2006 NFC East Preview

Teams are listed in their expected order of arrival.

1. DALLAS JEANS

INSULTED: The biggest news in Big D this offseason is the addition of wide receiver Terrell Owens. Owens’ presence immediately makes the Cowboys’ offense extremely potent. His ability means easy coverage for Terry Glenn and more room up the middle for tight end Jason Witten. It also means more room to run for running backs Julius Jones and Marion Barber. The Cowboys drafted Notre Dame tight end Anthony Fasano with the plan to eliminate the fullback role and go with a two-tight end offense. Bill Parcells likes the idea of ​​being able to use that package all three times to keep the defense guessing. The only question about this offense is whether or not the offensive line can protect quarterback Drew Bledsoe. Dallas added some depth down the line by signing tackle Jason Fabini and also added guard Kyle Kosier to replace Larry Allen.

DEFENDING: Dallas’ move to 3-4 went pretty well last season. Dallas D ranked 12th in points allowed and 10th in yards allowed. OLB DeMarcus Ware, despite a midseason slump, had a strong rookie season, racking up eight sacks. Expect that number to improve in 2006. Second-year wingers Marcus Spears and Chris Canty will rotate with Gregg Ellis to give the Cowboys good pass-hunting ability. The mammoth Jason Ferguson obstructs the middle of the line. The LB corps will improve with the additions of rookie OLB Bobby Carpenter and ILB Akin Ayodele. The secondary remains solid with cornerbacks Terence Newman and Anthony Henry and SS Roy Williams.

SPECIAL TEAMS: With all the talk of TO, many overlook the signing of kicker Mike Vanderjagt. Vanderjagt is currently the most accurate FG kicker in NFL history. He will no longer kick indoors, but his career stats show that he is just as successful kicking outdoors. Speedster Tyson Thompson broke franchise records for kickoff returns (57) and yards (1,399), but he has yet to go the distance.

PREDICTION: The offense will be more explosive and the young defense will show continued improvement in the second year of the 3-4 scheme. The Cowboys are among the top three teams in the NFC and could very well end up in the NFC Championship game.

2. NEW YORK GIANTS

INSULTED: Quarterback Eli Manning made great progress last season and should take another step forward in 2006. RB Tiki Barber had a fantastic 2005 season, leading the NFL with 2,390 scrimmage yards. If Barber holds up (he’s a member of the “Over 30 RB Club”), the Giants’ offense should be lethal once again. WR Plaxico Burress had a strong first season in the Big Apple, totaling 1,214 yards and seven TDs. Rookie Sinorice Moss could overtake Amani Toomer as the team’s No. 2 WR. And let’s not forget TE Jeremy Shockey, who had seven TDs in 2005. If Shockey can stay healthy, which is a big “if,” he could reach double-digit TDs in 2006.

DEFENDING: The Giants’ pass defense was poor in 2005, ranking 27th in passing yards allowed. You certainly can’t blame the defensive line. Wingers Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora combined for 26 of the team’s 41 sacks. CBs Sam Madison and RW McQuarters and safety Will Demps have been hired to help solidify the secondary. LB LaVar Arrington has also been added to improve the forward seven. The Giants had 37 steals last season (third-best in the league) and will look to improve on that number with the talent they’ve added.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Forget the Seattle game, which is easy to do unless you’re a Giants fan. Jay Feely hit 35 of 42 FG attempts in 2005 with a 52-yard drive. Feely led all NFL kickers with 148 points last season and should see plenty of scoring opportunities this season as well. Chad Morton is a dangerous returner who can turn the field in favor of the Giants every time he touches the ball.

PREDICTION: Manning will continue to improve and the offense will continue to produce. The issue is defense. Even with the players they have added, it will take some time for that secondary to freeze as a unit. Expect the G-men to battle it out for second place in the NFC East and a wild card spot as well.

3. WASHINGTON REDSINS

INSULTED: Does quarterback Mark Brunell have anything left in his tank? After a great start to the 2005 season, Brunell faded and one has to wonder when Jason Campbell will be handed the keys. The ‘Skins brought in wide receivers Brandon Lloyd and Antwaan Randle El to take the heat off Santana Moss. TE Chris Cooley emerged as a red zone threat, scoring seven TDs last season. The focal point of the offense is RB Clinton Portis, who improved his numbers in his second year as a Redskin. Portis rushed for 1,516 yards and had 11 TDs last season. Even with an average QB game, this offense has some potential.

DEFENDING: The ‘Skins added Andre Carter in an attempt to improve their pass rush. Carter, who played OLB in the 49ers 3-4 scheme, has great quickness and will be an upgrade for this unit. He’s unlikely to be enough to generate a solid pass rush from the front four. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams will still have to use aggressive plays to pressure opposing quarterbacks. The LB corps will be minus LaVar Arrington, but it’s still a solid group that should keep the ‘Skins respectable on defense. The strength of this defense is in the secondary. Shawn Springs is a solid coverage corner and the safety tandem of Sean Taylor and Adam Archuleta should keep Washington among the NFL leaders in pass defense.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Kicker John Hall battled injuries last season, but still managed to make 12 of 14 FG attempts. The ‘Skins ranked 11th in kickoff return average last season and had two return TDs. They also ranked 28th in punt return average. Expect Randle El to enhance that phase of Washington’s special teams unit.

PREDICTION: It all comes down to the QB game. Brunell’s best days are behind him and Campbell lacks experience, which is why I’m putting them third in this division.

4. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

INSULTED: With Terrell Owens out of the picture, look for the Eagles to return to their “spread the ball” philosophy. There is no WR n. Clear #1 in this pass-happy offense. Reggie Brown had a good rookie season and shows great potential. Todd Pinkston and Greg Lewis are also viable options. The Eagles also have rookies Jason Avant and Jeremy Bloom. QB Donovan McNabb seemed to favor TE LJ Smith (61 receptions) last season. RB Brian Westbrook doesn’t get a lot of carries, but he’s a nightmare in the passing game. If he and McNabb can stay healthy, this offense should produce very well.

DEFENDING: This once-mighty unit slumped to 27th in points allowed and 23rd in yards allowed in 2005. Even more starters, Jimmie Johnson’s blitz-happy unit only posted 29 sacks on the season. Philly hired DE Darren Howard to improve pass rush and drafted DT Brodrick Bunkley to solidify the interior of the line. The Eagles have some talent at linebacker and the secondary should play better this season with better line play.

SPECIAL TEAMS: David Akers battled injury last season, but is still one of the best kickers in the league. Reno Mahe led the NFL with a punt return average of 12.8 yards in half a season.

PREDICTION: I put the Eagles last in the NFC East, but they are capable of finishing much higher if all the pieces fit together. In any other division, I’d put them above this place.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The Cowboys are my pick to win the NFC East, but any team in this division could win it if the cards are laid out. Dallas appears headed for the top of the NFC. The Giants will fight for the division title with an improving Eli Manning. The Redskins could win it too, but they’ll need solid QB play. And I don’t see that happening. The Eagles have a chance with McNabb back under center, but they need better play outside their defensive line. This is definitely the hardest split in my opinion. Even though they each play six division games, I don’t see any of them finishing worse than 7-9.