The NFC East has been the focal point of this NFL offseason, so it’s appropriate our spring overviews start there. The trade of Donovan McNabb from Philadelphia to Washington was truly earth-shattering, and were it not for the fact that this is coming on the heels of Brett Favre signing with Minnesota last year, I’d call it the most significant QB switch in ten years. The McNabb trade was just the biggest example of what’s been an offseason of cleaning house in Philly. The Eagles have released Brian Westbrook, and now it’s reported they have finalized the trade of Sheldon Brown to Cleveland. One wonders what this means for the future of Andy Reid. Does the organization really believe in the replacements, or is the coach going to be sacrificed after a bad rebuilding year?

In Washington, the question is just the opposite. After hiring Mike Shanahan as head coach, the ‘Skins have added the veterans, McNabb just being the biggest example. They’ve signed running backs Willie Parker and Larry Johnson. They cut ties with Antwaan Randle-El, who showed he wasn’t meant to be more than a nice third option and punt returner. With the quarterback position shored up, the Redskins can use their high draft choice to address their myriad of other needs.

It’s been a very quiet offseason in New York, where the Giants have made no news at all, in spite of collapsing down the stretch last year and missing the playoffs. Dallas has been moderately quiet, as beating up Philadelphia back-to-back in the Week 17 division title showdown and then in the first round of the playoffs, got Wade Phillips more time. The Cowboys are still hungry and have done some moderate housecleaning, releasing veteran starters Flo Adams and Ken Hamlin.

Check back here Saturday for a look at the NFC North. In other arms of The Notebook Family, there is a Big East overview in college football, an editorial on the 96-team NCAA Tournament proposal in college basketball and a look at the Chicago Cubs’ bullpen in baseball.