NFC East: Optimism Abounds

Dallas Cowboys

Key Returnees:

• Offense - This offense ranked 11th last season and QB Tony Romo has all the stats to prove he is an elite passer in the NFL, including a whopping 66.3% career completion rate. TE Jason Witten is Romo's favorite target and one of the best pass catchers in the league. WR Dez Bryant appears to be developing into a beast of a performer on the outside. The two should combine for over 150 receptions and 16 TD's this season. Miles Austin and Laurent Robinson are nice targets that fill out Romo's arsenal of weapons. RB's DeMarco Murray and Felix Jones both averaged over 4.5 yards per carry in 2011 and they should combine for over 2,000 yards of total offense for this team. The O-line is a work in progress but second-year player Tyron Smith looks like the real deal after being drafted ninth overall a year ago. 
• Defense - The pieces are in place to have a dominant defense in 2012. LB Sean Lee is the team's top tackler and also had four INT's last year. OLB Demarcus Ware is probably the best pass-rusher in the game right now after posting an incredible 35 sacks over the last two seasons. Anthony Spencer, who plays opposite Ware on the other end of the line, was fourth on the team in tackles and collected six sacks while DE Jason Hatcher got his 300 + lb frame to the QB 4.5 times in 2011. There is enough talent and other veteran role players filling out the lineup on defense to keep this team in any game. 
• Special Teams - K Dan Bailey was fourth in the league last season while the rest of the special teams units are average at worst. They don't lose games for the team but should improve its return game a bit with the influx of some new talent.

Secret Weapon: KR/PR Morris Claiborne - Morris was drafted sixth overall in this past April's draft to help out in two key areas: pass coverage and kick returning. He may not be a starter on defense but should provide a lot of speed and athleticism in nickel and dime packages, which now account for over 60% of defensive schemes these days. Just as much, if Claiborne can do for the Cowboys' return game what he did for LSU's then any problems the team had there should be solved. 

Top Newcomers:

• CB Brandon Carr - I don't know if he is actually an improvement over Terrence Newman but he at least younger. The 26-year old, four-year vet nabbed four INT's last season and looks to be a key player in improving the 'Boys' pass defense. 
• CB/KR Morris Claiborne - See above. Teams avoided Claiborne in the SEC and as a result Tyrann Mathieu saw a lot of action on his side of the field.

Optimistic Fan Says: "This is it! This is the year we finally get over the hump and back into the Super Bowl. Romo is tired of all the naysaying. He is an elite QB that will rise to the occasion when his team needs him most this year while Dez Bryant will challenge the likes of Larry Fitzgerald and Calvin Johnson for the title of "best wide receiver in the league". The defense will also be among the NFL's best with Ware pushing to get 25 sacks.

Reality Check: The offensive line is quite green and needs some more players to step up in order for Romo to stay upright all season long. The defense may also have just enough holes for top NFL offenses to exploit as well. Unless some new guys really make names for themselves on this roster the 'Boys could be out of the playoff race before December. Oh, and about Dez Bryant: He needs to screw his head on tight if he plans on having a career in the NFL at all.

Projected 2012 Record: 7-9

New York Giants

Key Returnees:

• Offense - Some people still question whether or not Eli Manning is as good as his brother Peyton was in his prime. The answer is that it doesn't even matter because Eli has two Super Bowl rings, beating Peyton's nemisis Tom Brady and the Patriots both times for the Lombardi trophy. Of course Eli is back for the 2012 campaign after being fifth in the league in passing last season. Also back are RB Ahmad Bradshaw, WR's Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz, and all the main components of a solid veteran O-line. All of which make up a well-balanced offensive unit.
• Defense - This group was 8th in the league in total yards allowed last season and they really turned up a notch when it came down to crunch time. The D-line leads the way with Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck, and Osi Umenyiora garnering lots of attention from opposing blockers and QB's. Pierre-Paul had 16.5 sacks in only his second season as a pro. The top five tacklers from last year, including S Antrel Rolle and LB Michael Boley, return.
• Special Teams - Did I mention this  team won the Super Bowl last season? Who gives two cents what the special teams did as long as the team keeps collecting rings?

Secret Weapon: WR Rueben Randle - 

Top Newcomers: 

• RB David Wilson - He was drafted at the end of the first round to help stabalize the backfield and complement Bradshaw. He was one of the best college running backs in the country last fall as the ACC Player of the Year and he doesn't need to be a starter in New York. He just needs to come in for 15-20 plays per game and break off a couple big runs.
• WR Rueben Randle -  The rookie from LSU is ready to contribute in the NFL right away. His stats suffered dearly due to terrible QB play in college but this guy has been doing well in the preseason and could find himself on the receiving end of 30-40 passes. The team needs somebody to step up and take the departed Mario Manningham's position so why not Randle?

Optimistic Fan Says: "Repeat!"

Reality Check: It's funny how we hear all about that other team from New York, the Jets, all season long but in the end the Giants have more to brag about as a team. This year will probably be no different and it's a testament to the coaching and leadership within the organization. They just do it all with more class. Although the odds of getting back into the Super Bowl are a bit slim, there is no team in the league right now that is better at overcoming adversity and putting it all together when it matters most. Despite all that I might be going against the grain a bit here by suspecting the Giants will struggle a little at some point and barely miss the playoffs. It will be a very competitive NFC race with the Cowboys, Eagles, Lions, Bears, Packers, Niners, Saints, and Falcons all having good chances of winning 10 or more gamesl. If the Giants do get in, however, I might just pick them to win it all again at that point.

Projected 2012 Record: 10-6

Philadelphia Eagles

Key Returnees:

• Offense - This offense has been exciting to watch over the last couple season. Last season it was the fourth best in the NFL. RB LeSean McCoy rushed for 1309 yards, caught 48 balls, and accounted for 20 TD's. QB Mike Vick averaged 7.8 yards per carry and threw for 3303 yards, complementing McCoy just enough to keep defenses spread out. WR's DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin both have speed and big-play ability while third WR Jason Avant TE Brent Celek is as steady and reliable as they come. Altogether, along with McCoy, they provide the Eagles with an array of weapons to choose from on game day. The O-line only allowed 32 sacks in 2011 and will look to provide more protection for Vick this year. 
• Defense - Another good unit that ranked in the top 10 (8th overall) by only giving up 325 total yards per game. DE Jason Babin came through and lived up to his contract by posting 18 sacks. Fellow end Trent Cole also got 11 and DT Cullen Jenkins was third on the team with 5.5. LB Jamar Chaney led the team with 67 solo tackles. He also nabbed three INT's. SS Kurt Coleman and FS Nate Allen combined for 139 total tackles and 6 INT's. That's pretty good for the young duo. The team will expect more from them in the near future. CB's Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie have fine skill sets and they should be one of the better tandems in the East this year.
• Special Teams - The Eagles are relatively piss-poor in this phase of the game.

Secret Weapon: WR Riley Cooper - Although he has only 23 receptions and two TD's in two years, Cooper has averaged nearly 19 yards per catch over that span. If Vick can stay healthy and get more comfortable in the pocket we could see a rise in the fomer Florida Gator's stats. His 6'3" 220 lbs frame provides a some needed size to the offense.

Top Newcomers:

• LB Demeco Ryans - When healthy Ryans has proven that he can rack up tackles and provide some steady play. The Eagles benefit greatly by signing him as he brings some valuable experience and veteran leadership to the defense.
• DT Fletcher Cox - This year's first round pick looks like he'll get  the chance to be a starter right away in 2012. He has the tools to be a destroyer up front.
• LB Mychal Kendricks - Kendricks was one of my favorite players in the 2012 draft. He has top speed and quickness. His fancy footwork suggests he probably would've made one helluva running back as well. I like his upside and look for him to become a fan favorite someday in Philly. 
• QB Nick Foles - His 6'6" 243 lbs body coupled with the fact that he threw for 4,334 yards and 28 TD's, while leading the Pac-12 in total yards of offense per game, suggest he has the ability to become a starter in the NFL some day.

Optimistic Fan Says: "We are going to party and puke our way to the Super Bowl while Vick and company dish out Philly-style ass whoopin's!"

Reality Check: Mike Vick's health and inability to maintain consistency as a passer could hurt the team down the stretch. The lack of any return game or quality field goal and punting units don't help much either. It would take some luck for things to fall in place for the Eagles but if they do this team could be a deadly as any. 

Projected 2012 Record: 11-5

Washington Redskins

Key Returnees:

• Offense - Despite the fact that there aren't any real stars on offense, last year's group managed to put together a fairly good year as far as production goes. WR Santana Moss returns for his 12th season and he has his sights set on 10,000 career receiving yards and 60 career TD's if all goes well. TE Fred Davis isn't real fancy but he is a decent starter and all-around performer. RB Roy Helu led the team in rushing yards with 640 and was also third on the team with 49 catches. Evan Royster looks like he could be a nice compliment in the backfield after averaging 5.9 yards per carry as a rookie. Tim Hightower returns to claim his starting spot however, after missing 11 games due to injury. If the 'Skins get lucky all three guys will become productive contributors and the rushing game will take the pressure off the QB. Rex Grossman returns to compete at QB after starting most of the games last season. 
• Defense - The ageless London Fletcher returns for his 15th season as an NFL linebacker after leading the league in tackles again last season. If he stays healthy over the next couple years he could reach over 2000 career tackles. OLB's Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan are both young guys that have shown good ability on the field. They could be a very dynamic pass-rushing duo for years to come. Stephen Bowen, Adam Carriker, and Barry Cofield make up a nice three-man line that helped put pressure on the QB as well. CB DeAngelo Hall was second on the team in tackles and first in INT's. His up and down career has apparently evened out in Washington. 
• Special Teams - K Graham Gano was 6th in the NFL in field goal kicking last season. If it weren't for Dallas this might be the worst division in terms of special teams units.

Secret Weapon: RB Roy Helu - He may not be spectacular but he can do it all as a back and should get plenty of touches in 2012 even if he doesn't start a single game.

Top Newcomers:

• QB Robert Griffin III - It will be interesting to see how this young man's pro career goes. He is an extremely likable guy with some unique physical tools as a QB. I doubted Cam Newton and Andy Dalton would have much of an impact as a rookies last year and I was wrong. It's anybody's guess at this point as to how RG3 will fare. 
• WR Pierre Garcon - Garcon has proven himself worthy as an NFL receiver and will try to make life easier for RG3. Although he's not a great number one option in the passing game, he can catch 70-80 balls and score a half dozen TD's for the 'Skins.
• SS Brandon Merriweather - This former first rounder never really panned out in New England but he will get another chance to show something more here.
• CB Cedric Griffin - Another high-profile college player that has yet to break through in the NFL, Griffin struggled at times in Minnesota but has 379 career tackles and 15 forced fumbles on his career. Better coaching could do hims some wonders and he may upgrade the team's nickle and dime packages.

Optimistic Fan Says: "If Mike Vick and Drew Brees had a baby, and then Tim Tebow and Brett Favre had a baby, then those two babies got together and had a baby, they would end up with RG3. He will bring us back to prominence!"

Reality Check: While RG3 looks great and the defense has made strides, there are still too many holes on this roster to expect anything big in 2012.

Projected 2012 Record: 7-9