NFC East Offseason Preview

The NFC proved in 2008, that they are the best division in the NFL. For those who would pick the NFC South, here is a little fun fact for ya. In matchups throughout the 2008 season, the NFC East was undefeated in games against the South.

• The Eagles beat the Falcons 27-14
• The Giants beat the Panthers 34-28
• The Cowboys beat the Buccaneers 13-9
• The Redskins beat the Saints 27-24

There, that is settled.

Now, we get to my preview of the offseason issues surrounding the NFC East. Every team in the division should have some very significant changes for the 2009 season.

New York Giants: 12-4 regular season

Big Blue enters the 2009 offseason with a laundry list of things they need to get straightened out.

First, they will need to re-sign their bull, Brandon Jacobs. The way some teams are looking for that size and speed combo nowadays, it would be foolish for the Giants to let Jacobs see the light of day as a free agent.

Next, they will need to address the ever-troubling Plaxico Burress situation. Whether it be keeping him on the team, or giving him the boot, a decision needs to be made immediately. If they release him, expect them to jump to the forefront of the Anquan Boldin sweepstakes or go after a free agent like T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

Now we come to their linebackers. If there were a weak spot in the Giants' defense, it would have to be this unit. Antonio Pierce is solid in the middle, but he has virtually no help on the outside. There are a good number of free agents available for hire in 2009. Players like: Bart Scott, Karlos Dansby or Terrell Suggs would fit nicely into the fold.

The draft could be where they improve the linebackers as well. Aaron Curry or Rey Maualuga would fit if the Giants are interested in trading up. 

Giants offseason needs

• Re-sign Jacobs.
• Address the Burress situation.
• Re-vamp the linebacker position in FA or the draft.

Philadelphia Eagles: 9-6-1 Regular Season

The Eagles list of needs dwarfs those of the Giants. There are players to be re-signed, a quarterback wanting a new contract, and most of all a team leader that NEEDS to be back in 2009.

Andy Reid and the rest of the Eagles' front office have a long road ahead of them to be Super Bowl contenders again in 2009.

The offensive line of the Eagles was one of the league's elite in the regular season, but the wear and tear of the season took its toll on veterans Jon Runyan and William Thomas. The two struggled mightily in the playoffs against the speed rushers of the Vikings, Giants, and Cardinals.

Both Big Jon and Thomas are free agents come Feb. 27. I see Runyan as the likely candidate to come back for the '09 season. Runyan's struggles were mostly due to a variety of injuries suffered towards the end of the season while Thomas just flat out struggled.

It is very likely that the Eagles will address the tackle situation in free agency or the draft.

Jordan Gross is the top free agent available at offensive tackle, but the Panthers will most likely re-sign him to a long-term deal.

As for the draft, there are a plethora of tackles available that could fall to the Eagles at the 21st or 28th picks, including Michael Oher or Eben Britton to name a couple.

Brian Dawkins, the Eagles' emotional leader for the past decade, will be a free agent as well. I don't see the Birds' letting Dawkins leave the nest though. He is too important of a player and the young players on the defense really look up to him. You can't let a guy like that go.

Even with the re-signing of Dawkins, the Eagles will need to look for his long-term replacement in the draft. Maybe Louis Delmas or William Moore could fall to them in the first two rounds.

Brian Westbrook broke down towards the end of the season, and aside from a 71-yard touchdown jaunt in Minnesota, was ineffective in the playoffs.

The Eagles need to look for his long-term replacement in the upcoming draft. Maybe Chris Wells or Shonn Greene will fall to them and give the Eagles the power running game they've lacked since the days of Duce Staley.

Now we reach a very touchy topic, RECEIVERS.

Ah, we Eagles fans know this debate all too well. Those who read my articles already know my stance on this. Getting a top receiver is a want, not a need. A receiver like T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Anquan Boldin, or Antonio Bryant would be nice for the Eagles, but not necessarily what they need right now.

Eagles offseason needs:

• Re-sign Brian Dawkins.
• Address the offensive tackle situation in FA or the draft.
• Look for long term replacement for Brian Westbrook.
• Look for long term replacement for Brian Dawkins.
• Maybe go after another top flight receiver.

Dallas Cowboys: 9-7 Regular Season

Dallas had to be the biggest disappointment of the 2008 season. A team heralded as the favorite to win the Super Bowl fizzled out and choked again at the end of the season.

The supposedly "most talented team in the league" turned out to be the team with the most ego.

Dallas has already washed their hands of the Adam "Pacman" Jones situation with his release earlier this week. There are a handful of problems on that team that owner Jerry Jones will need to address in the coming weeks

The secondary for Dallas was pitiful throughout the year. Terrence Newman was plagued with injuries and never really got in a groove. The Pacman move proved to be a waste, and starting corner Anthony Henry had one of his worst seasons. They will need to look to upgrade the position in the offseason.

The Dallas offensive line did a pretty good job of protecting Tony Romo, but at times they looked completely inept as to what the snap count was and committed a boat load of penalties. Flozell Adams was the main culprit in the penalty category; he may need to be replaced via free agency.

They lack any type of leadership in that locker room. Demarcus Ware and Romo need to take charge of that team and keep those egos in check.

Speaking of egos. How about the world's biggest ego maniac, Terrell Owens. There have been rumblings that T.O. could be on his way out of Big D. Jerry Jones' son Stephen Jones reportedly has been trying to sway daddy dearest's opinion on the self-absorbed receiver.

I think ridding themselves of Owens could be the move that puts Dallas in a very good position. It would eliminate a lot of animosity in the locker room and give everyone some sanity.

Cowboys offseason needs

• Re-vamp the secondary.
• Re-tool offensive line.
• Establish some locker room leadership.
• Address Terrell Owens situation.

Washington Redskins: 8-8 Regular Season

Washington may be the team with the least amount of team needs for the 2009 season.

Their late-season collapse in 2008 was due to an anemic offense. The offensive line struggled protecting quarterback Jason Campbell, who made his fair share of poor decisions by the way.

They need to seriously re-think their offensive line. They had a lot of trouble keeping Campbell clean in the pocket and hampered is performance a bit. The interior linemen were fine. It was the performance of Stephon Heyer and the absence of All-Pro tackle Chris Samuels that caused the struggles.

There should be a number of tackles available when the Redskins pick at 13.

One of the few needs for the Skins' is along the defensive line. Jason Taylor made a minimal impact and has even questioned his own worth to the franchise. They could draft a solid rookie at defensive end or they could go after Julius Peppers in free agency, just some food for thought for Dan Snider.

One more issue in Washington could be a bubbling quarterback controversy between Jason Campbell and second-year player Colt Brennan.

Brennan, as you may remember, set numerous passing records while at the University of Hawaii in 2007.

Campbell's poor performance in the second half of the year raised many questions about his ability and fans began to call for Brennan. Jim Zorn will need to address this come mini-camp.

Redskins offseason needs

• Improve defensive line in FA or Draft.
• Re-vamp offensive line.
• Address possible quarterback controversy.

Depending on which teams do what, there could be a major shift in power this offseason. The Giants could see themselves fall near the bottom of the division. It's not likely, but definitely possible.