NFC East.(NFL: second half preview)

NEW YORK GIANTS

HALFTIME ADJUSTMENTS: The offense must maintain the attacking mode it was in late last year and flashed again in the upset over the Vikings. Early on, coach Jim Fassel was trying to protect his young line, but he is trying to get back to being aggressive. QB Kerry Collins is at his best throwing downfield, and he is big and tough enough to absorb hits if necessary to make things happen. The other key is continuing improvement in a running game that could get a jolt from RB Dorsey Levens. The veteran sat out the first five games. A one-two punch of Tiki Barber and Levens would take heat off the line.... The emphasis on both sides of the ball will be preventing giveaways and creating takeaways, the biggest weakness in the first half of the season. The team has only six interceptions. Aggressive schemes would help create turnovers, but that won't be an easy way to go given the vulnerabilities in the secondary with Will Peterson out because of a back injury. Most opponents have been spreading the field with three receivers and daring the Giants to cover them.... The special teams must do a better job in coverage and returns.

SECOND HALF BREAKOUT PLAYER: DT Cornelius Griffin, who suffered an ankle injury against the Vikings, has not racked up big sack totals, but he has developed into an active, solid force in the middle who uses his speed to cover a lot of ground. He and DE Michael Strahan are a formidable duo on the left side.

WHAT'S NEXT: As usual, the team will make a late run and finish with a respectable record. There are plenty of winnable games ahead, and at some point the turnover differential will even out a bit. But the hole the team dug for itself is so big that narrowly missing a playoff berth remains a strong possibility.--Neil Best

 
MIDSEASON GRADES 
 
QUARTERBACKS     C+ 
RUNNING BACKS    C+ 
RECEIVERS        C+ 
OFFENSIVE LINE   C 
DEFENSIVE LINE   B 
LINEBACKERS      B 
SECONDARY        B 
SPECIAL TEAMS    D 
COACHING         C 
 
OVERALL GRADE    C 

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

HALFTIME ADJUSTMENTS: The team plans to address its pass perfection problems by no longer asking tight ends to match up against ends. The tackles will be asked to block down less and focus more on ends and linebackers coming off the edge. LG Derrick Dockery, who also is having problems, will get more help from C Larry Moore. The team should go to more three-step drops with a strong emphasis on QB Patrick Ramsey getting rid of the ball quickly so he can avoid sacks and turnovers.... The first priority on defense is to improve against the run. That's a big challenge. The tackles work hard, but more than effort is required. MLB Jeremiah Trotter needs to be more active against the run. Using a 3-4 alignment, with Kevin Mitchell inserted as an inside linebacker, might help. Mitchell is a solid run stopper and needs to be on the field more. It's clear the team won't stop the run with its current front four. It should consider moving DEs Renaldo Wynn and Peppi Zellner inside on run downs.