. He’s a talented playmaker, even though his size and skills makes him a ‘tweener between tight end and receiver. But the Giants’ staff seems to have a plan for him, especially in the cold and wind when Eli Manning is usually at his worst, so consider that another need filled.
If you’re judging strictly on future potential and the addition of talent, the Giants had the best draft in the division — probably by far, given the volume of selections they had. But Sintim will be a situational player in ‘09, Beatty is a long-term prospect, Brown is the third running back at best (barring injury), and it’s a lot to ask Barden to have an impact straight out of Cal Poly. That means Nicks is the Giants’ best hope to change their fortunes this year, and — again — that’s a lot to ask of a rookie receiver.
Still, three years from now I’d be surprised if we don’t view the Giants’ Class of ’09 as the best in the division. But right now, the Eagles get a slightly better ranking because they appear - with a veteran corner, short-yardage running back, and Top 10 receiver — to have gotten more immediate impact and help.
3. Washington Redskins: A lot of people were high on Texas DE Brian Orakpo before the draft, and it was a little surprising to see him drop all the way to 13. He should have some room to rush the passer, though, playing next to Albert Hayesworth (then again, who wouldn’t?). Teams in the NFC East were already worried about dealing with the Redskins’ defensive line this season. Now they’ve got power and size on the inside and speed on the outside. If Orakpo comes along quickly, it could be a difficult 1-2 punch.
The Redskins didn’t get much else in the draft, though. With their third-round pick they decided not to take a linebacker or tackle - both of which they needed — and instead grabbed Maryland corner Kevin Barnes, who at best figures to be their nickel corner later in the season.
Worst part of their draft? They were unable to trade up for quarterback Mark Sanchez, which wouldn’t have been so bad if their current quarterback - Jason Campbell - didn’t know how desperate the Redskins were to move up for his replacement.
4. Dallas Cowboys It’s almost unfair to evaluate how the Cowboys did because they didn’t even look like they wanted to participate. They had no first-round pick and traded out of the second round. They got a couple of linebackers who have a chance to contribute a little - Jason Williams (third round, Western Illinois) and soon-to-be-converted-DE Brandon Williams (fourth round, Texas Tech). But mostly they just made their special teams deeper. And they didn’t get a receiver early, which they sure looked like they needed. They looked like a team content to stand pat (minus the TO circus, of course).
Read more: "The Blue Screen - NY Daily News" - http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/giants/2009/04/eagles-giants-were-draft-beast.html#ixzz0EHWVXTJH&A
