Of course, I already did the NFC and AFC East previews first, so I guess it's too late to not be biased. Then again, I live on the East Coast, so why wouldn't I be biased that way? Of course, I DO live on the West Coast of Florida, so it's not technically — ok, my head hurts. Let's just get this over with:
NFC WEST
1. Arizona Cardinals (9-7)
2. Seattle Seahawks (8-8)
3. St. Louis Rams (6-10)
4. San Francisco 49ers (3-13)
Arizona Cardinals: For the past two off-seasons, NFL prognosticators have been predicting "THIS will be the breakthrough year for the Cardinals", and Arizona promptly responded by being their usual sucky self. It's my belief that if a lot of people are talking about you being a "dark horse" or "surprise" team, that automatically disqualifies you from being either. Those tags usually bring pressure and expectations that borderline bad teams usually can't handle.Since this is the first time in a few years no one is touting the Cardinals, I'm fully expecting their talented roster to finally break through and win their division (probably the worst in the NFL).
I'm still not crazy about second year coach Ken Whisenhunt's strategy of rotating playing time for his quarterbacks Matt Leinart (pictured, left) and Kurt Warner, but it actually seemed to work for them last year while Leinart was healthy, so I can't argue with it too much. Still, it's imperative for playboy/quarterback Leinart (unfortunately, in that order) to step up, grab the starting job by the throat and have a solid, consistent year.
The defense is still a question, but they should be able to hold up well enough since this team should have no trouble scoring points. Leinart still has standout wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Bolden at his disposal in the passing game. The team should also be able to squeeze one more solid season out of RB Edgerrin James before he's completely washed up. Right now he's only mostly washed up.
Seattle Seahawks: I've never given this team — which just keeps winning this division, almost by default — the respect they probably deserve. Unfortunately, that's going to continue this year, as I don't have them qualifying for the post season for the first time in a while.
They took a massive hit last offseason when let All-Pro guard Steve Hutchinson walk to the Vikes. While the move didn't seem like a huge deal at the time, all I know is that the Vikings had more than 2,000 yards on the ground last year with Hutchinson. Meanwhile, to say that Seattle's running game faltered is an understatement — I mean, what the hell happened to former league MVP Shaun Alexander (pictured, right)? Seriously, where is he?!
Fortunately for them, underappreciated QB Matt Hasselbeck stepped up for them and carried the team to the playoffs after coach Mike Holmgren opened up the offense by frequently using four wide receivers (out of necessity). You can probably expect more of the same this year, despite the addition of former Cowboys running back Julius Jones (I expect bigger things out of Maurice Morris).
The only problem is that a few of their best receivers (Bobby Engram and Deion Branch) already have injury issues, so Hasselbeck is going to have to do even more than usual. That'll lead to even more pass attempts than last year, but, with a weak running game, more losses too. (Hopefully, it'll also lead to more points for my fantasy team, since Hasselbeck is my starting QB.)
St. Louis Rams: These guys just had an absolutely depressing season last year. I mean, I'm honestly trying to think of any highlights from them this past season and I got nothing. I mean, even the 1-15 Dolphins had that one victory, right?
It was partly due to injuries to their best players, including QB Marc Bulger and RB Stephen Jackson, but it probably had more to do with me picking them to win their division last year.
Rookie defensive end Chris Long, son of Howie, should make an impact on their defense and, more importantly is a decent bet to inspire at least one "Firestorm" (left) joke.
This year, as long as Bulger and WR Torry Holt are healthy and Jackson, who is currently holding out, is happy, they should bounce back nicely, though not quite nicely enough to make the playoffs.
If it's ok with you, I'm going to stop typing now because I can't think of anything interesting to say about them. Sorry.
San Francisco 49ers: The team brings back sensational rookie linebacker Patrick Willis, who led the team in tackles last season. Then again, it's easier to lead the league in tackles when your defense is on the field all the time.
The addition of offensive coordinator/alleged genius Mike Martz has also given the Niners some buzz.
Lost in all the excitement is the fact that the Niners still have, mostly, the same crappy offensive players they had last year (oh way, they DID add former Cardinals NUMBER 3 receiver Bryant Johnson).
I know Martz has some fantasy about making RB Frank Gore into the new Marshall Faulk, but I just don't see it happening. It's not because Gore (who's also a decent bet to get hurt at some point) isn't any good, but because this team is not any good and will fall behind early and often and, consequently, have to abandon is passing game. How do I know this? Because Gore was my 1st round fantasy pick last year, and week after week I had to sit and suffer through approximately 10 "13 carry, 65 YD games." Can you tell I'm a little bitter?
(NOTE: I hate to be that guy who's always talking about his fantasy team, but that stuff seriously forces you to follow players and teams which you normally wouldn't give a flying fig about, which is actually kinda cool.)
It's all Alex Smith's (pictured, right in a typical play) fault, who, once again, is a strong contender for the "Alex Smith Worst Starter in the League" award. How bad is Alex Smith you say? He's so bad that, despite being a 1 overall pick, he's currently second in the depth chart to J.T. O'Sullivan, a Saints sixth round pick from 2002.
Maybe Mike Martz will mold Smith (or Sullivan) into a decent quarterback. And maybe the Yankees will wake up in time to make the playoffs. And maybe "Superhero Movie" will clean up at the Oscars this year.
As of August 12, all three of these scenarios have the exact same chance of happening.
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