- Seattle Seahawks (9-7) - Yes, 9-7 wins the West yet again....in the most putrid division in football, that's not TOO surprising...but I also feel like everyone (aside from Arizona) will take a slight step forward this year....Hasselbeck is healthy and he is throwing to a pretty good set of wideouts led by star acquisition TJ Houshmandzadeh as their #1 and a very good young TE in John Carlson...the offense depends on the health of Hasselbeck most of all...but the running back tandem of Julius Jones and TJ Duckett leaves a little to be desired...more Justin Forsett please....the defense should be quite good....the linebacking corps of Lofa Tatupu, Leroy Hill, and #1 pick Aaron Curry is a top-flight unit in the league... and they lead a top-10 unit... Most of all...they are the team I trust the most in the division I trust the least....
- Arizona Cardinals (8-8) - oooo....ahh..... 8-8... Lots of factors at work here...the Super Bowl loser rarely responds...Kurt Warner can't possibly (and won't) stay upright for 16 games again (he had hip surgery in the offseason...what is he 70?), there is still no running game to speak of (Beanie Wells is already hurt)...and on top of that...this team went 9-7 last year...repeat...9-7....don't forget that.... the defense has talent with Rodgers-Cromartie, Rolle, Dockett, and company....but they are also changing schemes...a slight step back to come...
- St. Louis Rams (6-10) - There are certainly some problems...Steven Jackson is healthy and it can't be understated how good he is when healthy...like top 3-4 back in the league good...Bulger is capable and this team should be eternally better coached this year...receiver is a problem (especially with the Donnie Avery injury) when the average fan can't name a single wideout and Falcons castoff Laurent Robinson will start, but the O-line should have come together a bit... There is some talent on defense (Leonard Little, Chris Long, Will Witherspoon, etc.) but there is also some age...they won't be putrid...but don't expect much more than a slight bump
- San Francisco 49ers (6-10) - Tie for 3rd with St. Louis...but I trust the Rams a bit more...and here's the reason....Alex Smith...or Shaun Hill.... the always ridiculous Niners QB battle is in full force... yes, they have Frank Gore...but the receiver position is woeful yet again (although I like Josh Morgan)...Nate Clements and Patrick Willis are stars on defense, and that is an above-average unit...but not enough to make up for the lack of responsible QB play...
Ugly...
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