Walker-Sports:NFC West Preview

Continuing our tour around the NFL and previewing all the teams, we have reached the home stretch. Today we are out on the left coast. That’s right the NFC West is the topic of conversation today. And I will be the first to admit this is my least favorite conference to look at.

Seahawks: has owned this division the past couple of years and that includes a trip to the Super Bowl just a few seasons ago. However, that Seahawks team no longer exists. Sean Alexander not only fell off the map after winning a rushing title, he is no longer on the roster. will win this division simply because they are better than anyone else in it. As long as Hasselbeck is taking snaps under center, he provides stability on the offense that will guide them through a soft division. If is lucky they will win the division play in the wild card game and sneak through to the second round like they did last season.

Rams: The Rams are in second place, but they are only penciled in. I will ink them into this spot once Steven Jackson makes it into camp and gets up to speed. Last season was a disaster for . Injuries destroyed what was actually a solid team. The law of averages makes me think it would be difficult for the Rams to sustain that many injuries again. Orlando Pace should be back and at 100% this season, combine that with a healthy Marc Bugler, and Steven Jackson and you have a solid rushing attack and Tory Holt can still be a deep threat. This is an offense that should be able to control the ball and avoid making stupid mistakes. On defense the Rams could prove to be a solid force as well, with two stud bookends in Chris Long and Leonard Little.

Cardinals: The Cardinals have been the stylish pick for several years now, and last season they almost lived up to the preseason hype. There is no doubt that their coaching change has helped to push this team in the right direction. They have two QB’s that are equally capable of playing and I believe they will un-initially / initially platoon them. Edgerian James is still a threat coming out the backfield and the O-Line is much improved so that will help him out since he is getting up in there in years. At wideout Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin have always been somewhat of a disappointment in my eyes. Yes they produce and they are a duo that must be watched, but they never seem to put it all together and become the great tandem they were supposed to be. Perhaps they can finally get that done this season. The Cardinals could also vie to win this division with a couple little breaks.

49’ers: One good season that is all this storied franchise has given us over the last couple seasons. The 49’ers just cannot seem to get it together, and the reason is a complete lack of talent at the quarterback position. Alex Smith is not the answer and it is safe to declare that pick a bust. Shaun Hill is fight to earn the starting job currently, but he to does not have what it takes to be an everyday starter. Frank Gore is looking to bounce back from a turbulent season; if he can he will at least provide some stability to an offense that is lacking weapons. Vernon Davis is proving that without his extra enhancements, he just isn’t as good as most thought he was much like his old college teammate Sean Merriman. Isaac Bruce was a nice pickup but it would have been a lot better if they had gotten him four seasons ago. The one bright spot Bruce does provide is a reliable set of hands, now can anyone get him the ball?