NFC East 2006 Preview

Teams are listed in their expected order of arrival.

1. DALLAS COWBOYS

INSULTED: The biggest news at Big D this offseason is the addition of receiver Terrell Owens. Owens’ presence immediately makes the Cowboys’ offense extremely potent. His ability means easy coverage for Terry Glenn and more space up the middle for tight end Jason Witten. It also means more running room 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 opposing defense guessing. The only question about this offense is whether or not the offensive line can protect quarterback Drew Bledsoe. Dallas added some depth to 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 good 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. 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 strong with cornerbacks Terence Newman and Anthony Henry and SS Roy Williams.

SPECIAL TEAMS: With all the talk about TO, the signing of kicker Mike Vanderjagt is overlooked by many. Vanderjagt is currently the most accurate FG kicker in NFL history. He won’t kick indoors anymore, but his career stats show he’s just as successful kicking outdoors. Speedster Tyson Thompson broke franchise records for kickoff returns (57) and yards (1,399), but has yet to go all the way.

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 yards from scrimmage. If Barber holds out (he’s a member of the “Over 30 RB Club”), the Giants’ offense should be deadly once again. WR Plaxico Burress had a good first season in the Big Apple, totaling 1,214 yards and seven TDs. Rookie Sinorice Moss could surpass 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 hit double-digit TDs in 2006.

DEFENDING: The Giants’ pass defense was lacking 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 signed to help solidify the secondary. LB LaVar Arrington has also been added to improve the front seven. The Giants had 37 takeaways last season (third-best in the league) and will look to improve 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 connected on 35 of 42 FG attempts in 2005 with a length of 52 yards. 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 shift the field position in the Giants’ favor 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 for second place in the NFC East and a wild card berth as well.

3. WASHINGTON REDSKINS

INSULTED: Does quarterback Mark Brunell have anything left in the 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 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. It’s unlikely he’ll 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. LB’s corps will be less LaVar Arrington, but it’s still a solid group that should keep the ‘Skins respectable defensively. 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 tries. The ‘Skins ranked 11th in kickoff return average last season and had two return TDs. They were also ranked 28th in punt return average. Expect Randle El to improve 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 he placed 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 no. #1 clear 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 many carries, but he is a nightmare in the passing game. If he and McNabb can stay healthy, this offense should produce very well.

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

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

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 would place 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 presented to them. Dallas seems 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 a solid QB game. And I don’t see that happening. The Eagles have a chance with McNabb back under center, but they need a better game off 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.