Enough with the JV, this is Varsity football...

1. Philadelphia Eagles

Offseason

They got younger and faster by drafting WR Jeremy Maclin and RB "Shady" McCoy, while shedding veteran safety Brian Dawkins, who will be replaced by Quintin Demps (2nd year player).  They revamped the offensive line around massive LT Jason Peters.  They suffered a devastating injury to MLB Stewart Bradley at the outset of training camp, but no blow was more costly than losing DC Jim Johnson to cancer.  What else did they do?  Let me think...oh yes, they signed PETA spokesman Michael Vick to play 3rd string QB and torture opposing coordinators. 

Strength

Offensive speed.  Speed kills.  With Maclin and McCoy added to Brian Westbrook and DeSean Jackson, they are loaded with burners.  Plus, Vick is supposedly fast and Donovan McNabb used to be fast.  This will be the best offense in the NFL until the weather gets cold.

Weakness

Leadership.  Dawkins, Bradley and Jon Runyan were mainstays of this franchise.  Plus, Johnson was really the defensive head coach.  I'd venture to guess that Andy Reid never walked to that side of the field during practice, although he could use the exercise.  Somebody needs to step up and lead that defensive unit, which looks soft on paper.  They could find themselves in plenty of shootouts before the season ends.

MVP - Brian Westbrook, RB

The receivers are dangerous, but small.  McNabb is elite, but streaky.  Westbrook is the constant.  He can kill you as a rusher or receiver.  He just needs to stay healthy.

Swing Player - Joe Mays, LB

Mays is the unheralded replacement for Bradley.  On the depth chart, there is no one listed behind him, so it's sink or swim time for the 2nd year player out of North Dakota St..  Who am I kidding?  If it does not work out, they'll just wheel in 78-year-old Jeremiah Trotter for his 8th tour of duty with the Eagles.

Fantasy

Westbrook is not a top pick due to health risks.  McNabb is in the second tier of quarterbacks, same for Jackson at receiver.  For all their offense, they might spread it around too much to generate great fantasy options.  I do love TE Brent Celek as a sleeper.

Outlook

They have the makings of a great regular season team.  They'll come out firing on offense and making plays on defense.  But when the weather gets cold, they're not built to last.  They have no power running game and they're small defensively.  They'll get the #1 seed in the NFC, but flame out in front of their booing fans.

Record: 12-4

 

2. New York Giants

Offseason

The Giants return the same starting 11 that fizzled out in the playoffs without Plaxico Burress.  They used their top draft pick on WR Hakeem Nicks to help fill that void.  Defensively, they spent big bucks on their front seven by adding DT Rocky Bernard and DT Chris Canty without subtracting anybody.  They also signed LB Michael Boley to help the aging Antonio Pierce cover speedy backs like Brian Westbrook.

Strength

The Giants cannot be accused of lacking an identity.  On offense, they assault the opposition with the best power running game in the league.  Even without RB Derrick Ward, Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw and Danny Ware are a formidable stable of runners behind a veteran offensive line.  On defense, they want to kill the quarterback.  Osi Umenyiora is back to join Justin Tuck and Co. in that pursuit.

Weakness

The Giants have one obvious weakness...receivers.  Steve Smith is a solid and reliable player, but he's not a #1.  Domenik Hixon is really a back-up.  Otherwise, they have nothing but youngsters.  Nicks had a monster third preseason game, but the track record for rookie wideouts is ugly.  The real X-factor is 2nd year pass-catcher Mario Manningham. 

MVP - Brandon Jacobs, RB

The Giants would fall apart without Eli Manning (paging David Carr!), but Jacobs is the heart and soul of this team.  He gets the fans going.  He provides the swagger.  He is the offensive identity.  Quite simply, he is the reason to watch the Giants play football.

Swing Player - Hakeem Nicks, WR

Manningham will be fine and Smith will do his job.  For the Giants to win the Super Bowl, Nicks needs to be a prime target by the end of the season.  Manning needs a big receiver because he's not the most accurate QB in the league.  Nicks has the skills to get up in the air and make plays.

Fantasy

Manning's stats get ugly when the weather goes bad, so avoid him.  Without Ward, Jacobs should be a 1st round back, although most fantasy gurus don't take him there.  TE Kevin Boss is another late round option that should keep you from drafting a tight end too early.  Ahmad Bradshaw is a great sleeper pick.  The Giants defense should be among the best in fantasy as well, although they have a tough schedule.

Outlook

If a receiver or two step up, they are my pick to win the NFC.  As of now, they cannot overcome that position group.   Also, I'm concerned that new DC Bill Sheridan is just a copy of former DC Steve Spagnuolo and the copy is always worse than the original.

Record: 11-5

 

3. Dallas Cowboys

Offseason

They decided Terrell Owens was the beginning and the end of their problems, so they cut him and brought everybody else back.  They did not have a draft pick until the 3rd round, although RB Felix Jones will hopefully give them a healthy season.

Strength

For all the big names on offense, the strength of this team is defense.  Wade Phillips is really a defensive coordinator not a head coach.  OLB DeMarcus Ware is the best pass-rusher in football.  Bradie James is an underrated inside linebacker.  The subtractions of Zach Thomas and DB Roy Williams will make them faster.

Weakness

Owens was a headache.  Nobody will argue that point.  But he was scary.  This offense is so bland now.  WR Roy Williams has never done anything to justify his big reputation.  Patrick Crayton, Miles Austin and Sam Hurd are just guys.  Jason Witten is the best target, but is he scary?

MVP - DeMarcus Ware, OLB

He is an absolute beast.  He's coming off a career-best 20 sacks, which is the main reason Dallas had one of the best pass defenses.  You just cannot keep him off your quarterback.

Swing Player - Felix Jones, RB

He could provide the shot in the arm that this offense needs.  He's a breakaway back, who missed most of last season.  Also, he might revive power back Marion Barber, whose physical style is already starting to wear him down.  In need of speed, Jones is dangerous.

Fantasy

I love Jones as a sleeper.  Romo is part of that average group at QB and Williams is a mistake at receiver.  Witten is a good play, but don't reach for him.  Barber will get touchdowns, but Jones will steal his yardage.  The defense is a solid choice.

Outlook

This is a good team that will benefit from better chemistry.  But they are not a great team.  They need a big year from their offensive line and better decision-making from Tony Romo, who put the ball on the turf 19 times in 13 games last year.  They'll do enough to make the playoffs, but unless someone emerges offensively, their postseason win drought will continue.

Record: 10-6

 

4. Washington Redskins

Offseason

Despite shopping their quarterback, the Redskins return basically the same team with two exceptions.  They broke the bank for DT Albert Haynesworth and drafted DE/LB Brian Orakpo from Texas.  If Orakpo contributes early, they should have a beastly front four.  They did NOT change coaches, so I guess that counts as news.

Strength

They added Haynesworth, the best run-stuffer in the league, to the 8th best rush defense.  They get DE Philip Daniels back from injury plus Orakpo to aid the 7th best pass defense.  Like everyone else in this division, they can get after the quarterback.

Weakness

Jason Campbell is not a top quarterback.  I've known it for a while, but they obviously figured it out this April when they tried to unload him.  This whole offense looks stale with Clinton Portis likely to get old in a hurry and the might mite receiving corps of Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle-El.

MVP - Albert Haynesworth, DT

If he remains motivated (which is an issue), he will be a force for the Skins.  He is the immovable object in the running game, but he'll also press the pocket on pass plays.  They overspent for him, but he is a great player.

Swing Player - Jason Campbell, QB

At his best, he's good enough to get them to the playoffs.  But will he hold it together mentally playing for a team that does not want him? 

Fantasy

Portis was a stud last season, but he is likely to hit the wall sooner rather than later.  Moss is coming off a big 2008, but I would not reach for him.  TE Chris Cooley caught only one TD last year.  Their defense is the best pick and I'd watch out for young receivers Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly.

Outlook

They might have the best defense in the NFC, but they won't be able to carry their sluggish offense for 16 games.  Again, this is a good team and if Portis is elite, they will do well when the weather cools off.  But they'll start slowly and this organization always panics when that happens.  By the time they right the ship, they'll be short of the postseason.

Record: 8-8