NFC West Preview
By: Sean Higgs
San Francisco 49ers – I am calling for the Niners to make major strides and win the West. This franchise hasn’t had a winning season since 2002. San Fran has young playmakers in TE Vernon Davis, WR Michael Crabtree to make defenses pay. Steady RB Frank Gore should make things easy on QB Alex Smith who must become the franchise player the team thought they drafted at #1. After drafting a pair of OL in the first round to protect Smith, HC Mike Singletary must feel that this is the year. The defense is a bit thin especially in the secondary. With the retirement of Kurt Warner, the division is clearly up for grabs. Let’s take the ‘trendy’ to actually do something this time.
Seattle Seahawks – New HC Pete Carroll escaped the fire at USC to head to the rain of the Northwest. QB Matt Hasselbeck is excited about T Russell Okung being taken at #6. That should help keep him upright and get the ball to some decent WRs including TJ Houshmandzadeh and rookie Golden Tate. The key for the Seahawks is staying healthy. If they can keep their key people on the field, then there is no reason they can’t challenge for the NFC West Title. After a disappointing 5 win season, it would not surprise me to see Seattle double that in 2010.
Arizona Cardinals – This team was in the Super Bowl 2 years ago, make no mistake that is a distant memory. Matt Leinart now takes over at QB for retired Kurt Warner. WR Larry Fitzgerald will catch anything thrown near him, and is at the top of his game. The offense will come down to QB Matt Leinart and how he grows into his role. The defense has always been a bend don’t break unit and lost their leader Karlos Dansby and replaced him with the outspoken Joey Porter. Can’t see the Cards winning 10 games this year, but a 8-8 record should be reachable.
St. Louis Rams - Coming off a 1-15 season, they break in the #1 pick in the draft QB Sam Bradford. Let’s hope the football Gods take mercy on the Rams and let Bradford’s shoulder be 100% healed. St. Louis is now in year 2 of the Steve Spagnuolo plan. Make no mistake, this team is years away from being thought of as a winning franchise.
NFC West Preview: Four quarterbacks in question
By David Chan
Bettors beware of the NFC West where change is the predominant trend and the only team worth taking a risk on is San Francisco, which has most of its starters back from last season.
The retirement of Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner and to a lesser extent the loss of Arizona receiver Anquan Boldin to Baltimore gives the 49ers their best chance of winning the division title in years.
The big question mark for all four teams is at quarterback. Alex Smith was solid the last 10 games last season and has a shot to start in 2010 with Shaun Hill moving on to Detroit.
The Cardinals will finally give QB Matt Leinart his shot and he’ll have the advantage of throwing to a solid corps of receivers. But based on past struggles Leinart could quickly attain Ryan Leaf-type status if he doesn’t succeed early.
The Seahawks’ starter is still Matt Hasselbeck but he turns 35 in September and has likely seen his better days. The Rams released Marc Bulger and will turn to either AJ. Feeley, who they got from Carolina, or (most likely) drafted QB Sam Bradford from Oklahoma.
San Francisco 49ers
Projected win total: 8.5
Prediction: Over
What’s new: The biggest impact was improving the offensive line in the offseason by drafting right tackle Anthony Davis (Rutgers) and left guard Mike Iupati (Idaho), who many people considered the top guard in the draft. Speedy receiver Ted Ginn (Dolphins) will stretch the field (if he can hold on to the ball) and quarterback David Carr (Giants) is the back up.
What’s the same: Alex Smith gets a shot to start full time thanks to a solid finish the last 10 games of the 2009 season and with Hill out of the picture. He ended up throwing for over 2,300 yards with 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He has the talent to succeed with receivers Michael Crabtree and Josh Morgan and tight end Vernon Davis who had 13 TDs last season.
Elite running back Frank Gore will also take a lot of pressure off Smith. Defense is solid led by linebacker Patrick Willis who led the NFL with 152 tackles last season. Linebackers Takeo Spikes, Manny Lawson and Parys Haralson provide additional talent at “D”.
Key stat to remember: The 49ers were 11-4-1 ATS in 2009 but another stat to consider is they have 15 unders in their last 21 games.
Arizona Cardinals
Projected win total: 7.5
Prediction: Under
What’s new: Hard-pressed to just finish at .500, any chance of making the playoffs likely went out the window when Warner retired. Leinart is expected to take over at quarterback but not without a preseason battle from newly acquired QB Derek Anderson from Cleveland. Helping on the offensive line will be guards Alan Faneca (Jets) and Rex Hadnot (Browns).
The defense took a hit with linebacker Karlos Dansby going to Miami and safety Antrel Rolle now with the Giants. Linebackers Joey Porter (Dolphins), Daryl Washington (TCU) and Paris Lenon (Rams) and safety Kerry Rhodes (Jets) picked up in the offseason should help offset the losses.
What’s the same: Despite the loss of Boldin, the receiving trio of Larry Fitzgerald, Steve Breaston and Early Doucet are as good as they come.
Chris “Beanie” Wells and Tim Hightower provide a tough running back-by-committee tandem. Defense is a strength led by tackle Darnell Dockett and defensive end Calais Campbell. They had seven sacks each last season.
Key stat to remember: Although it might be rare this season, send up a red flag whenever Arizona is a home favorite. The Cardinals are 10-6 ATS in their last 16 games as a home favorite.
Seattle Seahawks
Projected win total: 7.5
Prediction: Over
What’s new: The big news is the hiring of Pete Carroll as head coach and the impressive players he has added to the team in the offseason. While most people consider this a rebuilding year for Seattle, I believe Carroll is the breath of fresh air that is needed to turn the team around. Don’t be surprised if this team buys into his rah-rah, slap the players on the butt college mentality.
The draft was a huge success starting with the selection of tackle Russell Okung (Oklahoma State). Many NFL gambling draft boards had this guy rated the No. 1 offensive lineman in the 2009 draft. He will start immediately for former standout lineman Walter Jones who recently retired. Golden Tate (Notre Dame) was also highly rated and is likely to be the No. 2 wideout behind T.J. Houshmandzadeh who is coming off sports hernia injury. Free safety Earl Thomas (Texas), who has been compared to Troy Polamalu, is also expected to start right away.
Quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, acquired from San Diego, is expected to push Matt Hasselbeck for the starting job. The addition of running back Leon Washington (Jets) will add depth at that position.
What’s the same: The defense will be formidable barring any injuries. Starting linebackers Aaron Curry, Leroy Hill and Lofa Tatupu are talented contributors but all three missed games due to injuries in 2009. Hasselbeck should be motivated enough to put together one more solid year. Justin Forsett is the No. 1 running back but is he durable enough to be a full time starter?
Key stat to remember: Pete Carroll is 25-34-5 ATS mark as a head coach in the NFL.
St. Louis Rams
Projected win total: 5
Prediction: Under
What’s new: The area of interest here is at quarterback with Marc Bulger gone and free agent A.J. Feeley (Panthers) and future franchise QB Sam Bradford (Oklahoma) competing for the starting job.
You have the top draft pick, who was a 2008 Heisman Trophy winner, competing against a veteran who hasn’t thrown a pass in the regular season since 2007. No competition, really, since this job is Bradford’s to lose. Helping out on defense will be linebacker Bobby Carpenter (Cowboys) and defensive tackle Fred Robbins.
What’s the same: The bright spot on this team has been elite but often-injured running back Steven Jackson. For at least one more season, until Bradford grows into his position, Jackson will be the main man on offense as long as the line holds up.
Laurent Robinson and Donnie Avery are the top receivers with Danny Amendola, Keenan Burton and Brandon Gibson providing depth. Gibson has the talent to be a key guy in the secondary this season. Linebacker James Laurinaitis, free safety Oshiomogho Atogwe and defensive end Chris Long are among the key players on defense.
Key stat to remember: The Rams have struggled against division opponents going 8-22 ATS in their last 30 divisional games.
NFC West Preview
By Marc Lawrence
The days of the wild, wild West are long gone and in the rear view mirror. Hall of Famers Joe Montana, Steve Young and Jerry Rice have been replaced by the likes of Matt Hasselbeck, Matt Leinhart and Larry Fitzgerald in today’s NFC West.
To illustrate exactly how much of a drop off this division has suffered, consider this: In the 1980’s the NFC West was recognized as a road monster, with teams from this loop going 176-127-6 ATS away from home, including 114-80-4 in non division games and 20-4-1 in road frays when the Over/Under total was 47 or higher points.
In the same, identical roles, the 2000’s contingent was 146-191-12 ATS on the highway, including 76-126-8 ATS outside the division and 10-24 when the Over/Under total was 47 or more points.
What a remarkable drop-off. From the Hall of Fame to the Hall of Shame.
The rebuilding has started, with Pete Carroll jumping over to Seattle from USC and St. Louis pinning its hopes on Sam Bradford with the No. 1 pick of this year’s draft.
We’re betting on it being the mild, mild West for a while. At least until enough of Carroll’s Trojans find their way to Seattle.
Designated ‘Play On’ and ‘Play Against’ Best Bets follow each team’s preview.
ARIZONA
TEAM THEME: KURTESY CALL
Shaking off the stigma of being a Super Bowl-loser last season, the Cardinals became only the second such team in nine years to make it back to the playoffs the following season in 2009. While that feat put a smile on Ken Whisenhunt’s face, the loss of future Hall of Fame QB Kurt Warner to retirement is another matter. A lukewarm draft yielded Fordham QB John Skelton in Round 5, meaning it’s finally time for Matt Leinart to stand and deliver. He completed 66% of his passes last year in pinch-hit and mop-up roles, but will need to improve on a 14/20 career TD/INT ratio. Otherwise, import Derek Anderson, a former Pro Bowler with Cleveland, will be barking signals. Tackling the softest strength of schedule in the league – along with the possibility that emerging RB Beanie Wells can inch his team over 100 rushing yards per game – Arizona’s chances of returning to the playoffs will be like Warner’s new life in a hammock… a breeze.
PLAY ON: vs. New Orleans (10/10) – *KEY off a loss
ST. LOUIS
TEAM THEME: SAM THE MAN Hearts were racing when the Rams designated S
am Bradford as their quarterback of the future with the first selection in this year’s NFL draft. It marked the second year in a row that a QB groomed for the NFL by quarterback coach-guru Terry Shea (Detroit’s Matthew Stafford last year) was chosen with the coveted top pick. “He certainly has all the tools to be a franchise player in this league,” said Shea about Bradford. He’ll be protected by LT Jason Smith, the No. 2 overall selection in last year’s draft. Bradford’s 175.6 career passer rating ranks No. 1 all time in college football history, making the choice a safe one. The good news is Bradford will be facing the 2nd easiest strength of schedule in the league in 2010. The bad news is the Rams are 0-12 SU and 1-11 ATS the first four games of the season the last three years. If the break-in process doesn’t do them in, Stan Musial could be taking a back seat to a new hometown hero.
PLAY ON: as dog at Detroit (10/10)
SAN FRANCISCO
LIVE BY THE SWORD
The 49ers did an impressive job of improving their team this off-season, turning former weaknesses into potential strengths for the coming season. QB David Carr is a solid backup for Alex Smith, who will be operating with the same offensive coordinator for the first time in six years. WR/KR Ted Ginn Jr. adds the kind of speed San Francisco hasn’t witnessed in a long while. Using their two first-round picks on OT Anthony Davis and OG Mike Iupati instantly upgraded the offensive line. A strong draft was cemented when S Taylor Mays of USC became available in a 2nd round steal. And MVP LB Patrick Willis topped the league in tackles in 2009 with 114. There is a lot to like about the makeup of Mike Singletary’s squad. And there is also a lot to like about Singletary. He’s been a winner at every level of his NFL career and it appears he’ll have his team playoff bound faster than you can say Samurai Mike.
PLAY ON: as dog vs. New Orleans (9/20)
SEATTLE
TEAM THEME: ON THEIR TROJAN HORSES
The Pete Carroll era kicks off in Seattle this season and it couldn’t happen soon enough. After winning nine games in two years, the Seahawks opened their wallets and made the biggest hire in franchise history when then lured Carroll away of USC. Carroll’s first task was assembling an all-star coaching staff, including eight former USC staff members, and then overseeing a draft that proved super, with any one of his first three choices potential Rookie of the Year candidates. The players that Carroll has brought in to resurrect this program, along with the players already on the roster, will make for an explosive football team, especially on offense. QB Charlie Whitehurst was acquired form San Diego and will battle Matt Hasselbeck for the starting job. Off-season additions of WR’s Mike (ex-Trojan) and Reggie Williams and draft day acquisitions of RB’s LenDale White (ex-Trojan) and Leon Washington are immediate upgrades.Yes, it appears this program should be riding high, sooner than later.
PLAY ON: vs. Carolina (12/5)