LAST SEASON: 8-8, 2nd in NFC East
PROJECTION: 3rd in NFC East

	This could be the year Arrington takes over.

STRONG SIDE

LB: Where do you begin? Jessie Armstead, the savvy vet who had been the heart and soul of the Giants defense for the last decade? Jeremiah Trotter, 25, an All Pro warrior in the middle for Philly whose play is a lot like the Skins new unis: pure gold and nasty? Or LaVar Arrington, a Pro Bowl pick in his second year, equipped with mind-blowing speed and mind-numbing strength? Throw in the tutelage of D-coordinator Marvin Lewis, who built the Ravens record-setting D around LBs Ray Lewis and Peter Boulware -- and it's easy to see why Washington fans feel the best D in the league has moved south some 40 miles.

WEAK SIDE

QB: Ball Coach has a real weakness for former Gator QBs with noodle arms. Why else would anyone sign Shane Matthews (cut by the Bears) or Danny Wuerffel (five starts in five years)? Second-year passer Sage Rosenfels and 2002 first-round pick Patrick Ramsey both have the physical tools these guys lack. But they can forget about seeing PT this season. Ramsey's holdout not only cost him the chance at the starting job Spurrier wanted to give him, it nearly got him traded. If Spurrier wins with these guys, he really is as good a coach as he thinks he is.

OTHER UNITS

RB: Fullback Bryan Johnson is the most improved player on the roster. Stephen Davis will be the best. Some people think Spurrier will turn him into a pass blocker. But the Ball Coach knows what to do with a guy who boasts three straight seasons of more than 1,300 yards rushing. Get him the damn ball.

WR: Rod Gardner should double his team-high 46 catches from last year, but only because there's no one else to throw to besides speedy but untested TE Zeron Flemister. Oh yeah, there are two more former Gators no one else wanted (Jacquez Green and Reidell Anthony) here, too.

OL: Chris Samuels is one of the best tackles in the game, and Jon Jansen is moving in that direction. The rest of the guys (Larry Moore, Rod Jones and David Brandt) are versatile, and good enough to move the pile for 121.8 ypg (No. 4 in the NFC).

DL Daryl Gardener and Renaldo Wynn were huge pickups. Gardener adds beef (6'6", 310) in the middle and Wynn gives you speed on the outside (5 sacks). But will Dan Wilkinson be happy letting others shine while he gobbles up blockers inside?

DB Champ Bailey is one of the best CBs in the league. Fred Smoot (team-high 5 INTs) is on his way. Darrell Green? Been there, done that. Together, they're the reason opposing QBs find no openings against the Redskins, who had the fourth-best pass defense in the NFC.

ST Brett Conway (10-14 from beyond the 40) and punter Bryan Barker are average, which is fine. Other than for PATs and kickoffs, Spurrier doesn't plan on using them much anyway. Jacquez Green has the speed and agility to make an impact as a returner.