The NFC East is THE division in the NFL. All four teams have storied franchises and dedicated fan bases, and typically at least one team in the division ends up being a Super Bowl Contender. Recently however, the NFC East has failed to live up to expectations from top to bottom. The “Dream Team” fell flat, the Dallas Cowboys blundered their way out of the playoffs, and you could easily get the feeling that the New York Giants made the playoffs by default.
What will each team in the NFC East need to this offseason in order to return the division to its past prominence?
Dallas Cowboys
Interior Offensive Line
The Cowboys are fairly loaded at all the skill positions on offense. It’s an offense that has the potential to be one of the best in the league, but it won’t come close to realizing that potential without some serious upgrades on the interior offensive line. Dallas needs to improve at center and guard heading into 2012.
Cornerback
It doesn’t appear likely that Terence Newman will be a Cowboy in 2012. Age finally caught up to Newman, and Dallas will need to find a young playmaker to fill the void in the secondary.
Outside Linebacker
Dallas had hoped that Anthony Spencer could contribute opposite of Demarcus Ware, but they only ended up being disappointed. Ware is one of the best in the league, but he can’t do it all on his own. Finding another pass rusher will be crucial for the Cowboys.
New York Giants
Middle Linebacker
Middle linebacker has been an issue for a few years now in New York, but they haven’t done a ton to address it. They drafted Greg Jones in the sixth round in this past draft, and Jonathon Goff in the fifth in 2008, but it’s time they made a serious investment at the position.
Offensive Line
The Giants really could stand to improve, or at least get younger all along the offensive line. They may want to begin by focusing at right tackle, where a replacement for Kareem McKenzie needs to be found sooner than later.
Tight End
There will likely be a good deal of debate as to how the Giants should approach the tight end position. Since the departure of Kevin Boss they haven’t have a real impact player there. Jake Ballard hasn’t been a disappointment, but he’s only averaging just over 2 catches per game. He’s got time to develop, but New York may want to look to add a playmaker here.
Philadelphia Eagles
Linebacker
It’s tough to really call a player a bust after one season, but Casey Matthews does not look like he’s going to be the answer for the Eagles at inside linebacker. The problem doesn’t stop with Matthews though. There is a serious lack of play making ability from all the linebackers in Philadelphia. They’re also mostly undersized, and it drastically hurt the Eagles run defense in 2011.
Safety
The Eagles invested a second round pick in Jaiquan Jarrett last year, but he was unable to get on the field in 2011. Nate Allen appears that he can be a serviceable starter, but Philadelphia needs to find at least one new starter at safety.
Quarterback
Michael Vick is 32 years old, injury prone, and his contract has Philadelphia financially obligated to him through next season. Mike Kafka isn’t a long term solution at quarterback. Vince Young only showed a couple of flashes of being a competent starter. The Eagles would be well served to look for the future at quarterback, and start grooming him in 2012.
Washington Redskins 
Quarterback
Rex Grossman had a couple of good games, but he’s clearly not going to bring the Redskins to the next level. Rebuilding their offense is going to be a long process, but getting a franchise quarterback is the first step in the right direction.
Offensive Line
Aside from (possibly) right guard, there isn’t a spot on the Washington offensive line that doesn’t need improvement. Tackle may be the top priority, as Trent Williams would be suspended for a year with a failed drug test, and Jamaal Brown is aging and injury prone.
Wide Receiver
The Redskins have hardly any playmakers to rely on, and it’s a problem that has to be addressed. Getting a wide receiver that can make plays on his own would be the easiest way to do that, and it’d also help the development of their new quarterback.
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