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Post by CRASHER on Nov 10, 2005 10:08:25 GMT -5
This guy did a VERY fair job on evaluating all the teams and it's a good read.....
NFC EAST
New York Giants (6-2)
Grade: B+
The Giants are on the cusp of an "A" grade, needing at least one more quality win – and maybe even two – to elevate them into the conversation with teams like Denver (Yes, I know the Giants beat the Broncos) and Indianapolis. But if the defense keeps playing the way it has the last few weeks, that's not an impossibility. Maybe no NFC team scares people more than the Giants, who have an offense that can run and pass and features big-play makers in Plaxico Burress, Jeremy Shockey and Tiki Barber. The defense has made the most strides of late, getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks and taking heat off of the secondary.
Second-half improvements: Barber hasn't played much of an instrumental role in the passing game, and that's left a void beyond Shockey and Burress. The Giants either need to incorporate Barber more or find a way to get consistent contributions from Amani Toomer.
Washington Redskins (5-3)
Grade: B
The wins over Seattle and Philadelphia are impressive, and you have to include the Dallas victory, even if it was a miracle. With all due respect to Mark Brunell and Santana Moss, the defense is still the unit that makes this team click. The front seven is very good, and the tandem of safety Sean Taylor and cornerback Shawn Springs has been special. As long as Cornelius Griffin can return healthy, this unit should be strong all year, and if LaVar Arrington can play inspired football the rest of the year, it could get better.
Second-half improvements: As good as Brunell has been, the passing game has sputtered a bit the last few weeks as defenses have schemed to take away Moss. Either David Patten or James Thrash needs to step up.
Dallas Cowboys (5-3)
Grade: B+
Surprisingly, the offense has been outstanding. It was assumed that Drew Bledsoe would step in and be more of a caretaker who makes one or two big plays a game. Instead, he and Terry Glenn energized a passing game that led to production spikes from Jason Witten and Keyshawn Johnson. And despite the injuries to Julius Jones, the tailback spot has kept grinding along with Marion Barber. The unit will only get better when Jones comes back healthy. The six-man defensive line rotation will keep the stingy run defense fresh the rest of the season.
Second-half improvements: Bledsoe and the vertical passing game have floundered a bit the last few games. When and if Patrick Crayton returns, the Cowboys shouldn't be afraid to open the offense up a bit more.
Philadelphia Eagles (4-4)
Grade: C+
The Terrell Owens saga did some mental damage to this team, whether the players want to admit it or not. It has been a tremendous distraction, and at times the Eagles have played as if their minds were somewhere else. That said, Andy Reid continued to rely far too much on Owens, when there was always a possibility the situation could blow up. The offense never really diversified to the point where other receivers and the running game were forced to develop. Now, with T.O. suspended, Reid could pay dearly for not trying to get Brian Westbrook going earlier.
Second-half improvements: The defense has its share of problems, and many of them can be traced to the line. Defensive ends N.D. Kalu and Jevon Kearse have only produced five sacks, and the interior linemen must help the linebackers more against the run.
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears (5-3)
Grade: B-
The grade would be better if Chicago had put up more of a fight against Cincinnati. Truth be told, we don't know if this is a team that can hang with the NFC elite. But the Bears do have a legitimate and surprisingly deep running game, and rookie quarterback Kyle Orton is showing the ability to make plays and not just manage games. And if anyone doubted whether Chicago had one of the NFL's best defenses, they surely don't anymore.
Second-half improvements: As good as the defense has been against the run, the defensive line needs to create more pressure on the quarterback so the team doesn't have to rely on blitzing to get sacks from the linebackers.
Minnesota Vikings (3-5)
Grade: D+
Daunte Culpepper was a complete disaster, so there may be a silver lining in the offense being handed over to Brad Johnson. He doesn't have the physical tools of Culpepper, but at least he won't make as many bad decisions. Really, the offensive line is probably this team's No. 1 problem. The group has allowed 36 sacks and has rarely created much space for the running game. Matt Birk's loss was pivotal, but the play-calling hasn't changed to reflect the weakness on the line – yet another indictment of Mike Tice.
Second-half improvements: The middle of the defensive line should be far more dominant. Signing Pat Williams was supposed to pave the way for a career year for Kevin Williams. Instead, the pair has often looked average, producing only two sacks.
Detroit Lions (3-5)
Grade: D+
If it weren't for the offense and the fact that Detroit has scraped together three wins, this team would have "F" written all over it. The offense has been flat, the discipline lax and the leadership shaky at best. The good news for the Lions is that they still have enough talent to win the NFC North – which would be the only way on earth they would make the playoffs. Unfortunately, this is looking more and more like mass firings waiting to happen in the coaching staff and front office.
Second-half improvements: That fabulous wide receiving corps of Roy Williams, Mike Williams and Charles Rogers has produced two touchdowns and a season's worth of headaches.
Green Bay Packers (1-7)
Grade: F
Injuries are a big culprit, but you can't give the Packers leeway just because guys aren't on the field. Flat out, this has been an awful season with few redeeming qualities. Brett Favre has had some terrible stretches, but he's also taking gambles with uncharacteristically inferior talent around him. That hasn't helped. At this point, this is simply an injury-racked team undone by a lack of quality depth and defensive playmakers.
Second-half improvements: There is a lot of platooning on the defensive line, and the Packers still haven't managed to find a serious pass-rush complement to Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila.
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons (6-2)
Grade: B
The grade would be higher if Atlanta hadn't had such an easy go in the first half of the season. The Falcons played only one team that is above .500 at this point – Seattle – and lost. As usual, Michael Vick's game has drawn the typical amount of criticism, and none of the wide receivers have proven to be better than the departed Peerless Price. But the offensive line is playing well and has helped jumpstart what could be a career year for Warrick Dunn. Meanwhile, the defensive line continues to be one of the best in the NFL when healthy.
Second-half improvements: The run defense is still prone to giving up big games, partially because of the loss of Edgerton Hartwell. This defense has always been more athletic and fast than strong and punishing.
Carolina Panthers (6-2)
Grade: B
Like the Falcons, the Panthers have feasted on inferior teams in the NFC. Unlike the Falcons, they did notch an impressive win on the road against a .500-plus team. And while that victory came against Tampa Bay and struggling Chris Simms, the Panthers' offense stood out, devouring one of the NFL's better defensive units. Jake Delhomme and Steve Smith might have a better rapport now than any other quarterback-wide receiver combo in the league, and the running game is starting to regain health and balance out the offense.
Second-half improvements: The defense is finally compensating for the early loss of Kris Jenkins, but the outside linebackers still aren't playing consistently enough. The Panthers need more playmaking from those spots.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-3)
Grade: B-
Jon Gruden made a pivotal mistake by pounding the ball with Carnell Williams so much early in the season. Cadillac hasn't looked the same since suffering an ankle injury. On the bright side, the defense can still win games – as long as the Carolina loss was a fluke and not a sign of a unit losing steam. Losing Brain Griese could end up being the death of this team's playoff hopes, but it's far too early to say that's the case. If Chris Simms limited his turnovers, the Bucs would be in far better shape.
Second-half improvements: Simms isn't playing well, but the offensive line isn't doing him a lot of favors. It was one of the big reasons Tampa got off to a fast start. The O-line will have to play more consistently if the Bucs are going to stay in the playoff picture.
New Orleans Saints (2-7)
Grade: D
There isn't a more emotionally tapped team right now, and it's safe to say the current five-game losing streak is indicative of what the Saints have left. With Deuce McAllister out, the pressure has fallen to Aaron Brooks, who isn't dependable enough to win games consistently. On the bright side, some of the injuries have thrust Donte Stallworth into more of a playmaking role, and he's responded well. A healthy Joe Horn, Stallworth and Az-Zahir Hakim give the Saints a quality trio of wideouts.
Second-half improvements: The defense has been productive against the pass, but surprisingly limp against the run. Linebackers Sedrick Hodge and Courtney Watson aren't getting it done in the linebacking corps.
NFC WEST
Seattle Seahawks (6-2)
Grade: B+
The victories over Atlanta and Dallas are impressive. One more quality win and Seattle would have been worthy of "A" consideration. What's remarkable is that the offense has found ways to keep the passing game clicking with injuries to wideouts Darrell Jackson and Bobby Engram. If both of them are healthy by mid-December, the offense could rival the units in Indianapolis and Cincinnati. But the defense has surely been the difference this year, especially a defensive line rotation that has produced 19 sacks.
Second-half improvements: Even before Ken Hamlin was lost for the season, the safeties were producing remarkably few big plays in the passing game. Michael Boulware's assumed rise to Pro Bowl stature still hasn't happened.
St. Louis Rams (4-4)
Grade: C
Joe Vitt has done a great job keeping the Rams competitive with all the injuries, especially after the losses of Marc Bulger, Tory Holt and Issac Bruce. Offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild's reliance on Steven Jackson has been a breath of fresh air, not to mention the rise of Kevin Curtis – Fairchild has wanted to expand both players' roles for some time. Rookie right tackle Alex Barron has been up and down at times, but his presence has been vital.
Second-half improvements: The secondary has hit rock bottom a couple of times this season. The unit simply needs better coverage from everyone, particularly safeties Adam Archuleta and Mike Furrey.
Arizona Cardinals (2-6)
Grade: D-
The season has totally fallen apart, and it has plenty to do with Dennis Green's continued missteps in the offensive backfield. Kurt Warner has been an unqualified disaster, and Green quickly lost confidence in rookie running back J.J. Arrington. The offensive line hasn't been as solid as the coaching staff hoped, either. Even with injuries, the bright spot remains the wide receiving duo of Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. They're the best young wideout duo west of Chad Johnson and T.J Houshmandzadeh.
Second-half improvements: If Green can't figure out the quarterback spot and find a running game, this team isn't going to get any better.
San Francisco 49ers (2-6)
Grade: D
The wins over Tampa Bay and St. Louis were both impressive, and the 49ers were surprisingly tough against the Cowboys and Giants. Mike Nolan is squeezing an amazing amount of life out of Bryant Young, too. But there are problems all over the place. Injuries have plagued the offensive line and quarterback position, the talent has been thin at wide receiver and the defense is still far from turning the corner in the 3-4 scheme. Still, unlike last season, San Francisco has shown a pulse. Unfortunately for Nolan, that's where the good news ends.
Second-half improvements: When Alex Smith returns healthy, the 49ers have to find a way to get him turned in the right direction – much like the Giants were able to do with Eli Manning after his disastrous start last season.
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