Hochuli's NFC West Preview
| 2
|
Okay, it is that time kids. Time for a team by team preview of each division in the NFL. No, where some sites are doing crazy little anecdotes, we here at Hochuli have decided that it would be good to ACTUALLY preview the league. We will give a team by team breakdown of each division and give our choices of the winners and the losers. Give people info...like stats...and...stuff... So we start close to home. Guess where?
The NFC West. In Alphabetical Order
Arizona Cardinals The Cardinals were a trendy Media pick last year. They had all the tools they needed; a young Quarterback, the featured back they were lacking and a core of solid Receivers. They were seen as the team to overtake the reigning NFC West Champion Seattle Seahawks. But their season went wrong and they ended up dead last with a record of 5-11, at one point losing 8 in a row.
What can a Cardinals fan look forward to this year? Well, in my estimation they will be much better then last year. The signing of Draft Picks DT Alan Branch and T Levi Brown mean a lot to what this team wants to do. Branch is a guy you can build a team around and Brown is a huge addition to a line that gave up 35 sacks last season (18th in the NFL)
I don't see enough improvement though, and still think that the Rams and 49ers improved TOO much for the Cards to make any sort of run at the postseason. Not this season. Even if they split the season with the division they still have games against Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Cincinnati. Their aging defense will not hold up to the likes of Cincinnati and New Orleans and the Defenses of Pittsburgh and Baltimore will stop the likes of Edge and Boldin. I mean, come on Pitt held LT to under 50 last season!
2006 Record: 5-11 2007 Prediction: 7-9 3rd in the NFC West
San Francisco 49ers It's hard to say this. The 49ers may have the best chance of usurping the NFC West throne. Or at least until Frank Gore went down. He is supposed to be out the pre-season. This doesn't bode well for San Fran. Less snaps mean less cohesion on the team which (hopefully) will translate into less yards for one of last year's biggest surprises.
Speaking of injuries. I was bummed when the Seahawks traded the oft injured Darrell Jackson to their NFC West rival. But then I did the math. Jackson dropped 11 passes in just 13 games. That is tied for second in the league. The winner of that was T.O. and his stats were over 16 games. The odds of Jackson returning to elite form is unlikely. And their other receivers aren't that frightening. But their defense looks like it might be making a turn for the better with the addition of Clements, Tully Banta-Cain of course Nate Clements is huge.
But tell me this...how can this team, which has had cap issues for the last 5 years, drop that much money on ONE player? I know the cap was raised, but USE YOUR BRAINS. They will rue that contract. I know I said that they have improved a lot, but have you seeeeeeen this schedule??? They will be lucky to hit 6 wins. For them to get better than this, they will need to play perfect football. If they can beat Pittsburgh in Week 3 or Baltimore in Week 5, then I might change my tune. But as it stands right now, they are walking into a fire that Alex Smith will have to throw his way out of.
2006 Record: 7-9 2007 Prediction: 6-10 4th in the NFC West
Seattle Seahawks The Seahawks fought a lot of injuries last year but still made the second round of the playoffs and broke the "Super Bowl Loser Curse" (I will not mention the term referee one time in this...other then right there) They may not have made a lot of moves during the off season but there were not a LOT to make. They needed a corner and they drafted one. Josh Wilson may not be the tallest guy, but he is smart and fast. They also picked up Patrick Kerney to help with the pass rush and overhauled the secondary. Bringing in Jim Mora, Jr to coach the secondary may be the smartest off-season move they made. He is smart and knows how to get the best out of players. The problem this team has is big plays. They have the defensive personnel to crush the opposition (seriously, is there a better young LB core?), but they had a bad case of the "getting burnsies" last year. This year Deon Grant and Brian Russell should help with that. They also NEED Alexander to be back to form and for Branch and Hasselbeck to be in tune. IF that clicks this team will be a force to reckon with. There is a feeling in Seattle that this is the year. The window is closing. Mike Holmgren's contract is up at the end of next season and he may walk away a ring on his finger or not. Their schedule is tough as well, but their match ups are easier as compared to other NFC Westers. (Highlight week 5 when they go to the Steel city to take back their Trophy!!!)
2006 Record: 9-7 2007 Prediction: 11-5 1st in the NFC West
St. Louis Rams I wish I could just say that they suck and move on. I hate this team, but I will try and be as objective as possible. Let's see...where to start?
Stephen Jackson is a STUD. Marc Bulger is extremely underrated and Holt and Bruce make up a formidable duo. But their defense is still lacking. They are older. Leonard Little is coming off of a 13 sack season, but he will turn 33 in October. The Offensive line is anchored by Orlando Pace who is still a great player, but is coming off of an injury. There are just too many holes. Lucky for them Bulger still knows how to get it to Holt and Bruce, and Drew Bennett will work out well in the third WR position.
I don't want to talk about them anymore, because it is making me physically ill, but know that of the teams in the NFC West, the Rams have a great chance to dethrone my Hawks. Again though, the schedule does not play up to their strengths and they will have a tough run of it.
2006 Record: 8-8 2007 Prediction: 8-8 2nd in the NFC West
More at: http://afraidofedhochuli.blogspot.com/
