NFL Trimester Report: NFC West "Contender or Pretender"

The weak NFC West has been confusing to date, to say the least. The team that some considered favorites to win the division (the 49ers) have looked lost for the majority of the early season, while the favorites to finish last in the division (the Rams) have flashed signs of the bright future that lies ahead of them. So who wins the division? Good question, but someone has to make it to the playoffs if by nothing more than default...

Arizona (3-2)
How the Cardinals are above .500 is beyond logic. Statistically they are one of the worst offensive and defensive teams in the entire NFL, ranking no higher than 26th in any category. But they have somehow managed to win three games despite being outscored by 50 points overall. They even found a way to defeat the Super Bowl champion Saints while only mustering only 194 yards of total offense. The Cardinals have already released their "quarterback of the future" Matt Leinart, benched Derek Anderson, has little known rookie Max Hall under center and their running game in non-existent. As their other two victories have come against the Rams in the season opener and a one point home win against the Raiders, I can't see this team going anywhere this season. Pretender

Seattle (3-2)
The Seahawks have looked decent this season under new head coach Pete Carroll. Their defense against the run has been stingy so far (2nd in the league only allowing 70 yards per game) and the Seahawks have notched some nice victories against the 49ers, Chargers and the Bears. Trading for troubled Marshawn Lynch should give the offense a boost, and if Matt Hasselbeck can limit the turnovers they should compete for the division. But that's a mighty big "if". When the defense and special teams have as many touchdowns as the offense (seven) through the first 5 games, that isn't going to cut it. Pretender

St. Louis (3-3)
Rams fans finally have something to cheer about. Rookie quarterback sensation Sam Bradford (pictured above) has been better than advertised and has looked solid early on, somehow getting it done with a very depleted receiving corp. The Rams have even already matched their win totals from 2008 & 2009 combined with 10 games remaining. There has been some talk that they could win the division, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. Four of their first six games have been at home and so has all three victories. While there is hope, it's a little too soon to start organizing the parade. Pretender

San Francisco (1-5)
To say the 49ers have failed to live up to expectations would be an understatement. And that would be putting it lightly. The Niners have looked down right awful early on. At times QB Alex Smith has played more like a HS freshman than a no. 1 overall draft pick. Top 2009 draftee Michael Crabtree hasn't turned it on yet. One bright spot has been Frank Gore's play, but with a passing game so underwhelming defenses can just key in on the run. The defense is still hard nosed but it's hard to maintain that intensity when the offense is repeatedly -producing 3 & out drives. The only question for 'Frisco is who is first to go; Smith or Singletary? Pretender

-ALR

2010 San Francisco 49er's Preview

2009 saw the 49ers continue to improve under hard-nosed head coach Mike Singeltary. Alex Smith started to show a little of the promise that encouraged SF to take him 1st overall a few seasons ago. Fans are hoping for much of the same this season from a team that just might surprise some people around the league.

Offense
At points last season, the 49er offense looked sluggish until QB Alex Smith regained his starting role and began to move the ball down the field. Smith is competent working out of the shotgun in the spread offense. The Niners also went out and got him a deep threat in WR Ted Ginn Jr., so expect to see more of that formation this season. WRs Michael Crabtree and Josh Morgan are very good threats on the outside and TE Vernon Davis is a fantasy stud and a matchup nightmare for defenses. No linebacker in the NFL can stay with him, and he's too strong for most safeties. He might be the third best TE in the league; behind Antonio Gates & Jason Witten. This will allow Ginn to streak down the slot for long bombs. Hopefully he can hold on to the football this season, as his 7 drops last year were among the league's leaders. The OL is decent but an broken foot suffered by C Eric Heitmann will hurt the effectiveness of RB Frank Gore early on. If healthy he'll still be able to rack up another 1,000 season. Rookie RB Anthony Dixon will get a few looks our of the backfield when Gore needs a breather.

Defense
Defensively, the Niners take on a lot of the characteristics of their scrappy head coach. The DL has good size, but LB Patrick Willis is the heart of soul of the defensive unit. He racks up a ton of tackles, a few picks, forces fumbles and also manages to get a handful of sacks to boot. He's the best middle linebacker in the NFL. To aid him SF picked up veteran LB Takeo Spikes in the off-season and combined with Manny Lawson they form a very solid tandem. The DBs are decent, with CB Nate Clements being the most capable of shutting down opposing receivers.

Prediction
9-7

If the offense can muster up enough points with Alex Smith under center the Niners should continue to improve, challenge for the division title and a playoff spot. The defense is good enough to always keep them in games. Look for the young up-and-coming team to improve as the season progresses and be competitive week in and week out.

-ALR

2010 Preview Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks, I sense a trend of boring teams coming my way. The Seahawks are 30th in payroll, which makes it unlikely that good moves are going to be made, besides bringing in Pete Carrol. So I've decided, at the suggestion of ALR (credit where it's due), to find the something positive and turn into Fantasy Football. I was going to get into the FFL picks next week anyway, so might as well start the process...

FFL Owners, if you are going to take players from the Seahawks, start with the WR core. TJ Whosyamamadada (Houshmandzadeh) will be a player that will get you consistent points each week. Last season his stats started strong, but faltered during the end with no QB Matt Hasslebeck and no playoff potential. Still though, stealing TJ between around round 3 isn't bad for a potential 80-90 catch season. In later rounds I would consider Deion Branch or rookie Golden Tate. Deion Branch is a proven competitor and can give you a big week or 4, if he gets the right defense to run through. Golden Tate is my sleeper pick, if he gets the slot like I think he will, I expect him to be a surprise candidate for O-ROY. Not that his numbers will be super stellar, but they won't be gaudy either. I would try to snag either of the two as a backup WR's.

At QB Matt Hasselbeck used to be one of the best at the position, until the injury bug bit him. I do think he will put up solid numbers while playing, the question is how long will his season be. So if you can hold off on picking up the injury prone QB, unless you really need to.

I wouldn't worry about any of the RB's for your draft, since I nor the team expect them to put up big numbers. It's not that Julius Jones or Leon Washington are bad backs, I just don't expect them to put up the numbers consistent enough to consider drafting. Guaranteed, one or both slips through to free agency, wait for that.

On the defensive side of the ball, there is plenty of veteran leadership and a couple outstanding pieces plugging up the middle. As all of us Madden players know, that will not get too much done on Sundays. If you are left with the Seattle defense, well, let's just hope your kicker does better.

Lastly, kicker Olindo Mare is a solid veteran who will get you points, provided the offense gets into range.

- @lostherod

2010 Arizona Cardinals Preview

The Arizona Cardinals have had quite a busy off-season, to say the least. The original "good guy" of the NFL Kurt Warner (you aren’t the first, Tim Tebow) decided to call it quits after they got smacked in the playoffs by eventual SB Champions New Orleans, and disgruntled yet highly productive receiver Anquan Boldin was shipped off to The Ravens. For a team that was a play away from a Super Bowl victory just 2 seasons ago, the Cardinals are on the verge of a rebuilding period. Unless the young talent can produce right away.

Offense
With Warner retiring the offense is left in the hands of former Heisman Winner & 1st rounder Matt Leinart, who has a little experience as a starter earlier in his career. It's time to live up to that first round billing. Leinart's accuracy (or lack thereof) will make or break this once high powered passing attack. Expect a contrast to last season's 2nd most pass-heavy offense, a lot of running plays and a heavier load for young RBs Beanie Wells, and the scrappy Tim Hightower, . If Wells can stay healthy he should be a lock for 1,000 yards on the ground.

The WR core is still anchored by superstar Larry Fitzgerald. He'll be Leinart's favorite target in just about all situations. You can pencil him in for 100 catches, 1200 yeards and 10 TDs. Boldin's absence leaves the door open at #2 receiver for Steve Breaston and Early Doucet. Doucet plays similar to Boldin's style while Breaston is the faster receiver with more experience, and most likely giving him the edge in battle to start. TE's don't see much pass-catching action in the Cardinals offense, so there is no fantasy value here.

Defense
The Cardinals defense is not the strongest in the league, ranking 20th overall, but there are a few bright spots. Moving Darnell Dockett to DE opposite 3rd year sleeper Calais Campbell should put more pressure on opposing QB's. Arizona also added pass rusher extraordinaire LB Joey Porter, who despite his antics and loud mouth has all been productive. The secondary is decent with playmaker Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie patrolling one side of the field while the other side is a toss-up between a number of young DBs. SS Adrian Wilson is excellent in run support and ex-Jet Kerry Rhodes can cover a lot of ground over the top.

Prediction
10-6
Despite the loss of Warner & Boldin, a soft schedule will keep the Arizona Cardinals in playoff contention. If Leinart can focus on football and complete 60% of his passes and keep defenses honest the Cardinals should be competitive again in 2010 before losing early in the playoffs, which could be counted as a success this season.

-ALR