NFC West: The Pre-Preseason 2008 NFL Preview
by Bodog Sportsbook | Jul 30 2008
NFC WESTArizona CardinalsBEST MOVE: Signing free agent Travis LaBoy. LaBoy recorded six sacks and four forced fumbles last year for the Titans, but this year he might have to work harder to improve. While he probably benefited some from the contract year DT Albert Haynesworth had, he still has the ability to help the Cardinals’ young defense.
WORST MOVE: Losing Bryant Johnson. Larry Fitzgerald’s embarrassing rookie contract has cost them their slot receiver this year and will cost them their No. 2 as Anquan Boldin has now stated that he will not re-sign in Arizona. Watch for Johnson to have a breakout year in the Mike Martz-driven offense.
2008 CRYSTAL BALL: If Matt Leinart ever decides he likes playing football more than drinking beer, this team could turn the corner. This is his third year, so he’ll finally give the fans a real idea if he’s going to be the long-term answer at the position or not. Don’t look for Arizona to be in any real playoff contention. A wild-card race would pretty much be the Super Bowl for them at this point.
MOST LIKELY TO BE PRAISED LIKE HE SAVED A CHILD FROM A BURNING BUILDING: Kurt Warner. The grizzled old vet has life left in him yet. If Ken Whisenhunt employs his two-quarterback system again, look for Warner to come in off the bench and win some ball games.
MOST LIKELY TO BE BEATEN LIKE HE OWES MONEY ON MONDAY MORNINGS: Likewise, if Warner comes in… it means Leinart was pulled for poor play. Or maybe injured, but for the safe bet let’s just say it’s because he was hung over.
St. Louis RamsBEST MOVE: Signing free agent kicker Josh Brown. How many times did this guy bury the Rams at the last second? Great signing for the Rams, and it will hurt a division rival in the process. Bonus.
WORST MOVE: Signing Trent Green. Yes, he’ll help teach Al Saunder’s new offense from his days in Kansas City… but his poor skull is like pieces of glass held together with scotch tape. He’s been tossed from two teams now because they felt he was endangering himself. If you’re so sentimental, just hire him as a coach.
2008 CRYSTAL BALL: The Rams will not have a year as bad as they did last season. The injuries hit, and they hit hard. When healthy, this is an exciting team to watch and they’ll put it together to face off with Seattle for the division leader.
MOST LIKELY TO BE PRAISED LIKE HE SAVED A CHILD FROM A BURNING BUILDING: Steven Jackson. He is a top five back in the league and he’ll come back and play like it again.
MOST LIKELY TO BE BEATEN LIKE HE OWES MONEY ON MONDAY MORNINGS: Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett. If he doesn’t stop some people this year, and get the most out of second overall pick Chris Long, Haslett will take the fall for not committing to a scheme.
San Francisco 49ersBEST MOVE: The hiring of Mike Martz. This is a good move for the 49ers and it was a great move for the Lions who fired him. Martz will help develop the quarterbacks and he should experience some of the success that Norv Turner started to have before he took the job in San Diego.
WORST MOVE: Signing free agent Justin Smith. Overrated. The most fans can hope for is that he can hold up a couple of blockers in order to free up Manny Lawson and Patrick Willis.
2008 CRYSTAL BALL: They are putting the tools in place, but realistically this team is at least two years in the Martz system from competing for a wild card. But then… they’re gonna be a hell of a lot of fun to watch.
MOST LIKELY TO BE PRAISED LIKE HE SAVED A CHILD FROM A BURNING BUILDING: Manny Lawson. This young linebacker was lost for the season last year after only two games. Look for him to come back and have a big year next to Defensive Rookie of the Year Patrick Willis.
MOST LIKELY TO BE BEATEN LIKE HE OWES MONEY ON MONDAY MORNINGS: Alex Smith. It should get easier for this young man, but it won’t. Not until he either wins ball games again or starts competing with fellow No. 1 pick David Carr for third-string QB.
Seattle SeahawksBEST MOVE: Addition by subtraction. Releasing Shaun Alexander. It’s very rare when running backs continue to be productive north of 30. Usually, as was the case with Alexander, when the wheels fall off it’s a hard and fast crash.
WORST MOVE: Announcing the Holmgren/Mora succession plan. Sure, Mike Holmgren is “the boss” for now, but it can create some confusion for the players when you have a lame duck head coach. They all know that they have to impress Jim Mora, Jr., in order to keep their jobs next season.
2008 CRYSTAL BALL: They will be at the top of the division again, but they better hope that any games against the Rams don’t come down to field goals.
MOST LIKELY TO BE PRAISED LIKE HE SAVED A CHILD FROM A BURNING BUILDING: Owen Schmitt. This fullback will immediately be loved by Seattle fans whether he’s blocking for Julius Jones or making a huge hit on special teams. He plays one way. Hard.
MOST LIKELY TO BE BEATEN LIKE HE OWES MONEY ON MONDAY MORNINGS: Olindo Mare. He’s been released by two teams in two years because of poor production and an inflated salary. He was replaced in New Orleans by Martin Gramatica. Ouch.
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More NFC Pre-Preseason Previews: AFC Pre-Preseason Previews:
St. Louis Rams
San Francisco 49ers
