NFC East

1.  NEW YORK GIANTS

Any Giant dreams of a return to the Super Bowl depend on a healthy Osi

For the Giants  to get to the top of the East again, they’ll have to do it with a whole new receiver corps. With former Super Bowl-MVP David Tyree, Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer out of the picture, New York will depend on youth in their wideouts – Hakeem Nicks (first round) and Ramses Barden (third) to go with 5-year vet Domenik Hixon.

In the backfield they will certainly miss Derrick Ward who compiled over 2,000 from scrimmage over two seasons, but left for a four-year $17 million deal with Tampa Bay.  That still leaves them with the punishing running style of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw, a powerful punch indeed.

On the other side of the ball there will be a void from a coaching change where defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo left for the head coaching gig of the St. Louis Rams.

Defensive end Justin Tuck should be freed up with the return of two-time Pro Bowler, Osi Umenyiora at the other end after missing the entire year because of knee surgery. Also incoming free agents on the defense line include Rocky Bernard from Seattle and Chris Canty from Dallas.

In the end it will be the leadership of Eli Manning that will carry the team to the top of their division.

2.  Dallas Cowboys
 

Can a new Cowboys stadium inspire success on the field?

The ever-present expectations that come from being “America’s Team”   just grew with the completion of a shiny billion-plus stadium.

With the talented-but-burdensome receiver Terrell Owens shuffling off to Buffalo, it will be up to home grown talent Roy Williams to produce as the No.1 receiver. Picked up from Detroit for three draft picks and signed to a five-year $45 million deal, the Odessa-native and owner of numerous Texas Longhorn records, will have to step up from a paltry performance last year with just a single TD and under 200 yards for the ten games he played in a Cowboy uniform (a foot injury didn’t help). Quarterback Tony Romo will have other choices – Patrick Crayton, Miles Austin, Sam Hurd and tight end Jason Witten, but owner Jerry Jones didn’t pay Williams to be part of a group. He needs a stand out at wide out. Marion Barber and Felix Jones are talented runners to lean on and along with Tashard Choice will be called to carry a greater load.

Defensively newcomers Igor Olshansky from San Diego at defensive end and Keith Brookings from the Falcons at inside linebacker will be welcome support for former first round pick Demarcus Ware, the NFL’s sack leader (20) on a pretty solid defense that ranked in the top dozen units.

3. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Donovan McNabb is poised for another great year.

Despite having a banner year offensively (the best in the Andy Reid era), the Eagles’  first three draft picks were all on offense. Additionally, they picked up versatile quarterback Michael Vick.

Even with a career high of nearly 4,000 yards from Donovan McNabb, the Philly plan then is to provide a more multi-dimensional attack, something that should come in handy against familiar foes.

They’ll need it, because despite having a very strong defensive unit last year, changes will test those strengths. Gone are three leaders – safety Brian Dawkins to Denver, linebacker Stewart Bradley out for the year with a torn ACL and the passing of its defensive coordinator Jim Johnson to cancer over the summer.

4 . WASHINGTON REDSKINS

Time is Money and owner Daniel Snyder has spent plenty

A tale of two seasons (6-2 followed by 2-6 in 2008) and some big spending by the owner make this a make or break year for both coach Jim Zorn and quarterback Jason Campbell. Helped by a soft early schedule, Washington  can’t afford any let up as the season progresses.

Offensively Campbell has a solid target to toss to in Antwaan Randle El and the running of Clinton Portis who gained over 1400 yards last year. But besides Campbell stepping up, it is the tough defense that is really primed to make a move this year.

Snyder paid big money for  28 year-old Titan tackle Albert Haynesworth hoping, like he did with Tennessee, will make the whole Skins D unit better (the Titans had combined for 44 sacks and nearly two dozen forced fumbles). The anchor in the middle will have help on the line with the return of end Phillip Daniels who missed all of last year with an ACL injury and Andre Carter at the other end.

But Washington needs to build up its record against weaker opponents early on because they face two road trips to the West Coast as well as games against Dallas, the Giants and Philadelphia late.