Probably the toughest division in the NFC, the East Division:

Washington Redskins

Key Additions: DE Andre Carter (49ers)
TE Christian Fauria (Patriots)
WR Brandon Lloyd (49ers)
WR Antwaan Randle El (Steelers)
CB Kenny Wright (Jaguars)
QB Todd Collins (Chiefs)
SS Adam Archuleta (Rams)

Key Losses: S Matt Bowen (Bills)
CB Walt Harris (49ers)
LB Lavar Arrington (Giants)
S Omar Stoutmire (Saints)
TE Robert Royal (Bills)

As always, the Washington Redskins were very active in free agency. The additions of Antwaan Randle El along with Brandon Lloyd will not only open things up for Santana Moss, but will aid the running attack as well. The defense may not be as dominant as they were last season, but it will still be a formidable group. There have been rumblings out of Redskins camp that Al Saunders’ complicated offense has irked a few of the offensive players. However no one can dispute the fact that the offense is effective as evidenced by the success of both the Rams and the Chiefs over the last 7 or 8 years. The backfield is a concern with Clinton Portis still not 100% and Mark Brunell continuing with his night and day performances in practice and games. There may be a Jason Campbell sighting sooner rather than later.

One could consider the Redskins to be the worst of the best. They aren’t bad, it’s just that the other teams in their division are better and more importantly, don’t have as many question marks.

Projected Record: 6-10

Philadelphia Eagles

Key Additions: LB Shaun Barber (Chiefs)
DT Ed Jasper (Raiders)
QB Jeff Garcia (Lions)
DE Darren Howard (Saints)
WR Donte’ Stallworth (Saints)

Key Losses: LB Keith Adams (Panthers)
DE/LB: Ndukwe Kalu
WR Terrell Owens (Cowboys)
WR Todd Pinkston (Vikings)

Looks like the Philadelphia Eagles will be running their offense with smoke and mirrors again. They still have one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in Donovan McNabb, however they’ve once again paired him with a group of who’s who at wide receiver. Their best known receiver is the recently acquired Donte Stallworth and all he’s known for is being a 1st round bust. Reggie Brown is solid but nothing to ride home about. The Eagles do posses one of the best young defenses in the NFC and probably the deepest defensive line in football. Lito Sheppard, Sheldon Brown, Brian Dawkins and Michael Lewis are still one of the top defensive backfields in football.

The Eagles will bounce back from the T.O. debacle and will have a solid season, however they will fall short of the post-season.

Projected Record: 9-7

New York Giants

Key Additions: S Will Demps (Ravens)
CB Sam Madison (Dolphins)
LB Brandon Short (Panthers)
LB Lavar Arrington (Redskins)

Key Losses: CB Will Allen (Dolphins)
LB Jay Foreman (Saints)
LB Nick Greisen (Jaguars)
G Jason Wittle (Vikings)
S Shaun Williams (Panthers)
DT Kendrik Clancy (Cardinals)

If possible playing in New York, Eli Manning quietly had a good season in 2005. Along with MVP candidate Tiki Barber, Eli and the Giants should posses one of the top offenses in the NFC in 2006. The biggest question with the Giants is the defense. While they do have the best defensive end tandem in football, I am not as confident with their defense up the middle. When William Joseph is healthy, he plays marginally well, however he has not been as great as many though he would be. Granted he’s only been in the league a few years, but he hasn’t played a full season in his tenure, and the Giants need that size up the middle to help stop the run. Arrington, Pierce and Emmons are versatile players who can play both the run and the pass from the linebacker position.

Despite the fact that they have one of the tougher schedules in football, the New York Giants will grind their way through and return to the playoffs.

Projected Record: 10-6 (Wild-Card playoff berth)

Dallas Cowboys

Key Additions: LB Akin Ayodele (Jaguars)
LB Rocky Boiman (Titans)
OT Jason Fabini (Jets)
S Marcus Coleman (Texans)
K Mike Vanderjagt (Colts)
WR Terrell Owens (Eagles)
OT Kyle Kosier (Lions)

Key Losses: G Larry Allen (49ers)
HB Anthony Thomas (Lions)
WR Keyshawn Johnson (Panthers)
DT La’roi Glover (Rams)
LB Scott Fujita (Saints)
TE Dan Campbell (Lions)

The Dallas Cowboys posses one of the best defenses in football. Consider the fact that former Pro Bowl linebacker Al Singleton is now a back up and you’ll see just how deep, young and fast this defense is, especially at linebacker. The secondary isn’t half bad either with the vastly underrated Anthony Henry on one side, and the underachieving yet still effective Terrance Newman on the other. The big questions for the Cowboys will be the offense. With or without T.O. the boys still posses a pretty effective passing attack with the TE Jason Witten and another underrated player at receiver, Terry Glenn. Julius Jones may not be the every down back coach Parcells thought he would be, however Jones along with Marion Barber forms a pretty formidable tandem.

If Mike Vanderjagt can keep his head on straight, the Cowboys definitely can have one of the best records in football this season. He will, and they will.

Projected Record: 11-5