NFC West Preview

If I had to pick a worst division in football, it could quite possibly be this one. So much turmoil, so little time.

Seahawks- The most stable team in the running here. Matt Hasselbeck is still his same old self, presumably. He is starting to get a bit up there in age, but he's never relied too heavily on physical assets to get hit job done, so he should age gracefully compared to select other quarterbacks. Bobby Engram is a solid safety blanket of a possession receiver for him on the outside, and Nate Burlson figures to stretch defenses or at least thats his aim. He has speed to burn, and that makes him a threat, even if he doesn't actually perform too well. Slot duties are still up in the air in training camp, but Courtney Taylor and Logan Payne both figure to be adequate as a third receiver, with plus athleticism. John Carlson, a second round draft pick, is expected to help with checkdowns for Hasselbeck when pressure is on. The offensive line is aging but still talented, led by Walter Jones. Julius Jones and Maurice Morris are good runners out of the backfield and Linebacker sized "halfback" TJ Duckett figures to pick up 2-3 yards any time they're needed. Leonard Weaver has also been reportedly incredibly impressive blocking in camp. A strong running game, but if you're a fantasy player, you should probably avoid it because no one figures to be really a lead producer. The defensive line features talent all over, although Patrick Kerney is the only one really acknowledged for it. Rocky Bernard and Brandon Mebane are just plain not easy to move when you try to run, and Darryl Tapp has a nose for the big play, certainly not bad for the teams second best end. Lofa Tatupu teams up with Julian Peterson and Leroy Hill to form quite a scary set of linebackers, and an overall frightening front 7 to have to play against. The secondary is mostly known quantities and figures to be near the middle of the league.

Forty-Niners- Yeah, I actually have those same Niners as my second place team in this division this year. Joe Staley is an unknown quantity as the blindside protector this year, but the rest of the linemen are somewhat proficient at their positions, and Mike Martz knows a bit about making an offense run. He brought in Isaac Bruce to help teach the offense to his other receivers. Frank Gore is a top notch running back and there's really no reason to expect anything less than a great season from him. Vernon Davis figures to put up the best numbers of his career in a high octane offense, although poor/inconisistent QB play could sabotage just about everyone in this offseason. Gore is really the only one with immunity, and his only extends so far because the 8-man front is tough to run through. The defense is what really excites me about this team though. Incredible levels of talent. Patrick Willis could probably tackle a rhinocerous if he got a chance to square it up, and Jeff Ulbrich will do a good job of taking out leadblockers when in a 3-4 look. Manny Lawson had a solid rookie campaign and looked promising last year before an injury left him out in the cold just two games into the season. Tully Banta-Cain certainly looks to be the weakest link, added last year after excelling as a specialist in New England. He didn't perform quite how it was hoped, but that can be overlooked in favor of all the skills everyone else has. Kentwan Balmer is hit or miss as a lineman picked up in the first round, and Justin Smith is the engine that makes it move. Hes been getting looks on each end of the line, in the middle of it, and with his hands up in training camp. The secondary doesn't feature a whole lot of talent, after Nate Clements they seem to mostly be marginal players. That isn't to say they can't turn in serviceable years though. I have this team as my biggest surprise in the conference, complimenting the Texans in the AFC.

Rams- This team could easily be a trainwreck. Orlando Pace is the only real good, consistent lineman on the offense and hes about 400 years old. Marc Bulger fell off last season. Drew Bennett is expected to start this year and replace Isaac Bruce, which is about as likely to work out well as Kyle asking Megan Fox to fuck his brains out. Steven Jackson is human, which will probably be his downfall behind that offensive line and in that offense in general really. Brian Leonard is a useful piece in the backfield, but is expected to transition more to full time fullback this year, severely limiting his abilities as a handcuff for Jackson in fantasy leagues. The defense is devoid of playmakers and is really the most underwhelming thing since Keanu Reeves in "Little Buddha" Adam Carriker showed skill and an understanding of the way the game works last year, but James Hall, at 31, is the next youngest starting lineman. The linebackers aren't overly impressive. While Pisa Tinoisamoa has skill, he doesn't do a great job of putting it together for seasons at a time, and Will Witherspoon can only be counted on to make so many plays. Quinton Culberson.....well, have YOU heard of him before now? Chris Long is obviously good to have, and figures to be the first player in off the bench if he doesn't pass James Hall before the season begins. The defensive backfield is full of such illustrious players as Fakhir Brown and Tye Hill. Oshiomogho Atogwe (I believe he goes by OJ for short) however, is a force back there, flying around tackling and picking passes off with what one could call wreckless abandon. In any case however, its wholly unimpressive as a starting squad.

Cardinals- I really don't feel like doing this. Edgerrin James is gonna crap out this year, and I'm callin it. He has nothing left in the tank and is a year or two away from being Shaun Alexander. Obviously, the passing game should be average at worst because Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin are still there. It could be a top 5 if Matt Leinart really has picked up the offense more this year the way he says he has. The offensive line is still basically the same underachievers who were supposed to make big strides last year and the year before that. They haven't picked up the scheme the way they were supposed to, to say the least. The defense sees no talent on the line but, and has flashes in the defensive seconday, but has real ability in the linebackers and that can really cover up a poor line. I would hardly expect great things out of a team that is starting Gerald Hayes as the apparent replacement for Calvin Pace's monster year, but these linebackers aren't easy to peg. While Hayes has flashes of brilliance he is anything but consistent and is flanked by hybrid SLB/DE Chike Okeafor, who is getting up there in age, and talented but fragile Karlos Dansby, who has yet to play a full 16 games in his four year career. Overall, I expect a general lack of performance, although there could be some nuggets of IDP gold in amongst the Antonio Smiths of the world.