Significant additions: WR
Kevin Curtis, LB Takeo Spikes, DT Ian Scott, DT Montae Reagor,
QB Kevin Kolb.
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The Eagles
must keep emotional leader Brian Dawkins, now 34, on the
field. (US Presswire)
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Significant subtractions:
QB Jeff Garcia, DT Darwin Walker, LB Jeremiah Trotter, S Michael
Lewis, WR Donte' Stallworth, CB Rod Hood, LB Dhani Jones, LB
Shawn Barber, DT Sam Rayburn.
Biggest offseason move:
Not signing Garcia. All he did was win five of six starts to
launch the Eagles to the playoffs. Now the backup is A.J. Feeley,
who pulled a Garcia in 2002 when McNabb was hurt.
Will go to the playoffs if
... defensive coordinator Jim Johnson can shore up holes in the
defense, particularly against the run. The loss of Trotter means
Omar Gaither fills the middle, and first impressions weren't
good ones: He was pushed around in Sunday's loss to Pittsburgh.
Rookie to watch: For the second straight year the Eagles drafted
a strong-side linebacker in the third round, only, unlike Chris
Gocong in 2006, this year's choice -- Stewart Bradley -- should
make an immediate contribution. He's tall and can cover a lot of
ground, both of which are important when you play in a division
with Jeremy Shockey and Jason Witten.
Overview: McNabb is
healthy, and the defense should be improved if -- and I can't
emphasize this enough -- the safeties hold up. That's where
there's not a lot of depth. Remember, Brian Dawkins turns 34 in
October.
Significant additions: T
Leonard Davis, S Ken Hamlin, QB Brad Johnson, LB Anthony
Spencer.
Significant subtractions:
QB Drew Bledsoe, G Marco Rivera, DE Kenyon Coleman.
Biggest offseason move:
Signing Mr. Big, Leonard Davis, to shore up holes in the
offensive line. Davis can play tackle or guard, and the Cowboys
will have him at right guard.
Will get to the playoffs
if ... Tony Romo plays as he did his first five starts of 2006
and not his final six. Romo looked great early, ordinary later.
Ordinary won't cut it.
Rookie to watch: I like
the draft of pass rusher Anthony Spencer because Phillips can
use him and DeMarcus Ware as he used Shawne Merriman and Shaun
Phillips in San Diego. Spencer is quick to the pocket and an
insurance policy against Greg Ellis, who is trying to recover
from a torn Achilles.
Overview: There's talent,
a lot of talent, especially on defense. But the foot injury to
cornerback Terence Newman scares me. So does Owens with a new
offensive staff. If the Cowboys sputter, I feel a meltdown
coming.
Significant additions: LB
London Fletcher, G Pete Kendall, CB Fred Smoot, CB David
Macklin, S LaRon Landry.
Significant subtractions:
G Derrick Dockery, LB Lemar Marshall, S Troy Vincent, S Adam
Archuleta, WR David Patten.
Biggest offseason move:
The acquisition of Fletcher. The Redskins last year floundered
on defense, ranking 31st and setting a league record with only
12 takeaways. Fletcher made a zillion tackles in Buffalo and led
the team in interceptions a year ago. "He makes a big
difference," said defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.
Will get to the playoffs
if ... the defense, particularly the pass defense, can do
something other than show up. The Redskins had a league-low 19
sacks last season, but it's those takeaways that must improve.
Washington's 12 were down from 28 in 2005.
Rookie to watch: Safety
LaRon Landry could be an All-Pro in waiting. An AFC personnel
boss I trust last week told me the two best safeties in football
are in Washington. Landry is fast, instinctive and has great
ball skills. In short, he's everything this club needs to shore
up a leaky defense.
Overview: There's a gap,
though not much of one, between the upper and lower tiers of
this division. The Redskins should battle for third with the
Giants and might not have the players to reach higher. I like
Joe Gibbs too, not only because he's a class guy, but because
he's a winner. But he's 21-27 since returning in 2004.
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Plaxico
Burress and the Giants should score, but that isn't
their issue. (US Presswire)
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Significant additions: LB
Kawika Mitchell, RB Reuben Droughns, K Lawrence Tynes, G Zach
Piller, S J.R. Reed, CB Aaron Ross, WR Steve Smith.
Significant subtractions:
RB Tiki Barber, T Luke Petitgout, LB LaVar Arrington, TE
Visanthe Shiancoe, LB Carlos Emmons, LB Brandon Short, CB Frank
Walker, K Jay Feely, T Bob Whitfield, WR Tim Carter.
Biggest offseason move:
The retirement of Tiki Barber. All the guy did was produce 2,127
yards in offense last season, or 41 percent of the Giants'
output. That means a lot of people on offense must elevate their
games to soften the blow.
Will get to the playoffs
if ... they can ever figure out how to play defense. I don't
think scoring is a problem for these guys; I worry about the
secondary and the linebackers. This could be four months of
tennis, with the Giants struggling to keep up.
Rookie to watch:
Second-round draft pick Steve Smith figures to make it as the
team's third receiver. He'll play ahead of Sinorice Moss, who
has been injured for most of his pro career, and Smith should
make a contribution. The guy has a knack for making big plays
and will be an asset to a club that last year was reduced to two
receivers -- Shockey and Plaxico Burress -- the second half of
the season.
Overview: Forget Broadway.
This is the can't-miss show of the fall. Coach Tom Coughlin is
fighting for his career. Eli Manning is trying to make a name
for himself. Tiki Barber is gone. Michael Strahan hasn't been
seen. Yet. There is intrigue everywhere. The Giants should score
points. It's their defense, especially at linebacker, that could
keep them down.
