Out-Drafting Bonanza Part 3 - Seattle Seahawks & Mike Holmgren/Tim Ruskell

Welcome to part 3 of the Out-Drafting Bonanza. This is the (mostly) Holmgren Coach/GM draft (Tim Ruskell is responsible for the 2006 product). Seattle is so incredibly similar to Philly in front office and playing style that its an ideal comparison to get a margin of error. Andy Reid is a Holmgren-ite and fan of the WCO, though his defensive scheme isn't terribly similar (as it's mostly Jim Johnson's). So sit back, relax and enjoy the recaps. Remember, the goal of this exercise is to compare a few different "successful" NFL regimes and discover who's good, who's bad and where the hell we'll put Andy Reid.

In case you don't remember, here's a look at our Scoring System again.

And here's the regimes we'll be looking at:

• Philadelphia Eagles (Andy Reid)
• Detroit Lions (Steve Mariucci/Dick Jauron/Rod Marinelli...all under Matt Millen and we'll use this is the baseline/epitome of crap)
• Seattle Seahawks (Mike Holmgren)
• New England Patriots (Bill Belichick)
• Jacksonville Jaguars (Jack Del Rio)
• Dallas Cowboys (Jerry Jones err Wade Phillips, though we'll be counting the Parcells years because of how involved Jones was regardless)
• Denver Broncos (Mike Shanahan)
• Chicago Bears (Lovie Smith)
• San Diego Charges (Norv Turner...but all the A.J. Smith era)

Let's not tie up any more of your time. Let's get to the Holmgren (and one Ruskell) Era Drafts:

Year	Round	Name	Score (1-5)	Bonus	Note
2002	1	Jerramy Stevens	3	0	Stevens, most famous for being a Super Bowl flop, he was an adequate player and nothing more
	2	Maurice Morris/ Anton Palepoi	2	-1	Mo Morris is the essence of career solid backup but Palepoi was a total flop, starting once and rarely playing beyond that
	3	Kris Richard	2	0	Adequate special teamer
	4	Terreal Bierria	2	0	His family a victim of Hurricane Katrina, he left the Seahawks to care for his family and never returned to football after being the starting SS in 04
	5	Rocky Bernard/ Ryan Hannam/ Matt Hill	2	2	Rocky Bernard (4) is an excellent DT and crucial to the Seahawks SB run, Hannam (2) was a career special teamer/backup and Matt Hill (1) rarely played. Bonus points for Bernard as he's a stud DT
	6	Craig Jarrett	0	0	Never played a down as a Seahawk
	7	Jeff Kelly	1	0	Career 3rd string QB, first pass was a Pick-6

Honestly, this draft was a respectable draft. It's highlighted by Rocky Bernard, a solid DT (though the 5th round score is hampered by two shitty players also selected). Jerramy Stevens was a TE with all the assets needed to play the game except a brain and Maurice Morris is the essence of a backup RB (that's a good thing). So its a pretty average draft based on the results so far.

2002 Score: 13 Points. First Round Hit Total: 1/1. Quality Players Selected (total): 1/10

Year	Round	Name	Score (1-5)	Bonus	Note
2003	1	Marcus Trufant	4	0	Trufant is a solid starter and pro-bowler regardless of this season
	2	Ken Hamlin	4	0	We'll give Hamlin a 4 here because he was very good in Seattle, but he's been better in Dallas
	3	Wayne Hunter	0	0	Hunter had legal trouble leading to his release and never played a down as a Seahawk
	4	Seneca Wallace/ Solomon Bates	2	1	Wallace (3) has been an adequate backup QB/interesting WR, but Bates (1) never stuck, starting just once and out of football in 2 years
	5	Chris Davis	1	0	Played a few downs
	6	Rashad Moore	2	0	A career backup, he's bounced around the NFL
	7	Josh Brown/ Taco Wallace	2	1	A guy named Taco? He played sparingly (1) while Brown (3) has been a solid NFL kicker

Let's get this out of the way right now. How can you fault Mike Holmgren for drafting a guy named "Taco." I know I can't. Beyond that, he drafted two DBs who are excellent and pro-bowlers (and vital to their Super Bowl Run) as well as a decent backup QB. Toss in a above average kicker and you just had a good draft.

2003 Score: 17 Points. First Round Hit Total: 2/2. Quality Players Selected (total): 3/19

2004	1	Marcus Tubbs	2	0	Tubbs is/was a talented player but has been hampered by injuries. He started a few games but never really became a force
	2	Michael Boulware	3	0	A career backup Boulware lasted three years with the Seahawks, starting occasionally
	3	Sean Locklear	3	0	Locklear is a quality starter at both Guard and Tackle
	4	Niko Koutouvides	2	0	Career backup/Special Teamer
	5	D.J. Hackett	3	0	Hackett was an adequate fringe starter
	6	Craig Terrill	2	0	Career backup/Special Teamer
	7	Donnie Jones	1	0	Punted a few times, waived after a season

2004 was the kind of draft that stocks your team relatively well, but doesn't do all that much. A lot of average starters/career backups were drafted (Locklear, Hackett) but Marcus Tubbs really kills the draft. You can't fault Holmgren for taking him and he is a talented player but he could/can not make it on the field. The score is certainly deceiving here.

2004 Score: 16 Points. First Round Hit Total: 2/3. Quality Players Selected (total): 3/26

Year	Round	Name	Score (1-5)	Bonus	Note
2005	1	Chris Spencer	3	0	Injury prone but a quality starter at both center and guard
	2	Lofa Tatupu	5	0	All-Pro LB
	3	David Greene/ Leroy Hill	2	-1	Never played a down as a Seahawk while Hill is a decent starter at LB
	4	Ray Willis	1	0	Special Teamer/Backup
	5	Jeb Huckeba	0	0	I could not find a down he played as a Seahawk
	6	Tony Jackson	0	0	I could not find a down he played as a Seahawk
	7	Cornelius Wortham/ Doug Nienhuis	1	0	Wortham was a special teamer before being cut in 2006 and Nienhuis never made the 43 man roster

Bow down and respect Tatupu who saved an otherwise shitty draft. Chris Spencer is a respectable 3 position lineman/starter but otherwise this draft was crap. Again, bonus points for Tatupu (not really) who saved Holmgren from our lowest score to date (6 - tied with the Lions in 2005)

2005 Score: 11 Points. First Round Hit Total: 3/4. Quality Players Selected (total): 4/35

Year	Round	Name	Score (1-5)	Bonus	Note
2006	1	Kelly Jennings	2	-1	Nickleback/special teamer, not good enough to start
	2	Darryl Tapp	3	0	Tapp is a decent starter and that's about it
	3	Compensation for Nate Burleson signing	1	0	Really, a 3rd plus a boat load of cash for Burleson? Ouch
	4	Rob Sims	3	0	Respectable career backup, could become a solid starter
	5	David Kirtman	1	0	Never stuck with the Seahawks
	6	Traded for Mike Green	1	0	Career backup as a Seahawk, released before the start of this season
	7	Ryan Packemeirer/ Ben Obomanu	2	0	Plackemeirer was an adequate punter and Obomanu still is a question mark with some talent

Ruskell clearly can't do much better with his first draft. About par for the course over the last three years as 2005 wasn't special and 2004 was a bit deceiving. Sims and Tapp were the decent players selected here and they're only decent starters to career backup level.

2006 Score: 12 Points. First Round Hit Total: 3/5. Quality Players Selected (total): 4/41

And there you have it. The Holmgren and 2006 Ruskell led Seahawks scored 69 points. If 76 produces a similar team with one Super Bowl run (and probably a little more success in the playoffs) you can see the subtle difference. I have a feeling the Patriots might score closer to high 80s or 90s. And they're next. So let's see what type of drafting they do to complement the video camera. Stay Tuned for Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots.

Scores:

• The Philadelphia Eagles and Andy Reid/Tom Heckert: 77. First round % (3 or better): 80%. Quality Players Selected (4 or better): 15%
  
• The Detroit Lions and Steve Mariucci/Dick Jauron/Rod Marinelli: 47. First round % (3 or better): 40%. Quality Players Selected (4 or better): 5%
• The Seattle Seahawks and Mike Holmgren/Tim Ruskell: 69. First round % (3 or better): 60%. Quality Players Selected (4 or better): 10%

Note: 14.28% represents 1 pick out of 7 (per draft) is a quality player

Questions, concerns, comments, errors, Omissions? Please leave in the comments for send to Justin@badnewsbloggers.com

Seattle Seahawks Regional Announcing Review 2008 Pt. 1

Last year I said Dick Stockton was good and got player identification right, and Jason Sehorn irritated me out of my skin. Only 1 out of 2 things changed in that time span, take a guess. It’s time for your regional announcing reviews for your 2-8 Seattle Seahawks!!

Game 1 - @ Buffalo

Ron Pitts and Tony Boselli

Pitts is a good announcer provided he pretends to sound interested in some games. Boselli aggravated me last season but he provided decent insight in this one. I was too busy getting angry to get riled up about them, they were decent enough.

Grade: B-

Game 2 - San Francisco

Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa

I really don’t mind Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston is still one of the few analysts I can tolerate from FOX……Siragusa, sure I commented about him talking about the game most of the time, but this season they have made him like a comedy sideshow. I’d rather have Goose up in the booth analyzing plays (which he does well), then telling me for the umpteenth time that “It’s getting really loud in here”. One thing really struck me though. When Leonard Weaver was trying to chase down Patrick Willis on that interception return for a touchdown, I swear I heard Daryl say “GO GET HIM LEONARD!!!” (he didn’t get him). I understand you’re a former fullback and love to see fullbacks hustling to make a play, but keep it professional.

Grade: B+

Game 3 - St. Louis

Matt Vasgersian and JC Pearson

Vasgersian has to be paired with someone else. JC Pearson is not exactly someone who will bring insight and info to add to what I already know. Not a bad game, but not a good one from either man. I think Vasgersian needs more football games so his voice can stop running behind the flow of the gameplay.

Grade: C+

Game 4 - @ Giants

Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa

I’m giving a no-grade because I seriously stopped watching after halftime.

Game 5 - Green Bay

Chris Rose and JC Pearson

Rose regressed from his first year and I find to be…..not funny. Him and Pearson made a commentating nightmare.

Grade: D

Game 7 (Game 6 on NBC): @ San Francisco

Ron Pitts and Tony Boselli

Leonard Weaver’s shoes are green. I think they discussed that for almost an entire quarter. Pitts has a horrible habit of calling possible touchdowns way too early. Patrick Kerney is not going to run 90 yards for a touchdown with players chasing him, so don’t say “and this one may go for 6″.

Grade: C-

Game 8 - Philadelphia

Dick Stockton and Brian Baldinger

Who is Olindo MAH-RAYYYY, Stockton? Even HE doesn’t pronounce his name like that! Mah-Ray? Is he married to Pah-Ray? Since when is Arizona 2-6? Baldinger is Emmitt Smith and John Madden combined, and that makes for a horrible analyst. I’m unaware of Julius Peterson and D.J Duckett. That was a trainwreck of a broadcast, and NOW I know why Stockton was demoted. He has gotten progressively worse in his commentaries…..you were right FOX, and I was WAY wrong for questioning you.

Grade: D-

Game 9 - @ Miami

Sam Rosen and Tim Ryan

When calling a kickoff return for a touchdown, PLEASE check to see if there are flags. It took him until after they scored to do this. Other than that, this team did not make me cringe like last season with “Kevin Butler” and “Tim Hasselbeck” and “the Saints are 0-8″.

Grade: B

Game 10 - Arizona

Dick Stockton and Brian Baldinger

This is the clincher. I am calling for Stockton to retire before the end of the season before I have to deal with this even more down the road. Seattle’s punter is JON RUNYAN? It’s like neither one of them was trying, Baldinger is hopeless trying to articulate a simple timeout situation, and Stockton has gotten so many player names wrong in the past few weeks that I would be horrified to see how he could mangle Danny Shittu.

Grade: F

I was pretty generous in part 1, not a lot of bad grades save for Stockton, Baldinger, Rose, and Pearson. Look forward to the Z-teams in part 2.

NFC West Week 2 Preview

Week 1: 3-0

Season: 3-0


San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks

Seattle swept the season series from the Niners last year by a combined score of 47-3, but that was last year. Despite losing quarterback Alex Smith for the season with a torn rotator cuff, the news is even worse for the Seahawks. Down to one healthy, experienced wide receiver heading into week one, the Hawks lost Nate Burleson on the opening drive against Buffalo with a torn ACL in his left knee. The receiving situation is so desperate, the Hawks are considering starting backup quarterback Seneca Wallace at split end. With two second year WR in line to start, and a rookie tight end as well, QB Matt Hasselbeck will need to be on his game for the Hawks to prevail.

On the other side of the ball, Niners RB Frank Gore averages more than six yards per carry during his career against Seattle, with QB J.T. O'Sullivan again being asked to manage the clock and to avoid turnovers if at all possible.
Prediction: The Hawks injuries on offense are just too much to overcome, and Hasselbeck can't do it all himself, especially considering he isn't at 100% himself. If O'Sullivan can manage to avoid multiple turnovers, and if Gore can match his career averages against Seattle, I can't see them winning.

Prediction: 49ers, 17-13.

New York Giants @ St. Louis Rams

The Rams suffered a big loss on offense last week, WR Drew Bennett will miss at least a month with a broken foot. RB Steven Jackson should be in better shape than last week, although he is still not 100% after missing training camp and the pre-season following a hold-out. The Rams offensive line is its weakest link, the Giants should have little trouble pressuring QB Marc Bulger, putting even more pressure on Jackson.

The Giants offensive line, on the other hand, is a strength, they should have no trouble driving the Rams DLine off the ball, opening large holes for the Giants backs. QB Eli Manning should be aware of a potential mismatch between 6'6" Plaxico Burress and 5'9" Rams cornerback Tye Hill.

Prediction: Giants big, 38-13.

Miami @ Arizona

Here's a stat for you, in the third quarter of last week's opener at San Francisco, the Cardinals time of possession in the third quarter was 13:17. After a shaky first half which ended in a 10 all tie, QB Kurt Warner settled in and executed Coach Ken Whisenhunt 's short pass offense to perfection. In the first half, Anquan Boldin had zero catches, Larry Fitzgerald had seven. In the second half, after a 49ers adjustment, Boldin caught eight balls, with Fitzgerald grabbing three. Expect more of the same against Miami, as their secondary lacks a dominant, shutdown cover guy, which should result in Boldin and Fitzgerald once again approaching double digit catches apiece.

Falling behind early is what the Dolphins would like to avoid, as they are a run dominant team, led by Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown. Last week against the Jets, they combined for 23 carries, the Dolphs would like to see them approach forty combined carries.

Prediction: The Cardinals, behind the ever-confident Kurt Warner and the unstoppable duo of Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald win comfortably, 27-10.

NFC West Week 1 Preview and Predictions

Published simultaneously at www.armchairgm.com

Seattle Seahawks @ Buffalo Bills
The key to this game is the Seattle injury situation. Wide receiver Bobby Engram is out, with Deion Branch listed as doubtful, although he has said he will play. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has a back injury, which limited him to just two series of plays in the pre-season. The Hawks have a bevy of talented, albeit inexperienced receivers in Jordan Kent, Courtney Taylor and Logan Payne, each of whom should see significant reps playing opposite veteran Nate Burleson. The lack of playing time for Hasselbeck prevented him from working with the youngsters, which will have an effect on the Hawks passing game. The Bills, with quarterback Trent Edwards listed as 100% despite missing the final two preseason games with a bruised thigh, will have to work hard behind a patchwork offensive line which struggled during the preseason, a fact emphasized by the continued holdout of weakside tackle Jason Peters. Look for RB Marshawn Lynch to carry the ball at least 30 times. The first month or so should be the test for Seattle. If they can reach their Week 4 bye week no worse than 2-1, then they should control the division throughout. If the injuries prove too much to handle, then their season likely could be over before the break.
Prediction: Behind the offensive scheme enacted by new offensive coordinator Turk Schonert, the Bills control the clock with short passes and a 33 carry, 130 yard performance from Marshawn Lynch and squeak out a 16-13 win.
St. Louis Rams @ Philadelphia Eagles
The Rams start the season behind the eight ball, as RB Steven Jackson missed the entire pre-season due to an ill-advised holdout. Tackle Orlando Pace returns after missing all but two series in 2007 due to injury, quarterback Marc Bulger will feel less pressure, but how much will he miss Isaac Bruce? The Rams defense allowed more than 115 yards per game on the ground, a point not lost on RB Brian Westbrook. Joined in the backfield by short yardage specialist FB Tony Hunt, the Eagles should have little trouble controlling the line of scrimmage. With WR Kevin Curtis out, QB Donovan McNabb will rely on shorter passes in an attempt to keep the defense honest against Westbrook.
Prediction: Behind the running of Westbrook and Hunt, and with the Eagles linebackers blitzing the Rams inexperienced offensive line at will, Philadelphia dominates from the opening kickoff and wins convincingly, 36-20.
Arizona Cardinals @ San Francisco 49ers
Save their inability to beat San Francisco, the Cardinals would have reached the postseason the past two years. This is the third consecutive season the Cardinals have opened in San Francisco and are looking for their first win. Not surprisingly, Kurt Warner won the QB battle with Matt Leinart in the pre-season, and despite not playing well in San Francisco throughout his career, looks to get the Cards off to a 1-0 start. Warner isn't as mobile as Leinart, and has had a career long battle with fumbles, so the offensive line will need to hold onto their blocks a fraction longer to give Warner the time he needs. Fifth round pick Tim Hightower had a great camp and should see quite a bit of playing time spelling Edgerrin James and as another pass option out of the backfield. No report on the Cardinals would be complete without mentioning arguably the top WR duo in the league in Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. San Francisco shocked the world when he named journeyman J.T. O'Sullivan his starting quarterback. New offensive coordinator Mike Martz, the offensive genius behind the Warner led offensive machine in St. Louis, has put in place a benign game plan for O'Sullivan, one designed to control the clock and avoid turnovers. The key to its success is the durability of RB Frank Gore, who not only is the focal point of the running game, but a factor in the passing game as well. WR Isaac Bruce followed Martz to the 49ers and brings with him his 942 career receptions, it remains to be seen how much he impacts a short, ball control offense.
Prediction: It isn't often you hear a Week 1 matchup being a "must win", but that's exactly the case for the Cardinals. With division rival Seattle struggling with injuries, it's imperative the Cardinals start strong and get themselves a cushion heading into the middle, and most difficult, part of their schedule. With a relaxed Warner leading the way, Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald both reach the 100 mark in receiving yards, with Edgerrin James doing so on the ground. Cards win surprisingly easy, 34-10.

KD's NFC West Preview

Published also at www.armchairgm.com

As the 2008 NFL season dawns, the fortunes of the NFC West reside where they have been in recent seasons...the division sucks. The NFL version of baseball's National League Western Division, often referred to as the "NL Worst", the NFC West is home to arguably the two worst teams in the NFL, and a team which has made the postseason in a non-strike year just once since 1975. And even the division's best team, the four time defending champion Seattle Seahawks enter the season with more questions than answers, starting with the health of All-Pro quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.
Hasselbeck is expected to start the season opener despite back issues which go back to last year, at least. Another question is who is Hasselbeck going to throw to? With D.J. Hackett gone and Bobby Engram and Deion Branch injured, the most experienced receiver on the roster is Nate Burleson. The Hawks picked up a couple of second tier running backs in an attempt to re-start the running game following the departure of Shawn Alexander, Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett. The signing of left guard Mike Wahle and the drafting of tight end John Carlson should offer Hasselbeck a bit more blind side protection, which is his "back" side in the pocket. Courtney Taylor will likely see most of the opposite side snaps in place of Branch, although Branch declared himself ready to play this week on Wednesday. Rookies Jordan Kent and Logan Payne will play in the Hawks multi-wide set, with RB Maurice Morris the short yardage back. The Hawks are also thin defensively, especially in the secondary, where they will start a second year pro and a rookie. If Hasselbeck struggles with his back, it will be imperative backup QB Seneca Wallace stays within Paul Holmgren's game plan, turnovers and ineffectiveness will have the defense on the field more than anyone would like. The Hawks did catch a big schedule break, after their season opener in Buffalo, two home games follow, against the Rams and 49ers, then the bye week in Week 4. If the Hawks can get to the bye with no further injury problems and a record no worse than 2-1, they could be looking at their fifth consecutive division title and sixth playoff spot in a row.
The St. Louis Rams are coming off a 3-13 season which prompted changes on Scott Linehan's coaching staff. New offensive coordinator Al Saunders is joined by new QB coach Terry Shea and RB coach Art Valero. Linehan has turned over the offense to Saunders, with the hope their combined NFL experience can turn around the Rams often inept offense. The Rams problems last year can point to both lines. All-Pro OL Orlando Pace was lost for the season in Week 1, while the Rams DLine accounted for the fewest sacks in the NFL. The return to form of Pace and injured defensive end Leonard Little will go far in once again in stabilizing the Rams running game and pass rush.
Quarterback Marc Bulger follows along in the same vein as his predecessors in St. Louis, Trent Green and Kurt Warner. What they lacked in mobility they made up with pocket awareness and an uncanny ability to wait til the last second before executing the play. Problem is, for a "timing" type QB to be successful, he needs protection, and he needs another threat around him. Pace and his OLine buddies will need to have Bulger's back alot more this year, and will also need to not only open, but keep open, holes for superstar RB Steven Jackson. The Rams, to some, surprisingly released Isaac Bruce, leaving off-season pickup Keenan Burton and rookie Donnie Avery to run alongside Torry Holt. While both players, especially Burton, bring much needed speed to the Rams offense, one must remember they are both still young and also learning a much more complicated offensive system, which the Rams staff understands will require patience. The Rams dominating linebacking corps, led by Will Witherspoon and Quinton Culbertson will be joined by Chris Draft in what is hoped to remain one of the top run defenses in the league.
Fresh off what he calls "the best pre-season of my career", Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner enters the season with his rear view mirror covered. No more looking over his shoulder at the ever shrinking shadow of Matt Leinart. The only thing that can knock Warner from his starter's role is an injury, no longer will the Cards QB situation revolve like the stage at Phoenix' Celebrity Theatre. Plagued by fumbleitis his whole career, Warner will need to keep the turnovers to a manageable level, with the talent of his receiving corps and the still productive Edgerrin James in the backfield, the Cardinals should rack up the points this season. Backup running back Tim Hightower, a legit breakaway threat, had a tremendous camp and should average a dozen or so touches per game. Tight end Ben Patrick is a solid route runner with good hands and an excellent on the run blocker. WR Anquan Boldin caused a minor flap in camp over his contract situation has told the Cardinals he will give 100% on the field, teams with All-World teammate Larry Fitzgerald, giving the Cards the best one-two WR tandem in football. On the defensive side, the move of Antrelle Rolle to safety, where he will pair with the league's best DB, Adrian Wilson. Rolle, a former cornerback, had problems in tight coverage situations, the freedom the safety position brings should alleviate that concern. Wilson, so dominating he on occasion will line up as a linebacker in certain coverages, is coming off a camp Coach Ken Whisenhunt described as "stunning."
The San Francisco 49ers surprised most everyone by naming journeyman quarterback J. T. Sullivan the opening day starter over Alex Smith. The 49ers must improve on their league worst 145 yards per game passing average in 2007, and have signed former Rams standout WR Isaac Bruce to help in that area. Former Rams head coach and offensive genius Mike Martz is in as the new coach and won't have any trouble designing a new offensive scheme, the problem will be in having the necessary pieces to execute it. RB Frank Gore is a legitimate 2000 yard from scrimmage guy, but despite his ability to find open ground, will find the going tough if O'Sullivan can't bring respect to the passing game. Defensively, cornerbacks Nate Clements and Walt Harris are former All-Pros, with Clements propensity to gamble has led to big plays by the offense. Harris is more of a stay at home kind of guy, yet is always scrambling to cover for Clements, which takes him out of his comfort zone.
With the Rams and 49ers likely not to reach ten wins combined, the Seahawks and Cardinals are left to fight for the division amongst each other. The problem there is they will struggle to win 18 games combined, leaving for a tighter than expected race. The Cardinals end the season against Minnesota, at New England, and home vs. the Hawks, while Seattle's final stretch is at St. Louis, home vs the Jets, and at Arizona. Seattle's first month may go farther in deciding the division however, with so many injuries, a 1-2 or 0-3 start could doom their hopes right off the bat.
I see the division thusly;
Arizona Cardinals 9-7 Seattle Seahawks 8-8 St. Louis Rams 5-11San Francisco 49ers 4-12
The division will be decided in Week 17, with the Cards and Seahawks squaring off in Arizona with identical 8-7 records. The Cards, realizing what was at stake and with a sell-out crowd going nuts in a nationally televised affair, jump on the Hawks early and continue the onslaught with a double digit route.

On The Brink: An NFC West Preview

The NFC West last year was perhaps one of the least exciting divisions to follow in the entire NFL. The only remotely successful team, Seattle, had their ups and downs during the season but generally had the division on lock by the end of Week 4.

There were many reasons for such non-parity.

The Rams were racked by injuries and were tasked with playing with a 'Replacement-esque' offensive line. Marc Bulger was sacked fifty times per game and Stephen Jackson missed much of the season due to injury.

The 49ers, such a trendy sleeper pick these past couple years regressed once again and Alex Smith flirted with having his name thrown in with Ryan Leaf’s. Having the worst offense in the league, combined with a mediocre (at best) defense eventually summed up to a not-so-great year for San Francisco.

Arizona, who showed a bit of promise last year, was still playing with Kurt Warner as their starter thanks to a disappointing and injured Matt Leinart. Although he guided them to an 8-8 record, Warner showed his age and the offense lacked the explosiveness it could have potentially had with Leinart under center.

Going into this year, the hopes are high for each team. The 49ers have brought in Mike Martz to improve their anemic offense. The Rams are going into the season with a healthy Stephen Jackson, Marc Bulger and offensive line – all three things that make their offense scary. Seattle signed Julius Jones in the hopes he could be a big part of a potential committee at RB, although their WR situation at the moment is iffy. Finally, Arizona still has Larry Fitzgerald and Anquin Boldin on their offense and that’s essentially all that matters. Although they are hoping that this is the year that Matt Leinart finally realizes he is in fact a professional quarterback.

However, every team goes into the year with a positive attitude. If they didn’t than it would be scary, unprofessional and a bit pathetic. Thankfully, we the fans can be the realists and sort out who has a shot, who doesn’t and who probably should be the reason the NFL creates a minor league system.

The good thing is that every team in the NFC West is on a relatively equal playing field, save for San Francisco unless they make an extreme turnaround. It really could go a multitude of different ways and the season’s outcome, like every year, will depend upon a variety of factors.


Division prediction:
St. Louis (10-6)
Arizona (8-8)
Seattle (8-8)
San Francisco (6-10)

A healthy St. Louis offense is a potent offense and even though they lost Isaac Bruce to the 49ers, the offense still has the ability to put up huge numbers especially if Stephen Jackson can remain healthy. With little to no pass rush last year, Marc Bulger did everything he could to will the team to a win but to no avail. Still, he looked impressive for a QB who was basically playing in the face of a constant pass rush and the threat of broken ribs.

The secondary should improve with the off-season signing of David Macklin and the defensive line will get an instant upgrade with the arrival of Chris Long. While the Rams defense wasn’t the worst in the league last year, it can use the help and if it can be at least average, the offense will take care of the rest.

The Cardinals proved last year that they are finally to be taken seriously… or at least somewhat seriously. Having gone .500 last year, the only way they can go up is to make the playoffs and breaking even again or anything less would generally be regarded as a disappointment. It all rests on the well-moisturized, hot-tub-loving arm of Matt Leinart (what, is that joke dead yet?).

The defense, like the Rams was mediocre last year but has been improved upon with free agency and the draft. The key to the Cardinals season is going to be whether or not Matt Leinart can step it up and if Edgerrin James can continue to at least be mildly productive. If Leinart gets injured or cannot step into the starting role well, Kurt Warner can only take them so far. He’s performed valiantly up until now but it’s time for Leinart to show what he’s got, if anything.

It came as no surprise when the Seahawks offense declined slightly when Shaun Alexander fell off the map. On a side-note, what exactly happened to Shaun Alexander? One minute he’s breaking the rushing touchdown record and the next minute he’s a free agent and no one wants to sign him. It’s all very weird if you ask me.

The Seahawks fortunately still have Matt Hasselbeck in his prime. Unfortunately, his receiving corps is awfully banged up and mediocre when otherwise. The running back situation is still up in the air with T.J. Duckett, Maurice Morris and Julius Jones all competing for playing time. The defense was a tad above average last year and should see rookie Lawrence Jackson from USC make a significant impact.

Lastly, we have the San Francisco 49ers who after the Dolphins were easily the worst team in the NFL last year. The offense was horrible. It was horrendous. It was every possible bad term you could come up with all rolled into one nasty word.

Mike Nolan has brought in offensive guru Mike Martz to try and help turn things around and more importantly, try and kick Alex Smith’s ass into gear. Martz, who is known for his quarterback mentoring looks to turn the 49ers offense around with his extremely complicated yet amazingly effective offensive system.

It may not be the strongest division in football, but the 2008 season should be an interesting one in the NFC West. The Seahawks, who are going for their fifth consecutive division title in 2008 look awfully vulnerable and both the Rams and Cardinals have realistic shots at ending that streak this year. The 49ers are the wild card in the whole thing and while they realistically don’t have much of a chance of taking the division, I wouldn’t put it past them to finally be the sleeper team the year that everyone’s given up on them as a sleeper team. It’s just how the NFL works.