NFC East Division Preview

June 16, 2008 @ 14:25:46

By Bryce McRae
Edited by Cory J. Bonini

Dallas Cowboys

2007 Record: 10-6

Offseason changes

Key Additions	Pos	Acquire via	Key Losses	Pos	Status
Pacman Jones	CB	Trade	Julius Jones	RB	UFA-signed
Felix Jones	RB	Draft	Keith Davis	DB	UFA-signed
Mike Jenkins	DB	Draft	Jacques Reeves	CB	UFA-signed
Zach Thomas	LB	UFA-signed	Tyson Thompson	RB	UFA-signed
Tashard Choice	RB	Draft	--	--	--

Worth keeping an eye on

Positional battles

Linebacker Anthony Spencer should push Greg Ellis as the starting left outside linebacker.

Depending upon the reinstatement status of cornerback Pacman Jones, there may be a battle at the nickel back position between Jones, rookie Mike Jenkins and veteran Anthony Henry.

Fading fast

Wide receiver Terry Glenn (knee) competed in only one game last year after injuring his right knee. He needed microfracture surgery but avoided the surgery, so he is hopeful to play in 2008. He has yet to practice this offseason and, at 33, he could near the end of his time.

Coming on strong

Running back Marion Barber III had his second straight season with at least 10 touchdowns, yet he has started just three games in his career and none last season. He has maxed out at 975 yards, but with running back Julius Jones in Seattle, this could be the year Barber finally reaches that mark.

On the rebound

Cornerback Pacman Jones has been reinstated on a limited basis. His much-publicized extracurricular activities kept him off the field last season. The Cowboys have done a good job rehabilitating players with character issues, which could help Jones emerge as a Pro Bowler for the second time in his career.

Injury prone

Linebacker Zach Thomas (migraine) played in just five games last year. In this decade, Thomas has completed a full 16-game slate in just two of eight seasons. At 35, he is getting up there in years.

Offensive/defensive scheme changes

Both coordinators are set to return so there should not be many significant changes to the schemes.

New York Giants

2007 Record: 10-6

Offseason changes

Key Additions	Pos	Acquire via	Key Losses	Pos	Status
Sammy Knight	DB	Signing	Gibril Wilson	DB	UFA-signed
David Carr	QB	Signing	Michael Strahan	DL	Retired
Kenny Phillips	DB	Draft	Kawika Mitchell	LB	UFA-signed
Mario Manningham	WR	Draft	--	--	--

Worth keeping an eye on

Positional battles

The No. 3 and No. 4 jobs will likely be determined in training camp after a battle from wide receivers Mario Manningham, Steven Smith, Sinorice Moss and David Tyree for the No. 3 or No. 4 jobs.

Rookie safety Kenny Phillips could battle with safety James Butler to start at free safety.

Fading fast

Tight end Jeremy Shockey (leg) endured his worst season since 2004 last year. He finished the season on the sidelines and has not started practicing yet. Shockey was the center of trade speculation this offseason; however, teams balked at the Giants' high asking price.

Wide receiver Sinorice Moss, a second-round draft pick, has failed to give the team much of anything in his two seasons. With the drafting of wide receiver Mario Manningham, and the emergence of Steven Smith, Moss could be running out of chances.

Coming on strong

Defensive end Justin Tuck made his name known with a six-tackle, two-sack performance in the Super Bowl. With the retirement of defensive end Michael Strahan, Tuck should see the field more and could build off his 10 sacks of last year.

On the rebound

Linebacker Mathis Kiwanuka (leg) is versatile enough he could be used him at linebacker and defensive end this year. He struggled early learning a new position (linebacker) last year, but he was making progress before a broken leg ended his season.

Injury prone

In his first season as the starter, running back Brandon Jacobs (hamstring) ran the ball well, but he missed five games due to injuries. His upright running style leaves him open to punishment and could limit his playing time.

Offensive/defensive scheme changes

With both coordinators returning, the team's schemes should not be altered significantly.

Philadelphia Eagles

2007 Record: 8-8

Offseason changes

Key Additions	Pos	Acquire via	Key Losses	Pos	Status
Asante Samuel	DB	UFA-signed	Jevon Kearse	DL	UFA-signed
Chris Clemons	DE	UFA-signed	Takeo Spikes	LB	UFA-signed
DeSean Jackson	WR	Draft	Kawika Mitchell	LB	UFA-signed

Worth keeping an eye on

Positional battles

Wide receivers Jason Avant, Hank Baskett and DeSean Jackson are all competing for the No. 3 role. Subsequently, the No. 4 wide receiver would be determined.

Fading fast

Defensive end Darren Howard did not start any game last year after starting all 16 in 2006. He recorded one sack and only eight tackles. His high price tag is another strike against him.

Coming on strong

Wide receiver Kevin Curtis started all 16 games last year for the first time in his career and posted a career-best 1,110 yards on 77 receptions. He has great hands on a team that lacks reliable options at the position.

On the rebound

Tight end L.J. Smith (knee, ribs) suffered two injuries - sports hernia and sprained knee - that limited him to just 10 games. He caught a career-low 22 passes and found the end zone just once. Franchise tagged this offseason, Smith is a great threat down the middle when healthy.

Injury prone

Quarterback Donovan McNabb (shoulder) started 14 games in 2007, his most in the last three years. However, the injuries are already surfacing with some shoulder tendonitis this offseason that has kept him out.

Running back Brian Westbrook (knee) is undersized and has never completed a full season during his six-year career. He finished with a career-high 15 starts last year, but with the pounding his 5-foot-10, 203-pound frame takes, he is a candidate to miss at least one or two games per year.

Offensive/defensive scheme changes

Both coordinators return for another season in Philadelphia, so no significant changes can be expected.

Washington Redskins

2007 Record: 9-7

Offseason changes

Key Additions	Pos	Acquire via	Key Losses	Pos	Status
Jim Zorn	HC	Hiring	Joe Gibbs	HC	Retired
Devin Thomas	WR	Draft	Al Saunders	OC	Fired-hired
Fred Davis	TE	Draft	Brandon Lloyd	WR	UFA-signed
Malcolm Kelly	WR	Draft	Reche Caldwell	WR	UFA-signed
Sherman Smith	OC	Hiring	Keenan McCardell	WR	UFA
Colt Brennan	QB	Draft	Mark Brunell	QB	UFA-signed
Erasmus James	DE	Trade	Gregg Williams	DC	Fired-hired

Worth keeping an eye on

Positional battles

Wide receivers Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas should battle for the third receiver spot.

Safety Stuart Schweigert should compete with Reed Doughty for a starting spot at safety. LaRon Landry's starting spot may be determined by the winner, since the coaching staff isn't eager to determine where Landy will play.

Fading fast

Wide receiver Santana Moss managed just three touchdowns last year, two years after tripling that total with nine in 2005. With two new receivers (Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly) in town, the team has a few targets that could take away opportunities from Moss. Nagging injuries also made Moss unreliable to start a full season.

Coming on strong

Safety LaRon Landry, a first-round pick in 2007, gave the team stability as he started all 16 games during his rookie campaign. He finished with 95 tackles (63 solo) and six passes defensed.

On the rebound

One year after injuries limited him to just eight games, running back Clinton Portis bounced back with an outstanding season. He carried the ball 325 times for 1,262 yards and found the end zone 11 times. With a new passing offense, Portis could be leaned on heavily early in the season.

Injury prone

Linebacker Rocky McIntosh (knee) tore two ligaments in his knee last year and could have a degenerative condition in both knees. He broke out with 87 tackles last year, but he could have trouble staying on the field.

Wide receiver Antwaan Randle El (knee) had his best season, yardage-wise, in 2007. However, he has played a full season just once in his career - 2006 - and is already missing practice time this offseason after knee surgery.

Right guard Randy Thomas (biceps) is projected to start, but he has completed a full season only once in the last four years.

Offensive/defensive scheme changes

Head coach Jim Zorn and offensive coordinator Sherman Smith are expected to employ a quarterback-friendly version of West Coast offense. He could favor the running game early as quarterback Jason Campbell attempts to learn another new offense. Don't be shocked to see the offense look a lot like that of the Seattle Seahawks.

New defensive coordinator Greg Blache was promoted from defensive line coach, where he served for four years. He favors a 4-3 system that can generate good pressure from the down linemen. He is aggressive and likes his lineman to eat up blockers to free up the linebackers.

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Bryce McRae
Bryce McRae is a Managing Editor with KFFL and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1999. He joined KFFL as a volunteer writer in March 2005 before becoming a Hot off the Wire Analyst in March 2006. He began working in his current capacity in September 2008. His work has appeared on fantasy sports sites such as Yahoo! and CBS Sportsline as well as in print. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2008 with a B.A. in History and U.S. Studies.

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