2009 NFC West Preview: Arizona's Division To Lose

Since I fell a little behind, we are going to fly through the NFC West. It’s ok, because the division really isn’t that interesting.

NFC WEST
1. Arizona Cardinals
Projected Record: 11-5

Offense: A
Defense: C+
Coaching: B

What’s new: Realistic expectations. This team had long been labeled a loser. But this is a team that was a few minutes from winning the Super Bowl back in February. The same is expected of them in 2009-10. The Cards added Bryan McFadden from Pittsburgh, and changed their offensive hierarchy after Todd Haley left to coach Kansas City.

What’s good: Other than the expectations, the offense is really, really good. Kurt Warner has at least one more good season left in him. Everyone knows about Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. The offensive line grew up in a hurry. And Edgerrin James is no longer in town to complain and take carries away from other backs.

What’s bad: With or without James, the Cards still haven’t found a suitable running back. It didn’t seem to bother them much last season, but they only had success in the playoffs because they committed to running the ball. Can they do that for 16 games this year? Defensively, while the back seven are good, the front four worry me. Teams can still gash Arizona on the ground.

What to expect: It’s easy to forget the Cardinals were a .500 team last season until January. Their Super Bowl run could easily be a fluke. However, they are in the perfect division. They don’t need to run a whole lot and other than Stephen Jackson, they don’t have to worry about dominant running backs. Plus, the other three teams stink. Six games against the West, and games against Green Bay and Detroit, give Arizona plenty of winnable games. They may give up a lot of points, but they can score plenty to make up for it.


2. Seattle Seahawks
Projected Record: 7-9

Offense: B-
Defense: B-
Coaching: C-

What’s new: Jim Mora Jr. comes in to replace Mike Holmgren. T.J. Houshmandzadeh gives the Seahawks their best receiver since Joey Galloway. Aaron Curry and Max Unger are instant contributors from the draft. All that, and hopefully Matt Hasselbeck getting healthy gives Seattle a new look this year.

What’s good: The offensive line is still one of the best in the NFL. The Hasselbeck-Houshmandzadeh combination has some potential. The defense is scary fast. It’s awful hard to pass on this group, which is important considering they get the Cardinals twice a year.

What’s bad: The defense is fast for a reason…they are also undersized. It is easy to beat this team on the ground. Their blitzes also don’t work well against the bigger offensive lines. Hasselbeck is now an annual injury risk. Julian Jones can’t carry the load as the starting running back. And I’ve never been fond of either Jim Mora, especially the younger one.

What to expect: The window of opportunity is basically shut on these Seahawks. The Cardinals have passed them by. The 49ers are on the way up. The offensive line is getting older. Hasselbeck is rapidly getting old. The defense can still cause fits because of their speed, but more and more teams are figuring out how to beat them. If it wasn’t for a favorable schedule, Seattle could be staring at a 4-5 win season. I’ll give them seven because the rest of the NFC West is at least a year away.


3. San Francisco 49ers
Projected Record: 6-10

Offense: C+
Defense: C
Coaching: C+

What’s new: A sense that things are going in the right direction. Mike Singletary hasn’t proven much in terms of X’s and O’s, but he has laid down the law by the Bay. He’s also named a starting quarterback, and it was the right choice.

What’s good: There are good pieces on both sides of the ball. This isn’t a cohesive team yet, but they are getting there. I like Frank Gore (despite the injuries), Josh Morgan, Patrick Willis, Justin Smith and Manny Lawson. This team just needs time to gel.

What’s bad: The offensive line is still below average. The defense still has way too many holes that need to be filled. It’s too late to do so this season. And the 49ers steal of a draft pick in Michael Crabtree, has yet to sign or report to team. That’s not going to take the pressure off Shaun Hill if Gore gets hurt again.

What to expect: Wait one more season 49er fans. This team is a couple of offensive lineman and maybe one impact defensive player away from being a threat to compete for a playoff spot in the NFC. Singletary needs a full year under his belt, the offensive line needs to mature, and the young defense has to play as a whole unit. Until these things happen, I can’t see San Fran doing any better than six wins.


4. St. Louis Rams
Projected Record: 3-13

Offense: C
Defense: D
Coaching: INC

What’s new: Steve Spagnolo, who could have had any coaching job a year ago, lost a little bloom and now has to settle for the rebuilding Rams. Torry Holt and Orlando Pace, two of the last links from “The Greatest Show on Turf” have departed, leaving this team virtually leaderless.

What’s good: Stephen Jackson is still a star player and the Rams line is good enough to help him put up yards. Jason Smith was a great draft pick, just what the Rams needed to replace Pace. Marc Bulger is competent quarterback if he’s not hurt.

What’s bad: Bulger is often hurt, and his backup this season is Kyle Boller. Ask the Ravens fans how that worked out. Quarterback issues aside, most of the questions center around a defense that can’t stop the run or pass. Just run down the starting lineup and tell me how St. Louis will get off the field this season. When rookie James Laurinaitis is projected to start at middle linebacker, that’s a real problem. He’s a NFL project in my opinion. The secondary and linebackers are among the worst in the league.

What to expect: Despite the lousy division, I don’t see much reason for optimism in St. Louis. The Rams are going to be competing with the Lions, Broncos and Bucs for the league’s worst record. Spagnolo has himself a major rebuilding project. If the Seahawks and 49ers are worse than expected, then maybe the Rams can double the projected win total. Anything more than that would be an absolute stunner.