NFC West Preview

(Photo by Jonathan Willey/Getty Images)

This could be one of the most compelling divisions in the league this year as each team has made great strides to capture the divisional crown away from Arizona, and the Cardinals look to prove that last year was not a fluke and they can compete for it again.

Lets start with the defending NFC and divisional champion Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals shocked the world last year, flying through the playoffs and losing to the Steelers on a last-second touch down. The major pieces of the puzzle are still intact going into the season as Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald are back, but Bolden is demanding a trade as soon as possible as he has no trust in Arizona anymore. If Bolden does leave, then defenses can now try to double Fitzgerald and slow his production down.

Steve Breaston is a great number three receiver as he grabbed 77 balls last year with 3 touchdowns, but I'm not sure if he can be a number two receiver. If Bolden does go, this will hurt the passing offense. At the running back position, James was finally released in the off season leaving Tim Hightower and JJ Arrington as the two backs with experience. Hightower finished last year with 399 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Arrington finished with a terrible 187 yards and 1 touchdown.

With their first pick, the Cardinals picked Chris Wells from Ohio State. Wells is a power back who can gain those hard-fought yards that Arizona couldn't get last year. Wells should start and Hightower should be a good replacement back, giving the Cardinals a running game to match their passing. In the off season the Cardinals lost three offensive linemen due to free-agency. Only one starter, but that is depth that was crucial on last years playoff run.

On the defensive side of the ball the Cardinals return a unit that really came alive in the playoffs. In all of their playoff games the Cardinals only allowed 299 yards rushing, and 975 passing yards, both ranked in the top ten in the NFL. The Cardinals defense sacked opposing quarterbacks ten times in four playoff games, another top ranking (only behind the Steelers). Karlos Dansby returns to command the linebacker corps with his 119 tackles  and 4 sacks. In the playoffs Dansby came alive, leading the team with 31 tackles and 1 interception.

Antrel Rolle also comes back in the secondary with his 89 tackles, and 1 interception. Joining Rolle in the secondary will be second year man Dominique Rodgers Cromartie. In his first season in the NFL Cromartie came up with 42 tackles, and 4 interceptions. With Roderick Hood being let go in free agency, Cromartie will most likely take the vacant defensive back spot. Filling out the secondary is Adrian Wilson who was a rock last year with his 75 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles. As long as the front seven gets pressure, this secondary will be very strong for this team.

This team has a way to go if they want to get back into the playoffs. The Cardinals open up against the much improved 49ers, a Jaguar team that will be hungry to make it back to the playoffs, and a Colts team that is in flux. I do believe that at the bye week the Cardinals could be 1-2. After the bye week the Cardinals play Houston and Seattle who are still rebuilding, and then go into stretch that has them playing four games against improving teams.

Going into week 11 against the Rams the Cardinals should be 5-4, and then with a easy win against the Rams they will climb to 6-4. Then things get interesting as the Cardinals must play the Titans, Vikings, and 49ers before finishing with the Lions, Rams again, and Packers. I can see this team pulling a late season push again and finishing 10-6 on the season.

If this team does not make the playoffs again I would be very surprised. They have a lot of talent, and it would be a shame for it to end early. The Super Bowl loser has missed the playoffs four of the last five seasons however, with Seattle being the one that made it.

Now this next team is one which I believe could really make a splash this year. The San Francisco 49ers finally have a coach that will provide a stable platform for this team to grow. Mike Singletary

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