NFC West

Arizona Cardinals

2009 Record: 10-6

Preview: Matt Leinart steps into the top spot as the Cardinals No. 1 quarterback after Kurt Warner decided to retire last season. (Don’t worry, Cardinals fans, you can catch Warner on FOX alongside Jim Mora and company as he begins his next his next career as a football analyst.) However, don’t count out former Browns QB Derek Anderson and fifth-round draft pick John Skelton. Anderson was shunned as Cleveland’s QB and appears to be on Leinart’s heels. Rookie Skelton stepped into the NFL spotlight Saturday night against the Houston Texans and faired quite well.

Beanie Wells, who is day-to-day with sore ribs, will more than likely be the go-to running back as the Cardinals look to try and balance a passing and ground game. Wells looks to get the majority of the carries this season. Tim Hightower rounds out the running back combo. Larry Fitzgerald, Steve Breaston and Early Doucet complete the receiving core while the departure of Anquan Boldin to the Baltimore Ravens leaves a gaping hole in the offense. Between Boldin and Fitzgerald, the two accounted for nearly 2,116 yards out of 3,042 total yards between the four receivers. Doucet capped off last year’s season with 214 yards, one TD while Breaston had 712 yards, three TDs.

The defense is lead by loud mouthing, tweeting fool, Darnell Dockett. This defensive end is an itch that just won’t go away. Dockett, by nature is an agitator and a disrupting giant. Look for him to get under the opponent’s skin.

Prediction: 9-7

Rank: 2nd

*Credit NFL.com and the Arizona Republic with some of the information provided in the text.


San Francisco 49ers

2009 Record: 8-8

Preview: With Martz now at Chicago, San Francisco’s second-year offensive coordinator, Jimmy Raye has been known to adopt the offense to his player’s strengths. Point in case, quarterback Alex Smith. Raye’s offense has been known to be a shotgun-heavy spread. The offense will hopefully look to soothe Smith’s ups and downs at the QB position. After a lengthy holdout last year, wide receiver Michael Crabtree will enter his first, full season as a 49er and look to bring his athleticism to the table.

With the abrupt retirement of 23-year old Glenn Coffee, rookie Anthony Dixon will likely slide into the No. 2 position at running back behind Frank Gore. I believe Gore will surpass his 1,120 yards from a year ago.

The benching from head coach Mike Singletary might as well have been the best thing that happened to tight end Vernon Davis. Davis enters this season as one of the best at his position, eclipsing for 965 yards and 13 TDs.

There is no doubt that Singletary has his team eating, sleeping and breathing his blue-collar work ethic. I believe there is no place but up for this team.

Prediction: 11-5

Rank: 1st

*Credit NFL.com and San Francisco’s official website for some of the information in text.


St. Louis Rams

2009 Rank: 1-15

Preview: The Rams took its first step in the rebuilding process by drafting No. 1 overall draft pick, quarterback, Sam Bradford. There is no doubt the $50 million man has extreme pressure not only to be the next face of the franchise, but resurrect a team that has won a total of six games in the last three years. The Rams ranked dead last in the league in total points (176) and 29th in total team defense (5,965). Running back Steven Jackson will still remain a focal point of the Rams offense even though the injury bug has plagued him. Jackson had back surgery back in April and it’s uncertain he can pull his weight like last season when he rushed for 1,416 yards and four TDs. Quarterback A.J. Feeley will get the starting nod and put his mentoring skills to the test with rookie Bradford.

As far as the defense goes, it will still prove to be a problem. Head coach Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive scheme is typically heavy pressure—something that is unable to be performed right away due to lack of talent.

Prediction: 3-13

Rank: 4th

*Credit bleacherreport.com and espn.com for some of the information in text.


Seattle Seahawks

2009 Record: 5-11

Preview: Head coach Pete Carroll brings his sunshine persona and go get ‘em attitude to the Seahawks- a team who has been on the decline since their Super Bowl apperance in 2006. It will be interesting to see how the players have/will respond to Carroll’s upbeat antics.

Matchups to keep an eye on:

1) The receiving core of T.J. Houshmandzadeh (sports hernia) and Deion Branch (knee surgery) will be taking it easy this preseason in hopes to be rested and injury free come the start of the regular season. With those two in and out, second-round draft pick, Golden Tate has been getting the bulk of the reps. If he continues to progress, look for the rookie to make an impact at the position.

2) Although Hasselbeck is the projected No. 1 QB on the depth chart, I wouldn’t be surprised if Charlie Whitehurst bumps him. Whitehurst’s stronger arm will likely trump Hasselbeck’s short-area passes.

Prediction: 6-10

Rank: 3rd

*Credit NFL.com and the Seattle Seahawks official website for some of the information provided in the text.