NFC East preview: Not-so-hot division at least is wide open

A year ago, the NFC East looked like a four-team race. Now the field is reduced by two, with Philadelphia and Dallas the frontrunners.

They were first and second a year ago, the Eagles winning the division for the fifth time in six years when they rallied behind Jeff Garcia to win their final five, plus a playoff game.

But Garcia is gone, which means it's all about Donovan McNabb again. Only McNabb doesn't determine what happens to Philadelphia. Brian Westbrook and an attacking defense do.

If the Eagles shore up the league's 26th-ranked run defense and Westbrook stays healthy they are the team to beat. Just because they always are.

Dallas is loaded on defense. But I'm not sold on quarterback Tony Romo, and nice guy Wade Phillips hasn't dealt with anyone like Terrell Owens yet. And offensive coordinator Jason Garrett is in his first season calling plays.

So it's the Dallas offense that makes me nervous. Plus, of course, Mt. St. Terrell.

That doesn't mean Washington and the New York Giants can't challenge for the top. This is not a strong division, folks, and the gap between second and third is narrow. But the Redskins better do something other than finish near the bottom of almost every significant defensive category, while the Giants just better learn how to finish, period.

They lost seven of their final nine a year ago, and I'm talking games. They also lost a slew of starters.

"We're all about health," Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce told me last week. "If we're healthy we can compete with anybody. If we're not, we lose."

Philadelphia Eagles

Significant additions: WR Kevin Curtis, LB Takeo Spikes, DT Ian Scott, DT Montae Reagor, QB Kevin Kolb.

The Eagles must keep emotional leader Brian Dawkins, now 34, on the field. (US Presswire)

Significant subtractions: QB Jeff Garcia, DT Darwin Walker, LB Jeremiah Trotter, S Michael Lewis, WR Donte' Stallworth, CB Rod Hood, LB Dhani Jones, LB Shawn Barber, DT Sam Rayburn.

Biggest offseason move: Not signing Garcia. All he did was win five of six starts to launch the Eagles to the playoffs. Now the backup is A.J. Feeley, who pulled a Garcia in 2002 when McNabb was hurt.

Will go to the playoffs if ... defensive coordinator Jim Johnson can shore up holes in the defense, particularly against the run. The loss of Trotter means Omar Gaither fills the middle, and first impressions weren't good ones: He was pushed around in Sunday's loss to Pittsburgh. Rookie to watch: For the second straight year the Eagles drafted a strong-side linebacker in the third round, only, unlike Chris Gocong in 2006, this year's choice -- Stewart Bradley -- should make an immediate contribution. He's tall and can cover a lot of ground, both of which are important when you play in a division with Jeremy Shockey and Jason Witten.

Overview: McNabb is healthy, and the defense should be improved if -- and I can't emphasize this enough -- the safeties hold up. That's where there's not a lot of depth. Remember, Brian Dawkins turns 34 in October.

Dallas Cowboys

Significant additions: T Leonard Davis, S Ken Hamlin, QB Brad Johnson, LB Anthony Spencer.

Significant subtractions: QB Drew Bledsoe, G Marco Rivera, DE Kenyon Coleman.

Biggest offseason move: Signing Mr. Big, Leonard Davis, to shore up holes in the offensive line. Davis can play tackle or guard, and the Cowboys will have him at right guard.

Will get to the playoffs if ... Tony Romo plays as he did his first five starts of 2006 and not his final six. Romo looked great early, ordinary later. Ordinary won't cut it.

Rookie to watch: I like the draft of pass rusher Anthony Spencer because Phillips can use him and DeMarcus Ware as he used Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips in San Diego. Spencer is quick to the pocket and an insurance policy against Greg Ellis, who is trying to recover from a torn Achilles.

Overview: There's talent, a lot of talent, especially on defense. But the foot injury to cornerback Terence Newman scares me. So does Owens with a new offensive staff. If the Cowboys sputter, I feel a meltdown coming.

Washington Redskins

Significant additions: LB London Fletcher, G Pete Kendall, CB Fred Smoot, CB David Macklin, S LaRon Landry.

Significant subtractions: G Derrick Dockery, LB Lemar Marshall, S Troy Vincent, S Adam Archuleta, WR David Patten.

Biggest offseason move: The acquisition of Fletcher. The Redskins last year floundered on defense, ranking 31st and setting a league record with only 12 takeaways. Fletcher made a zillion tackles in Buffalo and led the team in interceptions a year ago. "He makes a big difference," said defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.

Will get to the playoffs if ... the defense, particularly the pass defense, can do something other than show up. The Redskins had a league-low 19 sacks last season, but it's those takeaways that must improve. Washington's 12 were down from 28 in 2005.

Rookie to watch: Safety LaRon Landry could be an All-Pro in waiting. An AFC personnel boss I trust last week told me the two best safeties in football are in Washington. Landry is fast, instinctive and has great ball skills. In short, he's everything this club needs to shore up a leaky defense.

Overview: There's a gap, though not much of one, between the upper and lower tiers of this division. The Redskins should battle for third with the Giants and might not have the players to reach higher. I like Joe Gibbs too, not only because he's a class guy, but because he's a winner. But he's 21-27 since returning in 2004.

New York Giants

Plaxico Burress and the Giants should score, but that isn't their issue. (US Presswire)

Significant additions: LB Kawika Mitchell, RB Reuben Droughns, K Lawrence Tynes, G Zach Piller, S J.R. Reed, CB Aaron Ross, WR Steve Smith.

Significant subtractions: RB Tiki Barber, T Luke Petitgout, LB LaVar Arrington, TE Visanthe Shiancoe, LB Carlos Emmons, LB Brandon Short, CB Frank Walker, K Jay Feely, T Bob Whitfield, WR Tim Carter.

Biggest offseason move: The retirement of Tiki Barber. All the guy did was produce 2,127 yards in offense last season, or 41 percent of the Giants' output. That means a lot of people on offense must elevate their games to soften the blow.

Will get to the playoffs if ... they can ever figure out how to play defense. I don't think scoring is a problem for these guys; I worry about the secondary and the linebackers. This could be four months of tennis, with the Giants struggling to keep up.

Rookie to watch: Second-round draft pick Steve Smith figures to make it as the team's third receiver. He'll play ahead of Sinorice Moss, who has been injured for most of his pro career, and Smith should make a contribution. The guy has a knack for making big plays and will be an asset to a club that last year was reduced to two receivers -- Shockey and Plaxico Burress -- the second half of the season.

Overview: Forget Broadway. This is the can't-miss show of the fall. Coach Tom Coughlin is fighting for his career. Eli Manning is trying to make a name for himself. Tiki Barber is gone. Michael Strahan hasn't been seen. Yet. There is intrigue everywhere. The Giants should score points. It's their defense, especially at linebacker, that could keep them down.