Post by seahawks on Aug 25, 2012 12:53:06 GMT -5
Who wins the NFCW?
This I think has now become a rather intriguing storyline to this season. Let's first go through the teams.
49ers
One of the deepest defenses in the NFC and hell probably the entire league. Their Front 7 is as elite as it gets which in turns help the above average at best secondary. The real problem with them as far as most are concerned would be the offense. Alex Smith probably was as good as he will be last year being that game-manager that those mid-tier teams need in order to even compete. The running game and OL will likely be elite once again and that will be what they lean on. The real question mark for this team is who can come out of preseason as Alex Smith's 2nd Target in the passing game. Vernon Davis likely will be the main guy but after him we have several guys in Crabtree, Randy Moss and Manningham who are all fighting for that role. In the end they could all be the answer but with that we will see in the regular season.
My Prediction: I personally feel that the offense will take a step back with Alex Smith regressing far more to his mean, the fact they signed Manningham and Randy Moss has enflated the offenses level. I also think that while it may not be agreed by all but the defense will take a step back. Several players last year like Justin Smith, Ahmad Brooks and Carlos Rogers played better than they career average would say. I think the 49ers will slip as a fact and the offense will be unable to pick up the slack.
Cardinals
One of the biggest surprises last year was indeed the Cardinals strong surge last year as they finished 7-2 with much of that being done with the help of sleeper John Skelton [6-2 record]. Coming into this season there is indeed a head to head race for the starting QB job. Something that no team wants this has been a huge distraction this preseason which only has been amplified with both playing horrible. A major reason for that is because of the Offensive Line issues. They have been horrid for such a long time and it seems to have gotten even worse. If neither QB has the time to find Fitzgerald and newly draft pick Michael Floyd[who has failed to pass even Andre Roberts or Early Doucet] the offense will struggle as a result. One bright spot in the offense at this point is the combination of Beanie Wells and Ryan Williams, if both can work together to create a strong running game they will have much more success this year.
A major reason for the surge last year and any hope for the NFCW crown would be the defensive front 7 of the cardinals. Loaded with great players and potential stars that is the strength of this defense. Having the best 3-4 DE in the game in Calais Campbell helps with the pass-rush, along with Darnell Dockett the defensive line has become a strength for the cardinals. The two starting pass-rushers on the edge are Sam Acho and O'Brien Schofield, both have showed flashed of potential and if they can continue to grow this front seven for the Cardinals could rival the 49ers in this division. The middle of the defense is also solid with the most underrated LB in the game in Daryl Washington, along with Patrick Peterson they could really cement the Cardinals defense.
My Prediction: I see the Offensive Line problems to continue along with either QB struggling all year. The fact that Fitzgerald is the only really weapon on offense will signal a long year since the Cardinals will be hard pressed to score 20 any given week. The defense while potentially could be elite I don't sense that either Acho or Schofield will be able to take that leap and take over the pass-rush. Patrick Peterson meanwhile being electric in the return game will continue to struggle. The other CB spot which is iffy already will struggle and the Cardinals will struggle to stop teams with only really redeeming player in the secondary in Adrian Wilson who will decline. Unfortunately for Walter he picked the wrong horse this year.
Rams
One of the worst teams in the league it starts on both sides of the ball. Jeff Fisher taking over as HC is a step in the right direction but the Rams still need a lot of work. The Offensive Line is in shambles which has been a problem for their franchise QB in Bradford, he keeps getting hit and will since the Offensive Line will continue to be pathetic beyond words. The Rams have one thing going for them and that is the running game where Stevan Jackson is still one of the better workhorses in the game and that should continue this year. With another training camp we come to the uncertain WR situation, they drafted both Givings and Brian Quick yet each have not broke through yet. The WR situation will be flux all year with guys like Steve Smith, Amendola and Brandon Gibson continuing to struggle for Sam Bradford.
The Defense is in a better situation than the offense but still has its troubles. The Defensive Line for the Rams is still a problem when it comes to the run game, the good news is that Robert Quinn and newly extended Chris Long should be a great tandem as there is in the NFL. The Rams drafted Michael Brockers to man the interior to help the run game. The other stud on defense would be JamesL who has been an elite LB ever since he came into the league however he has little to no help beside him so the defense has continued to struggle. The secondary is where this team falls apart, they were horrendous last year. A good sign for the future is that the Rams signed top 10 CB Cortland Finnegan to a deal to be their #1 CB, if he can stay out of trouble he will be a cornerstone. Across from him Janoris Jenkins will likely anchor that spot, another draft pick in Trumaine Johnson will continue to help the secondary. The defense as a whole will likely be the best part of the Rams and has some potential for the future.
Prediction: The Rams defense will be leaps and bounds better than last year and they will win some games in the NFCW as a result. The offense will continue to be pathetic in part to the iffy OL and WR corp. I do not forsee Bradford getting enough time to have a good year and do not forsee him doing well even if he does. There will be hope for the future for the Rams but it will come through the Defense.
Seahawks
Another team that had a huge surge late last year. The seahawks behind a good defense and great ball-hawking secondary had a 5-3 end to the season with Tarvaris "****ing" Jackson at QB. The Offense is going to be the x-factor for the Seahawks to make a run at the division. The main reason for their surge last year was due to Marshawn Lynch becoming a monster. This year the team likely will lean on Lynch and draft pick Turbin in the run game. Whoever happens to be the QB, at this point it looks like it is impressive Russell Wilson, will have a set of underrated weapons in Doug Baldwin, Braylon Edwards and Sidney Rice who is healthy. If those three can stay healthy along with Kellen Winslow this offense has potential.
The Defense is what gets people excited when it comes with the Seahawks. Adding Jason Jones along with 1st round pick Bruce Irvin gives the Defensive Line a little more punch than it already had last year. Chris Clemons has been sacking the QB at an amazing rate the last several years in Seattle, some may not have noticed but this improved Defensive Line will give the Seahawks back 7 even more help. The LB core is the X-Factor on this defense, Pete Carroll was confident enough in rookie MLB Bobby Wagner to trade away Barrett Ruud, the two besides him are solid options at OLB. KJ Wright appeared last year on the scene and played above average meanwhile Leroy Hill has been an above Average LB for the Seahawks for the past 5 years.
The real strength of this team is in the secondary, the Seahawks arguably have the best secondary in the NFL. It comes to the physical corners in Browner and Richard Sherman. Sherman is one guy that has been largely ignored in many circles given he plays on the West Coast, last year he was a top 10 CB and could be even better this year, along with two Pro-bowl caliber Safeties this group plays very well together.
Predicition: The 49ers will be hard to beat but the Seahawks have the talent to be able to take the NFCW crown and even sneak a playoff win in seattle if they happen to do it. This team is a lot better than the team that beat the Saints two years ago. The main x-factors will be Russell Wilson and the LB core but overall this year this team is just jumping off the page as a breakout contender.
My Predicted Divisional Outcome: Overall I see the 49ers slipping just enough to allow one of the more underrated teams in the league in the Seahawks to slip in take away the crown. Overall I don't see the Cardinals or Rams even touching the other two and we will have a two team race in the division.
1. Seahawks 9-7
2. 49ers 9-7
3. Cardinals 6-10
4. Rams 5-11
This I think has now become a rather intriguing storyline to this season. Let's first go through the teams.
49ers
One of the deepest defenses in the NFC and hell probably the entire league. Their Front 7 is as elite as it gets which in turns help the above average at best secondary. The real problem with them as far as most are concerned would be the offense. Alex Smith probably was as good as he will be last year being that game-manager that those mid-tier teams need in order to even compete. The running game and OL will likely be elite once again and that will be what they lean on. The real question mark for this team is who can come out of preseason as Alex Smith's 2nd Target in the passing game. Vernon Davis likely will be the main guy but after him we have several guys in Crabtree, Randy Moss and Manningham who are all fighting for that role. In the end they could all be the answer but with that we will see in the regular season.
My Prediction: I personally feel that the offense will take a step back with Alex Smith regressing far more to his mean, the fact they signed Manningham and Randy Moss has enflated the offenses level. I also think that while it may not be agreed by all but the defense will take a step back. Several players last year like Justin Smith, Ahmad Brooks and Carlos Rogers played better than they career average would say. I think the 49ers will slip as a fact and the offense will be unable to pick up the slack.
Cardinals
One of the biggest surprises last year was indeed the Cardinals strong surge last year as they finished 7-2 with much of that being done with the help of sleeper John Skelton [6-2 record]. Coming into this season there is indeed a head to head race for the starting QB job. Something that no team wants this has been a huge distraction this preseason which only has been amplified with both playing horrible. A major reason for that is because of the Offensive Line issues. They have been horrid for such a long time and it seems to have gotten even worse. If neither QB has the time to find Fitzgerald and newly draft pick Michael Floyd[who has failed to pass even Andre Roberts or Early Doucet] the offense will struggle as a result. One bright spot in the offense at this point is the combination of Beanie Wells and Ryan Williams, if both can work together to create a strong running game they will have much more success this year.
A major reason for the surge last year and any hope for the NFCW crown would be the defensive front 7 of the cardinals. Loaded with great players and potential stars that is the strength of this defense. Having the best 3-4 DE in the game in Calais Campbell helps with the pass-rush, along with Darnell Dockett the defensive line has become a strength for the cardinals. The two starting pass-rushers on the edge are Sam Acho and O'Brien Schofield, both have showed flashed of potential and if they can continue to grow this front seven for the Cardinals could rival the 49ers in this division. The middle of the defense is also solid with the most underrated LB in the game in Daryl Washington, along with Patrick Peterson they could really cement the Cardinals defense.
My Prediction: I see the Offensive Line problems to continue along with either QB struggling all year. The fact that Fitzgerald is the only really weapon on offense will signal a long year since the Cardinals will be hard pressed to score 20 any given week. The defense while potentially could be elite I don't sense that either Acho or Schofield will be able to take that leap and take over the pass-rush. Patrick Peterson meanwhile being electric in the return game will continue to struggle. The other CB spot which is iffy already will struggle and the Cardinals will struggle to stop teams with only really redeeming player in the secondary in Adrian Wilson who will decline. Unfortunately for Walter he picked the wrong horse this year.
Rams
One of the worst teams in the league it starts on both sides of the ball. Jeff Fisher taking over as HC is a step in the right direction but the Rams still need a lot of work. The Offensive Line is in shambles which has been a problem for their franchise QB in Bradford, he keeps getting hit and will since the Offensive Line will continue to be pathetic beyond words. The Rams have one thing going for them and that is the running game where Stevan Jackson is still one of the better workhorses in the game and that should continue this year. With another training camp we come to the uncertain WR situation, they drafted both Givings and Brian Quick yet each have not broke through yet. The WR situation will be flux all year with guys like Steve Smith, Amendola and Brandon Gibson continuing to struggle for Sam Bradford.
The Defense is in a better situation than the offense but still has its troubles. The Defensive Line for the Rams is still a problem when it comes to the run game, the good news is that Robert Quinn and newly extended Chris Long should be a great tandem as there is in the NFL. The Rams drafted Michael Brockers to man the interior to help the run game. The other stud on defense would be JamesL who has been an elite LB ever since he came into the league however he has little to no help beside him so the defense has continued to struggle. The secondary is where this team falls apart, they were horrendous last year. A good sign for the future is that the Rams signed top 10 CB Cortland Finnegan to a deal to be their #1 CB, if he can stay out of trouble he will be a cornerstone. Across from him Janoris Jenkins will likely anchor that spot, another draft pick in Trumaine Johnson will continue to help the secondary. The defense as a whole will likely be the best part of the Rams and has some potential for the future.
Prediction: The Rams defense will be leaps and bounds better than last year and they will win some games in the NFCW as a result. The offense will continue to be pathetic in part to the iffy OL and WR corp. I do not forsee Bradford getting enough time to have a good year and do not forsee him doing well even if he does. There will be hope for the future for the Rams but it will come through the Defense.
Seahawks
Another team that had a huge surge late last year. The seahawks behind a good defense and great ball-hawking secondary had a 5-3 end to the season with Tarvaris "****ing" Jackson at QB. The Offense is going to be the x-factor for the Seahawks to make a run at the division. The main reason for their surge last year was due to Marshawn Lynch becoming a monster. This year the team likely will lean on Lynch and draft pick Turbin in the run game. Whoever happens to be the QB, at this point it looks like it is impressive Russell Wilson, will have a set of underrated weapons in Doug Baldwin, Braylon Edwards and Sidney Rice who is healthy. If those three can stay healthy along with Kellen Winslow this offense has potential.
The Defense is what gets people excited when it comes with the Seahawks. Adding Jason Jones along with 1st round pick Bruce Irvin gives the Defensive Line a little more punch than it already had last year. Chris Clemons has been sacking the QB at an amazing rate the last several years in Seattle, some may not have noticed but this improved Defensive Line will give the Seahawks back 7 even more help. The LB core is the X-Factor on this defense, Pete Carroll was confident enough in rookie MLB Bobby Wagner to trade away Barrett Ruud, the two besides him are solid options at OLB. KJ Wright appeared last year on the scene and played above average meanwhile Leroy Hill has been an above Average LB for the Seahawks for the past 5 years.
The real strength of this team is in the secondary, the Seahawks arguably have the best secondary in the NFL. It comes to the physical corners in Browner and Richard Sherman. Sherman is one guy that has been largely ignored in many circles given he plays on the West Coast, last year he was a top 10 CB and could be even better this year, along with two Pro-bowl caliber Safeties this group plays very well together.
Predicition: The 49ers will be hard to beat but the Seahawks have the talent to be able to take the NFCW crown and even sneak a playoff win in seattle if they happen to do it. This team is a lot better than the team that beat the Saints two years ago. The main x-factors will be Russell Wilson and the LB core but overall this year this team is just jumping off the page as a breakout contender.
My Predicted Divisional Outcome: Overall I see the 49ers slipping just enough to allow one of the more underrated teams in the league in the Seahawks to slip in take away the crown. Overall I don't see the Cardinals or Rams even touching the other two and we will have a two team race in the division.
1. Seahawks 9-7
2. 49ers 9-7
3. Cardinals 6-10
4. Rams 5-11
