NFC East Primer

Part 2 of our look into the 2010 NFL season brings us to the NFC East.

Did Dez forget something?

Dallas Cowboys
2009 record: 11-5, 1st in division
Head coach: Wade Phillips
Key Additions: T Alex Barron
Key Losses: T Flozell Adams, S Ken Hamlin

1. Are the Cowboys a newer "version" of the San Diego Chargers?
They are. All the talent, very little results. Sure, Dallas manage a playoff win last year. A playoff win. Nothing more.

2. Will Dallas feel the pressure of trying to become the first team to play the Super Bowl on its home field?
In all honesty, they shouldn't care one bit. You always hear phrases similar to "keep your eyes on the prize", but you wonder if that prize doesn't create unnecessary pressure.

3. Seriously, is Wade Phillips the right guy in Dallas?
He does whatever Jerry Jones wants...except win a Super Bowl. I don't think he is, but Phillips isn't a terrible coach.I just feel here's more of a defensive coordinator.

There's nothing that should keep these guys from winning the division...except themselves.

If Bulluck is healthy, Giants opponents better
be aware of his whereabouts on the field.

New York Giants
2009 record: 8-8
Head coach: Tom Coughlin
Key Additions: S Antrel Rolle, S Deon Grant, LB Keith Bulluck
Key Losses: S C.C. Brown, CB Kevin Dockery

1. Will the G-men be able to bounce back from a deplorable second half of 2009?
Anyone that knows how Coughlin coaches will answer this as a resounding "yes". He demands excellence and attention to detail. There's no way the Giants stumble in 2010 like they did in 2009. This coaching staff, for the most part, has been together long enough to realize they made critical mistakes last year, too. That will be the difference in 2010.

2. Is the offensive line still as good as it was a couple of seasons ago?
We saw cracks in the armor last year during the dreaded second half. They're still good, but they're also not the best O-line in the league like may thought in 2007 and 2008.

3. Can the defense get back to the level it was during the Super Bowl season?
It can and it will come close this season. The Giants shored up the defensive front in the draft with Jason Pierre-Paul and Linval Joseph. They brought in Keith Bulluck and signed Antrel Rolle. Every level was addressed so there's no reason to believe they can't excel.

8-8 is not where these guys belong.

"You take it!" "No, you take it!"

Philadelphia Eagles
2009 record: 11-5, 2nd in division
Head coach: Andy Reid
Key Additions: RB Mike Bell, WR Kelley Washington, LB Joe Mays, LB Ernie Sims
Key Losses: QB Donovan McNabb, RB Brian Westbrook, LB Will Weatherspoon, S Sean Jones, CB Sheldon Brown, LB Chris Gocong

1. How well will the Eagles adjust to Kevin Kolb?
It better be fast and it better be smooth. Kolb is the polar opposite of McNabb as far as football goes. Kolb is a pocket passer and will not make the plays on the run like #5 did. Eagles fans must recognize that he's still pretty much a rookie even with this being his 4th season.

2. Will the defense find a way to improve in 2010?
Not really seeing it. The front seven got a gift in landing Brandon Graham in the draft. They traded for a high motor LB in Sims, but what else?

3. Could this be Andy Reid's last hurrah?
Quite possible if the Eagles fall off substantially. I'm a fan of Andy Reid's. Despite never winning the Super Bowl, I believe he's an excellent coach. He has guided the Eagles to many NFC Championships games during his tenure. He's just got the one win in those games and people continually knock him for that. If he's not in Philly after this season, he will be elsewhere in 2011.

The guys lost a lot and gained a little.

He looks so lost and lonely.

Washington Redskins
2009 record: 4-12
Head coach: Mike Shanahan
Key Additions: QB Donovan McNabb, T Jamaal Brown, LB Chris Draft, RB Willie Parker, RB Larry Johnson, WR Mike Furrey, WR Joey Galloway
Key Losses: WR Antwaan Randle-El, RB Rock Cartwright, QB Jason Campbell

1. Will this Albert Haynesworth-Mike Shanahan thing ever end?
It will. An MRI revealed no structural damage to Albert's sore knee. It's just a matter of time before this locking of the horns ends and both parties realize they're acting like a couple of school children.

2. Who does McNabb throw to?
Better yet, why does McNabb have to pass as much as he did in Philly? He won't have to because of Mike Shanahan's scheme. There's a veteran stable of backs in Clinton Portis, Parker and Johnson. If McNabb does have to venture downfield, his options are all that eye opening. He has TEs Chris Cooley and Fred Davis. It his options at receiver that aren't great, but not that bad. Santana Moss is still dangerous but the two 3rd-year receivers (Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly) must rise to the occasion.

3. Can we really expect the defense to stand?
The first hurdle was cleared when Jim Haslett was brought in as defensive coordinator. Not that the Redskins were a bad defense in 2009 (10th overall). Shanny prefers a 3-4 scheme and Haslett is just the right guy to bring in. The linebackers are the group under the microscope. Brian Orakpo could be the supreme beneficiary to the scheme switch. Throw in vets like Rocky McIntosh and London Fletcher should provide a better performing group.

A 4-12 season will not be duplicated in D.C. In fact, if these guys are below .500, I'd be surprised even with the tussle between Albert and Shanny.

Predicting a winner for this division is the easiest. It's how the other three fall. I'm grasping here, but...

1. Dallas. Has to be them Cowboys.
2. New York. Coughlin won't let '09 happen in '10.
3. Washington. Love the McNabb move.
4. Philadelphia. Hate the McNabb move.