2009 NFC East Preview

The Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1 in '08) are my favorite to win the division and not because of the addition of Michael Vick, rather because they are the most complete team. Let's not forget the Eagles were in the NFC Championship game last season.

The biggest problem for Andy Reid will be the same that it's always been: Can he use the playbook evenly and not force Donovan McNabb to throw the ball 40 or 50 times every game? When he falls in love with the passing game it always seems to get Donovan injured.

Plus there are more three-and-outs forcing the defense to spend more time on the field. The defense is very good again, though they'll have to overcome the death of longtime Defensive Coordinator Jim Johnson.

The New York Giants (12-4 in '08) are the defending NFC East champions and are just two years removed from winning the Super Bowl. Though they do lose some key pieces, especially on offense, they are glad to have Brandon Jacobs, the bruising tailback, and Osi Umenyiora, who missed all of last season, back and 100% for 2009.

Eli Manning should continue to progress into an elite, Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback this year, even without Plaxico Burress and one of his favorite targets, Amani Toomer, who is now with Kansas City.

In what was supposed to be a Super Bowl season in 2008, the Dallas Cowboys failed to reach the playoffs going (9-7) and sorely disappointing fans of "America's Team" all over Dallas. Owner and GM, and overall Poonhound, Jerry Jones did begin the 2009 season in the best way he could have done, which is by releasing Terrell Owens. The Cowboys also have that huge new monstrosity of a stadium to open, too.

With the addition-by-subtraction method or releasing T.O. this may very well be the year Tony Romo and company take control in the NFC and finally win a playoff game for the first time since 1996. Yes, that's correct, 1996. They are loaded (Romo, Barber, Witten, Ware, Spears) and the fans are starving and they open a new stadium. This could be a magical year in Big D.

The Washington Redskins (8-8) were the cellar dwellers in the tough NFC East last season and this year may very well be a repeat. Not that they're not good, but the 'Skins face a tough inter-divisional schedule and are still searching for an elite quarterback to lead them.

If Jason Campbell busts out this season and has a Pro Bowl type of season I won't be surprised, though. He has had a few years to learn as a starter in the NFL and he may have finally caught up to the speed of the game.

He has in the past few seasons made lots of mistakes and must cut down on the fumbles and interceptions if the Redskins are to compete in the East and make the playoffs this season. They still have a good defense and can rely on Clinton Portis, assuming he's healthy, to carry them most of the way.