2010 NFL Preview: NFC West

Standings
1. San Francisco 49ers (10-6)
2. Seattle Seahawks (6-10)
3. Arizona Cardinals (6.10)
4. St. Louis Rams (3-13)

Most Valuable Offensive Player: Frank Gore (RB, San Francisco)
Most Valuable Defensive Player: Patrick Willis (ILB, San Francisco)
Addition With Biggest Impact: Alan Faneca (OG, Arizona)
Mr. Irrelevant: Matt Leinart (QB, Arizona)

Without question, the NFC West has to be the weakest division in the NFL. I think everyone's projected division winner is San Francisco, who have a bright future, but as of now are just a little bit better than mediocre. I'm not exactly sure what their offense is going to be like aside from run-heavy, as long as Frank Gore remains healthy. Tight end Vernon Davis finally removed his head from his ass last season and became a star, and wide receiver Michael Crabtree could be a real stud in due time. Alex Smith had his moments in 2009, but the quarterback situation is shaky. The 49er defense came out of nowhere to be incredible last year, and I don't see why they won't keep it up into 2010. Young inside linebacker Patrick Willis has emerged as not only the leader of this defense, but also perhaps the best defensive athlete in the entire league.

The Seattle Seahawks are basically in shambles. The team has no offensive skill players of note, and Matt Hasselbeck is too far past his prime to bring them up from the ashes. The defense has two strong points in talented and seasoned veteran Lofa Tatupu and potential future star Aaron Curry. Seattle could possibly have the shittiest roster in the NFL, but they will find ways to win in a bad division somehow.

Since the retirement of Kurt Warner, not only did the Arizona Cardinals decide against ex-USC Heisman poster boy Matt Leinart as the starting quarterback, but they cut him from the team as well. Very funny, and also, probably not the worst idea. However, this leaves them with Derek Anderson, who had one very good and two very bad seasons in Cleveland, to lead the team. This does not bode well for Larry Fitzgerald, the second best wide receiver in the NFL. Making matters much worse, number two guy Anquan Boldin hightailed it to Baltimore (a fantastic move for both him and the Ravens). The running game will have to pick up the slack, and I'm still on the fence in regards to how capable Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower are. The defense lost its leader in Karlos Dansby, but Darnell Dockett, Joey Porter, Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie and Adrian Wilson help make this a solid unit. Still, its going to be very hard for this team to win against good teams without Warner.

For no reason whatsoever, I really do hope that Sam Bradford, the first pick in the 2010 NFL draft, completely revives the St. Louis Rams and makes them contenders once again in a few years. And, Steven Jackson is one of the best running backs in the game today, and I'd bet that he is sick of being on the worst team in the entire league (yes, even worse than the Detroit Lions, trust me). In order to help Bradford out, the Rams need to do something, anything, about their receiving corps. Middle linebacker James Laurinaitis and free safety Oshiomogho Atogwe are worth mentioning for their individual achievements, but this defensive unit is utterly atrocious.