The Cardinals are finally improving, the 49ers aren’t getting any better, the Rams are trying to find them selves, and the Seahawks are still atop the NFC West division.
Here, I discuss the upcoming season for the teams who represent the NFC West.
Arizona Cardinals: my prediction (10-6, loses in Wild Card Round)
The Cardinals made strides in 2007 and probably should have made a stronger run at the playoffs. Now they must take another step forward with a much more difficult season featuring five trips to the eastern time zone. Before they get there, they must settle on a quarterback, which is supposed to be Matt Leinart---but with Kurt Warner lurking after a good 2007 season, coach Ken Whisenhunt may not be able to hold off the veterans. The Cards have plenty of offensive firepower with Pro Bowl receivers Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald and a still-productive Edgerrin James, although they failed to add a speed back in the draft as hoped. Defensively, coordinator Clancy Pendergast’s 3-4 hybrid defense was more effective before injuries decimated the lineup. The franchise used its first two picks for defensive depth, taking future starting cornerbacks Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and huge (6’8’’) defensive end Calais Campbell. The defense will still revolve around playmaking linebacker Karlos Dansby and safety Adrian Wilson, and if the Arizona coaches get the kind of play from linebacker Chike Okeafor they were expecting before he got hurt last year, the group should be solid. There are plenty of reasons to believe the Cardinals can push for a playoff spot in 2008, assuming the schedule does not bite them.
San Francisco 49ers: my prediction (5-11, misses playoffs)
In the aftermath of the 49ers’ franchise-worse fifth consecutive losing season, owner John York deliberated more than two days before announcing his decision to bring back coach Mike Nolan for a fourth season. However, Nolan was stripped of his personnel powers, as general manager Scot McCloughan claimed the final say on roster matters. Although it might not be a playoffs-or-bust season for Nolan, the pressure is on to show enough improvement to convince ownership that the club is heading in the right direction. To put it bluntly, at the end of this season, Nolan will either be back in 2009 with a contract extension or he’ll be fired. The 49ers are placing a lot of trust in offensive coordinator Mike Martz to make a big difference---especially when it comes to the production of quarterback Alex Smith. The 49ers’ offense was futile last season, ranking last in the league in virtually every significant statistical category under first-year coordinator Jim Hostler. With an offense that can pick up first downs and put some points on the board, the 49ers have a chance to make a significant improvement on their 5-11 record last season. But followers of the 49ers can only allow themselves to be cautiously optimistic. After all, during the past four seasons, San Francisco has recorded only 18 victories. And only two of those wins were by a margin of more than seven points.
Seattle Seahawks: my prediction (14-2, loses in Divisional Playoffs)
With a coaching change already in place for the 2009 season (Jim More will take over for Mike Holmgren) and a roster that includes several 30-something Pro Bowlers, the Seahawks are once again feeling a sense of urgency. There are already several glaring question marks---the running game? The offensive line? The kicking game? And now the Seahawks have to wonder when aging stars like Walter Jones, Julian Peterson, and Bobby Engram will start slowing down. This team still has plenty of of star power, but at some point, these veterans won’t be able to produce at the same level. On a positive note, Matt Hasselback continues to be one of the league’s better quarterbacks. He’s productive, and he’s the unquestioned leader of this team. As has been the case for each of the past three seasons, the Seahawks can as good as their division will allow them. NFC West foes Arizona, St. Louis and San Francisco have fallen on hard times, and until one of these teams turns into a legitimate contender, it’s still Seattle’s division to win. Because Holmgren has already announced that this will be his final season, the Seahawks have plenty of incentive to try to win the big one. They have the ammunition to take another division title, but the question now is whether the offense has enough parts to carry this team further in the postseason.
St. Louis Rams: my prediction (3-13, misses playoffs)
The Rams have many areas that need improving, especially on offense, where the Super Bowl XXXIV winning “Greatest Show on Turf” days have become a distant memory. Over a seven year period, from 1999 to 2005, St. Louis was No. 1 in the NFL in yards and No. 2 in points scored. Over the past two seasons, they are 10th in yards and 21stin points. Running back Steven Jackson is a premier offensive weapon and, if given time, quarterback Marc Bulger is capable, but the game breaking threats in other places no longer exist. Wide receiver Torry Holt has been slowed by injuries but is still a dependable downfield threat when healthy. The highly regarded Al Saunders will take over the controls of an offense that needs to be re-energized. Many other changes have taken place in both the coaching staff and the front office as the Rams try to improve their performance in player personnel decisions. Defensively, the Rams will not strike fear into anyone and lack impact players. Meanwhile, Scott Linehan must reconnect with veterans and demonstrate he has the stuff to lead the Rams out of the wilderness of last season. The good news is things can turn around quickly in the NFL, especially in the NFC West, where only Seattle finished about .500
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2 months ago
the seahawks should have never realesed shawn alexander. i think he has one good season left in him
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