NFC West preview...

Seattle Seahawks: Mike Holmgren retired this year and Jim Mora Jr. is taking his place after being groomed to be Holmgren's successor. Matt Hasselback is healthy and ready to go and with the pick up of T.J. Houshmandzadeh, his numbers should significantly improve. I think Housh is a good receiver but he benefited from playing opposite Chad Ochocinco and their is no one on his level in Seattle. The running back group consists of the always reliable Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett but they suffered last year with the inconsistency at QB, but with Hasselback healthy the Seahawks should be able to run the ball. Like the rest of the offense the line was unable to stay healthy so there was no consistency there but with everyone healthy these guys should be more dangerous. The defense is lead my Lofa Tatupu and he should only get better with the addition of rookie Aaron Curry who will bring in a fierce pass rush from the outside. Patrick Kerney flanks the outside for the defensive line along with Darryl Tapp who combined make a formidable pass rush. The back end of the defense is lead by Marcus Trufant but he is the most capable of the bunch is which is not a good sign for their defense. If the front 7 can put pressure on the QB then the secondaries job will be a lot easier. The Seahawks will be better on offense but if injuries hit this team they are not very deep and they could repeat last year's performance. Key Games: Home games with the Bears in Week 3, the Jaguars in Week 5, and the Titans to finish the regular season. Road contests at Indianapolis in Week 4, Dallas in Week 8, Minnesota in Week 11, and at Green Bay in Week 16. 2009 overall record: 9-7, Division winner, #4 seed

Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals have the offense to get to the Super Bowl but their defense is the weak link. Kurt Warner re-signed to come back and lead the explosive offense and he will still be throwing to all-world receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin but they lost offensive coordinator Todd Haley so the question is whether the offense will be just as aggressive. The Cards parted ways with Edgerrin James and they hope to replace him with rookie Chris "Beanie" Wells who is a strong powerful back but he will be a liability on passing downs since he will still be learning the blocking adjustments. The offensive line is in tact from last year's super bowl run so the their dominate offense should be locked and loaded. The defensive secondary is the strong point for this defense with Adrian Wilson being the leader of the defense. The Cards picked up Bryant McFadden in free agency and he will start immediately opposite Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie which gives them two quality cornerbacks. Karlos Dansby leads the linebackers who are probably the weak link for this defense but they have depth at the position with Clarck Haggans being the back up at the outside linebacker spot. The defensive line returns Darnell Dockett and Bertrand Berry but the unit will only go as far as the development of Calais Campbell in his second season, if he tanks they unit will tank. The Cards will have a tougher schedule than last year and the loss of both of their coordinators will be too much for this team to handle. Key Games: Home games versus the Colts in Week 3, the Panthers in Week 8, the Vikings in Week 13, and the Packers in Week 17. Road contests at Jacksonville in Week 2, the Giants in New York in Week 7, Chicago in Week 9, and in Tennessee in Week 12. 2009 overall record: 7-9

San Fransisco 49ers: The 49ers have a lot of questions on this team but the majority of them will be overshadowed by their head coach Mike Singletary because he can get his players to over achieve for him. Shaun Hill and Alex Smith are once again battling it out for the starting QB position but their job should be easier with the addition of rookie Michael Crabtree. The 49ers also have Isaac Bruce who should be a nice compliment to Crabtree but he is old and past his prime so he is basically just a mentor for the young wideout. Vernon Davis is back at the tight end position and you would think he will be motivated so he doesn't get called out again like last year. Frank Gore is healthy and he should be the focus of the offense since there are so many question marks at the other spots in the offense. The 9ers picked up Marvel Smith who when healthy is a dominate tackle but he hasn't been healthy for at least a few years. The rest of the offensive line returns 3 of 5 starters from last year and they are breaking in a new right guard so whoever is behind center will probably have a long year. The defense is lead by its group at linebacker with Patrick Willis being a beast and also Manny Lawson and Takeo Spikes being more than capable at stopping the run. The front line is the weak link with little experience or depth at the position with Justin Smith being their best player. The secondary is lead by the recent addition of Dre Bly to go opposite Nate Clements and Michael Lewis is strong point in the center field of the defense. The 49ers are a year or two from being able to compete in the NFL, they will not be an easy win this year, but you never know in the weak NFC West. Key Games: Home match up against the Falcons in Week 5, the Titans in Week9, the Bears in Week 10, and the Jaguars in Week 12. Road contests versus Minnesota in Week 3, Indianapolis in Week 8, Green Bay in Week 11, in Philadelphia in week 15. 2009 overall record: 6-10

St. Louis Rams: The Rams have a lot of questions all across the board, they fired their coach and hired a rookie to lead the team. Marc Bulger is back and healthy but he is injury prone and probably won't finish the season. Steven Jackson will carry the load but he has no help on offense. They have probably the second worst set of wideouts in the NFL behind the Oakland Raiders, the only reason they don't have the worst is because if Randy McMichael at the tight end position. The offensive line is young and inexperienced but they have a lot of talent and if they solidify some of the other problems on offense could go to the wayside. The defensive side of the ball has as many questions as the offense, they are young and talented but none of them have stepped up big so far. The defensive line is lead by recent draft picks Adam Carricker and Chris Long but hey have yet to dominate like they did in college. Will Witherspoon leads the linebacking group alongside rookie James Laurenitis and the Rams are hoping he steps up like Tatupu did for the Seahawks. Oshiomogho Atogwe and Ty Hill lead the secondary but they will be abused all season long if the young front 7 don't get the pressure on the QB. The Rams will be in the cellar for a few more years but if they keep their key players in place this team could be dangerous down the road. Key Games: Home games versus the Packers in Week 3, the Vikings in Week 5, the Colts in Week 7 and the Saints in Week 8. Road contests with Washington in Week 2, Jacksonville in Week 6, and Chicago in Week 13. 2009 overall record: 2-14