Seattle Seahawks (10-6 in 2007-08, NFC West Champions): Seattle returns at least 10 of 11 defensive starters from a squad that improved in every aspect over 2006-07. Kelly Jennings, a former 1st round pick, must continue his development and become a little more conservative in his coverage. LeRoy Hill, Julian Peterson, and Lofa Tatupu comprise the best under-30 linebacking corps in the NFL. Offensively, Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett look to improve the running game from a dismal display last season. While they are not the long-term answer to the issue, their additions will prive to be an improvement. Walter Jones is a Pro-Bowl LT mainstay, and Mike Wahle should assist in providing better left-side consistency, as Rob Sims moves back to the weak side where he started his career and where he belongs. Bobby Engram, although 35, is coming off his best professional season. He wants a contract extension, naturally, and has been fussing over that issue for the better part of two months. But, don't expect that to be a distraction to this offense, as Nate Burleson finally gets a chance to consistently start and Mike Homgren scours the playbook for ways to insert the dynamic and muti-talented Seneca Wallace.
2008-09 Team MVP: Matt Hasselbeck (QB)
2008-09 Most-Improved Player: Kelly Jennings (CB)
2008-09 Predicted Record: 11-5, NFC West Champions
Saint Loius Rams (3-13 in 2007-08, 4th Place in NFC West): The Rams were absolutely decimated on offense by injuries to key performers Marc Bulger and Stephen Jackson. Both are 100% going into their team's 2008 Training Camp, and both figure to be prominent figures in a good offense in the upcoming campaign. Defensively, however, the Rams played more like the Lambs in 2007-08, surrendering the second-most points (438) in the NFC (Detroit led the effort, giving up 444), and they improved only slightly from that. It remains to be seen if there is an NFL that cannot figure out a way to score 30 points against the Rams' defense, which is flatly horrible.
2008-09 Team MVP: Stephen Jackson (RB)
2008-09 Most Improved Player: Dane Looker (WR)
2008-09 Predicted Record: 8-8, tied for 2nd in NFC West
Arizona Cardinals (8-8 in 2007-08, 2nd in NFC West): Arizona has the tools offensively to have a startling passing attack - Matt Leinart is a cerebral quarterback, and Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald are the most dynamic and exciting 1-2 wideout pair in the NFC. After that trio of performers, however, the offense is just ordinary. Edgerrin James returns for his 10th NFL season (third in the Arizona desert) with his most productive seasons obviously behind him. The offensive line is questionable, at best, with Mike Gandy and Reggie Wells on the left side - neither one is particularly skilled. Leinart, however, must stay healthy for the offense to produce fewer 3-and-outs than last season, when the usually stout Cardinals defense allowed 399 points, 4rd most in the NFC. Inuries bugged the Cards all season, and with Kurt Warner at the helm, they still managed 8 wins, albeit in a rather weak division.
2008-09 Team MVP: Larry Fitzgerald (WR)
2008-09 Most Improved Player: Leonard Pope (TE)
2008-09 Predicted record: 8-8, tied for 2nd in NFC West
San Francisco 49ers (5-11 in 2007-08, 3rd in NFC West): Alex Smith, Alex Smith, Alex Smith. Where he goes, so go the Niners. Mike Martz brings his wacky offensive scheming to the Bay Area, where he figures to improve Smith's ability to throw to his own guys. Frank Gore, dinged up last season, looks to regain his 2006-07 form when he rushed for nearly 1,700 yards. The addition of Isaac Bruce to the WR corps may actually prove to be a savvy choice, as his experience and knowledge of Martz' offense will only help Arnaz Battle and Bryant Johnson improve. However, it couldn't get much worse for the 49ers' offense, which managed a measly and NFL-worst 219 points in 2007-08... that's just 13.7 points per game, a number that will improve with Martz and Bruce coming aboard. The defense, however, looks to continue its improvement, as Patrick Willis and Brandon Moore execute the interior linebacking duties in a 3-4 defense. Running against this team will prove to be at least somewhat difficult at times, but the defensive backfield has the personnel to give passers fits, with Walt Harris and Nate Clements anchoring the corner positions. however, unless the offense pulls off a complete 180-degree turn from the past year, the defense will continue to see a good majority of the 60 minutes on the field.
Nope. Currently, I'm full of coffee - and I feel that I must relieve that condition shortly.
San Francisco will go nowehere with Alex Smith at the helm. Mike Martz will help the offense, but not enough to make a significant improvement over last year. The defense is pretty young, for the most part, and a lot of players have a pretty good upside.
Give it 2-3 more years and a new quarterback, nate49er, and your team will likely once again rise to playoff contender.
Until then, explain to me why the 49ers will improve so dramatically from 2007-08 when very few personnel changes were made, and the biggest offseason move was hiring a new offensive coordinator.
Patrick Willis' talents are wasted in the Bay Area - but he'd be a welcome addition to Seattle's roster (a la Julian Peterson - thanks again for letting him walk away!).
These Dallas fans get on my nerves. What makes you think you will even win your division? My money is on Philly this year. When your QB learns to play without Owens at 100%, and stops chokeing in important games then you can make all your lame predictions. Until then go back to you corner and sit quietly until the season starts.
I'm not even going to get on nate49er.
Last edited by Seahawksown9ers! on July 14th at 12:31 PM.
rmac,
Pretyy good analysis of the NFC West but the only thing I have to disagree with is Seattle having an 11-5 record. While that is very possible I'm going to say more like 10-6 but they still win the West easily.
HeadQuarters,
Dallas will stink it up in the playoffs as usual. Until they prove something more than a good regular season team they aren't contending for anything but a first round bye to me.
NFC is wide open and i mean anything can happen...vegas odds favor the dogs...good odds.
the reasons... giants will not repeat...dallas has won 1 playoff game in ten years.
mcnabb is finished and without w.o.'s. make it tough for them ,by the time the genious coaches figure it out it will be too late....da bears really the cubs of old...
bad qb situation in gb, a rogers a talented kid ,but durability a very serious issue, rookie replacement brohm out of louisville a good prospect,but not sb bound.... my vikings probably have the best team stop the run and run the ball , but poor qb play could do them in .. t. jackson would have trouble starting on the top 25 college programs .... redskins are a mess under danny boy , makes you wonder how he made all his money.
point being some team from the west could have a shot.......favre to viks = SB victory... all he would have to do is hand off the ball. manage the game, and be the leader he truely is....
your conference also has a better qb situation overall in the nfl........
Last edited by tigervidmar on July 14th at 1:23 PM.
Again, I ask: why will the 49ers win the NFC West? How will they get to 11 wins? What important and high-impact personnel moves were made thus far that can make that sort of pipe dream a reality?
Yes, Seattle may only win 10 games (I thought I was being kind with the 6-win prediction for SF, too), but the Hawks' schedule is light, especially for the first half - only the games against Dallas and New England look particularly troublesome for the 2nd half of the season, but only time will tell.
I guess that's why they play the games, or so they say.
Either way, regardless of my predictions and why I made them, what is the basis for YOUR prediction of an 11-5 Niners squad in 2008-09, Nate?
I enthusiastically await your response in earnest.
rmac1973-well bro its like this the 9ers they have a waaay better o.c then in the past they also have a lot better wrs from 1thur4 then in the past the o-line will be much better when you have a o-line that makes your qb even a guy that has not been all that good better. when you put all that together + the d that we have man its going to be a great yr for us i must say.that niners squad is going to be hard on other teams in 2008-09.BOOK IT!!!!!so there you have it rmac1973.like it or not the 49ers are comeing to retake the nfc west.the end.
Your new offensive coordinator has been fired twice before. Martz and Norv Turner's play calling has been compared as being very similar. Maybe Martz can coach it better, who knows? He's been fired twice though. So I wouldn't be boasting thats going to push you over the .500 mark. WR's I'll give you, but your QB better get them the ball. Your O-line is unproven, so for now its a mystery. But hey, it's fun to be optimistic.
HAWK NATION!!!!
Last edited by WestSeattle on July 14th at 6:46 PM.
ws-i dont know that was boasting there i was just saying more or less.yes he has been fired twice but that stuff happens to the best of us from time to time you know.as far as the o-line goes its time to get it done.gooo49ers!!!!!!
WR: Arnaz Battle, Isaac Bruce, Bryan Johnson - an interesting mix of old and new, Bruce should help the youngsters mature and develop
RB: Frank Gore, DeShaun Foster - Gore is a dynamic, strong, and agile runner with good vision and soft hands. Last season his production was limited due to nagging injuries and the team constantly playing from behind (he saw 52 fewer carries in 2007-08 than during his 1,695-yard season in 2006-07). Foster is an adequate backup, and should be able to spell Gore effectively.
TE: Vernon Davis - Davis should continue to develop well, and could improve drastically over 2007-08
QB: Alex Smith - Smith's accuracy and decison-making are questionable, at best. He is a cerebral QB, but hasn't shown the ability to make the right choice more than rarely.
O-Line: Adam Snyder, Joe Staley, Eric Heitmann, Jonas Jennings, David Baas - Jennings is the only one of this group over 28, and Snyder and Staley - the crucial left side - are 26 and 24, respectively. Heitmann is the key for the offensive line, as where he goes, Frank Gore follows.
In other words, Nate, Alex Smith cannot get it done - very rarely does a team succeed with a poor quarterback, and that only happens if several other things go VERY right - the running game must be exceptional (SF: yes), the wide receivers must be dependable (SF: sort of), the offensive line must be healthy and jelled (SF: no), the defensive unit must be able to stop long drives (SF: no) and generate turnovers (SF: not really), providing excellent field position (SF: not really) for the offense.
One very good running back, an exciting young tight end, and a couple decent wideouts will not turn your Niners into contenders until the offensive line jells and Alex Smith either figures it out or is sent packing.
The defense just isn't good enough, not even close.
I think Alex Smith is damaged goods now. 3 or 4 years in the NFL and just as many offensive systems. He never had time to grow into one system (if he was even capable of it) you need a new QB.
Oh and until you get a half way decent pass rush your trillion dollar secondary will be just as mediorce as last season. And don't say "we signed Justin Smith" because he was a total bust drafted 4th overrall and had like 2 sacks last season.
Last edited by Seahawksown9ers! on July 15th at 8:34 AM.
It's not that your defense won't be better than the 25th-ranked squad Nolan chugged out onto the field every week in 2007-08, but it won't be nearly good enough to overcome the offensive inconsistencies and limitations.
The 49ers surrendered 22.75 points (that figure doesn't reflect specials teams or defensive scores against the Niners) and 346.2 yards per game in 2007-08, and the mild upgrades and offseason changes that were made won't make up a turd of a difference if the defense is on the field 35 minutes a game, which is more apt to happen than not.
The 49ers will be better once the O-line plays together for another few years, Alex Smith is dismissed, and the wideouts can mature and properly develop, and the addition of Mike Martz as the new O.C. won't immediately help enough to overcome the players' lack of skill and ability.
Don't look for THAT to happen until 2010-11 or so, however.
Maybe I am, but Nate and most 49ers fans need a mild dose of reality if they think their club will challenge Seattle for the NFC West division championship in the upcoming season.
When Seattle sucked - and I do mean SUCKED - we had to tolerate players like Rick Mirer, Derrick Fenner, Darryl Turner, et al. I knew our team was garbage before training camp even opened, and although I supported our team, I never expected or suggested a winning season was in order.
Nate ought to see the forest for the trees - a football team is the sum of its parts, and not one or two key players in important positions. Yes, Frank Gore is good. Yes Mike Martz is a wizard on offense when he has the right players in place. Yes Patrick Willis is young and dynamic. Yes, Vernon Davis is a big, strong tight end with gentle hands a good speed. But, there are far too many question marks for the Niners entering this offseason, and very few have been appropriately addressed to make a signifact improvement in the end result.
6-10 is where I stand on that club. 5-11 and 7-9 are possibilities, but I think it will be very difficult for San Francisco to avoid another double-digit loss season.
rmac1973-you keep talking about the past.and in the past yes the 9ers not so good.you say will be good 2011-2013 i say the time is now the 9ers will win in08-09. the hawks there still good but there not great the nfc west does not have a great team theres 3 good teams and one so so team.but you see it your way and ill see it my way.good luck to you rmac1973.gooooooo 49ers
San Francisco has almost the exact same team now as last season, so how am I discussing the "past"?
Again, the Niners will be better in a couple years, but with Seattle divisional dominance, the Rams looking healthy, and the Cardinals offense appearing to be fairly dangerous, the niners are going nowhere this year.
If San Francisco manages a 3-3 divisional record, I'll buy an Alex Smith jersey and wear it to all of the 2009-10 Seattle home games.
If Seattle wins the division - YET AGAIN - how about you buy a Lofa Tatupu jersey and wear it to all of the Niners home games in 2009-10?
Don't you know already? The past is only relevant with Niner fans what it comes to their SB's.......LOL. You can't bring up stats from last year about their current players and team. Thats not logical, it's the past. But SB's from 15+ years ago, now thats relevant.....LOL.
yes the past like last yr in my mind thats the past.and sw i dont think that i have made a comment about the 49ers 5sbs tell now bro.as for that bet like thats something you would do come on now .like i say your full of ####.hahalol.goo 49ers.
The bet stands, Nate. I have the Hawks season tickets and the money to buy an Alex Smith jersey.
A 3-3 divisonal record for the Niners is the bet - if they pull it off, I'll hold up my end of the bargain. The question, however, is whether or not you would hold up yours.
At this point, I'm willing to trust your word should you decide to take my bet. I'll take that gamble.
In fact, I'll sweeten it for you...
If the Niners post a 3-3 divisional record or better, Or Alex Smith throws more TDs than INTs, OR San Francisco manages nine wins, I'll wear that Alex Smith jersey to EVERY Hawks home game in 2009-10.
And, you only have to wear the Tatupu jersey if ALL THREE OF THOSE THINGS don't happen.
rmac-thats a good bet but i am a 9ers fan that lives socal bro.dont get to go up there that much.WS-cool man i was thinking did i.i try not to do that that much.
In what way is your team superior to any team in the NFC West? Frank Gore is just about the only positive thing you've got going down there in San Francisco - your QB is awful, ANOTHER new offensive coordinator is in the mix, the WRs are either old or inept, the offensive line couldn't protect anything, and the defensive line can't beat their way through a stack of wet paper towels.
The last time they were a 'force' in the NFC, Clinton was president.
rmac
I think your lookin pretty good on the predictions however I think there are a couple o tweeks ...
need to throw a bone to the weak sisters in Frisco ...
Ya win 7 at the expense of the Lambs and at further expense to the Lambs the Hawks win 12 ... so Frisco begins its long slow climb outa the cellar and the Hawks send Holmgren into the sunset on a super ride.
Now fer ya all get huffy ... remember I'm a homer and am fully excused from objectivity ... that aside a thumbnail observation of the historical continuum of the NFL west seems to hold more positives for the Hawks and more negatives for the "rest o the west".
obtw ...
pardon me Frisco fans for scrubbing the commode with ur chins .. but such are the fortunes of "fanship" ... I've done plenty o chin scrubbin in the past and I'm sure it will come around again ... but like any man gaspin fer air ... it sure feels good when you can see nothin but daylight! good luck on most o yer season .. excepting a couple o gamez against the Hawks
Here is why, Pro bowlers for 08-09 Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, Pat Willis, Manny Lawson, Joe Nedney..
Defense will be ranked in top 5 , Although offense was dead last , this year, they rebound to respectability between 13-16th. But what will drive this team to the DIV TITLE? It is the running game and the dump off passes to Gore and Vernon Davis. Wich will for sure put them into field goal range for a very dependable kicker. The SF defense will be getting to the Qb better, with Manny Lawson back from the knee injury that put him out after a couple of weeks last year. I see it breaking down this way Sf offense 20.8 pts a game. Sf defense 14.9 pts allowed per game.
49ers 11-5 Sweep the Seahawks, b/c they did it in 06 when the Seahawks were a better team , and the 49ers were filled w/ rookies. Last year hawks swept sf, and that will defently motivate the 49ers squad this year! 49ers sweep the Cards, come on they are the Cards! 49ers split w/ St. Louis, b/c They always play the 49ers good, even when the 49ers were div champs.
49ers lose against New England, New York, New Orleans, Dallas, and St louis.
But for real, my bet is the niners go some where around .500. ATRAIN, you really think you'll beat Buffalo, Wash. and Philly or even the Jets or Miami for that matter?
I'm just your average sports nut, I suppose. Of course I'm a bit of a homer - the Mariners, Seahawks, and Huskies are my teams - but I stick with my boys down the stretch, through thick and thin.
What can the Mariners do to rebound from their worst season in twent years? Will Erik Bedard recover in time for the 2009 season? Ryan Rowland-Smith and Brandon Morrow look to make the transition from the bullpen to the starting rotation, so can they combine with Felix to create a young and effective 1-2-3 tandem? How will the M's new front office guru fare - will Chuckie and Howie be able to stay "hands off" long enough for the new VP/GM to accomplish anything positive? Can the Seahawks recover from their early-season woes and rebound for a fifth straight NFC West title? How will the team handle the transition from Mike Holmgren's regime to the ways of Jim Mora Jr? Can the Hawks' defense stop anyone? Can the offense put up more than 200 yards?
Any of you folks out there interested in healthy and creative debate about anything, feel free to speak up!
