NFL NUGGETS NFC WEST PREVIEW : Seahawks again win NFC West snooze-fest
Posted on Monday, August 18, 2008
Editor's Note: This is the seventh installment of an eight-part series previewing the division races of the upcoming NFL season. Next week, the AFC West. Forgive me if it's hard for me to get too fired up about the NFC West. There's just not a lot here to get excited about.
Seattle should win the division again. Yawn.
Arizona should underachieve again. Snore.
San Francisco and St. Louis should struggle to return to respectability again. Zzzzzzz.
OK, time for me to go nightnight now. Some of the offenses in this division are less stimulating than a "Barnaby Jones" marathon.
I guess I shouldn't be so hard on the NFC West. There are some exciting young players here.
Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald (receiver ) and Adrian Wilson (strong safety ) are two of the league's best at their positions. Seattle's Lofa Tatupu is a rising star at middle linebacker, as is San Francisco's Patrick Willis, who looks like the next Ray Lewis.
But St. Louis rookie Chris Long could be the best of the bunch, in my view. Before the last draft, experts kept using the word "motor"when talking about Long.
To me, that diminishes what he is capable of. Yes, Long has a non-stop motor, but he can control a game from his defensive end spot. He has Reggie Smith / Bruce Smith-type potential.
Chris' father Howie was dominant enough for the Raiders to end up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Chris has a chance to have an even better career. NFL Nuggets NFC West Predicted Order of Finish
1. Seattle (10-6 ): Head coach Mike Holmgren is supposedly calling it quits after this season, his 10 th at the Seahawks' helm. His team will want to send him out in style, by winning a division full of patsies.
Seattle's weakness at running back was exposed last season, and the team brought in Julius Jones and T. J. Duckett via free agency. But the offense is still keyed by QB Matt Hasselbeck, a solid decision-maker and field general.
The Seahawks have several fine players on their underrated defense. DE Patrick Kerney still has something left in the tank, though the team thinks he wore down late last season. CB Marcus Trufant is a ballhawk (seven interceptions in 2007 ).
2. Arizona (10-6 ): Every year Arizona shows promise in the preseason only to bumble it away when it counts. The Cards finally have the right coach (Ken Wisenhunt ) and plenty of talent to achieve. But will they ?
It's time for QB Matt Leinart to step up and take control of the team. The southpaw has a great group of targets to throw to, including Fitzgerald, disgruntled Anquan Boldin and rookie Early Doucet.
Arizona has way too much young talent on defense to be as average as it is. Wilson, LB Karlos Dansby and DT Darnell Dockett must make plays.
3. St. Louis (6-10 ): Remember when the Rams were the Greatest Show on Turf ? Now they're the biggest bore under the arch.
In their defense, the Rams were demolished by injures, especially on the offensive line. Coach Scott Linehan was given a pass because of the horrid injuries, but probably will get no such reprieve this year if the Rams repeat their 3-13 record.
The team let veteran wideout Issac Bruce go to the 49 ers, sending the message that team will base its offense more around the power running of Steven Jackson. Jackson was beast in 2006, but injuries slowed him and caused the power runner to miss significant time last season.
4. San Francisco (4-12 ): While Holmgren gets to go out on his own terms, Niners head man Mike Nolan might not be so lucky. Feeling the heat of a 5-11 finish and a miserable offense, Nolan brought in passing game guru Mike Martz to revive an attack that placed dead last in scoring, dead last in yards gained and dead last in passing yards.
It's pretty bad when placing 27 th in rushing yards is the good news. For Martz's quick fix to work, San Fran must have someone step up at quarterback. Former No. 1 overall pick Alex Smith was hurt and at odds with Nolan last year. For now, the Niners are going with journeyman J. T. O'Sullivan, who was a backup for Martz with the Lions last year. It's safe to say that the defense - led by the dynamic Willis and standout CB Nate Clements - will have to play well for the 49 ers to have a shot at the division title.
• • • Offensive MVP: Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seattle. Defensive MVP: Adrian Wilson, SS, Arizona. Top rookie: Chris Long, DE, St. Louis. Breakout player: Vernon Davis, TE, San Francisco. Joe West is the assistant sports editor of the Northwest Arkansas Times.
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