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Originally Published: April 17, 2009

NFC team profiles

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By Gary Horton
Scouts Inc.

In advance of the NFL draft Scouts Inc.'s Gary Horton examines the NFC's decision-makers, needs and offensive and defensive philosophies.

To see complete team profiles, including needs, decision-makers, and offensive and defensive philosophies, become an ESPN Insider.

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys
The scouts and coaches are free to give opinions, but their power is limited because all of those come from owner Jerry Jones. Complete Profile

New York Giants
Offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride uses a power run-oriented offense designed to wear down defenses and establish ball control -- especially because the receiver position is very shaky. Complete Profile

Philadelphia Eagles
Head coach Andy Reid runs this front office and his voice is final. However, he has a personality that is not overwhelming and he listens and welcomes input by everybody. Complete Profile

Washington Redskins
This could be a challenging year for vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato and his front office because there is a feeling that owner Daniel Snyder's patience could be waning. Complete Profile

NFC North

Chicago Bears
The Bears prefer to rely on a power run game with some two tight end sets designed to move the chains and eat up the clock. Complete Profile

Detroit Lions
Lions' fans are hoping that they finally have a front office that they can trust after years of bad personnel decisions. They have a new coaching staff and a rebuilt front office, so better days may be ahead. Complete Profile

Green Bay Packers
This looks like an exotic offense at times with a lot of personnel groupings and motion, which is designed to confuse opposing defenses and create favorable matchups. Complete Profile

Minnesota Vikings
Although there are a lot of titles in this front office, head coach Brad Childress has a lot more say than most people realize. He is a strong-minded evaluator with a firm idea of what he wants. Complete Profile

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons
General manager Thomas Dimitroff was almost perfect in his rookie year in Atlanta and he is building an excellent front office -- basically in the image of his former team, the Patriots. Complete Profile

Carolina Panthers
General manager Marty Hurney and head coach John Fox seem to have a great working relationship and they may be more in sync than any other duo in the league. Complete Profile

New Orleans Saints
This is pretty much a two-man front office with coach Sean Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis, but Payton calls most of the shots. Complete Profile

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
New head coach Raheem Morris has no experience making personnel decisions and new general manager Mark Dominik who has never run a front office. Something has to give. Complete Profile

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals
Coach Ken Whisenhunt would ideally like to be more balanced on offense, but as long as Kurt Warner is his quarterback this will continue to be a pass-oriented attack with a lot of spread sets designed to dictate matchups. Complete Profile

San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have one of the strangest front office structures in the NFL, at least from the outside looking in. The good news is that head coach Mike Singletary has gained a lot of power in personnel matters. Complete Profile

Seattle Seahawks
There is a new coaching staff and Mike Holmgren isn't around, so the spotlight is now on veteran president of football operations and general manager Tim Ruskell alone to get this team turned around. Complete Profile

St. Louis Rams
New offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur comes from a pass-oriented Eagles offense, but with the Rams he will adjust that philosophy to a more run-oriented scheme that head coach Steve Spagnuolo prefers. Complete Profile

Gary Horton is a pro scout for Scouts Inc. and has been a football talent evaluator for more than 30 years. He spent 10 years in the NFL and 10 years at the college level before launching a private scouting firm called The War Room.