NFL Team Reports: NFC East
Several times a week, The Trenches will present team reports from Sporting News’ 32 NFL correspondents. Check back each day for the latest news on your team.
Coach Andy Reid is satisfied enough with his group of young ballcarriers that he didn’t make any personnel moves after losing RB Brian Westbrook(notes) (concussion) for at least a few weeks, and possibly the rest of the season.
SportingNews.com - Nov 19, 5:46 am EST
Without Westbrook, the fate of the club’s rushing attack is in the hands of three of the team’s youngest players: rookie LeSean McCoy(notes), 21, first-year player Eldra Buckley(notes), 24, and rookie P.J. Hill(notes), 22. The team also will coax more carries from FB Leonard Weaver(notes), but McCoy will continue to get the majority of carries.
The youngsters have little experience in the West Coast offense and can’t offer the leadership and veteran know-how that Westbrook brought. McCoy rarely practiced his blocking during two seasons at Pitt and Buckley, a power runner, doesn’t have the reliable hands and skill set typical of a West Coast back. Hill has been with the team for three weeks and is still learning the offense. —Geoff Mosher
The Cowboys will be without S Ken Hamlin(notes) for the next two to four weeks with a sprained ankle, which means Pat Watkins(notes) will replace him in the lineup.
Hamlin, who signed a six-year, $39 million deal two years ago, has been average this season. He has not been credited with an interception or a forced fumble. He also hasn’t been above- average against the run. Still, the coaches rely on him heavily to get everyone lined up properly.
That duty will now fall to Gerald Sensabaugh(notes), who has been outstanding in coverage and against the run. Watkins is not strong against the run because he’s not a physical player, but he’s considerably better in that department than he has been in the past. At 6-5, he has tremendous length and excellent range. He should be good in coverage, and as a four- year veteran he’s well-versed in the defense and his responsibilities. —Jean-Jacques Taylor
Rookie LB Clint Sintim(notes) didn’t do much in the first half of the season, but he is in line for increased playing time as the Giants return from their bye, Paul Schwartz reports.
Washington Redskins
The Redskins already have matched their sack total from last season (24), thanks to a combination of factors.
DT Albert Haynesworth’s(notes) presence has drawn double-teams away from DE Andre Carter(notes), who leads the team with eight sacks. Rookie OLB/DE Brian Orakpo(notes) is next with seven.
The schemes are helping both players get sacks as well. Washington is using more zone coverage to buy the linemen time to hit the quarterback. Also, they’re using more three-man fronts, with Orakpo rushing as a linebacker and choosing between two gaps.
Other times, they’ll line up another linebacker next to Carter and have him show blitz to freeze the offensive tackle, which allows Carter to turn the corner. It also helps that Carter focused heavily on improving his hand and foot quickness in the offseason, performing mixed martial arts. …
RB Clinton Portis(notes) (concussion) is doubtful for Sunday’s game at Dallas. Haynesworth (ankle) did not practice Wednesday, and his status likely won’t be determined until this weekend. —John Keim
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