NFC West Preview

Could this finally be the year that Seattle losses its dominance of the NFC South. The teams in this conference are all very young but all have some impressive talent. Sure the 49ers and Rams are rebuilding but Arizona comes into 2008 with second year head coach Whisenhunt looking to continue building success.

Seattle Seahawks

The defending division champions come into 2008 looking to continue their dominance of the division. The Seahawks are lead by their pro bowl quarterback Matt Hasselbeck who in 2007 finished the season with 28 scores and 12 picks. He will be throwing to receivers Burleson (50 catches for 9 scores), Branch (49 catches and 4 scores), Engram (94 catches and 6 scores) and finally half back Jones. The receivers will have to give Hasselbeck a better effort in 2008 if they want this team to go far in the playoffs. The Seahawks released long time running back Alexander and picked up Julius Jones from Dallas. Jones brings a fast stepped back who picked up 588 yards last year. He will provide the impact that Shaun could not last year. He should help the offense improve and score more points. On defense the Seahawks bring back a solid unit lead by Lofa Tatupu at middle backer. Last year he recorded 109 tackles, 1 sack and 4 picks (2 of which came against Philadelphia.). He is only in his fourth season in the NFL and looks only to get stronger. Joining him on defense is Patrick Kerney. Kerney played very well in his first season in Seattle recording 60 tackles, 14 1/2 sacks and 1 pick. He provides Seattle with a reliable defensive end. Lineing up with him on the line will be Brandon Mebane who only recorded 29 tackles and 2 sacks last year. He will have to play better in 2008 to anchor the line. At tackle next to him is reliable Rocky Bernard. Rocky only played in 14 games last year and recorded 35 tackles and 3 sacks. He will have to be on the field more in 2008 to help the defensive line continue to improve. Trufant anchors the corner back position as he recorded 85 tackles last year with 7 picks. Jennings is at the other corner position in 2008 after a good 2007 season. Seattle opens the season with a fairly easy schedule, until week 5 when they play the Giants. They should finish 11-5.

Arizona Cardinals

Arizona comes into 2008 in a situation they are not use to. Second year coach Whisenhunt lead his team to a 8-8 record in 2007 and came just two games out of the playoffs. He looks to have a very solid team coming into the season and that means that they could be looking for a playoff run. At quarterback they have a controversy between Warner and Leinart. Leinart has played very up and down when he has gotten in. He has not been consistent and that is the main reason the coaching staff is questioning starting him. It would look like he will go into the season opener as the starter and if he falters Warner is a very capable back up to come in and lead the team. Warner passed for 27 scores and 17 picks in 2007. At running back James comes back after his first real good season in Arizona in 2007 when he picked up 1,222 yards and 7 scores. He looks to repeat this performance this season and give the Cardinals more offensive output. At receiver the Cardinals bring back Larry Fitzgerald who had a break out season last year recording 100 catches and 10 scores. On the other side the Cards have a problem with Boldin. He is not happy with the coaching staff and front office of the Cardinals and has asked twice for a release. The Cards can't lose him and his 71 catch 9 score stats. If he and Fitzgerald stay together they will provide the Cards with a deadly combo.

On defense the Cards bring back a decent secondary. Hood returns for his second year in Arizona after playing the start of his career in Philadelphia. In 2007 Hood recorded 57 tackles and 5 picks for the Cards. Eric Green comes back at the other corner spot which he started 11 games for Arizona last year while recording 51 tackles but failed to get a pick. Adrian Wilson and Antrel Rolle come back to anchor the team at the safety spots. The defenses weakest spot could prove to be the rushing defense when they allowed 1,557 yards last year. This will have to pick up in order for this team to be successful. The Cardinals could finish 9-7 this coming season finally getting above .500 and possibly making 2009 a very interesting season.

SF 49ers

This could be the most important season in Mike Nolans coaching career. His teams have not lived up to expectations and unless they have a break out season in 2008 he might be in trouble. The 49ers come into 2008 again looking for a quarterback to take the reigns. Alex Smith did not play well in 2007 and lost his job to Shaun Hill who threw 5 scores and only 1 pick. The 49ers also brought in J.T O'Sullivan to get some depth but in the preseason he has played so well he might be in the fold for te starting job. Shaun Hill should win the job going into the season and if he does he will provide a stable quarterback position who will not make stupid mistakes. Whoever the quarterback is the receivers are very good. Long time Ram, Isaac Bruce comes to the 49ers this year and provides a solid very reliable receiver. He had 55 grabs and 4 scores in 2007. On the other side will be ex Cardinal Bryant Johnson. Johnson brings a speedy reciever who will get a chance to start. He grabbed 46 balls and 2 scores in 2007. Arnaz Battle comes back for depth at the position after a solid 2007, along with Vernon Davis at tight end. At running back Frank Gore comes back after picking up 1,102 yards and 5 scores last year. On defense they have a solid bunch of young players. Nose tackle Franklin comes in after a decent 2007 when he recorded 26 tackles, and Justin Smith comes over from the Bengals to anchor the defensive end spot with his 78 tackles and 2 sack year. He will be the strongest part of this line. Walt Harris returns at the corner position (58 tackles and 4 picks) as well as Nate Clements who had a break out year with 92 tackles, 1 sack, and 4 picks. The secondary should be a very good unit for the 49ers. This team is just to young to stay in some of the games this year against tough opponents. They should improve a bit but still will not challenge for a playoff spot yet. They should finish 7-9 this year.

St Louis Rams

The Rams come into 2008 continuing their rebuilding process. This is another coach that could be on the hot seat as Linehan has not gotten his teams to play up to par and will need to have his team play better this year. At quarterback Marc Bulger comes back looking to rebound from a bad 2007 season in which he only threw 11 scores and 15 picks before getting hurt. The Rams let Isaac Bruce go in the off season for a youth movement at receiver. Drew Bennett (33 grabs with 3 scores) and Holt (93 catches with 7 scores) return to give Bulger some good targets. Steven Jackson will return at running back giving the Rams a very good weapon in the rushing game and taking some pressure off of Bulger. On defense Leonard Little comes back after only playing 7 games last year. He will have to play the whole season to give the Rams some hope. On the inside La'Roi Glover returns and like Little has to have a big improvement this season after only recording 36 tackles last year and 6 sacks. Chavous is the real building block of this defense after a solid 2007 season in which he recorded 75 tackles and 3 1/2 sacks. The team is full of young players and has to mature quickly. They could finish 5-11 but i dont see them doing any better or challenging at all for a playoff spot yet.

NFC WEST PREDICTIONS

Seattle Seahawks 11-5

Arizona Cardinals 9-7

SF 49ers 7-9

STL Rams 5-11