2010 NFC West Predictions

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Now the NFL draft is over and barring some additional FA pick ups, the rosters are set going into training camps. This has been a very active division in the offseason, perhaps the biggest news coming out of Arizona with Kurt Warner hanging up the cleats. Could this be the year that another team unseats the Cardinals in the division, or can the Cardinals keep the division title?

SF 49ers

The 49ers finished last season strong finishing up 3-1 in the final four games to finally reach 8-8 in Coach Singletary's first season at the helm. In 2009 SF actually finished 5-1 in the West, including going 2-0 vs. Arizona and outscoring the Cardinals 44-25. In the offseason the Niners were fairly active on both sides of the ball. They picked up disgruntled Miami receiver Ted Ginn Jr. to complement Crabtree and take some of the double coverage off Crabtree. Ginn finished 2009 with 38 catches and 1 score. He will have to pick up his production, and could factor into the third receiver spot with the Niners. To create some QB controversy the 49ers picked up David Carr from the Giants. Carr could end up the starter in SF if Smith struggles and the team fails to come out of the gate fast.
Alex Smith did end 2009 with decent numbers completing 60.5% of his passes for 18 scores and 12 picks. He was greatly benifited by the strong running game of Gore who picked up 1,100 yards and 10 big scores in 2009. Coach Singletary wanted a power running game and he got one. The SF running backs scored 12 rushing scores in 2009, and this number should improve in 2010. On the receiving core Vernon Davis was the leading receiver in 2009 with 78 catches and 13 scores. He clearly bought into the system and his numbers showed this. Second in catches was Josh Morgan with 52 catches and 3 scores. The Niners went heavy in the OL department in the draft as they selected Anthony Davis (OT), and Mike Lupati (OG) with their first two picks. Davis should work his way into the starting line, and Lupati should provide some much needed depth. In the 6th round the 49ers picked up the big running back out of Mississippi State Anthony Daxon who should provide a nice relief to Gore.
On the defensive side of the ball the 49ers picked up Taylor Mays from USC to help a aging secondary. In 2009 the 49er defense ranked 4th in the league with points allowed, giving up just over 17 a game. The defense was harrasing opposing QB's picking up 44 sacks, and holding opponents to 3.7 yards a carry. Patrick Willis again lead the team in tackles, totally 115 and 4 sacks. They pickd up Travis LaBoy after he missed 2009 with a foot injury. LaBoy has 23 1/2 sacks in 5 seasons and should provide depth at the DE position to help the teams DL rotation. The niners got back outside backer Ahmad Brooks who had a career high in sacks last year with 6, and tied the team record for forced fumbles with 4. This unit should be one of the best in the league again.
San Fran opens up the 2010 season with a division battle vs. the much improved Seahawks but should beat the still young team but has to play Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints in week 2 to start off 1-1. In week 3 the 49ers play Kansas City, which should be a win, then have to travel to Atlanta before hosting Oakland and Philly. At this point the record should be at least 4-2 going into their match up with Carolina and Denver. At the bye week the 49ers should be at 6-2. After the bye week they have a bit of a easy schedule as they play some of the weaker teams in the league in the Rams, and Tampa Bay setting them up at 8-2 going into a interesting game against Arizona. Depending on how Matt Leinart is doing at this point will determine how big this game is. Remember that in 09 the Niners went 2-0 vs. Arizona and that was with Warner. I think that SF will beat Arizona again to move to 9-2. After Arizona the Niners go to Green Bay, then host Seattle before going into a great game vs. the Chargers. I think that the Chargers will be just a bit to much and bring the Niners to 10-4. SF finishes the season with another game against STL and Arizona to finish 12-4 and with the NFC West lead.

Arizona Cardinals

After leading the Cardinals from NFL basement dwellers to almost winning the Super Bowl, Kurt Warner has decided to hang up his cleats. He leaves the Cardinals with former first round pick and heisman trophey winner Matt Leinart. It is still unclear if he is the long term solution for this team. In his five seasons in Arizona Leinart has only 14 touch downs and 20 interceptions and a completion percentage of 57.1. He will have to play above his ability to help this team or they are in trouble. Arizona did not help their quarterback when they decided to release wide receiver Anquan Boldin. Boldin brings to Baltimore his 586 catches and 44 scores, along with his physical presence on the field. However, the Cardinals do bring back Larry Fitzgerald who recorded 97 catches and 13 scores last year. The number two receiver behind Larry gets a little bit sketchy. They have Steve Breaston on the roster who finished 2009 with 55 catches and 3 scores, and drafted in the third round Andre Roberts. Im just not sure they have a great group behind Larry to help take away the double coverage he will demand. At running back the combo of Wells (793 yards and 7 TDS), and Hightower (598 yards and 8 TDS) should help take some of the pressure off of Matt.
On defense the Cardinals lost the leader of their defense in Karlos Dansby. In 2009 Dansby recorded 109 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 pick. However, they picked up Joey Porter who will provide a toughness to the defense that Dansby left when he went to Miami. The Cardinals used their first overall pick on defensive tackle Dan Williams out of Tennessee. At 327 pounds, Williams should provide a very nice complement to Darnell Dockett (51 tackles and 7 sacks) and should start right away on the inside. Arizona spent four of their draft picks on defense picking up DT Williams (Tenn), LB Daryl Washington (TCU), O'Brien Schofield (Wisconsin), and DB Jorrick Calvin (Troy) to revamp a defense that ranked 15th in points allowed (20.3 points a game), 20th in yards allowed (346 a game), and 23rd in passing yards allowed a game with 233.7. This unit will have to step up and help the offense which could really struggle this season. In 2009 the Cardinals recorded 43 sacks, 21 interceptions, and 12 fumbles. In the secondary the Cardinals lost Antrel Rolle and his presence in the secondary. In 2009 Rolle finished with 72 tackles and 4 interceptions. They are going to need another player to step up, perhaps one of their draftees.
The Cardinals start 2010 with St Louis so they should come away 1-0 before traveling to Atlanta and hosting Oakland. They should be 2-1 going into two difficult weeks before the buy as they play San Diego and New Orleans. I really believe they will struggle with these teams and go into the bye 2-3. After the bye the Cardinals play Seattle and Tampa Bay to boost their record to 4-3 before a tough game against Minnesota. I really think Minnesota is the team to beat (if a certain QB comes back) so i think they will fall to 4-4 after this game. After the Vikings, Arizona plays Seattle again, and Kansas City to climb to 6-4 going into a pivitol divisional game against the 49ers. I think the Niners will be to strong and beat the Cards in a tough fought game to make Arizona fall to 6-5. After SF the Cardinals play STL, Denver, and Carolina going into the final stretch of must wins games at 9-5. At week 16 Arizona must play Dallas and i believe that Dallas will be flying high at this point and will beat Arizona to make the final week vs. SF a must win at 9-6. After a very close game i think the Niners beat Arizona in a tough game to have Arizona finish 2010 at 9-7

Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks were a VERY busy team in this offseason. First starting with the dismissal of Coach Mora after one 5-11 season including a 3-7 mark after the bye week. Now as a coach myself, i dont believe you can give a coach on any level only one season at the helm to turn your team around. You have to give a coach at lease three full seasons, after two seasons the coach should have his players in house, and system in place to make a run about it. A move i dont quite understand is bringing in career back up quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, are you bringing him in to be a back up QB or the future of your team? Whitehurst has more rushing attempts (2) then passing attempts (0). However, minus this move, i do like what Seattle did elsewhere. They brought in struggling LenDale White from Tennessee, and Leon Washington from the Jets to give them a very nice running back combo. The two combined for 2 scores and over 500 yards rushing both in back up roles. On the OL Seattle picked up Ben Hamilton from Denver to anchor the guard spot and help protect Matt. At the WR spot Seattle brought in Reggie Williams (189 total catches and 18 scores in his career), and former USC standout and up to this point, NFL bust Mike Williams (44 total catches and 2 scores) to help take some of the pressure away from TJ and help upgrade the receiver spot. Returning on the offense is of course their leader Matt Hasselbeck who has missed 13 games in the last two seasons. Since Matt's last full season (2007), Matt has 21 scores and 27 picks. Th big mistake in this years draft, in my mind, is that Seattle did not take a QB to groom to be Hasselbecks replacement. The running game was again upgraded with White and Washington coming in via trades, and Justin Forsett (688 yards with 4 scores) should help the unit be one of the better ones. In the draft Seattle covered the departure of long time OT Walter Jones by taking Russell Okung with their first pick. Golden Tate was drafted in the second round to help the receivers spot be upgraded.
On defense the trades continued to upgrade a unit that struggled in 2009. The Seahawks brough in Kevin Vickerson the former Titans DT who recorded 28 tackles last year. To help sure up the secondary the Seahawks brought in Kennard Cox from Jacksonville who recorded just 1 tackle last season but helped on special teams. In the draft Seattle continued to upgrade as they picked up FS Earl Thomas, CB Walter Thurman, DE EJ Wilson, FS Kam Chancllor and Defensive End Dextor Davis. They are really injecting a lot of youth in this defense. David Hawthorne lead the team in tackles last year with 117, had 4 sacks and 3 picks. However with Lofa Tatupu coming back off injury he wont play much in 2010. In his rookie season Aaron Curry really stood out with 61 tackles and 2 sacks.
Seattle starts out 2010 with SF, Denver, and the Chargers before a week four game at St Louis. Going into the bye Seattle should be 1-3 with a win over the Rams. After the bye week Seattle goes on the road to Chicago, hosts Arizona, then travels to Oakland before a home stead against the Giants. At this point Arizona will be 2-6. After this point Seattle has a tough two game away trip at Arizona and then New Orleans before a fairly easy two game home stint vs. Kansas City and Carolina. Going into week 14 the Seahawks will be 3-9 as i do believe that Kansas City could shock them. Week 14 has Seattle hosting SF, then taveling to Atlanta before finishing the year with Tampa Bay and STL. The Seahawks will finish 4-12 on the year but will improve in 2011.

St Louis Rams

Lets face it, the Rams have been struggling since Kurt Warner departed and last year hit rock bottom with a 1-15 season, the only win coming over Detroit in week eight 17-10. The Rams were shut out twice in 2009 (28-0 to Seattle, and 35-0 to SF) and the offense ranked in the bottom of the league in every category. They only averaged 10.9 points a game (ranked 32nd), and only picked up 279.4 yards a game (ranked 29th). Coach Spagnuolo saw this and decided to revamp the offense totally, starting with the release of Mark Bulger. With Bulger out the Rams used their number one pick on Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford, then used the first pick in round two on OT Rodger Saffold to protect him.
Now the Rams playmakers that are returning in 2010. At running back Steven Jackson returns after a very good 2009 in which he picked up 1,416 yards and four scores. Now the scores were his lowest since 2002 but with a revamped OL he should get more in 2010. The receiving core was one that was lacking in 2009. The one stand out was Donnie Avery who finished with 47 catches and 5 scores. The next receiver that was close to him was youngen Danny Amendola with 43 catches and 1 score, followed by Brandon Gibson with 34 catches and 1 score. Avery will be the number one receiver and i think that Amendola will be the third receiver. Drafted receiver Mardy Gilyard should take the second spot.
On the defensive side the Rams traded for Bears defensive back Kevin Payne, Payne recorded 46 tackles in only 13 games played. Along with Payne the Rams picked up Giants defensive back Kevin Dockery who in just 11 games played recorded 25 tackles and 1 fumble last year. The big pick up on defense is that of defensive tackle Fred Robbins from the Giants. Last year Robbins picked up 25 tackles and 2 sacks in a down season. Robbins best year was in the Giants Super Bowl run where he recorded 39 tackles, 5 1/2 sacks, and 1 fumble. he should find his grove again being rejoined with Spags.
Returning at middle linebacker will be James Laurinaitis who recorded 120 tackles, 2 sacks and 2 picks in 2009. He was the one bright side of this defense that ranked towards the bottom in the league again. At defensive end, Chris Long returns and has to improve in his third season. His numbers have gotten better (40 tackles to 43 in 2009, and 4 sacks to 5 sacks in 2009) but he has to get better numbers in 2010 for this defense to advance to the next level. With all the additions the secondary should be much improved in 2010, as they only recorded 18 picks in 2009.
The Rams kick off the 2010 season with a fairly difficult schedule. They open with Arizona, who should beat them to give the Rams a 0-1 record out of the gates. Then things get interesting. They play the Raiders, Washington, Seattle, and Detroit in the coming weeks. These games i could go either way with, however i believe they will get to 1-4 coming out of these weeks, with their first win over the Raiders. They might get another win over the Lions but i think that they are far to improved and will beat the Rams. After Detroit the Rams have to face San Diego, Tampa Bay and Carolina before the bye week. At this point the Rams will be 2-6 after beating Tampa Bay. After the bye the Rams will have to play SF, Atlanta, Denver, Arizona and New Orleans before a two game home stretch. Going into this stretch the Rams should be 2-11. The final three games are not easy for the Rams as they host Kansas City, SF, and then end the year traveling to Seattle. the Rams will finish 3-13, two wins better then in 2009.