8 in 4: NFC West

by Ryan


Last year we somehow convinced ourselves that we should do NFL previews. It wasn't the most accurate of experiments, but it was a nice concept at the time. We went through each division and predicted winners, then going back in January to examine how badly we did.

We weren't really planning on much for this week, but it was brought up by someone that we should do it again. Well, why not? We are a little short on time, however, so we present to you eight divisions in four days.

If you have learned not to believe the hype, please don't believe any of this, either.

Off season workout program seems to be going well...

4. Arizona Cardinals- The Buzzsaw are going with Kurt Warner as their starter this year, meaning Matt Leinart will have even more time to develop into a top flight quarterback. One more year should do, really. The team still has weapons in Bolden and Fitzgerald, but this may be the last year that duo stays together, and if Edgeren James can't stay healthy, it will be another long decade for the Cards. Leitch= :-(


J.T. O'Sullivan, NFL starting quarterback.

3. San Francisco 49ers- Admit it, you had no idea this guy was starting until just now. San Francisco has decided to start a guy that sounds more like a dodgeball coach than a quarterback, and well, that may be a controversial move. The good news is with Frank Gore he may not play as large a role in the offense as most quarterbacks. Wait, Mike Martz is the offensive coordinator? Ho boy, hooo boy.


The source of Stephen Jackson's holdout, I believe.

2. St. Louis Rams- They were pretty awful last year, but Marc Bulger and Stephen Jackson getting hurt will do that to you. According to most, Jackson's fantasy value is still there, so I'd say the Rams will be much improved this year. Sure, I can guess based on fantasy football, why not? (Note: did I take Stephen Jackson in any of the 4 leagues? No.) Their receivers are as follows: Drew Bennett, Donte Hall, and Torry Holt. That's a heartfelt "meh" right there, but this is a very weak division historically, so it should be good for at least eight wins.


Yeah, I got nothing...

1. Seattle Seahawks- Speaking of depleted receiving corps, let's talk about your division champs. Hasselbeck has had a sore back all summer, and the people he throws to have been in even worse shape. Of the seven currently on the roster, one is on injured reserve (Obomanu), one was almost put on the PUP list (Branch), and a few others(Engram most notably) have battled injuries all preseason. Also, the only wideout on the practice squad is named after those dogs from A Christmas Story. So they have that going for them.

However, I do like Julius Jones a lot, and Maurice Morris has always been serviceable. The Seahawks defense is always overlooked, but they have been strong recently and didn't lose anything this summer. Add in some nice home field advantage and a steady Hasselbeck and it looks like another division crown for Seattle.