This is a personalized breakdown of the NFC West Division. This breakdown is of personal opinion only and in no way shape or form affiliated with the National Football League or its subsidiaries ~ J. Thomas, "That Other Sports Show".
NFC West Champions: San Francisco 49ers
Last season the San Francisco 49ers pulled the secret weapon card, by using an injury involving starter and conservative quarterback Alex Smith, to install a brilliantly orchestrated offensive maneuver, which was led by 2nd year pro and starting Super Bowl quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Entering his 3rd year, and solidly in the 49ers starting rotation, Kaepernick is expected to be much more than just electrifying, much more than amazing, he is expected to be perfect. The Niners are primed to repeat as divisional champions, challenged only by the Seattle Seahawks. They did a great job in the offseason, drafting Marcus Lattimore and Quinton Patton in the 4th round, picking up free agents Glen Dorsey and Nnamdi Asomugah. Jim Harbaugh and company are “Super Bowl WIN or Bust” in 2013.
Last season the San Francisco 49ers pulled the secret weapon card, by using an injury involving starter and conservative quarterback Alex Smith, to install a brilliantly orchestrated offensive maneuver, which was led by 2nd year pro and starting Super Bowl quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Entering his 3rd year, and solidly in the 49ers starting rotation, Kaepernick is expected to be much more than just electrifying, much more than amazing, he is expected to be perfect. The Niners are primed to repeat as divisional champions, challenged only by the Seattle Seahawks. They did a great job in the offseason, drafting Marcus Lattimore and Quinton Patton in the 4th round, picking up free agents Glen Dorsey and Nnamdi Asomugah. Jim Harbaugh and company are “Super Bowl WIN or Bust” in 2013.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks came up just a bit short, but when you come up short you realize your SHORT comings (get it?). The Seahawks banged heads with, the allergic to the post-season, Atlanta Falcons. They took that squad all the way down to the wire, but rookie sensation Russell Wilson and his supporting cast could not pull, yet another football miracle, from their young hats. Nevertheless, this team has stormed through free agency, as well as carving out an equally impressive draft as their divisional nemesis 49ers. Having added an MVP caliber Percy Harvin to their offensive attack, and Cliff Avril on the defensive side of the ball, the Seahawks will yet again push the 49ers to the brink this season. In my opinion, this team will not be satisfied with "just" making the playoffs, not with the way Pete Carroll and the front office have rebuilt this team.
The Seahawks came up just a bit short, but when you come up short you realize your SHORT comings (get it?). The Seahawks banged heads with, the allergic to the post-season, Atlanta Falcons. They took that squad all the way down to the wire, but rookie sensation Russell Wilson and his supporting cast could not pull, yet another football miracle, from their young hats. Nevertheless, this team has stormed through free agency, as well as carving out an equally impressive draft as their divisional nemesis 49ers. Having added an MVP caliber Percy Harvin to their offensive attack, and Cliff Avril on the defensive side of the ball, the Seahawks will yet again push the 49ers to the brink this season. In my opinion, this team will not be satisfied with "just" making the playoffs, not with the way Pete Carroll and the front office have rebuilt this team.
St. Louis Rams
Is it safe to say, this will be Sam Bradford’s last hurrah? I think so. Bradford was the last of the jackpot winning quarterbacks. He has played with little VALUE, not living up to the contracts' WORTH. The good news for this year’s Rams team is, this could be Bradford’s last chance in St. Louis. Sam must understand any possible career opportunities beyond, the “Gateway to the West”, depends on his ability to make plays with that mediocre arm of his (Oops). The draft went well, as the Rams shot big in their selections, drafting the best pure athlete, West Virginia's Tavon Austin, as well as troubled Georgia linebacker Alec Ogletree. The team also drafted the solid Vanderbilt RB prospect Zac Stacy. This team is still very young and has plenty of room for growth, but under the careful eye of Head Coach Jeff Fisher, I do see a bright spot in their future. Unfortunately, this year I foresee a few more growing pains.
Is it safe to say, this will be Sam Bradford’s last hurrah? I think so. Bradford was the last of the jackpot winning quarterbacks. He has played with little VALUE, not living up to the contracts' WORTH. The good news for this year’s Rams team is, this could be Bradford’s last chance in St. Louis. Sam must understand any possible career opportunities beyond, the “Gateway to the West”, depends on his ability to make plays with that mediocre arm of his (Oops). The draft went well, as the Rams shot big in their selections, drafting the best pure athlete, West Virginia's Tavon Austin, as well as troubled Georgia linebacker Alec Ogletree. The team also drafted the solid Vanderbilt RB prospect Zac Stacy. This team is still very young and has plenty of room for growth, but under the careful eye of Head Coach Jeff Fisher, I do see a bright spot in their future. Unfortunately, this year I foresee a few more growing pains.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cards, the Cards, the Cards, man.... where do I begin. Firstly, I want to say, they did indeed make strides to become better this off-season, by adding a solid veteran quarterback Carson Palmer to the line-up.(I’m sure when it was announced, somewhere Larry Fitzgerald jumped for joy) They also drafted what could be the most defensively talented player in 2013 (as well as a friggin steal) Tyrann Mathieu in the 3rd RD, and possibly one of the most underrated RB’s in this year’s class, Stepfan Taylor from Stanford, grabbing him in the 5th. This season's Arizona team, however; is placing the hopes of the entire year on thoughts of Carson Palmer finding the fountain of youth somewhere in the desert. Without his arm, the WR core will fail to even break the surface, as they play in one of the toughest defensively-minded divisions in the NFL.... Carson please don’t breakdown on us now!
The Cards, the Cards, the Cards, man.... where do I begin. Firstly, I want to say, they did indeed make strides to become better this off-season, by adding a solid veteran quarterback Carson Palmer to the line-up.(I’m sure when it was announced, somewhere Larry Fitzgerald jumped for joy) They also drafted what could be the most defensively talented player in 2013 (as well as a friggin steal) Tyrann Mathieu in the 3rd RD, and possibly one of the most underrated RB’s in this year’s class, Stepfan Taylor from Stanford, grabbing him in the 5th. This season's Arizona team, however; is placing the hopes of the entire year on thoughts of Carson Palmer finding the fountain of youth somewhere in the desert. Without his arm, the WR core will fail to even break the surface, as they play in one of the toughest defensively-minded divisions in the NFL.... Carson please don’t breakdown on us now!
How they Finish!!
San Francisco 49ers: 12-4
Seattle Seahawks: 11-5
St. Louis Rams: 5-11
Arizona Cardinals: 4-12
Seattle Seahawks: 11-5
St. Louis Rams: 5-11
Arizona Cardinals: 4-12
