For four consecutive years, the Seahawks made a habit of rolling through one of the weakest divisions in the NFL while cruising to an NFC West title. Those happy times ended with a thud last year — the Seahawks finished 4-12 and watched Arizona make a surprise run to the Super Bowl.
The Cardinals have most of that NFC Championship team back, including one of the league’s most exciting offenses, and are out to prove last year wasn’t an aberration. The Seahawks, meanwhile, are hoping their 2008 was in fact an aberration caused by an unusual amount of injuries. If Seattle and Arizona stay healthy, this could turn into a fun race that might not be decided until the final week of the season.
And don’t count San Francisco out of the picture either. Sure the 49ers are looking for a quarterback to step up and lead, but the team did finish well under new head coach Mike Singletary, and could be poised to make a run if Seattle or Arizona falters.
The St. Louis Rams, however, don’t look like a team that can contend just yet. Their draft netted two starters who could be stars down the road — tackle Jason Smith and linebacker James Laurinaitis. The short term prognosis, however, isn’t good for St. Louis. Anything better than last place would represent progress for the Rams.
Sizing up the NFC West
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Coach: Jim Mora (1st year with Seahawks, 26-22 in three seasons with Atlanta)
Last year’s record: 4-12 (did not make playoffs)
Comings: LB Aaron Curry (rookie), CB Ken Lucas (from Carolina), WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (from Cincinnati), DT Colin Cole (from Green Bay), DE Cory Redding (from Detroit), RB Edgerrin James (Arizona)
Goings: LB Julian Peterson (Detroit), LG Mike Wahle (retired), DT Rocky Bernard (N.Y. Giants), RB Maurice Morris (Detroit).
Biggest strength
Linebacker: The defense as a whole underperformed last season, and a talented linebacking unit wasn’t immune to that. If rookie Aaron Curry, the No. 4 overall pick in the draft, can make the immediate impact the Seahawks are hoping for at strong-side linebacker, the trio of him, middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu and weak-side linebacker Leroy Hill could be the best in the NFL.
Biggest question
Offensive line: Walter Jones’ health is a concern, so is that of center Chris Spencer. Additionally, projected starting left guard Mike Wahle had to retire because of a shoulder injury, meaning the Seahawks will open the season with an inexperienced line trying to adapt to a new zone-blocking scheme implemented by offensive coordinator Greg Knapp. The line not only hopes to rejuvenate a run game that was unspectacular last year, but it also must protect quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who missed nine games last season with a back injury.
Bottom line
The Seahawks certainly have the talent to take back the division, but Arizona showed last season that the division is no longer Seattle’s for the taking. If Hasselbeck can stay healthy, and Walter Jones and Marcus Trufant aren’t sidelined for too long, Mora could take the Seahawks back to the playoffs in his first season.
Projected record: 9-7
ARIZONA CARDINALS
Coach: Ken Whisenhunt (3rd year, 17-15)
Last year’s record: 9-7 (advanced to Super Bowl)
Comings: CB Bryant McFadden (Steelers), RB Beanie Wells (rookie)
Goings: DE Antonio Smith (Houston), RB Edgerrin James (Seattle), DE Travis LaBoy (released)
Biggest strength
Receiver: Larry Fitzgerald is the best receiver in the NFL, and Anquan Boldin is no slouch himself. As a pair, they make life miserable for opposing secondaries. As long as Kurt Warner is healthy at quarterback, Arizona will have one of the best passing games in the league.
Biggest question
Secondary: Big plays were a big problem for Arizona at times last season. Bill Davis took over for the fired Clancy Pendergast at defensive coordinator, and his biggest task will be improving a defense that allowed a league-high 36 touchdown passes last season, including 13 that were for 20 or more yards. The Cardinals hope the addition of McFadden, a physical corner, will lead to an improved pass defense.
Bottom line
Arizona’s run to the Super Bowl was one of the biggest surprises of last season. Now the Cardinals are out to prove last year was no fluke, and that they can remain among the NFC elite. Second-year back Tim Hightower and rookie Beanie Wells should give the Cardinals some balance to go with the passing game, and if the defense can be even average, the Cardinals will be contenders again.
Projected record: 9-7
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Coach: Mike Singletary (2nd year, 5-4)
Last year’s record: 7-9 (did not make playoffs)
Comings: CB Dre’ Bly (Denver), FB Moran Norris (Detroit)
Goings: DT Ronald Fields (Denver), RB DeShaun Foster (released)
Biggest strength
Running game: Frank Gore and what should be an improved offensive line should be able to move the ball on the ground this season. Though Gore has rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of the past two seasons, the 49ers would love to get him back to where he was in 2006 when he averaged 5.4 yards per carry on his way to a 1,695-yard season.
Biggest question
Quarterback: Shaun Hill, who came into the league as an undrafted free agent, won the battle for the starting job over former No. 1 overall pick Alex Smith. In eight starts last year Hill was solid, though not spectacular. Will he hang onto the job this season, or can the more physically gifted Smith take over at some point?
Bottom line
A 7-9 team a season ago, the 49ers look to be headed for a similar season once again in ‘09. If they catch a few breaks along the way, however, the 49ers could certainly turn the NFC West into a three-team race. Getting first-round pick Michael Crabtree to sign will certainly help the offense.
Projected record: 7-9
ST. LOUIS RAMS
Coach: Steve Spagnuolo (1st year)
Last year’s record: 2-14 (did not make playoffs)
Comings: C Jason Brown (Baltimore), LB James Laurinaitis (rookie), OT Jason Smith (rookie)
Goings: WR Torry Holt (Jacksonville), LB Pisa Tinoisamoa (Chicago)
Biggest strength
Steven Jackson: If No. 2 overall pick Jason Smith develops, his presence along with newly added center Jason Brown could give the burly running back room to return to his Pro Bowl form of 2006 when he accounted for 2,334 yards from scrimmage. Jackson is not only a beast running the ball, he’s also a great target in the short passing game.
Biggest question
Run defense: The Rams were bullied on the ground last season to the tune of 154.7 rushing yards per game, the fourth worst total in the NFL. The biggest hope for optimism in that department is the addition of rookie middle linebacker James Laurinaitis, who stepped into the starting lineup early in training camp.
Bottom line
The Rams are 5-27 over the last two seasons, and a good mark for new coach Steve Spangnuolo would probably be to match that win total in one season. Keeping QB Marc Bulger healthy will certainly help the Rams accomplish that.
Projected record: 3-13
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