NFL Preview(NFC West)

NFC West

Seahawks(10-6)

I'll try to contain my homerism here..but I feel that Seattle is still ahead of all of these other teams in the West.As long as Matt Hasselbeck's back is good,the pass offense should be okay I think.Even with injuries to WRs Deion Branch and Bobby Engram,I think that the young guys who will play(Courtney Taylor and Jordan Kent) will be capable in making plays along with Nate Burleson.The ground game is in flux a little bit from my eyes,but it shouldnt be as bad as last year with the body of Shaun Alexander filling that hole.The combination of Julius Jones and Mo Morris should be enough to keep the ground game valid but I dont think either really should explode as the #1 guy yet.The defense will be a big staple for this team this year,which is odd because before last year the defense was always the questionmark.The D-tackles are a little light but the standout is Patrick Kerney who was 2nd in the league last year in sacks.The linebackers are argubly the best in football with the combo of Julian Peterson,Leroy Hill and Lofa Tatupu who are all playmakers in their own rights and the secondary is very solid with probowler corner Marcus Trufant.The 2nd corner spot is a bit of a sore spot with young guy Kelly Jennings,but he should grow and make plays as well.

Cardinals(8-8)

Now I know everyone is picking them to overthrow the Seahawks this year...but I'm holding off on that for one more year.The offense should be examined a little more...this is what I'm wondering:

-Will Matt Leinart play this year?
-Will Edgerrin James hold up for another 1200 yd year?
-Is Anquan Boldin's injury connected to his discontent with management?
-Is the defense ready to stop the run(gave up 97 yds a game)?

These things are really picking at me and this is what I came up with
-Yes,because Warner will get hurt
-No but he will get over 1000 yds
-Yes it is but he'll still show up for games
-Marginally yes..but not enough to make a difference

Rams(7-9)

This team is a year late to me..last year was going to be the year for the Rams..but injuries happened..everywhere it seemed..and it fell apart.I think the main thing everyone should be looking at is how the offensive line is doing.It matters to everyone on the offense.Marc Bulger took waaaaay more hits with a shuffled offensive line..he could only play 12 games last year and threw 35x or more in 6 of those games.Thats way too many to not have Mike Martz....so they will need Steven Jackson to play more than 12 games(like last year) and making people pay and open things up...and that can happen with a better offensive line.He only topped 100 yards 2x and both were in blowout losses and only got 25 carries once...they need him bad to play.Defensively this team took a good player in Chris Long,but he cant play in the secondary...inwhich they were 21st in yardage.Thats all I got.

49ers(5-11)

This offense isnt very good.Other than runningback Frank Gore...they dont have another reliable guy to go to.Everyone is waiting around for Vernon Davis to make the jump to elite tight end,but I think that will depend on if JT O'Sullivan can accually deliever in a starting role.Now that Mike Martz is there controlling the offense,you would think there would be alot of airing the ball out...but with Issac Bruce and Bryant Johnson....you would think....uh..how is this going to happen?....you and me both.I actually like the defense parts,but as a sum..doesnt really seem like they can pull it together..atleast not yet.Is it too early to fire Mike Nolan?