After a season in which three teams finished over .500 and four-time defending division champion slipped to the cellar, the NFC East looks even more formidable for 2006. Reigning division champion New York grabbed division rival OLB LaVar Arrington from Washington and Terrell Owens has jumped from Philly to Dallas. All four teams have addressed glaring needs and have legitimate postseason hopes. However, it is likely that no more than two of these teams will be playing deep in to January.
Dallas Cowboys: The T.O. show moves to Dallas where famed disciplinarian Bill Parcells is now in charge of the troubled talent. He replaces former bad boy WR Keyshawn Johnson in an upgrade of their receiving corps. If he can manage to stay out of Drew Bledsoe's face, the offense will greatly improve from his presence. It's painful to say, but their second biggest move may be adding the foot of K Mike Vanderjagt. The Cowboys lost several close games to inexperienced kickers and should not have that problem with the Peyton Manning proclaimed "drunken idiot"placekicker. Despite cutting veteran All-Pro Larry Allen, the offensive line should be fine with the addition of T Jason Fabini. The defense underwent changes with the retirement of LB Dat Nguyen, and the free agency departures of LB Scott Fujita and DT La'Roi Glover. The 'Boys addressed their LB issues with the signings of Akin Ayodele and Rocky Boiman, but left a huge hole on the interior of the defensive line.
Key Additions: WR Terrell Owens, K Mike Vanderjagt, LB Akin Ayodele, LB Rocky Boiman,
T Jason Fabini
Key Losses: G Larry Allen, DT La'Roi Glover, WR Keyshawn Johnson, TE Dan Campbell,
LB Scott Fujita
Washington Redskins: Despite a slow start to the '05 campaign, the Skins won six straight games to secure a playoff berth. They continued their torrid pace with an impressive win at Tampa Bay in the first round before being knocked off by Conference Champion Seattle. Big spending owner Daniel Snyder made a big splash at the beginning of free agency by nabbing one of the Super Bowl heroes WR Antwaan Randle-El. The air attack will also be bolstered by the addition of WR Brandon Lloyd who could thrive with attention focused on Randle-El and Santana Moss. Tight End Christian Fauria comes over from New England to replace departed starter Robert Royal. A deal with the Jets landed a sixth round pick in exchange for maligned backup QB Patrick Ramsey. In his place will be free agent addition Todd Collins. The defense also received a boost with free agents S Adam Archuleta and LB/DE Andre Carter signing to play in the nation's capital. They will more than capably fill the void left by the departures of S Ryan Clark and LB LaVar Arrington.
Key Additions: WR Antwaan Randle-El, WR Brandon Lloyd, TE Christian Fauria,
LB/DE Andre Carter, SS Adam Archuleta
Key Losses: LB LaVar Arrington, QB Patrick Ramsey, SS Ryan Clark, TE Robert Royal
Philadelphia Eagles: Even before the season could get underway, WR Terrell Owens began ripping this team apart. The TO-Donovan McNabb saga lingered for months and killed their chances of returning to a fifth straight NFC Championship game. Instead, the loudmouth WR had his season cut short by a team suspension and McNabb succumbed to a rash of injuries. The result was a disappointing 6-10 season and the departure of Terrell Owens. Without Owens and McNabb, the passing game struggled to get on track. The only receiver who has been added to McNabb's arsenal is Jabar Gaffney, but he has been very inconsistent in his young career. In case number five experiences injury troubles again, QB Jeff Garcia has proven to be a reliable backup. They've also brought in TE Matt Schobel as a backup to pass-catching TE LJ Smith and will help in two TE sets in the running game. Defensively the Eagles added a pair of starters in DE Darren Howard and LB Shawn Barber. Provided the defensive backs can return from injuries that set them back a year ago, it should be a formidable unit this year.
Key Additions: DE Darren Howard, QB Jeff Garcia, WR Jabar Gaffney
Key Losses: WR Terrell Owens, DE ND Kalu, LB Keith Adams, QB Mike McMahon
New York Giants: The defending division champions have a lot to prove after being thoroughly dominated in a home playoff game against Carolina. Young QB Eli Manning showed flashes of brilliance early in the season, but struggled down the stretch and in the playoffs. He will need to improve as star RB Tiki Barber should not be expected to carry the offense to the extent he had to a season ago. The offense ranked 3rd in the NFL a year ago in scoring offense and GM Ernie Accorsi seems content to let them have another year together. The only changes have occurred with the departure and arrival of offensive line depth. Everyone who saw this team play last year knew they needed to improve on two key areas this offseason: defensive backfield and linebacker. The era of the "Wills" seems to be at an end with CB Will Allen now in Miami and question marks surrounding the return of Will Peterson. In comes veteran Sam Madison, along wtih polished nickel back R.W McQuarters. Behind them will be former Ravens S Will Demps, taking over for Brent Alexander who is yet to find a new home. After having to start street free agents at Linebacker during late December and January, the Giants added LBs Brandon Short and LaVar Arrington. If Arrington can stay healthy, these will be tremendous upgrades.
Key Additions: LB LaVar Arrington, LB Brandon Short, S Will Demps, CB Sam Madison,
CB R.W McQuarters
Key Losses: LB Nick Greisen, S Brent Alexander, S Shaun Williams, DT Kendrick Clancy,
CB Will Allen
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