Countdown to Kickoff: NFC West Preview

The NFC West has been a one trick pony in recent years. Seattle has been the lone bright spot of the division with the Rams, Niners, and Cards a step behind. What was arguably one of the worst divisions in the NFL, should be vastly improved with the emergence of young talent such as Leinart, Gore, and Steven Jackson. The gap between the top of the division and the bottom has shrunk and would not be crazy to think that any team can win the west.

1. Seattle Seahawks - Last Year: 9-7 Prediction: 10-6

How the West was Won. A classic Western movie, a great Led Zeppelin album, and if your a Seahawk fan, a hopeful title for Seattle's 07' campaign. Behind Shaun Alexander's MVP year, Seattle went to the Super Bowl in 05'. With Alexander hurt last season, Seattle struggled losing 3 of their last 4 games, ending the season at 9-7. The nucleus of the offense stays intact and having Deion Branch for a full season should help Matt Hasselbeck continue his success as an upper-echelon quarterback. The departure of Jerramy Stevens at tight end was quickly fixed by the free agent pickup of Marcus Pollard from Detroit. It all comes back to Alexander however, who hopes to regain his 05' MVP abilities.

On defense, Seattle should be fine in the back seven. An excellent LB corps of Julian Peterson, Lofa Tatupu, and Leroy Hill will help stop opposing rushers. The secondary did lose Ken Hamlin to Dallas, but added two new starters in Brian Russell and Deon Grant at SS and FS, respectively. The defensive line will be the question. Yes, the addition of Patrick Kerney is nice, but at right end Seattle starts first-year starter Darryl Tapp. Chuck Darby is a below average defensive tackle and the other starting DT Marcus Tubbs is coming off knee surgery and his health could severely hurt their run defense. Seattle addressed the need of defense in the draft with their first three picks. Their best pick of the draft could be the 3rd round selection of Cal's Brandon Mebane, an All-American DT, who should get immediate playing time.

Bottom Line: Seattle remains a playoff team as long as Alexander is Alexander and healthy, and the defense regains a step after ranking 19th in total defense a year ago. However, this team has valuable components that aren't getting any younger so their window of opportunity may be closing.

2. San Francisco 49ers - Last Season: 7-9 Prediction: 8-8

A convenient truth for any 49ers fan is that Frank Gore is really good. And with that said, expect another big year from the running back that rushed for 1700 yards a year ago. A pleasant surprise of the 06' season was the maturation of Alex Smith. Coming off a rookie year that included a 1 to 11 TD/INT ratio, Alex followed it up with a more consistent 2800 YD, 16-16 TD/INT season in 06'. The first overall pick in 05' Draft proved that he can learn an NFL offense after playing for an Urban Meyer spread offense at Utah. Targets Vernon Davis and free agent acquisitions Darrell Jackson and Ashley Lelie should make life easier for the young QB. Gore and Smith are just two of the possible seven starters that have been acquired via the draft in the last two years, showing the success the future could hold.

Free agency has also been kind to the Niners. Additions of Nate Clements, Michael Lewis, and Tully Banta-Cain on defense should improve last year's 19th ranked team against the run and 26th ranked team against the pass.

Bottom Line: The 49ers struck gold with Gore, and at least silver with Alex Smith. San Fran was hands down the winners in the offseason with the free agent pickups and the drafting of future key players like Joe Staley and Patrick Willis. This team will contend for the division and is a year away from competing for NFC titles.

3. Arizona Cardinals - Last Season: 5-11 Prediction: 8-8

Arizona once again has a new coach. Ken Whisenhunt takes over for Dennis Green, who even though he loses his job, he now knows "the Bears were who we thought they were!!!" For the Cardinals to get an edge in this division, they will need "Edge" to be like the "Edge" of old. James had a career low 3.4 yards per carry and only 6 TD's. An effective "Edge" in 07' can only improve the Cards 30th ranked run game last year. One advantage of the Cards losing in 06', was the playing time given Matt Leinart. Leinart proved his worthiness of the 10th overall pick in 05' by throwing for 2500 YDS and 11 TD's in 11 games. Surely the weapons at receiver can only help Matt's development. In my opinion, the combination of Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald, and Bryant Johnson are the best 1-2-3 at WR in the NFC. The O-line has added Levi Brown but are weak at every other position then center (Al Johnson).

The Cardinals tried to improve their defense with the second round steal of DT Alan Branch from Michigan. The rookie Branch at nose tackle and Darnell Dockett now moving to DE, will be key in the trenches in the Cards new 3-4 scheme. DE's Bertrand Berry and Chike Okeafor become outside linebackers in the scheme to create a better pass rush. 16th against the run and 30th against the pass translates into the Cards needing to improve in the secondary. Underachieving in his second season, Antrel Rolle should emerge as a shutdown corner in the league.

Bottom Line: This offense will be fun to watch and will keep the Cards close in games. But the defense is a new scheme and a young squad, and probably are a couple years away from being respectable. This will be the best Cardinals team anyone has seen in a long time; sadly that could spell only mediocrity.

4. St. Louis Rams - Last Season: 8-8 Prediction: 5-11

The Rams finished 2006 8-8. That record may be deceiving with three victories to end the season over the likes of Oakland, Minnesota, and Washington. The offense looks dangerous as it has pretty much since their two trips to the Super Bowl. The young stud Steven Jackson carries the load in the backfield and Marc Bulger is still an underrated QB who threw for 4,300 YD's, 24 TD's, and only 8 INT's. Though Isaac Bruce had another 1,000 yard season, expect a drop off from him, but the addition of Drew Bennett from Tennessee should complement Torry Holt nicely. The interior of the offensive line is depleted but the Rams have stars at the tackles, Orlando Pace and 05' 1st rounder Alex Barron.

The offense should be great but where's the D? The rush defense gave up 2,300 YD's, third worst ever in franchise history. Besides the premium pass rusher Leonard Little, the defensive line stinks. They attempted to fix the situation with the drafting of DE Adam Carriker from Nebraska but the rest of the line (James Hall, Laroi Glover, and Jimmy Kennedy) need to improve. Will Witherspoon's move to middle linebacker highlights the unit, with the outside linebackers Tinoisamoa and Chillar being solid. Second year cornerback Tye Hill could be a playmaker for the Rams D, and the strong safety Corey Chavous brings veteran leadership to the secondary. With that said, the Rams lack the stars or playmakers that make defenses great and they should struggle because of this.

Bottom Line: The Rams ranked 6th in total offense and 23rd in total defense last year. Those numbers are unlikely to change and with no leaders on defense, the offense will soar and the D will butt heads (like rams) with opponents. Head coach Scott Linehan will need to rebuild the defense to make this team a contender for the future.