2009 NFL Preview: NFC East

It's that time of year. Teams are starting to go to their respective sites to begin the tenuous task that is NFL training camp. As a part of a virtual tour around the NFL, let's take a look at today's division of choice, the NFC East.

New York Giants
Last year's NFC East champions looked poised to do even more damage to the division and the conference-at least defensively. They bolstered up their front seven by adding Clint Sintim and Michael Boley at the linebacker positions. Not to mention, the Giants essentially get a free agent-like impact from Osi Umenyiora, who missed last year due to a season-ending injury. Thus, this year the Giants will have Umenyiora and Justin Tuck at the end positions, along with Mathias Kiwanuka, Rocky Benard and their other staples holding down the interior of the defense. Offensively, the big offseason loss was Plaxico Burress. Losing him really changes what the Giants will do offensively in the passing game. However, they do expect Dominique Nixon and rookie first-round pick Hakeem Nicks to step it up and become the threat that Burress used to be. Also, the Giants lose 1,000-yard back Derrick Ward to free agency, so Brandon Jacobs is likely to see more carries, and Ahmad Bradshaw will step in as the backup.

Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles return with virtually the same talent level, only a bit younger. They sent their two aging bookend tackles to greener pastures, and brought in Stacey Andrews at right tackle and Jason Peters to protect Donovan McNabb's blind side. In the draft, the Eagles went the way of wide receiver...again. This time they drafted Jeremy Maclin. A talented wide receiver out of Missouri, Maclin brings the same type of speed and playmaking ability to the NFL that DeSean Jackson brought in his rookie year. If he can have the same type of effect in his rookie season, Maclin could be the difference between the Eagles being a contender or the NFC favorite to get to the Super Bowl. Defensively, the Eagles didn't change much in the starting lineup. Yes, cornerback Lito Sheppard was shipped to the New York Jets, but he was a backup, and his replacement, Ellis Hobbs, will likely come off the bench as well. However, the Eagles did release Dawkins due to his declining coverage ability.

Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys have officially let Terrell Owens go. However, they did have a backup plan. Roy E. Williams is now their go to receiver, after a year of tumultuous off-field problems with T.O. led Jerry Jones to get rid of one of his favorite players. Now Williams and Tony Romo will have to get on the same page, as Roy was anything but impressive during his limited stint with the team last year after he came over from the Detroit Lions. If Roy doesn't work out, this could be a huge blow to the Cowboys passing attack, as T.O. has scored 38 of the Cowboys 91 passing touchdowns over the past 3 seasons (41.7%). Defensively, despite not getting some of their highly targeted free agent prospects, the Cowboys look as strong as ever. Their linebacking crew will consist of DeMarcus Ware and newcomers Keith Brooking and Igo Olshansky, while their secondary is remains virtually unchanged.

Washington Redskings
The 'Skins made the biggest acquisition of the 2009 NFL offseason-literally! Albert Haynesworth will try to bring the "hog" reputation to the defensive side of the line, as he and his record-breaking contract attempt to make headlines in the Nation's capital. On the line with Haynesworth is rookie Brian Orakpo, who will certainly benefit from double teams on Haynesworth, which will benefit his speed rush off the edge. Andre Carter will lineup opposite of Orakpo. Elsewhere on the defense, the team lost both Jason Taylor and Marcus Washington, losing the former without any significant acquisition at that outside linebacker position. On the offensive side of the ball, the Redskins explored trade talks with the Denver Broncos in hopes of landing disgruntled quarterback Jay Cutler. They also were interested in rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez, but ended up with neither prospect. Thus, a baffled and bullied Jason Campbell remains the starter at quarterback. He'll be throwing to the same receivers he threw to last year, Santana Moss and TE Chris Cooley. Perhaps, the Redskins search for a quarterback stemmed from Campbell's inability to get the ball to Cooley in the red zone, where he only had 1 touchdown catch in all of 2008, and that pass came from Antwaan Randle El.