NFC East
Team	Golic's analysis
	The Giants have the most complete team in the division. They may not be spectacular, but they are the returning NFC champions. The Giants are very balanced offensively with their running game and a short passing game that quarterback Kerry Collins ran effectively. Their receivers jumped into the fray and made plays, as did versatile back Tiki Barber. The Giants simply moved the chains and put the ball in the end zone. Their defense is a throwback. The players will hit you in the face, jam you at the line of scrimmage and play tough. To beat the Giants, you have to beat them off the ball, which is what the Ravens did in the Super Bowl.
	The Eagles could feasibly jump over the Giants and win the division, as long as they don't have key injuries. I thought Donovan McNabb was the MVP of the league last year. Andy Reid has decided to go with a young receiving corps, which includes first-round pick Freddie Mitchell, but running back Duce Staley needs to be healthy. Staley is the key to them getting a mix of run and pass in their offense. Their defense has no stars, but it smacks teams in the mouth. Defensive tackle Corey Simon did a great job as a rookie at getting penetration up the middle and finishing with 9.5 sacks. Their linebackers hit anything that moves. The Eagles defense dares you to make yards on them.
	Marty Schottenheimer's tough mentality should rub off on the Redskins. Stephen Davis needs to stay healthy. Will Jeff George blow up? Everyone knows he has the arm strength to make plays to the receivers, but George needs a running game. The Redskins let go of their offensive guards, Tre Johnson and Keith Sims, but they have the best young bookend tackles in Chris Samuels and Jon Jansen. They should be around a long time. Defense needs to give them more help. Overall, the Redskins had the fourth-ranked defense, which was an improvement over the previous year, but they were still 22nd against the run. That means the other teams were controlling the ball. LaVar Arrington only had a so-so rookie season. Their cornerbacks should still be solid, with Champ Bailey, Darrell Green and rookie Fred Smoot. If Deion Sanders returns, he may only be used for punt returns. He's one of many question marks on the Redskins.
	The Cowboys still have Emmitt Smith and a solid offensive line, if it stays together. The line needs to stay healthy. The Cowboys need to get a passing game going with Tony Banks so teams won't load up to stop Smith. If they have no passing game, Smith will get beat up. Their draft choices surprised me. They were last in rush defense, yet they didn't address the problem and have yet to help themselves. You have to put an asterisk by the Cowboys because they have $23 million in dead money, meaning money going to players not even on the team. That hurts their ability to find players, especially for their defense. They need to avoid getting run on and worn down. In the rough NFC East, the Cowboys will be in big trouble if they can't stop the run.
	The Cardinals need to prove they can run the ball before they can rise from the cellar. They have been average to below average running the ball. On paper, they have a huge, fantastic offensive line, with tackles Anthony Clement and rookie Leonard Davis, guards Pete Kendall and L.J. Shelton, and center Mike Gruttadauria. But the line needs to prove it can help generate the running game, opening holes for Thomas Jones and Michael Pittman. Jake Plummer is an enigma. He is incredible when he's on the run, but he's been hurt a lot and inconsistent. He has had both horrible and brilliant games. Plummer needs to get situated in the offense. He is able to take over the huddle, but consistency remains a problem. The Cardinals have as many problems on their defense, ranking 30th a year ago against the run. Teams were able to run, control the ball and open up the short passing game. They have holes to fill and couldn't wait around for Andre Wadsworth.