NFL Free Agency is Officially Underway: How Will it Affect the NFC?

With NFL combines already in session and the NFL Draft just weeks away, the NFL season feels like it's in full-swing.

And as free agency kicked off on Friday at midnight Eastern Standard Time, it's time to let the real fun begin. Former Pro-Bowlers Jevon Kearse and Isaac Bruce are already on the market, and signing season will soon be underway.

The question on every NFC fan's mind is: What do last year's NFC division winners need to do this offseason to remain at the top in 2008? Do the Dallas Cowboys need another wide receiver, or do the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need another running back? Could your team use Isaac Bruce, or Jevon Kearse, or Brandon Lloyd?

What follows is a team-by-team analysis of the moves each NFC division winner needs to make in order to retain their division title this coming season.

NFC East - 2007 Winner: Dallas Cowboys, 13-3

For the Dallas Cowboys, the formula for staying atop their division is simple: remain unified and keep key players healthy. Wide receiver Terry Glenn didn't play a down in last year's regular season, Terrell Owens is approaching his twilight years, and the only backup to Tony Romo is the aging veteran Brad Johnson. Any injury to a key player could result in disaster for this team. Resigning Pro-Bowler Flozell Adams is a great start to the offseason, and if the core roster from last season returns in 2008, the Dallas Cowboys will be a force to be reckoned with in the NFC East. Dallas could use another cornerback in the draft, as they're not very deep at that position and tend to give up a lot of big plays. But other than that the team has no glaring weaknesses except underachieving when it counts most.

But with the Super Bowl champion New York Giants in the same division-not to mention the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles, who were both .500 or better-nothing is for certain. And with two straight exits from the playoffs without a win, though, Head Coach Wade Phillips has his work cut out for him keeping this team motivated and together.

NFC North - 2007 Winner: Green Bay Packers, 13-3

Will Brett Favre retire or return? That's still up in the air, but whether he comes back or not, the Green Bay Packers got away with playing a largely pass-only offense nearly all of last season. They can't afford to play that way again this coming year. Ryan Grant is a young running back with a lot of potential, but two key fumbles in the playoff game at Lambeau Field shows me he's not quite ready to carry the full load quite yet. If Brett Favre comes back, Grant won't have to; if Favre doesn't come back, he will. Picking up a veteran, smash-mouth running back in the T.J. Duckett mold would help solidify the backfield. And a defensive lineman would definitely help shore up that pass rush-perhaps the newly available Jevon Kearse would be a nice fit in Green Bay?

With Favre in the mix it's hard to see the Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, or the Chicago Bears overtaking them for the division crown.

NFC South - 2007 Winner: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 9-7

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have a hard time staying atop the NFC South, as the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints are both poised for a breakout season. The Panthers were without starting quarterback Jake Delhomme most of last season, and the Saints, who were thought by some to be Super Bowl bound, underachieved all of last season. With Deuce McAllister injured, Reggie Bush proved that, at least for now, he isn't an every-down back, so bringing in another veteran running back would be a big plus. A young, quick receiver like Brandon Lloyd could prove useful to Garcia in running quick slants and deep balls, and a big possession receiver could help the offense better run the West Coast Offense. And Joey Galloway, the team's top receiver, is still efficient, but in his 30's, how much longer will he remain so?

But for the Bucs, keeping Jeff Garcia healthy is the key. He's in his twilight years, which isn't good news for a mobile quarterback, but Garcia made the Pro Bowl last season and is a huge part of his team's success. If Garcia can stay in the lineup and remain effective, the Bucs can challenge for the division title once again.

NFC West - 2007 Winner: Seattle Seahawks, 10-6

The Seahawks have a somewhat easy path to another division title-the easiest path of any division winner in the NFC. There isn't any real competition in the division, as the San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals, and St. Louis Rams are all mediocre teams, and with Seattle's offense clicking on all cylinders for the past few years they should cruise to another division title. A young running back would help replace the aging Shaun Alexander, and a top defensive lineman would definitely be useful to help that struggling defense. The secondary should be addressed in the draft, as a cornerback or safety would help prevent some of the big plays that plagued the defense last season.

Their road record was pathetic, winning just 3 games away from Seattle. But even so, the division is too weak to see the Seahawks falling off their perch at the top.