By Eric Edholm
The NFC East, following the pomp and circumstance of the NFL draft, remains the most potent conference, top to bottom, in the NFL. Simple as that. It’s not to say that an NFC East team necessarily will win the Super Bowl. But two will make the playoffs, and one that’s left out will be .500 or better.
You could make a case for any of the four teams winning the division.
The Cowboys have the defense to stop people and the big-play weapon in Terrell Owens they had lacked. The Giants can score with anyone and made enough defensive improvements to warrant attention. The Eagles won this thing four years in a row and can blame a ton of their problems on injuries last season, perhaps more than any team. And the Redskins once again reloaded in free agency and have one of the most celebrated coaching staffs of all time.
Of course, each team has its flaws too. The Cowboys’ O-line is suspect at best, the Giants’ secondary needs to prove itself, the Eagles must avoid an emotional hangover from last year’s nosedive, and the Redskins have the creaky Mark Brunell at quarterback.
How much did the draft change the divisional landscape? It’s hard to say, but each team’s perspective — and depth — changed in the past two weeks. Here’s a look at where each of the teams stand now, with what needs to (and will) happen before the season starts.
Washington Redskins
Draft pick who’ll contribute immediately: LB Rocky McIntosh will start from Day One if he can show good playing strength, stay healthy and learn Gregg Williams’ complex defense. Rookies don’t often play in this system. McIntosh is being billed as a three-down player whose coverage ability can allow Marcus Washington to blitz more.
Draft pick who’ll surprise: S Reed Doughty will be a fan favorite about two quarters into the team’s first preseason game. Chances are, Doughty will figure out his best chance to make the roster is less with his ability to play in the secondary and more with his special-teams coverage. Not to worry. The hard-nosed, exceptionally intelligent and game Doughty will fly around on punts and kickoffs and sacrifice his body like Mark Murphy used to do more than 25 years ago.
Veteran due to have a comeback: David Patten (remember him?) will provide more as a No. 4 receiver than he did as a No. 2. Weird, eh? Yes, Patten struggled before going down with a knee injury, providing little help for Santana Moss. But now that the Redskins can spread the field with Moss, new acquisitions Brandon Lloyd and Antwaan Randle El, not to mention H-back Chrisey, Patten should be a viable weapon in four-WR sets.
Position they must still address: They might bring in another punter, and perhaps be in the market for depth at offensive tackle, but the roster is pretty stocked right now.
This post needs to be made as an automatic response for all naysaying "fans".