NFC East Free Agency: How the Rest of the Division's Plans Affect the Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys burst onto the free-agency scene in grand fashion by locking up the services of seven free agents. Brandon Carr was the centerpiece of the impressive haul, but the Cowboys were also able to sign some solid veterans that will either start or provide depth in much-needed areas.

The Cowboys showed a shrewd and deft plan heading into free agency and executed with fine precision. The best part is that the Cowboys have some major flexibility heading into April's draft and a chance to solidify their roster.

Now that the Cowboys and their fans have had a chance to digest what transpired in the first week of free agency, it's a time to reflect and check out what the team's foes in the NFC East were able to accomplish.

After getting swept by both the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles and narrowly escaping defeat to the Washington Redskins twice, the Cowboys have to find a way to maintain any competitive advantage possible. Each divisional game carries major implications, and the Cowboys need to find themselves on the winning side of as many as they can.

It starts right now with the results of free agency. 

New York Giants

Free-Agent Acquisitions

Martellus Bennett, TE;  Chris Horton, SS,

Key Re-signings

Steve Weatherford, P; David Carr, QB; Michael Coe, CB; Justin Tryon, CB; Terrell Thomas, CB; Bruce Johnson, CB; Jake Ballard, TE; Domenik Hixon, WR

Key Departures

Brandon Jacobs, RB; Mario Manningham, WR

The reigning Super Bowl champion Giants drew more attention for the players they lost than the ones they signed. Brandon Jacobs was released for salary-cap purposes, and Mario Manningham tested the market and landed in the Bay area. 

The Giants were able to sign former Cowboy Martellus Bennett as they look to replace injured tight ends Travis Beckum and Jake Ballard, dealing with knee injuries. This was an interesting move by the Giants, as they seem willing to take a chance on a player who has clearly underachieved his whole career but is still physically imposing and young.

Could Eli Manning and the Giants offensive system tap into Marty B's potential? Part of me thinks that if their system can have success with players like Jake Ballard, Bear Pascoe and Travis Beckum, then why not Bennett?

Wouldn't it be fitting?

As a player who knows the nuances of the Cowboys offense and is also out to prove he can be a No. 1 tight end, the Cowboys shouldn't take him lightly when they face him twice in 2012. It will be interesting to see how the Giants utilize him.

So far in free agency, the Giants have shown that they are pretty content with where they sit. They didn't make a splash, focusing primarily on signing some of their own players like Terrell Thomas. 

And they will probably continue to build through the draft as they deal with a tight salary cap.

The Giants still possess a deep and talented defensive line, Eli Manning and two dangerous receivers that gave the Cowboys major headaches. Despite a slight talent drop-off, expect the Giants to field a balanced team that will look to throw the ball.

Brandon Carr, say hello to Eli Manning. The Cowboys now have three capable cornerbacks with the addition of Carr, but they need to replace the fourth and fifth spots if they plan on slowing down the Giants' passing attack.

Philadelphia Eagles

Free-Agent acquisitions

Steve Vallos, OG; Mike Gibson, OG

Key Re-Signings

Evan Mathis, OG; DeSean Jackson, WR; Antonio Dixon, DT; Trent Cole, DE; Todd Herremans, OT

Key Departures

Juqua Parker, DE; Jamal Jackson, C; Winston Justice, OT

For the Philadelphia Eagles, it's been all about taking care of their own after opening up the vault during last year's free agency to players like Nnamdi Asomghua, Jason Babin and Cullen Jenkins.The Eagles will try and put last year behind them and will virtually bring back the same roster minus a few players.

The Eagles will continue to not only be a formidable opponent for the Cowboys, but they could be poised for a big 2012, as they have plenty of talent.

They possess a great deal of speed with DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy as the main weapons, and they also have Michael Vick, who is looking to shake off an injury-riddled 2011.

For the Cowboys to have success against this team, the primary focus has to center around pressure and protection, as they represent the key elements in both losses in 2011.

In the first matchup, the Eagles simply ran a track meet and took advantage of a Cowboys defense that never put up a fight or bothered to show up. The second loss, which would turn out to be a meaningless game, saw Tony Romo go down with a swollen hand.

The Cowboys were able to shore up a lot of holes in free agency so far, but the failure to land an additional pass-rusher might allow the Eagles to continue to hurt Dallas with their speed.

Rob Ryan and his crew must get to Michael Vick in 2012 and find a way to contain the Eagles' weapons. The interior-line free agents will not only help protect Tony Romo, but so will Lawrence Vickers' ability to pick up blitzers and open up holes for the Cowboys to run the ball against the Eagles defense.

The Eagles took a similar approach as the Giants to free agency, but not only will the Eagles be out to avenge a disappointing 2011, they will be a better team.

For the Cowboys, the plan remains unchanged: to beat them.

Washington Redskins

Free-Agent acquisitions

Cedric Griffin, CB; Brandon Merriweather, SS; Josh Morgan, WR; Pierre Garcon, WR

Key Re-Signings

Rex Grossman, QB; Fred Davis, TE; Adam Carriker, DE; Will Montgomery, C; Darrion Scott, DE

Key Departures

LaRon Landry, S; Donte Stallworth, WR; O.J. Atogwe, S; Mike Sellers, FB

The Washington Redskins took a similar approach to the Cowboys in free agency by signing Pierre Garcon to a lucrative contract. Then, they further bolstered their receiver corps by adding former 49er Josh Morgan.

With Dan Snyder's checkbook and Mike Shannahan's desire to make a statement in year three of his tenure, the Redskins look poised to take big steps in the NFC East after multiple losing seasons.

Perhaps their most stunning move was their trade with the St. Louis Rams, which netted them the second overall pick in April's draft. Their prize is Robert Griffin III. 

It's apparent that the Redskins will go with the gifted rookie to lead them into 2012 and the future, but what does this mean for the Cowboys ? 

Although Griffin might struggle a bit as a rookie, Cam Newton and Andy Dalton served as fine examples of how rookie quarterbacks can succeed. He is extremely athletic, has a strong arm and is dangerous outside the pocket just like Michael Vick. 

So, the Cowboys now have to worry about two very gifted and athletic quarterbacks who have weapons at their disposal in the NFC East. The Cowboys will need to bring the heat early and often in 2012, and the plan should be to do whatever it takes to bring it.

The effect of having two athletic quarterbacks in the division along with a Super Bowl MVP should have Rob Ryan working overtime.

For the Cowboys, looking at what the Redskins were able to accomplish should serve as a reminder of just how competitive the NFC East promises to be. By adding Griffin, Garcon and Morgan to their mix, along with a strong defense, the Redskins are clearly looking to get young and athletic, and they want the ability to stretch the field while keeping defenses honest.

As with any opponent, the Cowboys will have to be able to protect Tony Romo better against the Redskins' tough and talented defensive front, and the additions of Mackenzy Bernedeau and Nate Livings will help accomplish that.

After barely escaping defeat to the Redskins last year in both contests, the Cowboys will need to be ready for a different and more dangerous team in 2012.

Dallas Cowboys

For the Dallas Cowboys, their plan has already gone into effect heading into 2012.

Although the teams in the NFC East have plans of their own, the Cowboys can only control what's in front of them. No matter what the Giants, Eagles and Redskins accomplish in the rest of free agency and the draft, all the Cowboys need to know is that the battles promise to be epic and hard-fought.

The Giants are coming off of their second Super Bowl in four years, the Redskins have a lot to prove and are motivated to do so, and the Eagles will bring back a world of talent also with something to prove.

The Cowboys need to make a statement in the NFC East in 2012 in order to achieve the success they and the fans desire. So far, they're off to a good start.