The Picks Are In!! (NFC East)

NFC EAST:

1. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles are poised to win their division again with new pieces that should fit in well. They landed the biggest free agent and the only true guaranteed difference maker on the market in Nnamdi Asomugha. Nnamdi's stats may not wow you given his lack of interceptions, but they are not high because quarterbacks don't throw the ball is way. In the NFL Revis and Asomugha are in a class by themselves in shutting down receivers and forcing the QB to look elsewhere on the field, as well as increasing the effectiveness of the pass rush. Also, they potentially traded a clipboard (Kevin Kolb) for an electric, ball-hawking cornerback in Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie and a second-round pick. Asomugha and Rodgers-Cromartie's styles on the field complement each other perfectly. Michael Vick, should he stay healthy (REVERSE JINX!), will likely once again be an MVP candidate. He's got all his weapons from last year back (DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, LeSean McCoy Brent Celek) and the Eagles brought in Ronnie Brown on a one-year deal, who, like McCoy, is incredible catching passes out of the backfield. I hate this team, but there might not be a better team on paper this year.

2. Dallas Cowboys

Romo should be healthy this season. Dez Bryant is one of the NFL stars of tomorrow and with Miles Austin and Jason Witten will give Romo plenty of options. I don't love Felix Jones but he should have a decent season. But on to the defense. This unit has immeasurable talent that was not on display last season mainly due to bad coaching and bad field position. But Rob Ryan is here. Ryan improved a Cleveland unit last year that pounded New England to become one of only two teams that defeated the Patriots this past season. DeMarcus Ware has the best pass rushing moves in the league, and many tackles are too slow to keep him out of the backfield. Dallas has some young talent in the defense backfield that at times got torched last season but should improve. I don't think Dallas will dominate this season, but they have a good chance to get back to 10 wins and not a laughingstock of the league.

3. New York Giants

I know there were some good reasons for letting Shaun O'Hara and Rich Seubert go, but I hated that for the team. For the past 5 years the offensive line of the Giants was the most consistent thing going for them. I hated almost everything about the Giants offseason. I understand retaining Ahmad Bradshaw what somewhat of a necessity, but they overpaid for someone with a serious problem holding onto the ball and injury concerns. Steve Smith, should he resign, has a serious injury that may be career threatening. Nicks and Manningham are both big play threats, but losing Kevin Boss to Oakland creates a big hole in the middle of the field. On the other side of the ball there are a lot of concerns. I still don't trust a single linebacker and I don't see how they haven't made serious attempts to improve this unit. Antrel Rolle is one of the most overrated players in the league and I'm confused as to how he made the Top 100 NFL Players list. He's simply a "right place at the right time" guy. Prince Amukamura was positioned to improve a weak defensive backfield, but a foot injury will keep him sidelined until at least October. I do, however, have a million good things to say about Justin Tuck. Tuck is the ultimate team player and will line up wherever he is told if it is for the better of the team. He is too strong and physical for most lineman and can dominate the run and pass game in a single game. Unfortunately, the guy lining up opposite him, Osi Umenyiora, is unhappy and will likely bring the energy and attitude of his teammates down with him. I think the Giants are going to disappoint this season.

4. Washington Redskins

Even better than the Chad Henne/Matt Moore show is the John Beck/Rex Grossman show! The difference is they don't even have someone nearly as talented as Brandon Marshall (Santana Moss is over the hill; his numbers are inflated because there is no one else) to sadly watch a ball sail over his head. Fortunately for the Redskins, they're the favorites for the Andrew Luck sweepstakes! There is something to look forward to during an otherwise bleak season. The offense, even beyond the quarterback, is punchless, from an oft-injured Clinton Portis to the 500 receivers they have over the age of 46. Ryan Torain is a nice running back though. The defense, which got absolutely torched last season, has a nice safety combination with Laron Landry and OJ Atogwe and a great blitzing linebacker in Brian Orakpo but plenty of holes in the defensive line. The defense will be able to make some stops but Beck/Grossman might not be able to cross the 50 even if they started at the 49.