LAST SEASON: 8-8, 2nd in NFC East
PROJECTION: 3rd in NFC East

	This could be the year Arrington takes over.

STRONG SIDE

LB: Where do you begin? Jessie Armstead, the savvy vet who had been the heart and soul of the Giants defense? Jeremiah Trotter, 25, an All-Pro warrior in the middle for Philly whose play is a lot like the Skins' new unis: pure gold and nasty? Or LaVar Arrington, a Pro Bowl pick in his second year, equipped with mind-blowing speed and mind-numbing strength? Throw in the tutelage of D-coordinator Marvin Lewis, who built the Ravens' record-setting D around LBs Ray Lewis and Peter Boulware, and it's easy to see why Washington fans feel the best D in the league has moved south 40 miles.

WEAK SIDE

QB: Ballcoach has a real weakness for former Gator QBs with noodle arms. Why else would he sign Shane Matthews (cut by the Bears) or Danny Wuerffel (six starts in five years) when first-round pick Patrick Ramsey has the tools these guys lack? But forget about seeing Ramsey this season. Not only did his holdout cost him the chance at starting, it nearly got him traded. If Spurrier wins with these guys, he really is good.

NFC East

1. Eagles

2. Giants

3. Redskins

4. Cowboys

Scouting Report Index

OTHER UNITS

RB: FB Bryan Johnson is the most improved player on the roster. Stephen Davis will be the best. Some people think Steve Spurrier will turn him into a pass-blocker. But the ballcoach knows what to do with a guy who boasts three straight seasons of more than 1,300 yards rushing: Get him the damn ball.

WR: Rod Gardner should double his 46-catch production from last year, but only because there's no one else to throw to besides speedy but untested TE Zeron Flemister. Oh yeah, there is one former Gator no one else wanted -- Jacquez Green -- here, too.

OL: Chris Samuels is one of the best tackles in the game, and Jon Jansen is moving in that direction. The rest of the guys -- Larry Moore, Brenden Stai and Ross Tucker -- are versatile, and good enough to move the pile for 121.8 ypg (No. 4 in the NFC).

DL: Daryl Gardener and Renaldo Wynn were huge pickups. Gardener adds beef (6'6", 295) in the middle and Wynn brings speed on the outside (5 sacks). But will Dan Wilkinson be happy letting others shine while he gobbles up blockers inside?

DB: Champ Bailey is one of the best CBs in the league. Fred Smoot (team-high 5 INTs) is on his way. Darrell Green? Been there, done that. Together, they're the reason opposing QBs find no openings against the Redskins, who had the fourth-best pass defense in the NFC.

ST: K Brett Conway (10 of 14 from 40-plus) is average. Other than for PATs and KOs, Spurrier doesn't plan on using him. Jacquez Green has the speed to make an impact as a returner.

This article appears in the September 16 issue of ESPN The Magazine.