Wednesday, July 7, 1999

Strongest units

Editor-in-chief Ron Pollack names the strongest unit on every team

Part 4 of 6: NFC East

By RON POLLACK, Editor-in-chief

AFC East|AFC Central|AFC West
NFC East|NFC Central|NFC West

Part 1||2|3|4|5|6

Arizona Cardinals|Dallas Cowboys|New York Giants
Philadelphia Eagles|Washington Redskins

Arizona Cardinals: Defensive linemen.

This group of players has the potential to become a unit people will be talking about for years. The defensive ends have the ability to be unbelievably disruptive. Andre Wadsworth is a huge talent whose motor runs at a very high level. What more could you want from a highly touted player heading into his second pro season? Simeon Rice can be a prime-time pass rusher for years to come, and he is entering a contract year, which could motivate him to have a big season. DT Eric Swann can be a dominant performer, but he needs to stay healthy and on the field of play. Mark Smith is a very productive player who doesn’t get the hype of the other starters on the line, although a holdout remained a possibility as of this writing.

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Dallas Cowboys: Offensive linemen.

Larry Allen is the best offensive guard in the NFL by a huge margin. C Mark Stepnoski was a sensational free-agent acquisition that did not get enough attention when it happened. OT Flozell Adams has tremendous talent and just needs to put it all together. Count on stellar OL coach Hudson Houck to get a lot out of Adams. OT Erik Williams has the toughness and aggressiveness that I like in offensive linemen, but he is not the player he once was. The Cowboys also have second-round OT Solomon Page joining the mix.

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New York Giants: Defensive backs (if Jason Sehorn’s return from injury goes well).

Sehorn was a genuine star cornerback before he got hurt last season. The Giants desperately need him to play at a high level this year. CB Phillippi Sparks played well last year. Shaun Williams has tremendous potential and just needs more experience.

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Philadelphia Eagles: Defensive backs.

Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor are a very nice 1-2 punch at cornerback. Neither is a superstar, but both could be the No. 1 cornerback for a lot of teams in the NFL. Brian Dawkins has the ability to become a star at safety.

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Washington Redskins: Defensive backs.

CB Darrell Green is an absolute marvel. At age 39, there is no logical reason he should still be able to play so well at a position made for young people who must run like the wind to keep up with speedy receivers. Somehow, someway, Green still runs well, covers well and produces. The Redskins drafted CB Champ Bailey in the first round of this year’s draft, and I will be shocked beyond belief if Bailey accomplishes anything less than stardom in the NFL. Bailey provides the talent, and Green will provide him the best possible mentor he could ask for. The strength of this unit is clearly the cornerbacks.

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Thursday: NFC Central

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