NFC West Preview

Mike Holmgren's last season, QB battles in Arizona and San Francisco, and the arrival of Mike Martz to lead the 49ers' offense are just some of the storylines to follow heading into the 2008 NFC West season. 

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (projected record: 11-5)

Qwest Field (Seattle, WA)

Head coach: Mike Holmgren (10th year)

Projected skill starters: QB Matt Hasselbeck, RB Julius Jones, FB Leonard Weaver, WR Deion Branch, WR Nate Burleson, TE Will Heller, K Olindo Mare, P Ryan Plackemeier

Mike Holmgren has a long and distinguished career as an NFL coach, and the Seahawks would like to send him out on top. And they have a decent chance.

Obviously, this division is one of the weakest in football, but Seattle boasts a strong offense, especially the passing game, led by Hasselbeck, though the receiving corps can be undependable at times.

Shaun Alexander got old in a hurry, and the team hopes Jones and Maurice Morris can reinvigorate the team on the ground. The offensive line must pick up their performance for it to be a success. 

Seattle is quietly effective, not flashy, on defense, especially when they have the major home-field advantage offered by Qwest Field. This team isn't going anywhere but back to the top of the West in 2008. 

ARIZONA CARDINALS (9-7)

University of Phoenix Stadium (Glendale, AZ)

Head coach: Ken Whisenhunt (Second year)

Projected skill starters: QB Matt Leinart, RB Edgerrin James, FB Terrelle Smith, WR Anquan Boldin, WR Larry Fitzgerald, TE Leonard Pope, K Neil Rackers, P Dirk Johnson

 
If anybody is going to give Seattle trouble, it will be, yes, the lovable losers from the desert. Whisenhunt's first season resulted in a .500 mark, and there is plenty of reason to believe this team can contend for a playoff berth in 2008. 

The QB battle is stealing headlines, with Leinart as the early favorite over Kurt Warner.  Having a competent replacement breathing down one's neck should only improve the performances of each, although health is a concern. 

I think we can assume Boldin won't be traded, so the Cardinals still possess one of the best one-two punches at receiver. James is getting old, but he has enough left in the tank to be a major contributor behind an improving O-line.

Arizona's defense continues to move up the NFL ranks, due mostly to smart drafting, and is no considered longer a burden. 

ST. LOUIS RAMS (6-10)

Edward Jones Dome (St. Louis, MO)

Head coach: Scott Linehan (Third year)

Projected skill starters: QB Mark Bulger, RB Stephen Jackson, FB Brian Leonard, WR Torry Holt, WR Drew Bennett, TE Randy McMichael, K Josh Brown, P Donnie Jones

 
The injury bug on the offensive side of the ball turned the Rams into one of the laughingstocks of the league one season ago. With Bulger, Jackson, and the offensive line healthy, St. Louis could be a surprise team.

But then again, we could see a repeat if the fragile pieces, such as Bulger, go down again. I see the Rams winning a few more games than a year ago, but contention may be asking too much, as the team learns Al Saunders' offense.

Therefore, Linehan's job status may be in question come January. The defense is still a work in process, but with the drafting of players such as Chris Long, Adam Carriker, and Tye Hill over the past couple of seasons, this unit can no longer be considered a serious weakness. They should at least be able to keep the Rams in most games. 

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (5-11)

Candlestick Park (San Francisco, CA)

Head coach: Mike Nolan (Fourth year)

Projected skill starters: QB Alex Smith, RB Frank Gore, FB Moran Norris, WR Bryant Johnson, WR Isaac Bruce, TE Vernon Davis, K Joe Nedney, P Andy Lee

Mike Martz's offensive antics hit the Bay Area, and we'll see if he is the one who can save former No. 1 pick Alex Smith's floundering career. This should be interesting, to say the least. But there is an open competition for the QB spot between Smith, Shaun Hill, and J.T. O'Sullivan, who learned Martz's offense in Detroit last year.

Bruce may be ancient, but the guy is still a talented receiver and will give the 'Niners a much-needed target in the passing game. Unfortunately, Martz tends to underutilize backs, so the team's best weapon—Gore—may not be used properly. Adding Justin Smith helps the pass rush, but San Francisco's defense, as a whole, is still average at best.

For now, the team looks like they may try to outscore people, which is not smart with the talent assembled. Another long year of reminiscing about the glory days in San Francisco awaits.