NFC West: Who Wants the Title? I Say the Rams

Ok, enough is enough. Get off of the NFC West.

While, admittedly different than other divisions, it isn't the worst or weakest division in football. There are plenty of back stories as well as historic rivalries to make the games sweeter.

Even though the records may say otherwise, the games haven't been laughers, for the most part. Now, after a crazy free agency period and even more amazingly mixed up draft, there's new blood to renew and re-energize the already competitive division.

Wide-out T.J. Houshmandzadeh wears Seattle green. Linebacker Aaron Curry, widely believed to have been the best player in April's draft, gets his chance to demonstrate his bark and bite with the Seahawks. Corner Ken Lucas comes over from the Panthers to help better a secondary ranked last in the league in pass defense.

The Niners drafted embattled QB Nate Davis and former Texas Tech standout wide receiver Michael Crabtree, while still having the athletic freak-of-nature Vernon Davis, oh and don't forget the breakaway threat Frank Gore.

The Cardinals, fresh from almost pulling off a Super Bowl comeback for the ages, have reloaded by signing both QB Kurt Warner and receiver Larry Fitzgerald. They then drafted Chris "Beanie" Wells, former running back for Ohio State, to take the place of J.J. Arrington. Oh and, while they lost to the Steelers, they did at least get a bit of retribution by signing corner Bryant McFadden from the champs.

Last, but not least, the Rams quietly signed center Jason Brown to help solidify an offensive line that had let more defenders get through than stopped. St. Louis also acquired safety James Butler, while tendering safety Oshiomogho Atogwe and corner Ron Bartell. 

In the draft, they picked up tackle Jason Smith to take the place of the departed Orlando Pace. Most likely, though, the biggest offseason pick up has been head coach Steve Spagnuolo, former defensive coordinator for the Giants.

With all of those moves throughout the offseason, the division is wide open. While Arizona won last year, the competition between each team will be more intense and a new winner may be crowned champ.

If I had to pick a front runner, I think the Rams have a good chance to come away with the division and automatic playoff bid. While going from last to first is strange and difficult, it isn't impossible. With youth dominating many of the positions and an upbeat mood in/around the training facility, the underdog mentality is being adopted. 

Yes, common sense would pick Arizona or Seattle, but St. Louis has enough mystery to their team and battling spirit in their midst to make anything possible. No one gave the '99 Rams a chance to do anything and what happened?