Nfc Team Previews

NFC EAST

Dallas

Last year: Going for its third straight Super Bowl, Dallas won the division at 12-4, easily dumped Green Bay, but lost 38-28 to San Francisco in the NFC title game…. The key setback was a 21-14 loss to the 49ers that gave San Francisco home-field in the playoffs.

Strengths: The offensive trio of quarterback Troy Aikman, running back Emmitt Smith and wide receiver Michael Irvin…. One of the game’s quickest overall defenses, led by end Charles Haley.

Weaknesses: Lack of depth, particularly on the offensive and defensive lines, where loss of Mark Stepnoski and Jim Jeffcoat to free agency will hurt…. Must replace free safety James Washington, who moved to the Redskins.

Outlook: Still 1-2 with San Francisco above the other 28 teams…. But as Jones tinkers, Dallas falls a little farther back toward the pack…. Should win the division, but not a lock.

New York Giants

Last year: Broke in Dave Brown as the quarterback to replace Phil Simms and had a weird season, winning first three, losing seven straight, then winning final six to finish 9-7 and just miss playoffs.

Strengths: Overall offense with Brown beginning to emerge as one of NFL’s better quarterbacks…. Running backs - Rodney Hampton, Herschel Walker and rookie Tyrone Wheatley…. Cornerbacks Phillippi Sparks and Thomas Randolph…. Middle linebacker Michael Brooks.

Weaknesses: Depth, particularly on offensive line, where guard Scott Davis is gone for the season and center Brian Williams could miss start…. Inconsistent defensive line that’s plugging in two free-agent underachievers - Ray Agnew and Robert Harris…. Lack of pass rush.

Outlook: Dan Reeves is the best coach in the division and there are quite a few good young players, led by Brown and Randolph…. Probably a playoff team and could challenge Dallas if it remains injury-free.

Arizona

Last year: With hopes high as Buddy Ryan took over, started 0-3 and finished 8-8 - best record since 1984, but a disappointment for a team that expected the playoffs.

Strengths: As always with Ryan, overall defense, led by Eric Swann, one of the great young defensive linemen…. Aeneas Williams, one of the unsung cornerbacks.

Weaknesses: As always with Ryan, overall offense…. The quarterback is the streaky Dave Krieg and at 37, he’s likely to have more down games. With Ryan, that means a quick hook.

Outlook: Ryan is really only half a head coach and he’s never won a playoff game…. The Cardinals probably would have won as much and maybe more had Joe Bugel stayed on last season…. There’s talent here but there’s also a tendency in Ryan’s system for self-destruction.

Philadelphia

Last year: Began 7-2, then lost last seven games…. Rich Kotite was fired and Ray Rhodes hired as head coach.

Strengths: Randall Cunningham at his best…. Wide receivers Fred Barnett and Calvin Williams…. Running back Ricky Watters…. Defensive linemen William Fuller and Andy Harmon.

Weaknesses: Randall Cunningham at his worst….Run defense….Linebacker, where journeyman Kurt Gouveia is in the middle…. Offensive line, at least until Bernard Williams comes back from his six-game drug suspension.

Outlook: Being forced to hire Rhodes after he was turned down by Dick Vermeil and Jimmy Johnson may be the best thing that’s happened to owner Jeff Lurie….But this may not be a playoff team for another year.

Washington

Last year: Norv Turner took over as coach, went young and, predictably, finished 3-13.

Strengths: Potential of quarterback Heath Shuler and wide receiver Michael Westbrook…. The over-30 crowd: wide receiver Henry Ellard and cornerback Darrell Green plus two free-agent safeties, James Washington and Stanley Richard.

Weaknesses: Inexperience of Shuler and Westbrook…. Overall defense, particularly the line….Impatience of owner Jack Kent Cooke.

Outlook: After 20 years with only three first-round draft picks, the bottom had to fall out on this team….Turner took over what was worse than an expansion team for a win-now owner in a town used to winning.

NFC WEST

San Francisco

Last year: After two losses in first five games when four offensive linemen were hurt, won 10 straight, finished 13-3 and crushed San Diego, 49-26, to become the first team to win five Super Bowls….Beat Dallas twice, 21-14 in regular season and 38-28 in NFC title game.

Strengths: Passing of Steve Young to Jerry Rice and John Taylor with rookie J.J. Stokes, out early with a broken hand, a third threat…. Defense put together like patchwork, but highly effective most of last year.

Weaknesses: Potential for cornerback problems if Deion Sanders isn’t re-signed….Lack of depth on offensive line that makes Young a target if there are any injuries…. Running back, which will be a committee now that Ricky Watters left as a free agent for Philadelphia.

Outlook: Despite the loss of Watters and possible loss of Sanders, remain far above everyone but Dallas in the NFL. And have probably gained on the Cowboys?

New Orleans

Last season: Finished 7-9, first losing season under Jim Mora since his first in 1986….Was reverse of previous teams with improved offense but weakened defense.

Strengths: Overall offense, including offensive line featuring William Roaf, running backs Mario Bates and Derek Brown….Quarterback Jim Everett….Wide receiver Michael Haynes.

Weaknesses: Overall defense, which is being overhauled after the unit that carried the Saints to four playoff appearances aged….Particularly questionable against the run….Kicking game, which lost both kicker Morten Andersen and punter Tommy Barnhardt, perhaps the league’s best duo.

Outlook: They’re not going to beat the 49ers but they could make the playoffs if things break right.

Atlanta

Last season: Showed some explosiveness but were their usual 7-9 when the season ended.

Strengths: Quarterback Jeff George in run-and-shoot offense that made a star of wide receiver Terance Mathis last year.

Weaknesses: George in run-and-shoot offense, which doesn’t control the ball long enough….Overall defense, which plugs one hole only to find another open up and is almost always undersized.

Outlook: This is a team with weak ownership that keeps it at .500 or below….There doesn’t seem to be a reason that the cycle will be broken this year.

St. Louis

Last season: Finished 4-12 before empty seats in Anaheim, so moved to St. Louis. … Rich Brooks replaced Chuck Knox as head coach and Steve Ortmayer took over as general manager.

Strengths: Fans that care….Potential of defensive line featuring Sean Gilbert, Robert Young and rookie Kevin Carter….Running back Jerome Bettis, although he stayed out of camp early.

Weaknesses: Wide receiver, where Flipper Anderson followed Henry Ellard out the door as free agent….Offensive line, where the most interesting item is Jackie Slater’s attempt to come back for 20th season….Quarterback, where Chris Miller has never managed a full season and Mark Rypien is suspect under any kind of pass rush.

Outlook: The Rams have an awful front office, which has led to their decline in the ‘90s….There’s no reason to think the move to St. Louis will make it any better.

Carolina

Last season: Used scouts and front office to prepare for this season, finally hiring Dom Capers as head coach in January, but losing draft choices for doing it prematurely while Pittsburgh, where he was defensive coordinator, was still playing.

Strengths: Linebackers, with Lamar Lathon and Darion Conner showing pass-rush potential on outside and Sam Mills providing leadership inside….Quarterback, where Frank Reich and Jack Trudeau provide experience and Kerry Collins provides potential.

Weaknesses: Everywhere, as with any expansion team….Offensive line is a sieve, with Blake Brockermeyer, a rookie, the best talent….Lots of good third wide receivers, but no first or seconds.

Outlook: Four wins would be nice. But this is a well run team that should have a future.

NFC CENTRAL

Minnesota

Last year: Went 10-6 to win four-way race in division….But lost, 35-18, to Chicago after beating the Bears twice in regular season.

Strengths: Passing attack, featuring Warren Moon to Cris Carter and Jake Reed….Pass rush, featuring John Randle….Linebacker Jack Del Rio who always seems to be in the right place at the right time.

Weaknesses: Running game, enhanced perhaps by rookie James Stewart of Miami….Secondary, which has turned over almost entirely since last season.

Outlook: Moon was brought in to get the team to the Super Bowl….In fact, he’s never gotten a team past the second round of the playoffs and time is running out….This team’s probably not good enough.

Green Bay

Last year: Up-and-down season that ended 9-7, tied the Packers with Detroit and Chicago….Beat Detroit, 16-12, in first round, holding Barry Sanders to minus-1 yard, but lost, 35-9, in Dallas.

Strengths: Quarterback Brett Favre, who had by far his best season….Defensive line led by Reggie White…. Safeties Leroy Butler and George Teague….Coach Mike Holmgren.

Weaknesses: Huge hole left by injury that effectively ended Sterling Sharpe’s career and left no primary wide receiver….Running back, where all-purpose Edgar Bennett will be asked to become heavy-duty ballcarrier on a team that hasn’t had a 1,000-yard rusher in 17 years.

Outlook: Hard to tell. On paper, this team’s worse than last year….But Holmgren, Favre and White have a way of producing improbable victories.

Detroit

Last year: Came on late behind Dave Krieg, who replaced the injured Scott Mitchell to win four straight and make the playoffs at 9-7….Lost to Green Bay, 16-12, as Barry Sanders was held to minus-1 yard.

Strengths: Running of Sanders….Defensive leadership of Chris Spielman….Potential of beefed-up defensive line with free-agent Henry Thomas and rookie Luther Elliss…. Receiving, particularly Herman Moore.

Weaknesses: Offensive line, particularly with long holdout of Pro Bowler Lomas Brown….Pass rush, a traditional problem….Secondary, if safety Bennie Blades continues to be distracted by family tragedy….Inconsistency in front office and coaching staff, where turnover among assistants has hurt.

Outlook: As with any team in this division, who knows? … Could go 8-8 and win a five-way tie for title or go 8-8 and lose a five-way tie….If they don’t get a round or two deep into the playoffs, Wayne Fontes may be gone.

Chicago

Last year: Came on strong when Steve Walsh replaced Erik Kramer at quarterback and made playoffs at 9-7….Then beat Vikings in NFC Central semifinals before getting trounced, 44-9, by the 49ers.

Strengths: Coaching of Dave Wannstedt, which is one reason why overall defense and special teams are pluses….Potential of first-round draft pick Rashaan Salaam to help offense….Schedule, which includes both expansion teams and has only two teams outside division that were over .500.

Weaknesses: Quarterback, where neither Walsh nor Kramer seems to be a long-term answer….Lack of breakaway deep receiver unless Curtis Conway finally delivers on potential.

Outlook: Schedule is easy, but anything from 10-6 to 6-10 is feasible.

Tampa Bay

Last year: Started 2-9, the Buccaneers won four straight, but lost finale to Packers.

Strengths: Linebacker Hardy Nickerson….Offensive tackle Paul Gruber….Second-year running back Errict Rhett, one of the rookie surprises last season…Potential of free agent wide receiver Alvin Harper, injured in training camp….Pass rush potential of defensive line that includes Eric Curry, Santana Dotson and Warren Sapp, this year’s No. 1 draft pick.

Weakness: Quarterback, where Craig Erickson, who led the late surge last year, was traded to Indianapolis to give playing time to Trent Dilfer, last year’s No. 1….Offensive line other than Gruber….Receivers, if Harper doesn’t provide the lift the Bucs expect.

Outlook: Sam Wyche has to win to keep his job, but he’s stuck with breaking in a new quarterback while doing it.