NFC West Season Preview: Five Questions Facing the Division
1. Who is a coach on the hot seat in the NFC West?
I think right now you have to look at Ken Whisenhunt in Arizona as a coach on the hot seat. The 49ers just hired Jim Harbaugh, and I don’t think he’s on a short leash as of right now. Steve Spagnuolo has his Rams on the cusp of being a very good NFL team, and Pete Carroll is only entering his second year with the Seahawks.
Since going to the Super Bowl a couple of years ago, Whisenhunt and the Cardinals have been on a severe decline, and they made one of the boldest trades I have seen going after unproven Kevin Kolb for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a 2nd round pick. I think the Cardinals are one of the most overrated teams in the league, so we’ll see if Whisenhunt can keep them afloat and in contention for a division title.
2. Impact Rookie to Watch?
I think Patrick Peterson will be a great player, but a guy I am really looking at right now is North Carolina defensive end Robert Quinn, the first round draft pick of the St. Louis Rams. Quinn has excellent ability
as a pass rusher, and I think Spagnuolo has the pieces in place to make him successful as long as he stays healthy.
I am also going to be closely watching Aldon Smith, the first round draft pick of the San Francisco 49ers.
3. Most Improved Team?
By far, I think the St. Louis Rams are the most improved team. Sam Bradford is entering his second year, and despite the fact that the Seattle Seahawks went out and got three huge pieces in free agency, I think they down-graded at quarterback significantly, and I think the Rams got better at every position.
With that being said, I think the Rams are the favorites to win the division right now, and I think they are clearly the best team as well as the most improved.
4. MVP Candidate?
I will go with a “dark-horse” candidate here and say that Patrick Willis could be an MVP candidate this year out of the NFC West. The middle linebacker is absolutely stellar, a tackling machine, and as good an athlete as any player in the NFL right now, and possibly the best player at his position in the league.
5. Division Favorite?
St. Louis Rams, and I think they wi
ll have a tough road, but I think they have a good enough defense to win this division and make it to the playoffs just two years after having the number one overall pick in the NFL.
Projected Finish:
1. Rams
2. 49ers
3. Seahawks
4. Cardinals