Position Battles – NFC East

In the fifth of Eight installments, I’ll look into the many position battles that are fought every off-season. Nothing in the NFL is guaranteed, from the contracts to a roster spot, which is why the NFL is so intriguing every year. For every Pierre Thomas and Miles Austin, long-shots for an NFL roster, there’s a Deuce McCallister or Marvin Harrison, former greats, that gets cut. So, on that note, we’ll take a look at the NFC East, where the depth at receiver will have to turn into some star power if these teams want to exceed their own playoff aspirations.

New York Giants

Wide Receiver
For a team two years removed from a Super Bowl run based around their top two receivers (Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer, both gone this off-season), the Giants are looking at 3 draft picks from the past 3 years and a former special-teamer. Based on his surprise production a year ago, Dominic Hixon has a great shot to be at least one of the starting receivers. He isn’t afraid to go across the middle, and really is a hard-nosed, nothing to lose receiver that the Giants staff loves. After him, Steve Smith, former USC receiver and unheralded coming out of college, has developed into a steady handed, consistent receiver and will be vying for more chances this season. A very interesting guy to watch is Mario Manningham. Manningham was a star receiver from Michigan and a mid to late 1^st round talent that slipped in the draft due to marijuana and drug concerns. For not having elite timed speed, he is a long strider with great deep routes and can be a game-breaker in the right role. Finally, this years 1^st rounder, Hakeem Nicks from North Carolina, looks the part of Anquan Boldin, a guy who the Giants considered trading for on draft day. He looks just as NFL ready as any receiver in this draft due to his willingness to go over the middle, route running, and reliable hands. Nicks and Hixon are the likely one-two punch to start, with Smith playing the slot. Manningham could emerge to challenge Hixon at times as well. Also, watch for 3^rd rounder Ramses Barden to start to make some progress on the depth chart, as they and I feel that he could become a new Plaxico Burress in due time.

Philadelphia Eagles

Wide Receiver
It seems to be a consistent trend with the Eagles that they have a constant question on which of their very solid receivers will get the most touches. They do a great job of drafting receivers year in and year out, and with the exception of the Kevin Curtis signing a few years ago, all of their other top receivers were drafted by the team. The two leaders for the starting jobs are 2008 2^nd rounder and 2009 rookie of the year candidate DeSean Jackson, and 2009 1^st rounder from Missouri Jeremy Maclin. While both are nearly the same player, with Jackson being a more sure handed receiver, and Maclin having a little more size, they both fit exactly what the Eagles are looking for: quick, open field running receivers who can get open consistently. Also, Kevin Curtis should be vying for playing time instead of Maclin, at least to start the year until Maclin gets his route running down for the pro level. Their two “bigger” receivers, Jason Avant and Hank Baskett both were not taken as high as their projected top two guys, but both have found successful niches in the Eagles offense. Avant does a great job of being a more physical receiver and goes across the middle as well as make tough catches on the sideline, and Baskett has developed into a steady middle of the field big guy with red zone ability. Finally, Reggie Brown, former 1^st rounder and now regarded as a “bust” will actually struggle to make the team with rookie from Washington State Brandon Gibson being well liked by the coaching staff  (and myself).

Dallas Cowboys

Cornerback
When the Cowboys drafted Mike Jenkins in the 1^st round in 2007, most people (including Dallas brass) that Jenkins would not only be a great complement to Terrence Newman, but also his eventual replacement. Now, a player taken 2 rounds later in that same 2007 draft, Boise State corner Orlando Scandrick, may actually beat out Jenkins for the starting job. Jenkins has yet to show that he can be a tackler on defense, something that although not required on every play, is important for a cornerback, especially in a 3-4 defense when the OLB are blitzing and stunting and the outside is open. Scandrick has done a much better job of tackling and although probably doesn’t have as high of a ceiling as Jenkins, by 2010, don’t be shocked if Scandrick is starting, and Jenkins is out of work. He looks like Ahmad Carroll all over again.

Washington Redskins

Wide Receiver

In Jim Zorn’s first draft, he snatched up two 1^st round talents who fit his West Coast offense perfectly, but who carry a lot of desire question marks. Now, with Santana Moss his only real receiver threat and not a great fit for the system, he’ll need his two projects to step up. Malcolm Kelly from Oklahoma, one of the 2^nd round projects, was injuried last season, but questions about his work ethic have been following him since college, and the team is unsure if the can mature into the dynamic playmaker he has the potential to be. Devin Thomas, the thought-of 1^st rounder and the second project, was injuried last year as well, and has to show that he can fine tune his route running and consistent pass catching ability to work in Jim Zorn’s offense. Both will be fighting off 2008 starter and consistent receiver Antwan Randle El for the starting job. Randle El has been a steady mainstay for the Redskins since coming over, but again doesn’t entirely fit the West Coast scheme. Moss and Thomas will probably start the season as the starters, with Randle El being the slot man and Kelly hopefully start to show signs of growing up. If Thomas and Kelly both can’t be factors this season, both Jason Campbell and Jim Zorn will be looking for new jobs come 2010.