NFL Preview: NFC West
http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/882/1/NFL-Preview-NFC-West/Arizona-Cardinals-2006-5-11.html
The Editor
By The Editor
Published on 08/6/2007
Even if Shaun Alexander's busted foot is totally healed, the Seahawks aren't a shoe-in to repeat in the NFC West. Only 2 games seperated the top three teams in the division last season, and even the Cardinals should be much better. Home to some elite backs, maturing quarterbacks, and one new coaching regime, the NFC West should be in for an exciting 2007. Adam Lefkoe, Steve Michalovich, Andy Mindzak, and Zach Crizer break down the division.
Even if Shaun Alexander's busted foot is totally healed, the Seahawks aren't a shoe-in to repeat in the NFC West. Only 2 games seperated the top three teams in the division last season, and even the Cardinals should be much better. Home to some elite backs, maturing quarterbacks, and one new coaching regime, the NFC West should be in for an exciting 2007. Adam Lefkoe, Steve Michalovich, Andy Mindzak, and Zach Crizer break down the division.
Arizona Cardinals (2006: 5-11)
REGAINING THE EDGE
by Adam Lefkoe
A Pro Bowl-caliber Edge will go a long way
toward getting the Cards more than 5 wins
It’s tough to get overly excited about a team who’s most consistent trait in the past few years has been inconsistency. Averaging only five wins the past five seasons, Bill Bidwell and the Cardinals’ brass are hoping Ken Whisenhunt can bring both the offensive gameplan and philosophy he established in Pittsburgh as a coordinator (the Steelers went 39-15 during Whisenhunt’s tenure). Whisenhunt showed with the Steelers that his strategy is exceedingly creative and he plans to use absolute stud receiver Anquan Boldin in a similar role to that of Hines Ward (lots of YAC). Whisenhunt’s run-first philosophy should help the Cardinals establish their offense and hopefully toughen up an often times porous offensive line. The Cardinals job was one of the most promising head coaching vacancies in the off-season, now the pressure is on Whisenhunt to wake this supposed sleeping giant.
Whisenhunt is used to having a promising young quarterback at the helm (see: Ben Roethlisberger) and he hopes to take Matt Leinart to that next level. Leinart showed a lot of promise at the end of the season, winning three of his last four starts all, in fact, against divisional opponents. Whether it’s because of the immense amount of time he spends in the spotlight or the weapons available to him, the expectations for Matt Leinart have gotten lofty. He has the receivers, the running back, and hopefully enough experience to get it done.
It’s tough to find anyone who feels as though Edgerrin James’ 2006 campaign wasn’t a disappointment. His 3.6 yds/carry was pathetic, but after further review, it might not be so bad. Before the week 9 bye, Edge’s average was 2.8 yds/carry (wow), but after the bye he averaged a very solid 4.2 yds/carry. In addition, 4 of the Cardinals 5 wins came after the bye. Many feel as though Edge began to get comfortable with his teammates as the season wore on, and if he is able to carry his late season success into 2007, the Edge could be back. One thing to keep in mind however is how Whisenhunt’s running game clashes with Edge’s style. Wishenhunt always has his tailback run behind a fullback, something that Edge hasn’t done much of in his career.
Possibly the most important thing Whisenhunt brought along with him is assistant head coach and offensive line guru Russ Grimm. Grimm, a future head coach, has been working with the lineman’s quickness in an attempt to make them more mobile. The unit, as a whole, improved greatly as the season wore on with Reggie Wells leading the way. Wells played the best football of his career last year, even after having to play some tackle in place of the struggling Oliver Ross. With the addition of Levi Brown, Wells can return to his guard position and severely improve the running game from the inside. The most promising member of the line is young guard Deuce Lutui, who has the perfect build for the position. Al Johnson and Mike Gandy are both pretty solid starters who will need to keep up with the rest of the group.
The Cardinals D seems to be going in a new direction, one where they might not be prepared. Whisenhunt and defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast plan to utilize the 3-4 defense to bring added pressure on the quarterback, but have some questions regarding personnel. Bertrand Berry and Chike Okeafor will undoubtedly be able to get to the quarterback as OLBs, but if they are expected to drop back in coverage it could be scary. In addition, their lack of depth and experience at nose tackle and end doesn’t seem too promising. It’s a lack of speed that has constantly troubled Arizona defensively, something essential to run the 3-4. Pendergast is known for his creativity, and he will have to be in order to mask these front seven flaws.
BEST-CASE SCENARIO:
Everything clicks. The offense finally reaches close to its potential, the return of a healthy Bertrand Berry and the 3-4 take pressure of the secondary, and the Cardinals finally reach the playoffs. It’s absolutely possible. Offensively it all comes down to the play of Leinart. If he continues to improve this team is set for big things. A solid transition from the end of the year for Edge would make everyone better. On the defense, I am a huge fan of the secondary. Adrian Wilson is one of my favorite players to watch. and I think the addition of Roderick Hood should provide experience to a very young group. If the 3-4 works out and their limited defensive starters can remain healthy, the Cards should easily improve upon their horrible defensive ranking from last year.
WORST-CASE SCENARIO:
Another season at five wins. The offensive line continues to break down, Edge has another slow start and teams continue to confuse the defense. Stability in the NFL usually leads to success, so a coaching change is usually accompanied by hard times. With a greatly improved NFC West, if the team isn’t able to adopt the new philosophies and game plans, a slow start could lead to a rough first season for Whisenhunt.
by Adam Lefkoe
A Pro Bowl-caliber Edge will go a long way
toward getting the Cards more than 5 wins
It’s tough to get overly excited about a team who’s most consistent trait in the past few years has been inconsistency. Averaging only five wins the past five seasons, Bill Bidwell and the Cardinals’ brass are hoping Ken Whisenhunt can bring both the offensive gameplan and philosophy he established in Pittsburgh as a coordinator (the Steelers went 39-15 during Whisenhunt’s tenure). Whisenhunt showed with the Steelers that his strategy is exceedingly creative and he plans to use absolute stud receiver Anquan Boldin in a similar role to that of Hines Ward (lots of YAC). Whisenhunt’s run-first philosophy should help the Cardinals establish their offense and hopefully toughen up an often times porous offensive line. The Cardinals job was one of the most promising head coaching vacancies in the off-season, now the pressure is on Whisenhunt to wake this supposed sleeping giant.
Whisenhunt is used to having a promising young quarterback at the helm (see: Ben Roethlisberger) and he hopes to take Matt Leinart to that next level. Leinart showed a lot of promise at the end of the season, winning three of his last four starts all, in fact, against divisional opponents. Whether it’s because of the immense amount of time he spends in the spotlight or the weapons available to him, the expectations for Matt Leinart have gotten lofty. He has the receivers, the running back, and hopefully enough experience to get it done.
It’s tough to find anyone who feels as though Edgerrin James’ 2006 campaign wasn’t a disappointment. His 3.6 yds/carry was pathetic, but after further review, it might not be so bad. Before the week 9 bye, Edge’s average was 2.8 yds/carry (wow), but after the bye he averaged a very solid 4.2 yds/carry. In addition, 4 of the Cardinals 5 wins came after the bye. Many feel as though Edge began to get comfortable with his teammates as the season wore on, and if he is able to carry his late season success into 2007, the Edge could be back. One thing to keep in mind however is how Whisenhunt’s running game clashes with Edge’s style. Wishenhunt always has his tailback run behind a fullback, something that Edge hasn’t done much of in his career.
Possibly the most important thing Whisenhunt brought along with him is assistant head coach and offensive line guru Russ Grimm. Grimm, a future head coach, has been working with the lineman’s quickness in an attempt to make them more mobile. The unit, as a whole, improved greatly as the season wore on with Reggie Wells leading the way. Wells played the best football of his career last year, even after having to play some tackle in place of the struggling Oliver Ross. With the addition of Levi Brown, Wells can return to his guard position and severely improve the running game from the inside. The most promising member of the line is young guard Deuce Lutui, who has the perfect build for the position. Al Johnson and Mike Gandy are both pretty solid starters who will need to keep up with the rest of the group.
The Cardinals D seems to be going in a new direction, one where they might not be prepared. Whisenhunt and defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast plan to utilize the 3-4 defense to bring added pressure on the quarterback, but have some questions regarding personnel. Bertrand Berry and Chike Okeafor will undoubtedly be able to get to the quarterback as OLBs, but if they are expected to drop back in coverage it could be scary. In addition, their lack of depth and experience at nose tackle and end doesn’t seem too promising. It’s a lack of speed that has constantly troubled Arizona defensively, something essential to run the 3-4. Pendergast is known for his creativity, and he will have to be in order to mask these front seven flaws.
BEST-CASE SCENARIO:
Everything clicks. The offense finally reaches close to its potential, the return of a healthy Bertrand Berry and the 3-4 take pressure of the secondary, and the Cardinals finally reach the playoffs. It’s absolutely possible. Offensively it all comes down to the play of Leinart. If he continues to improve this team is set for big things. A solid transition from the end of the year for Edge would make everyone better. On the defense, I am a huge fan of the secondary. Adrian Wilson is one of my favorite players to watch. and I think the addition of Roderick Hood should provide experience to a very young group. If the 3-4 works out and their limited defensive starters can remain healthy, the Cards should easily improve upon their horrible defensive ranking from last year.
WORST-CASE SCENARIO:
Another season at five wins. The offensive line continues to break down, Edge has another slow start and teams continue to confuse the defense. Stability in the NFL usually leads to success, so a coaching change is usually accompanied by hard times. With a greatly improved NFC West, if the team isn’t able to adopt the new philosophies and game plans, a slow start could lead to a rough first season for Whisenhunt.
San Francisco 49ers (2006: 7-9)
OFFENSIVE
by Andy Mindzak
Alex Smith's maturation will be a major key
if San Francisco is going to be a success in '07
Before I even get into my preview of the 2007 San Francisco 49ers, I would like to have a moment of silence for the great Bill Walsh who recently passed away. He was the innovator of the West Coast offense, won 3 Super Bowl rings, and taught several very good head coaches that ended up running NFL teams (Bill Belichick, Mike Holmgren, and Dennis Green, just to name a few). Walsh will be missed, but his legacy will not be forgotten. With that in mind, the 2007 49ers will be improved from the ’06 version that saw them go 7-9 and finish 3rd in the NFC West. The Niners have added a few veterans to give them even more experience, and that will pay off huge this year.
After finishing dead last in defense in 2006, their first priority was to bolster that unit before this year. They did so by drafting LB Patrick Willis out of Mississippi, and signed CB Nate Clements. They also added a true #1 WR when they acquired Darrell Jackson. They also added Ashley Lelie from Denver, but he’s about as useful as an expired plane ticket. Overall, San Francisco did a nice job working on their defense, and coach Mike Nolan, who used to be the Ravens defensive coordinator, will make things work this year.
Offensively, S.F. was towards the bottom of the NFL in points scored with 298, but their rushing attack ranked then 6th in the league, and you can thank Frank Gore for that. QB Alex Smith is another year older and wiser, and I would look for that to reflect in their standings this year. With the addition of aforementioned Jackson and TE Vernon Davis catching passes, I would expect their offense to break out big time in ’07.
Defensively, the Niners were a wreck last year. They gave up the most points in the NFL by allowing 412 last year. With the additions of Willis and Clements, coach Nolan has some solid building blocks to work with. CB Walt Harris returns, as he led the Niners in interceptions last year with 8. Overall, this defense will be much improved in ’07 and will not be pushed around like they were in ’06.
BEST-CASE SCENARIO:
The 49ers significantly improve last year’s record and finish 10-6. The beginning of their season looks rough with away games at St. Louis and Pittsburgh, and then coming home to face Seattle and Baltimore, but facing the Cardinals twice each year is always nice, and they finish the year up against Tampa Bay and Cleveland. Provided Gore is healthy all year (keep an eye on his broken hand), they will definitely be a surprise team in 2007.
WORST-CASE SCENARIO:
The team goes 7-9 or even worse. They play Seattle and St. Louis twice this year, and games against Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Carolina, Minnesota, and Cincinnati are never easy match ups. As long as their defense can keep them close in games, their offense should be able to provide the spark to pull out some surprise wins. Overall, I would say S.F. finishes at 8-8 this year.
by Andy Mindzak
Alex Smith's maturation will be a major key
if San Francisco is going to be a success in '07
Before I even get into my preview of the 2007 San Francisco 49ers, I would like to have a moment of silence for the great Bill Walsh who recently passed away. He was the innovator of the West Coast offense, won 3 Super Bowl rings, and taught several very good head coaches that ended up running NFL teams (Bill Belichick, Mike Holmgren, and Dennis Green, just to name a few). Walsh will be missed, but his legacy will not be forgotten. With that in mind, the 2007 49ers will be improved from the ’06 version that saw them go 7-9 and finish 3rd in the NFC West. The Niners have added a few veterans to give them even more experience, and that will pay off huge this year.
After finishing dead last in defense in 2006, their first priority was to bolster that unit before this year. They did so by drafting LB Patrick Willis out of Mississippi, and signed CB Nate Clements. They also added a true #1 WR when they acquired Darrell Jackson. They also added Ashley Lelie from Denver, but he’s about as useful as an expired plane ticket. Overall, San Francisco did a nice job working on their defense, and coach Mike Nolan, who used to be the Ravens defensive coordinator, will make things work this year.
Offensively, S.F. was towards the bottom of the NFL in points scored with 298, but their rushing attack ranked then 6th in the league, and you can thank Frank Gore for that. QB Alex Smith is another year older and wiser, and I would look for that to reflect in their standings this year. With the addition of aforementioned Jackson and TE Vernon Davis catching passes, I would expect their offense to break out big time in ’07.
Defensively, the Niners were a wreck last year. They gave up the most points in the NFL by allowing 412 last year. With the additions of Willis and Clements, coach Nolan has some solid building blocks to work with. CB Walt Harris returns, as he led the Niners in interceptions last year with 8. Overall, this defense will be much improved in ’07 and will not be pushed around like they were in ’06.
BEST-CASE SCENARIO:
The 49ers significantly improve last year’s record and finish 10-6. The beginning of their season looks rough with away games at St. Louis and Pittsburgh, and then coming home to face Seattle and Baltimore, but facing the Cardinals twice each year is always nice, and they finish the year up against Tampa Bay and Cleveland. Provided Gore is healthy all year (keep an eye on his broken hand), they will definitely be a surprise team in 2007.
WORST-CASE SCENARIO:
The team goes 7-9 or even worse. They play Seattle and St. Louis twice this year, and games against Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Carolina, Minnesota, and Cincinnati are never easy match ups. As long as their defense can keep them close in games, their offense should be able to provide the spark to pull out some surprise wins. Overall, I would say S.F. finishes at 8-8 this year.
Seattle Seahawks (2006: 9-7)
ALL ABOUT ALEXANDER
by Zach Crizer
If Shaun Alexander is less than 100%, Seattle will
have a tough time repeating as division champs
Dominance fading in the NFC West, the Seattle Seahawks’ reign of glory may be reaching its breaking point. With staples on offense like receiver Darrell Jackson and center Ronnie Tobeck having departed, the Seahawks do not have quite the veteran feel that Holmgren is so good with. A younger team is not necessarily a bad thing, but Seahawks will not have the cushiony division they are used to, and will have to fight hard to make the playoffs this season.
Shaun Alexander’s mysterious foot injury still pops into my mind even though he insists it is perfectly fine. Alexander should once again be the basis of the gameplan, as long as he stays healthy. When Matt Hasselbeck drops back to throw the ball, he will no longer have go-to Seattle mainstay Jackson running his steady routes. Patriot defector Deion Branch will be the primary target, and Nate Burleson, the perennial breakout pick that never quite happens, will lineup on the other side. Protection will be solid, with Walter Jones anchoring the offensive line once again. Center is the only burning question, where Chris Spencer assumes Tobeck’s duties. Offensively, Hasselbeck will lead a solid group, but they are not going to be able to win on their own.
Defensively, the Seahawks are led by young sensation Lofa Tatupu, the brilliant middle linebacker who directs his elder counterparts. Tatupu makes up for one of the unit’s weaknesses, the lack of a consistent force in the middle of the defensive line. Defensive ends Patrick Kerney, Bryce Fisher and Darryl Tapp provide an above average pass rush, but the secondary is a major question mark. Marcus Trufant was a number one draft pick but has never really played like a number one corner. Jonathan Babineaux is moving up to the number two spot, but his greatest contribution to date is saving the day as Tony Romo scampered towards the goal line after fumbling the snap.
It is not that the Seahawks have worsened, but more that the 49ers are coming, the Rams are no gimme, and the Cardinals may eventually lose the meltdowns. Furthermore, the Seahawks schedule does not allow for much breathing room. Their out of division opponents include Chicago, Carolina, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Baltimore.
BEST-CASE SCENARIO:
The secondary gels and lets Tatupu and the linebacking crew focus on run stuffing, creating a dominant defense. Branch and Burleson revitalize the Seattle passing attack with surprise contributions from DJ Hackett. Shaun Alexander piles up 1,200 yards and Seattle wins the division and makes a run in the NFC playoffs.
WORST-CASE SCENARIO:
Division rivals Frank Gore and Steven Jackson lead a charge over the Seahawks run defense as Hasselbeck and the offense are trapped on the sideline. The offense becomes one dimensional when the receivers lack chemistry with Hasselbeck. The Seahawks end up 8-8 in 3rd place in the NFC West.
by Zach Crizer
If Shaun Alexander is less than 100%, Seattle will
have a tough time repeating as division champs
Dominance fading in the NFC West, the Seattle Seahawks’ reign of glory may be reaching its breaking point. With staples on offense like receiver Darrell Jackson and center Ronnie Tobeck having departed, the Seahawks do not have quite the veteran feel that Holmgren is so good with. A younger team is not necessarily a bad thing, but Seahawks will not have the cushiony division they are used to, and will have to fight hard to make the playoffs this season.
Shaun Alexander’s mysterious foot injury still pops into my mind even though he insists it is perfectly fine. Alexander should once again be the basis of the gameplan, as long as he stays healthy. When Matt Hasselbeck drops back to throw the ball, he will no longer have go-to Seattle mainstay Jackson running his steady routes. Patriot defector Deion Branch will be the primary target, and Nate Burleson, the perennial breakout pick that never quite happens, will lineup on the other side. Protection will be solid, with Walter Jones anchoring the offensive line once again. Center is the only burning question, where Chris Spencer assumes Tobeck’s duties. Offensively, Hasselbeck will lead a solid group, but they are not going to be able to win on their own.
Defensively, the Seahawks are led by young sensation Lofa Tatupu, the brilliant middle linebacker who directs his elder counterparts. Tatupu makes up for one of the unit’s weaknesses, the lack of a consistent force in the middle of the defensive line. Defensive ends Patrick Kerney, Bryce Fisher and Darryl Tapp provide an above average pass rush, but the secondary is a major question mark. Marcus Trufant was a number one draft pick but has never really played like a number one corner. Jonathan Babineaux is moving up to the number two spot, but his greatest contribution to date is saving the day as Tony Romo scampered towards the goal line after fumbling the snap.
It is not that the Seahawks have worsened, but more that the 49ers are coming, the Rams are no gimme, and the Cardinals may eventually lose the meltdowns. Furthermore, the Seahawks schedule does not allow for much breathing room. Their out of division opponents include Chicago, Carolina, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Baltimore.
BEST-CASE SCENARIO:
The secondary gels and lets Tatupu and the linebacking crew focus on run stuffing, creating a dominant defense. Branch and Burleson revitalize the Seattle passing attack with surprise contributions from DJ Hackett. Shaun Alexander piles up 1,200 yards and Seattle wins the division and makes a run in the NFC playoffs.
WORST-CASE SCENARIO:
Division rivals Frank Gore and Steven Jackson lead a charge over the Seahawks run defense as Hasselbeck and the offense are trapped on the sideline. The offense becomes one dimensional when the receivers lack chemistry with Hasselbeck. The Seahawks end up 8-8 in 3rd place in the NFC West.
St. Louis Rams (2006: 8-8)
JACKED UP
by Steven Michalovich
Dreadlocks flying, Steven Jackson had an outstanding
year in 2006; another one will go a long way toward
making the Rams division champs
My fantasy football season in 2007 would not have been as successful as it was if it wasn’t for the St. Louis Rams offense. My starting quarterback and wide receivers consisted of Marc Bulger, Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce, and I rode their 37 touchdowns to a one-loss regular season. There is no doubt about it, that the Rams have an explosive offense.
As far as their team’s success goes in 2006, it was an up and down and up again season. They started off by winning four of their first five, but came out of their bye week losing six of their next seven. They are hoping that the momentum from a season ending three-game winning streak will carry over into 2007. It certainly is possible despite not having a winning season since 2003 – Mike Martz’s last season as coach.
In St. Louis, offense is to be expected. Marc Bulger and Steven Jackson have hit their prime. Bulger is a top-ten quarterback in the league and has become a strong leader, showcasing his heart along with accuracy and decision-making ability. Jackson has become one of the best all-around backs in the league as a productive runner and reliable receiver out of the back field – and his 2,334 total yards from a season ago prove that. Holt and Bruce are getting a little older, but are still very capable receivers. Third-receiver-to-be Drew Bennett, while his numbers have been down in recent years, provides a tall, versatile option as well. The offensive line isn’t perfect, but who’s in the NFL is? The healthy return of one of the best lineman in the game, Orlando Pace, makes this a stellar offense.
The defense still has some holes though. They gave up 145.4 yards per game - most in the NFC. There are some bright spots though, that this franchise is trying to build around. Defensive end and Pro Bowl alternate Leonard Little had 13 sacks and six forced fumbles last season. 2006 free agent, middle linebacker Will Witherspoon stabilized the center of the defense despite his smaller size. Rookie Tye Hill is tough and great in coverage from the cornerback position, but must work on tackling fundamentals before he will be considered an elite defensive back.
While the defense wasn’t superb, the special teams left something to be desired as well. Jeff Wilkins was tied for the league lead in field goals made last season, but coverage teams and return teams were almost non-existent. The notorious Dante Hall is now a Ram and the front office is thinking he can bring a spark to the return game, as this facet of football has become increasingly emphasized in recent years.
Their first five games are very winnable, and they face each divisional opponent in that stretch. Getting off to a fast start and establishing their offense by firing on all cylinders is pivotal as the defense will attempt to find some stability. But Arizona and San Francisco are sharply emerging in the league and Seattle is still a Super Bowl contender. Is this team too far removed from the Kurt Warner days or are they rebuilt and poised for success?
BEST-CASE SCENARIO:
Bulger and Jackson have career years, the defense is the biggest surprise in the NFL and Dante Hall has five return TD’s. Rams go 11-5, edging Seattle for the division crown. Hey, they’re in the NFC, and while Arizona and San Fran look to be improving, much could still go wrong with those clubs.
WORST-CASE SCENARIO:
Flip the best-case around to 5-11. Bulger and Jackson are the only big names among falling stars and inexperienced youngsters. We know the offense is going to win this team some games, but below-average defenses can and will get exploited when they have to travel to New Orleans and Cincinnati. Will the defense step up and complement this dynamic offense?
by Steven Michalovich
Dreadlocks flying, Steven Jackson had an outstanding
year in 2006; another one will go a long way toward
making the Rams division champs
My fantasy football season in 2007 would not have been as successful as it was if it wasn’t for the St. Louis Rams offense. My starting quarterback and wide receivers consisted of Marc Bulger, Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce, and I rode their 37 touchdowns to a one-loss regular season. There is no doubt about it, that the Rams have an explosive offense.
As far as their team’s success goes in 2006, it was an up and down and up again season. They started off by winning four of their first five, but came out of their bye week losing six of their next seven. They are hoping that the momentum from a season ending three-game winning streak will carry over into 2007. It certainly is possible despite not having a winning season since 2003 – Mike Martz’s last season as coach.
In St. Louis, offense is to be expected. Marc Bulger and Steven Jackson have hit their prime. Bulger is a top-ten quarterback in the league and has become a strong leader, showcasing his heart along with accuracy and decision-making ability. Jackson has become one of the best all-around backs in the league as a productive runner and reliable receiver out of the back field – and his 2,334 total yards from a season ago prove that. Holt and Bruce are getting a little older, but are still very capable receivers. Third-receiver-to-be Drew Bennett, while his numbers have been down in recent years, provides a tall, versatile option as well. The offensive line isn’t perfect, but who’s in the NFL is? The healthy return of one of the best lineman in the game, Orlando Pace, makes this a stellar offense.
The defense still has some holes though. They gave up 145.4 yards per game - most in the NFC. There are some bright spots though, that this franchise is trying to build around. Defensive end and Pro Bowl alternate Leonard Little had 13 sacks and six forced fumbles last season. 2006 free agent, middle linebacker Will Witherspoon stabilized the center of the defense despite his smaller size. Rookie Tye Hill is tough and great in coverage from the cornerback position, but must work on tackling fundamentals before he will be considered an elite defensive back.
While the defense wasn’t superb, the special teams left something to be desired as well. Jeff Wilkins was tied for the league lead in field goals made last season, but coverage teams and return teams were almost non-existent. The notorious Dante Hall is now a Ram and the front office is thinking he can bring a spark to the return game, as this facet of football has become increasingly emphasized in recent years.
Their first five games are very winnable, and they face each divisional opponent in that stretch. Getting off to a fast start and establishing their offense by firing on all cylinders is pivotal as the defense will attempt to find some stability. But Arizona and San Francisco are sharply emerging in the league and Seattle is still a Super Bowl contender. Is this team too far removed from the Kurt Warner days or are they rebuilt and poised for success?
BEST-CASE SCENARIO:
Bulger and Jackson have career years, the defense is the biggest surprise in the NFL and Dante Hall has five return TD’s. Rams go 11-5, edging Seattle for the division crown. Hey, they’re in the NFC, and while Arizona and San Fran look to be improving, much could still go wrong with those clubs.
WORST-CASE SCENARIO:
Flip the best-case around to 5-11. Bulger and Jackson are the only big names among falling stars and inexperienced youngsters. We know the offense is going to win this team some games, but below-average defenses can and will get exploited when they have to travel to New Orleans and Cincinnati. Will the defense step up and complement this dynamic offense?