NFC West
Over the next couple weeks i will be breaking down the NFL as i see it as the season approaches.
The NFC West looks like a division with a lot of question marks. The 49ers need to figure out who their Quarterback will be, can the Seahawks be the team they used to be, what will Steve Spagnuolo bring to the Rams, as well as what version of the Arizona Cardinals will show up.
The quarterback battle in San Francisco seems to be settling it self out. Shaun Hill looks to be the guy with Alex Smith fading into the back up role. Shaun Hill is getting the plays better, making better reads and the receivers seem to react better to him. With the selection of Michael Crabtree and the emergence of Josh Morgan, the 49ers expected with Alex Smiths bigger arm, that he could make strides and open the offense. That didn’t happen, Crabtree is still unsigned, and the offense is going to be a run first, run often team.
The Seattle Seahawks look like they could make a return to perennial playoff team and super bowl contender. The made strides in the offseason to acquire impact players like TJ Houshmandzadeh. They expect Matt Hasselbeck to be back to old form and be able to run the offense. The injury to Walter Jones hurts a offensive line that was already looking very average. They have a interesting defense that can make plays and be aggressive with players like Lofa Tatupu and Marcus Trufant. If they can get any semblance of a running game from Julius Jones and TJ Duckett, the Seahawks could make noise and make a run at Arizona for the division.
The St Louis Rams have all signs pointing to a subpar season and another appearance in the top 5 of the NFL Draft. The Rams are in rebuilding mode, especially with their defense. Injuries to Donnie Avery and Marc Bulger only hurts the ailing franchise. This will be a long season for Rams fans but, they can look forward to a chance at drafting Sam Bradford.
Now to what looks to be the class of the NFC, the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals got Kurt Warner Resigned to throw to the three-headed monster in Fitzgerald, Boldin, and Breaston. The running game looks to get better with the addition of Chris “Beanie” Wells. Although being a Ohio State fan and watching Beanie Wells for three years, I think he’s inline to be the next Kijana Carter or Rashaan Salaam. That said I think the offense will be there and as long as the defense follows suite this could another deep playoff run for the Cardinals. Although the schedule is a tough one for the Cardinals having to play the AFC South, one of the best divisions in football.
That said the Seahawks will win 9 games and the division. The additions they made between the draft and free agency will give them the edge and take them to the division crown.
Seattle Seahawks 9-7
Arizona Cardinals 8-8
San Francisco 49ers 7-9
St. Louis Rams 2-14
Breakout Player
John Carlson will emerge as a dominant tight end and will become a target of Matt Hasselbeck in the red zone.
Rookie to watch
Aaron Maybin will emerge to help the Seahawks defense and make serious noise.