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PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The 2012 NFL regular season will open just as the 2011 regular season ended -- with a game at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants.

The NFL announced Tuesday that the Super Bowl champion Giants will host the Cowboys in the Wednesday, Sept. 5 season opener. It's the ninth year in a row that the league will open its schedule with a prime-time game hosted by the defending champs.

If you're a regular reader, you know this comes as a surprise to me. Looking at the Giants' 2012 schedule for home opponents, I thought it made the most sense to open with the Packers. That would have been a game between the past two Super Bowl champs that had widespread national appeal. But I guess the Cowboys have as much widespread national appeal as the Packers do, and in spite of this being a divisional game, it does cross geographical lines and span a couple of time zones. The added oomph of the Giants-Cowboys rivalry can't be overlooked, either. The Giants beat the Cowboys on Jan. 1 in the final game of the regular season -- a game that decided the NFC East title and put the Giants into the playoffs while eliminating the Cowboys.

No word on other Week 1 games or any other regular-season scheduling at this point. But Giants and Cowboys fans can circle Sept. 5 on their calendars if they want to. And I'm pretty sure I'll be there.

INDIANAPOLIS –- Linebacker Greg Jones did more than just celebrate the New York Giants’ Super Bowl XLVI win over the New England Patriots on Sunday night.

Shortly after the Giants beat the Patriots, 21-17, Jones proposed to his girlfriend, Mandy Piechowski, on the confetti-covered Lucas Oil Stadium field as the celebration was under way.

Click here to view a photo gallery of the proposal.

An emotionally overwhelmed Piechowski said yes.

“She was bawling,” Jones said Monday morning before hopping on the team bus to head to the airport. “Just everything we have been through together ... she has been there since day one.”

Jones, a rookie drafted in the sixth round out of Michigan State, has known Piechowski for three years. She played basketball at Michigan State, and the two became friends first but did not start dating until a year and a half ago. He purchased the engagement ring -- a brilliant round cut diamond ring with several smaller diamonds on the band -- recently and had been waiting for the right moment to pop the question.

When Piechowski ran onto the field looking for Jones to celebrate the Giants' win, she was already emotional. She began crying as soon as she found him and embraced him.

"But then he put me down pretty fast and I was like, 'Oh, OK,'" she said. "And then he is digging in his pants and I am like, 'What are you doing?'"

Piechowski had no idea what was coming.

"He pulls out a box and I am still not comprehending what he was about to do," she said. "First thing I thought of was their ring and that doesn't make sense. Then he opens it.

"We had talked about wanting to get married next year possibly but in terms of this happening last night, no not at all. I didn't know he had a ring."

Jones got down on one knee on the field and said, "Amanda Piechowski, will you spend the rest of your life with me?"

Despite a chaotic celebration going on all around them, Piechowski heard Jones as if they were the only two on the field.

"It honestly felt quiet for a second," she said. "I didn't even know what they were doing with the trophy [celebration]."

What a night it was for Jones, who decided to make the best night of his football career the best night of his life. He had tight end Christian Hopkins, who is on the Giants’ practice squad, hold onto the ring until he proposed.

Jones said he didn't have a speech prepared for his proposal.

“She already knows how I feel,” Jones said. “A speech wasn’t needed.”

The New York Giants were appalled and ashamed at losing a second game this season to the last-place Washington Redskins. But as Thomas Boswell points out, with Rex Grossman at quarterback, the Redskins are actually a 5-6 team this year -- not a whole lot different from the 7-7 Giants. The Giants have been outscored by a total of 38 points this year, and owe their seven wins largely to Eli Manning's knack for fourth-quarter comebacks. The Redskins have been hurt by Grossman's tendency to turn the ball over, but also helped by the competence he shows when he doesn't:

In three games started by John Beck, they were crushed, 75-31. In Grossman’s 11 starts, they are now actually 5-6, with only a tiny disadvantage in points, 221-225. It’s conceivable that, despite Grossman’s almost inconceivable 22 turnovers this year, they are roughly as good as the Giants in Rex’s games.

Ironically, the more Grossman plays, the better chance the Redskins have to win, as the last five weeks have shown. But the more they win (and they’ll be favored to beat the Vikings next Sunday at FedEx Field), the less chance they have to get a very high draft pick and grab Andrew Luck (unlikely), Robert Griffin III or Matt Barkley to be their quarterback of the future.

So, to a degree, the more Grossman wins, the better chance he has to reduce the quality of his own competition for the quarterback job next season and, in the process, quite possibly damage the team’s long-term future. You admire his moxie, but the better he plays, the longer you may be stuck with him.

What Mike Shanahan said all along about this year's team and its quarterback situation was that he believed he had guys who could run his offense if he put the right pieces around them. He never said Grossman or Beck was the long-term answer at the position, but he didn't think he could acquire a franchise quarterback last offseason for an appropriate price, so Grossman turned out to be the best option from among what he has. From the outside, it appears he'll have the chance to acquire a franchise guy this offseason -- be it through the draft or otherwise. We don't yet know who he likes or has his eye on, but even if the Redskins keep winning and their first-round draft position suffers for it, they should be able to maneuver up and get a Barkley or a Griffin if that's who they want.

In the meantime, against everything we've come to believe, Grossman is really giving them a chance to win games. And at the very least, next year he can be a worthwhile backup and mentor to a stud rookie who needs to learn the system -- someone who can step in and play if the kid's not ready right away or gets hurt or whatever. That's not a bad thing to know about a quarterback, even if he is far from perfect.

A few thoughts on the Washington Redskins' hard-fought loss to the Patriots at FedEx Field on Sunday:

What it means: Pure heartbreak! The Redskins got as far as the New England 5-yard line in the final minute with a chance to tie it. But veteran receiver Santana Moss made two costly mistakes that prevented it from happening. Moss was flagged for an offensive pass interference penalty that moved the Redskins back to the 15, and then a Rex Grossman pass bounced off of Moss' hands and into those of Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo for the game-clinching interception. The Redskins fall to 4-9, ensuring them a third consecutive season with a losing record.

Offense shows heart: Clearly, the New England defense is abominable. But the number of personnel losses the Redskins have suffered this season should have rendered their offense incapable of moving the ball against almost anyone. This was not the case Sunday, as Grossman consistently found receivers when he needed to. No Fred Davis? No problem. Grossman completed passes to seven different receivers. Donte' Stallworth and Jabar Gaffney each went for more than 90 yards receiving, and Moss had more than 80. Roy Helu racked up a manly 126 yards on 27 carries. The balance on offense was remarkable -- 34 run plays and 35 pass plays. It was the fifth game this year in which the Redskins ran the ball on at least 40 percent of their offensive plays and the first such game that they lost. But considering they were playing without both starting tackles after Jammal Brown got hurt in warm-ups, it was probably the best the offense has looked all year. It outgained the Patriots 463 yards to 431.

Streak continues: The interception wasn't his fault, but it did extend Grossman's streak to nine straight games with at least one interception. He also lost a fumble in the end zone earlier in the game, and the Patriots recovered it for a touchdown.

Defense holds its own: The Redskins' defense gave up 27 points, but it held Tom Brady and the Patriots to 5-for-11 on third downs (while the Redskins' offense went 7-for-14 on third downs), and Josh Wilson's interception in the end zone set the Redskins up for their chance to tie the game. Brady looked to be at least a little bit off his game in the second half (for him, at least), and I imagine the Redskins were able to put some real defensive positives on film.

What's next: The Redskins travel to New Jersey on Sunday to play the New York Giants with a chance to mess up the Giants' season. They got New York's season off to a rotten start by beating them in Week 1 in Washington, and a victory next Sunday at the Meadowlands could severely damage, if not end, the Giants' playoff hopes.

The Philadelphia Eagles will play the New York Giants on Sunday night without the help of starting quarterback Michael Vick and top wide receiver Jeremy Maclin. The team officially announced Saturday that Vick and Maclin have been downgraded from "questionable" to "out" due to their injuries and will not travel with the team.

Vick broke two ribs in Sunday's loss to Arizona and Maclin is dealing with shoulder and hamstring injuries. Neither player practiced at all this past week.

Backup quarterback Vince Young, whose only pass so far this season was intercepted by Washington's DeAngelo Hall, is likely to start in Vick's place, though the team made no official announcement on that. Maclin is likely to be replaced by Jason Avant, Riley Cooper or possibly former Giant Steve Smith as a starting wide receiver opposite DeSean Jackson. Avant started last week opposite Maclin in place of Jackson, who was benched for that game because he missed a team meeting the day before.

PHILADELPHIA -- The New York Giants grabbed early control and a 14-0 lead in their game against the Philadelphia Eagles, but they didn't keep control of much of anything in the second quarter. The Eagles kicked a field goal with time running out in the first half to cut the lead 14-13.

Things couldn't have started any better for the Giants. The Eagles drove down the field against them on their first possession and got the ball as far as the New York 19-yard line. But a third-down pass by Michael Vick caromed off of the hands of former Giants receiver Steve Smith and into the arms of Giants safety Aaron Ross for an interception. The Giants cashed that in with a 40-yard touchdown pass from Eli Manning to Brandon Jacobs, and just before the end of the first quarter Manning hit Victor Cruz for a 74-yard touchdown pass on which Eagles defenders missed two tackles. The Eagles appeared in disarray on offense and defense, and the Giants had them right where they wanted them.

But in the second quarter, the Giants looked more like the Giants we've seen over the past three seasons -- shaky and undisciplined on defense. The Eagles went run-heavy on their next drive, marching down the field behind running back LeSean McCoy and kicking a field goal. The Giants were unable to get their own run game going, and their defense seemed to wear down and become irritable the more it was on the field. Safety Antrel Rolle was flagged for his involvement in one of many post-whistle scuffles between Eagles and Giants players, and the Eagles appeared to get into the Giants' heads.

McCoy's touchdown run was brilliant, as he made a killer cut when it looked as though they had him forced out of bounds and found his way into the end zone. And the Eagles just managed to get Alex Henery's second field goal of the game off before the halftime gun after a bizarre sequence in which Vick got up from a hit and got behind center and had to be shooed off the field by his linemen.

The Giants have the lead, which a lot of people wouldn't have guessed, but they'll need to recover the kind of discipline and precision they showed in the first quarter if they want to hold onto it. They're clearly outmanned, and will not be able to weather many more mistakes.

Adam Schefter reports via Twitter that the Washington Redskins "have made the decision to go with Rex Grossman as their starting quarterback" instead of John Beck. As you know if you've been reading this blog, that comes as a bit of a surprise to me, since I was under the impression that head coach Mike Shanahan and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan preferred Beck as long as he didn't fall flat on his face in the preseason. Beck performed fairly well in the preseason, though his final game was not his best, but Grossman performed better and will apparently get the start Sunday against the Giants.

There are a number of things this could possibly mean:

1. That it was a legitimate, old-fashioned competition all along, just as the coaches were telling everyone it was, and Grossman simply won it.

2. That the Redskins' coaches believe, based on the impressive way their defense, their running game and their offensive line performed in the preseason, that they have a better chance to contend this year than they originally believed and Grossman is the surer bet to play the kind of simple, mistake-free, good-decision quarterback they'll need.

3. That all the stuff they said about Beck and why they liked him was a smokescreen designed either to help his confidence and make him better or to convince other teams they had something no one else thought they did.

Regardless, I can't imagine the decision is final -- meaning, I expect this to change at least one or two more times as the season goes along. Sure, Grossman could play great and keep the job, but if he falters, the Redskins have a guy in waiting that they believe can handle the job.

I just don't agree with this as the initial decision, though. If you believe they're close, why wouldn't you rather have a fired-up Beck starting and a resigned Grossman, who's used to being a backup, backing him up and helping him out? As opposed, that is, to Grossman starting and a deflated, disappointed Beck backing him up. Seems to me you run the greater risk of losing Beck by making him the backup than you do of losing Grossman if you did the same to him. So if all else is equal, why wouldn't you go with Beck?

The answer might well be that all else is not equal, that they like Grossman better and don't think Beck is ready. We'll find out more in the coming days, I am sure, and will keep you updated on this fluid situation. Meantime, it looks like Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul know which guy they're going to get to go after on Sunday.

Kevin Acee from the San Diego Union-Tribute reports that Eric Weddle's new deal with the Chargers is for five years and $40 million with $19 million guaranteed. The Cowboys tried on Weddle, who was the best safety on the market, but there was little chance he was going to leave San Diego. Especially once they offered, as Steelers safety Ryan Clark tweeted, "what (Troy) Polamalu and I got combined!"

The Cowboys still need to come up with two starting safeties on a market that just moved dramatically upward. You can bet Michael Huff, Abe Elam and all the other available safeties in whom the Cowboys have interest are watching what Weddle got (and the four-year, $27 million deal with $14 million guaranteed that Quintin Mikell got from the Rams) and planning to use it as a benchmark. Weddle was the best of the bunch, but those who aren't quite in his class will try to get as close to what he got as possible. Dallas is going to have to spend big if it wants a top safety, and real big if it loses Gerald Sensabaugh and decides it needs two.

Now I'm going to go work on a post about how the DeAngelo Williams signing in Carolina is going to hurt the Giants' chances of keeping Ahmad Bradshaw. It'll be just like this post, but with different names and numbers. So if you don't want to read a whole 'nother post, you can just turn this one into a Mad Libs kind of thing. Enjoy that.

We continue our position-by-position look at the way the free-agent seasons of the NFC East teams could be affected by the proposed return to the system that makes players unrestricted free agents after just four years of service time. Over the past couple of days, we've done cornerbacks, running backs, guards, outside linebackers and safeties. Today, we look at quarterbacks. And since Jon Kitna has proved himself a more-than-capable Tony Romo backup in Dallas and Eli Manning is as durable as any quarterback in the league, we're focusing on two of the division's teams.

NFC East teams in need

Redskins: Mike Shanahan has said he likes John Beck and is willing to give him a chance at being the starter. Rex Grossman, once re-signed, will hope to challenge for the position. Donovan McNabb is still on the roster, but there's no chance he'll be back. Clearly, if they intend to be a serious contender this year, Washington could use an upgrade at the most crucial position in sports. But with so many other needs, and with the projected first round of next year's draft deep at the quarterback position, it might not make sense for the Redskins to devote resources (especially long-term dollars) to a 2011 answer that isn't a long-term answer. So maybe they hunt for a veteran who can compete for the job in training camp, but they're not going to be looking to make a big commitment to a free-agent quarterback. Fortunately, the field leans heavily toward the former group.

Eagles: The Eagles are actually very strong at the position at the moment. But assuming they trade Kevin Kolb once the lockout ends, they will need to find a veteran backup for starter Michael Vick, a running quarterback whose style puts him at risk of injury. They like the way Mike Kafka has developed in a reserve role, but he's not the kind of guy they could put into a game right now, should Vick get hurt, and expect to win it. The Eagles are a win-now, go-for-it team and they'll want someone more reliable in there if Vick has to miss a game or two.

Top five potential unrestricted free-agent quarterbacks

1. Matt Hasselbeck. Looks like he's out in Seattle, and if healthy he can probably help someone as a starter. If they could get him for one year, he'd make a lot of sense for the Redskins. But I wonder if a place like Miami or Minnesota might give him more than one year and a chance to start.

2. Alex Smith. Sounds as if he's staying in San Francisco. But if he were to leave, he probably has the most upside of this somewhat underwhelming bunch. Hard to see why he'd justify much more of Shanahan's faith than Beck, however.

3. Bruce Gradkowski. Has some starting experience over the past couple of years in Oakland, and he's managed to have a modicum of success with it. Seems to have an ability to get guys around him to play hard for him. Another guy who'd be a better short-term option in Washington but likely isn't worth investing any real part of the future in. Might make sense as the Vick backup in Philly.

4. Kerry Collins. If the Eagles are looking for a backup with experience who can competently manage a game should their starter have to leave due to injury...well...

5. Billy Volek. Career backup probably doesn't fit what either of these teams is looking for, though some have speculated that he could wander east from San Diego with new Panthers coach Ron Rivera and be the stopgap starter until Cam Newton is ready.

Predictions that mean nothing: Eagles wait to see if Vince Young becomes available and pounce if he does. If not, they sign Gradkowski. Redskins go with what they have, filling other needs and hoping to be or get in position to draft their franchise quarterback next April.

Welcome to part five in our very popular (at least here on the NFC East blog) position-by-position look at four-year unrestricted free agency and its possible impact on NFC East teams. (We're really going to have to figure out a catchier name ...)

We'll look now at the safety position. The Redskins managed to address safety pre-lockout by signing O.J. Atogwe. And while the Giants are likely to lose Deon Grant, they appear set at the position with Kenny Phillips and Antrel Rolle and aren't as likely to use three safeties as much this year after taking cornerback Prince Amukamara in the first round of the draft. But the other two teams in the division could be looking for safety help, although to different degrees.

NFC East teams in need

Cowboys: Even if they do bring back Gerald Sensabaugh, they'll need to find a safety to replace Alan Ball, who's slated to move back to his backup cornerback role. And if Sensabaugh finds employment elsewhere, Dallas will need to find two safeties on the market. The need at this position could be the biggest factor that prevents the Cowboys from signing star cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. If they got him, they'd have to fix safety on the cheap.

Eagles: In spite of his popularity among fans and in the locker room, veteran strong safety Quintin Mikell appears to be out in Philadelphia. Philly is planning to go with second-year man Nate Allen at the free safety spot and could, theoretically, start Kurt Coleman at the other. But since neither seems like a sure thing, it's probably a good idea for the Eagles to at least look around for free-agent help.

UPDATE, 3:40 pm: As our first commenter points out below, rookie Jaiquawn Jarrett should have been mentioned here. I'd add him to the "not a sure thing" group with Coleman and Allen, since I don't think they view him as a starter in 2011. But the presence of Jarrett and Allen along with Coleman could, indeed, lessen the Eagles' desire to commit long-term to a free-agent safety.

Top five potential unrestricted free-agent safeties

1. Eric Weddle. The total package. Hits hard, tackles, plays the run well and is capable of making the big interception and running it back. The Chargers will make keeping him a priority, and if he hits the open market he's likely in line for a very big contract. Probably too rich for the Eagles' blood, but he'd qualify as a big splash for the Cowboys if they aren't in on Nnamdi.

2. Dawan Landry. Playing opposite Ed Reed in Baltimore, Landry has been overshadowed. But he's improved every year in his coverage ability and has always been strong against the run. The Ravens are likely to let him go. Could be great in Philly or with the Cowboys, who could easily slide Sensabaugh to free safety if Landry came in to play the strong safety spot.

3. Danieal Manning. He turned down an extension offer from the Bears just before the lockout, and as one of the players who was caught in the restricted free-agent trap imposed by last season's uncapped rules, he's looking for a pay day. Might appeal to the Eagles for his ability to handle kick-return duties as well as start at safety.

4. Michael Huff. Came up with four sacks, three interceptions and three forced fumbles for the Raiders in 2010. He's going to draw enough interest that the Raiders won't be able to keep him. Multiple reports have indicated he's high on the Cowboys' wish list.

5. Mikell. There's also been some talk in Dallas of pouncing on Mikell, should the Eagles let him go, as a means of getting over on a division rival. But Mikell, while older than anyone else on this list, could bring a leadership element to Dallas that the team could use as it works to recover from its disappointing 2010 season.

Predictions that mean nothing: Cowboys sign Huff, Eagles look further down the list (Abe Elam? Atari Bigby? Roman Harper? There are lots of options.) as they pursue Asomugha for cornerback and address front-seven needs on defense.

The public feud between Osi Umenyiora and "Twitter gangster" LeSean McCoy that erupted last week was both hilarious and illuminating. Not just because McCoy would so publicly critique a player on an opposing team as "overrated n soft" but also because Umenyiora's response was so vitriolic. He referred to McCoy as "Lady Gaga" and a "chihuahua or poodle" and said "she" could say anything "she" wanted to say.

It was the kind of thing that made you think that maybe the Eagles, who have beaten the Giants the past six times they've faced them, are getting to the Giants. You know ... psychologically.

"Well, I'm not going to get into what went on between those two," Giants cornerback Terrell Thomas told me in a phone interview Wednesday. "But yeah, I hate the Eagles, and you can put that in print. They're the one single thing that has kept us out of the playoffs the last two years. They knocked us out of the playoffs in my rookie year, when we were defending champs. We keep coming close, but we haven't been able to beat them, and it bothers us a lot."

The streak doesn't make a lot of sense. Since the start of the 2008 season, the Giants' record is 30-19 and the Eagles' record is 32-20-1 (counting playoffs). It's not as though the Eagles are winning 12 games every year and the Giants are winning six. They are comparable teams, rivals familiar with each other, and if you asked somebody who didn't know, he probably would guess the two teams were playing each other about evenly during that span.

But they are not. The Eagles have the Giants' number. And Thomas is right that it has cost him and his teammates dearly. The Giants were 11-1 and thinking about a second straight Super Bowl title when the Eagles beat them in the 2008 Week 14 game that began the streak. Five weeks later, they beat them in a divisional-round playoff game to end New York's title defense. They beat them twice during the Giants' epic collapse in 2009, and if the Giants had won just one of their two games against the Eagles in 2010, they'd have made the playoffs and Philadelphia would have been fighting out a wild-card spot with the Packers.

"It's just so tough, because this year we gave one away at their house, and then we definitely gift-wrapped them a Christmas gift at our house," Thomas said. "And we know. We talk about it a lot. We know that's the only team that's stopping us from getting to the playoffs and getting to the Super Bowl."

The 2010 games were especially painful. In the first one, in Philadelphia on Nov. 21, the Giants held a 17-16 lead with less than five minutes on the clock when McCoy ran 50 yards for a touchdown on a fourth-and-1 play. Eli Manning fumbled on the next drive, McCoy flipped the field with a 40-yard run and David Akers cashed in with a field goal that set the 27-17 final score.

And four weeks later at the Meadowlands? Well, that was the NFL's most eye-popping game of the season. The Giants led 31-10 with 8:17 to play when Michael Vick went completely nuts, throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for a third to erase the lead in an eyeblink before DeSean Jackson's punt return won the game as time expired. That was the "Christmas gift" game to which Thomas referred, and it will long be remembered for the incredulous fury on coach Tom Coughlin's face as he bawled out punter Matt Dodge for not kicking the ball out of bounds -- as if a million other things hadn't already gone wrong to get them to that point.

"The worst," Thomas said of that game. "Because look at it. We put the blueprint out there for how to beat the Eagles. Look at what the Vikings did to them the next week, and then the way Green Bay beat them in the playoffs. We were stopping them. We showed people how to stop them. We know how to stop them. But for some reason, we can't seem to beat them."

The average score of the games in the streak is 32-21, and in the past two years the Eagles have averaged 37.5 points per game against the Giants. Thomas believes that turnovers are the key -- both ways, as the Giants have committed 17 turnovers and forced just 10 during the streak. But he also believes, as the scores indicate, that it's up to the Giants' defense to end the thing.

"Until we beat them, we can't get back to being a dominant team and a dominant defense," Thomas said. "That's the way I look at it. I think it's up to us as a defense to find a way to end this streak. And I believe we will this year."

Because free agency has so far been locked out along with the rest of the league's offseason business, we don't yet know how the rosters of the teams in the NFC East are going to look for 2011. But if we assume that the Giants and Eagles will be contenders again, it's fair to say this: Unless the Giants can finally find a way to win a game -- just one game -- against the Eagles, their late-season frustrations and their streak of playoff-free seasons are both going to continue. Right now, the Eagles are in the Giants' heads. And the only way to get them out is to beat them.

We continue our position-by-position look at four-year unrestricted free agency and its potential impact on the NFC East teams and their plans. The fourth in our series will focus on the guard position, where, even with top guy Logan Mankins franchised by the Patriots, there are a number of good options available.

NFC East teams in need

Cowboys: Left guard Kyle Kosier is on the list below, and the Cowboys will make an effort to bring him back. But even if they do, they could cut ties with Leonard Davis at the right guard spot, and unless they think Montrae Holland or one of their late-round draft picks is ready to start there, they will be on the hunt for free-agent help.

Giants: Yeah, we've gone round and round on this topic. And if everyone's healthy, the Giants are fine at guard with Chris Snee and Rich Seubert. But if center Shaun O'Hara falters, Seubert moves in there and they could stand to add some depth. They've discussed moving left tackle David Diehl back inside, which could answer some of these concerns.

Redskins: They like the progress Kory Lichtensteiger showed on the left side last year, but if they're not convinced Will Montgomery and/or Artis Hicks can handle the right guard spot, Washington could be looking for a more established starter there.

Top five potential unrestricted free-agent guards

1. Harvey Dahl. Most likely to stay in Atlanta, but he's a fearsome run blocker who would help in Dallas if they decided to commit to the run. Also a natural guard who could help the Redskins move Montgomery to center if Casey Rabach falters and they need to do that. The Falcons also have another solid guard, Justin Blalock, who would be unrestricted under the proposed new rules, so they may have to make a choice.

2. Davin Joseph. Loaded with talent and potential, but he's had some injury issues (including last season's broken foot) that could lead the Buccaneers to part ways with him and give other teams pause before signing him.

3. Daryn Colledge. He's got a Super Bowl ring, which will catch teams' attention if the Packers decide they have enough depth to let him go.

4. Kosier. Getting up there in years, but he's an important player for the Cowboys to re-sign because they like the way he worked with rising star Doug Free on the left side and would rather not break up that pairing.

5. Marshal Yanda. He played right tackle for most of 2010 in Baltimore in place of the injured Jared Gaither, but he's got experience at guard too. That kind of versatility -- the ability to play any spot along the line at a starter's level -- should have widespread appeal. He'd be a perfect guy for the Giants if they're looking to add reliable depth but don't feel they have a specific spot that needs filling.

Predictions that mean nothing: Cowboys re-sign Kosier but let go of Davis and pursue another free-agent option, such as Joseph. Redskins sign Yanda to play either right guard or right tackle. Giants do nothing.

We continue to take a position-by-position look at potential four-year unrestricted free agency and the way it could impact the offseason plans of the teams in the NFC East. We did cornerbacks and running backs Wednesday, and today we're taking a look at outside linebackers. The division's 3-4 defenses appear set at those spots with DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer in Dallas and Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan in Washington, so we'll focus on the 4-3 teams along the I-95 corridor. The pool has been diminished as teams have placed franchise designations on top players such as LaMarr Woodley, Chad Greenway and Kamerion Wimbley, but there are still options available for the Eagles and Giants to bolster weak spots.

NFC East teams in need

Giants: Linebacker is a muddy situation for the Giants. If they sign a middle linebacker, they could move Jonathan Goff to the outside and lessen their need there. And assuming they bring back Mathias Kiwanuka, who's been something of a Swiss army knife on the defense, they might be able to get by with Clint Sintim and Michael Boley at the starting outside linebacker spots. But neither Sintim nor Boley is a sure thing, and while the Giants have ignored this position over the past couple of years, they would do well to keep their minds open to the possibility of an upgrade.

Eagles: Either Jamar Chaney or Stewart Bradley will man the middle, with the other (assuming Bradley re-signs) taking one of the outside spots. But that doesn't mean the Eagles couldn't use more depth at this spot. They'll have a chance to get creative, perhaps signing a guy for the middle and using Chaney on the outside. But Chaney showed a lot in that middle linebacker spot last year and they'd do well to think about adding outside pieces around him.

Top five potential unrestricted free-agent outside linebackers:

1. James Anderson. Had a very good year on the strong side for Carolina, which isn't likely to offer him much to stay. If the Giants were to get serious about the position (and if they didn't have so many other free agency issues at other positions), Anderson would be a great fix for their strong side linebacker void. Carolina teammate Thomas Davis is another name who could attract interest, but Davis is coming off an injury and might be more affordable for the Panthers to retain.

2. Manny Lawson. The 49ers could let him walk, and Lawson is a hyper-athletic, multi-purpose linebacker who can play the run and pressure the passer. His sack numbers haven't been great, but he grades out well as a disruptive force in backfields. Could be a great answer for the Eagles on the weak side.

3. Rocky McIntosh. He didn't like or fit into the Redskins' new 3-4 scheme last year, and he's likely better off playing the pass from the weak side in a 4-3. Also would be a helpful guy in Philadelphia, and he might could be had relatively cheap.

4. Stephen Nicholas. The Falcons would like to keep him, but he might have a hard time cracking the starting lineup in Atlanta, so if there's a team out there that could park him on the strong side and use him to solidify their run defense (i.e., the Giants), he could bolt for greener pastures and/or more green.

5. Clint Session. Played only five games for the Colts last year because of injury. Session is quick and small but replaceable in Indianapolis, so he's likely to be on the market for teams looking for depth and versatility in the linebacking corps.

Predictions that mean nothing: Eagles sign McIntosh. Giants continue to overlook the position, maybe pursue a middle linebacker such as Paul Posluszny so they can move either him or Jonathan Goff to the outside, depending on how things look in training camp.

It's the last day of school in our town, and I have a first-grader (soon to be second-grader, as he would point out) absolutely bouncing off the walls in here. It's funny to recall what an awesome day this was when you were a kid, even as you cope with how frightening a day it is now that you're a parent. So many questions. How is he this old already? What will we do to keep him busy all summer? Don't we really need to be saving more for college? What does he think about what's going on with the teams in the NFC East?

Fortunately, to help with that last part, we can offer links.

Dallas Cowboys

Apparently, new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan made an impression on the Cowboys' defensive players during the brief pre-lockout time he had to talk to them about the new defense. "It's crazy," linebacker Victor Butler said, according to the Dallas Morning News. "You've got d-linemen lining up at the free safety spot. I'd love to see Jay Ratliff line up where Alan Ball is. It sounds crazy but when you get out there and run it it makes a lot of sense. I am super excited. I was hoping for [organized team activities]. That's how excited I was. Nobody hopes for OTAs. But I was hoping for OTAs so we can get in this defense and run this defense." Personally, I don't expect to see Ratliff in pass coverage. But there are worse things for the Cowboys' defense than to be energized after flatlining last year.

Gerald Sensabaugh told NFL.com's Vic Carucci that he's looking forward to testing the market. He said he gave the Cowboys "every opportunity" to re-sign him before the lockout and is "open" to returning but wants to know what his other options are. My guess? With the options that are going to be out there at the safety position, I don't see the Cowboys spending big to keep Sensabaugh. I think they'd like to have him back, but if he's going to have a bunch of other teams bidding on him, I imagine Dallas looks elsewhere.

New York Giants

I have said many times, and will continue to say, that I do not care about Tiki Barber. He is neither a big star nor a relevant player anymore. He's an arrogant, unrepentant scumbag who cares about no one and nothing but himself. He's an obvious phony whose words mean nothing and deserve to be ignored. And yet, some people still care. And Giants links are tough to find these days. So here: He had a fight with a similarly arrogant radio host. Big whoop.

NFL.com's Bucky Brooks thinks the Giants should refuse to give in to Osi Umenyiora's demands. Bucky, I'm pretty sure that's the plan.

Philadelphia Eagles

Attendance is up this year at Michael Vick's football camp in Virginia. Vick's a bigger star than he's ever been in his life, and he's doing a lot of positive things with the platform that stardom has given him.

The Eagles' team web site takes a look at rookie safety Jaiquawn Jarrett and where he fits into the 2011 puzzle. The likely departure of Quintin Mikell surely creates the potential for opportunity, but the Eagles have said they'll be active in the free-agent market, and there are some good safeties available.

Washington Redskins

Chris Cooley would like the Redskins to sign Plaxico Burress. He told Steve Wyche on a podcast, "I'm sure we'll try to sign Santana Moss back, but we need a big-time receiver." Ha! Hope Santana's not insulted, Chris! Plus, I'm just not sure Plax is going to just walk out of prison and qualify as a "big-time receiver." I think he needs to go to a situation where he can fill a very specific, small role and not have much expected of him, at least not right away. Not sure that's the situation he'd find himself in if he were to go to Washington.

Wondering what was going to happen to all those seats they're taking out of the upper deck of FedEx Field to make room for their new "party deck?" Well, if you want, you can buy them. $250 a pair. Don't all rush down there at once, now.

I'm glad you guys (a) suggested and (b) enjoyed the first day of the position-by-position rundown of the potential free-agent crop and potential fits in the NFC East. We're going to do at least two more positions today and keep this thing running until we do them all. That and a look at the Giants' losing streak against the Eagles from the perspective of a Giants player, all right here today on the NFC East blog.

Our first speculative free-agent post was a hit. It was about cornerbacks, and which potential free agents (assuming the labor deal gets done and it returns the required service time for unrestricted free agency to four years) would fit with teams in the NFC East. So, since you seemed to like it, we're going to do the other positions. Running backs are up next.

NFC East teams in need

Giants: This is a conditional "need," of course, since Ahmad Bradshaw, the No. 2 guy on the list below, is a Giant and likely (though not certain!) to sign back with the team. They also could find themselves having to jettison Brandon Jacobs in order to pay Bradshaw. So, depending on the ways in which those situations shake out, the Giants could have no need or a very serious need here.

Eagles: They're set at starter with the brilliant and still-emerging LeSean McCoy. But unless they bring back Jerome Harrison, they'll need a grinder and a change-of-pace guy who's willing to come in and not get the glory McCoy gets. Philly isn't likely to be looking at the guys at the top of this list.

Redskins: The starter reps are most likely to go to some combination of youngsters Ryan Torain and Roy Helu. But in case neither guy can handle that, there remains a chance the Redskins will want to find a veteran back to bring in to mentor them or even start until one of them is ready. Since they have so many other needs, Washington is more likely to bargain-hunt for running backs, but there could be some deals to be found.

Top five potential unrestricted free-agent running backs.

1. DeAngelo Williams. Without the injury problems, he's the clear star of this class. Of course, without the injury history, he'd probably already have been locked up by Carolina. But with Jonathan Stewart on the roster, top receiver Steve Smith's situation in question and top draft pick Cam Newton still to sign, the Panthers might not be able to keep Williams' considerable talents. He's a great fit for the Giants if things fall apart with Bradshaw, but he's not likely what they're looking for in Washington or Philly as long as he's expecting a big contract.

2. Bradshaw. He's said he wants to stay in New York. They've said he's a top priority for them. It all makes sense. But we don't know yet who's going to come knocking and offering money. Bradshaw did just hire Drew Rosenhaus, and you don't do that if you're not planning on at least testing the market. The Giants have a large number of potential free agents, and if Bradshaw's demands go through the roof, there could be an unexpected parting of the ways. It's hard to imagine, however, another NFC East team being the one to outbid the Giants for Bradshaw.

3. Cedric Benson. Likely gone after two productive seasons in Cincinnati, Benson will be looking for a starter's contract. Another guy who might make sense in New York if Bradshaw bolts, he'd also make sense in Philadelphia as the power back to complement McCoy. But he'd almost certainly have to accept a smaller role in Philly than he anticipates, so they probably won't become an option for him unless he first exhausts his opportunities to be a starter.

4. Joseph Addai. He hasn't shown the ability to hold up as a starter over a full season, and he hasn't played in an offense that really uses the run at all. I think he's a real nice fit in Washington, where his skills as a receiver and in pass protection will help John Beck or whoever the potentially overwhelmed quarterback turns out to be.

5. Ronnie Brown. Another guy who, like Addai, is probably best suited for a multiple-back offense. His skill set would make him a perfect Harrison replacement in Philadelphia. But whoever gets that job isn't going to get the ball very much with McCoy, DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Brent Celek and of course Michael Vick as options on every play. So if Brown doesn't mind going someplace where he won't get many carries, the Eagles could certainly use him.

Predictions that mean nothing: Giants keep Bradshaw and Jacobs, Eagles keep Harrison to back up McCoy, Redskins sign Addai as their needed backfield veteran.