NFC EAST

ARIZONA CARDINALS

Last season: 3-13 (Fifth in NFC East).

Coach: Dave McGinnis (1-8-0 with Arizona).

Key losses: Simeon Rice (Tampa Bay), CB Aeneas Williams (St. Louis).

Key acquisitions: G Pete Kendall (Seattle).

Offense: Remember the St. Louis Cardinals of the mid-’70s? They featured a powerful offense led by the passing of Jim Hart, the running of Jim Otis and Terry Metcalf, an offensive line powered by Dan Dierdorf and Conrad Dobler, and no defense. Welcome to the 2001 version, with Jake Plummer, Michael Pittman and Thomas Jones operating behind perhaps the best offensive line in the league. With receivers David Boston and Rob Moore healthy, Plummer no longer has to win a game on his arm alone. He must improve his decision-making for the offense to experience its full potential. The offensive line has the talent to be one of the best in the league. Massive L.J. Shelton and Anthony Clement man the tackles. Center Mike Gruttadauria lines up between tough-guy Pete Kendall and first-round pick Leonard Davis.

Defense: The front will consist of a seven-man rotation of mostly unproven players. Rookie end Kyle Vanden Bosch is talented and has a great motor. Russell Davis and Barron Tanner form an underwhelming interior. The linebackers are a steady group led by Rob Fredrickson, with tackling machine Ronald McKinnon manning the middle. While Williams’ leadership and playmaking ability will be missed, the secondary will continue to be the defense’s strength. Tom Knight and Corey Chavous are steady cornerbacks. Safety Pat Tillman is a ferocious tackler.

Special teams: The Cardinals hope Bill Gramatica is as dependable as his brother Martin in Tampa Bay. Punter Scott Player went to the Pro Bowl last season. MarTay Jenkins set an NFL record with 2,186 yards on kickoff returns last season.

The skinny: Few NFL defenses are as bad as this one looks to be. But if the offense fires on all cylinders the Cardinals have a good shot at six or seven wins.

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DALLAS COWBOYS

Last season: 5-11 (Fourth in NFC East).

Coach: Dave Campo (5-11-0 with Dallas).

Key losses: CB Ryan McNeil (San Diego), T Erik Williams (Baltimore).

Key acquisitions: WR Darrin Chiaverini.

Offense: America’s team is in the hands of rookie quarterback Quincy Carter. Cowboy owner Jerry Jones likes to present Daunte Culpepper and Donovan McNabb as examples of young quarterbacks who rose to the challenge early in their careers. What Jones conveniently forgets is that both of those players are a lot better than Carter. Carter is not ready to be a NFL quarterback, and forcing him into a starting role might ruin him. Backup Anthony Wright has two starts under his belt. Emmitt Smith will continue his assault on Walter Payton’s all-time rushing record the hard way, behind a rusty offensive line as every opposing defender keys on stopping him. Receivers Joey Galloway and Rocket Ismail deserve a better fate than this. Both are coming back from knee surgery.

Defense: Dallas was shredded for nearly 165 rushing yards a game last season. With the departure of Chad Hennings and Leon Lett, there is no reason to believe that number won’t get worse. The Cowboys are counting on Dimitrius Underwood, Brandon Noble and Michael Myers to replace the Lett as the run stuffer in the middle. Ebenezer Ekuban and Greg Ellis are adequate ends. The secondary isn’t going to give opposing quarterbacks many sleepless nights. Untested Izzell Reese and Mario Edwards look to be the starters at cornerback by default. Veteran safeties Darren Woodson and George Teague will have their hands full cleaning up after their mistakes.

Special teams: Kicker Tim Seder is a consistent kicker, but the offense may not get him many attempts. Micah Knorr may challenge Bob Parsons’ 1981 NFL record of 114 punts in a season.

The skinny: The Cowboys are a train wreck in the making, as Coach Dave Campo is the latest victim of Jones’ meddling.

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NEW YORK GIANTS

Last season: 12-4 (First in NFC East).

Coach: Jim Fassel (39-28-1 with New York).

Key losses: DT Christian Peter (Indianapolis), TE Pete Mitchell (Detroit).

Key acquisitions: DE Kenny Holmes (Tennessee).

Offense: Quarterback Kerry Collins entered the 2000 season a major question mark and salvaged his career by leading the Giants to the Super Bowl. Running back Tiki Barber had a breakthrough season with 1,725 yards rushing and receiving. Ron Dayne reported to camp 20 pounds lighter. Wide receiver Ike Hilliard did not endear himself to Fassel when he failed to seek proper treatment on his injured toe until it was too late. Joe Jurevicius and Ron Dixon will attempt to replace him until he is fit to return. Amani Toomer has put up nice numbers the past two seasons but is too streaky. Linemen Lomas Brown and Glenn Parker are long in the tooth. Guard Ron Stone went to the Pro Bowl.

Defense: The Giant front four may not be the most flamboyant, but they are talented. Michael Strahan was not pleased about missing out on the Pro Bowl last season; count on him playing like he wants to go back. Former Titan Holmes gives them a formidable pass-rushing duo. Tackles Cornelius Griffin and Keith Hamilton are a tremendous load for opposing lines to handle. At middle linebacker, Michael Barrow continues to improve and shows the athleticism to stay on the field on passing downs. Unfortunately, All Pro Jesse Armstead is starting to show signs of slowing down. It remains to be seen if Brandon Short can replace Ryan Phillips on the strong side. When healthy, Jason Sehorn is one of the top cover corners in the game. The Giants brought in first-round pick Will Allen to push Dave Thomas at the other corner.

Special teams: Veteran kicker Morten Anderson was a last-second addition. Rodney Williams will handle the punting duties. Kick returner Ron Dixon is a threat to go all the way.

The skinny: With winning comes a tougher schedule and opponents gunning for your throne. Yet the Giants easily have enough talent to remain a playoff team.

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PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Last season: 11-5 (Second in NFC East).

Coach: Andy Reid (17-17-0).

Key losses: WR Torrance Small (New England), WR Charles Johnson (New England).

Key acquisitions: WR James Thrash, DE Ndukwe Kalu (Washington).

Offense: It is puzzling that a team with Super Bowl aspirations didn’t provide quarterback Donovan McNabb with more weapons during the off-season. Equally dangerous throwing or running, McNabb has the ability to win games virtually by himself. And it looks as if he may have to again this season. A fully recovered Duce Staley would lift much of the burden off McNabb’s shoulders, but the type of foot injury Staley suffered could easily recur at any time. The Eagles did little to cover themselves if that happens. James Thrash was the third wide receiver in Washington, but the Eagles have him penciled in as their go-to guy. The Eagles are counting on first-round pick Freddie Mitchell to come to the rescue. At least McNabb has one dependable weapon in Pro-Bowl tight end Chad Lewis. The Eagles are set for years to come with outstanding tackles Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas.

Defense: Tackle Corey Simon looks to be a terror for years to come. He and end Hugh Douglas will remind Eagle fans of the Reggie White-Jerome Brown pairing of the early ‘90s. There is tremendous depth with Brandon Whiting, Hollis Thomas, Kalu, Derrick Burgess and Paul Gramanis. Carlos Emmons presents problems for opposing coordinators as he can blitz and cover with equal proficiency. The secondary is the best in the NFC, led by smothering corners Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor. Safety Brian Dawkins is equally adept in coming through with the big play or delivering a crunching tackle.

Special teams: Kicker David Akers has a leg strong enough to make a 60-yard field goal. Brian Mitchell has yet to slow down as a return specialist.

The skinny: For the Eagles to get to the next level, they have to beat the Giants for the first time since December 1, 1996. Provided the offense isn’t one-dimensional, this is the season the Eagles end the streak and win the East.

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WASHINGTON REDSKINS

Last season: 8-8 (Third in NFC East).

Coach: Marty Schottenheimer (First season with Washington).

Key losses: QB Brad Johnson (Tampa Bay), WR James Thrash (Philadelphia).

Key acquisitions: G Dave Szott (Kansas City), QB Tony Banks (Dallas).

Offense: Schottenheimer has the unenviable task of turning around this band of high-priced malcontents. Quarterback Jeff George throws a gorgeous spiral, but count on him to continue his streak of never having won a meaningful game. Running back Stephen Davis has run for 2,723 yards and 28 touchdowns over the last two years. Wide receiver Michael Westbrook needs to regain his big-play ability for the rest of the offense click. Tight end Stephen Alexander went to Pro Bowl last season. The strength of the line are tackles Chris Samuel and Jon Jansen. Cory Raymer returns from a knee injury to start at center.

Defense: Bruce Smith, 38, is still a force in his 18th season. Smith and Marco Coleman combined for 22 sacks last season. While never achieving his vast potential, tackle Dan Wilkinson has developed into a reliable and durable asset. Strong-side linebacker LaVar Arrington got tangled up away from the play too often last season. Champ Bailey is on his way to becoming the best cornerback in the league. The ageless Darrell Green returns for his final season at the other corner. Safety Sam Shade is great against the run but gets lost too often in coverage.

Special teams: Had the Redskins had a dependable kicking game last season, they’d have gone 11-5 and made the playoffs. Brett Conway looks to bounce back from an injury-plagued season. The punting is in the capable hands of Bryan Barker. Special-teams ace Michael Bates will help on returns and coverage.

The skinny: Should the Redskins stumble out of the gate, how long will it be before we see Snyder on Schottenheimer’s back? The roster is brimming with talent but lacks chemistry. A wild-card berth might be too much to ask.