2012 NFC West Preview

Sick of baseball? Tired of the Dwight Howard saga? Not interested in which country is the best at ribbon dancing? Good news! Training camps have opened, which means football is right around the corner. No Credentials will provide season previews for every team in the league. We'll post the schedule, highlight franchise cornerstones, free agent signings, and potential impact rookies. Look for these posts throughout the month of August.

We'll start with the NFC West, aka "not the worst division in football for the first time in four years".


4. Seattle Seahawks

2011 Record = 7-9, Third in NFC West

2012 Schedule = @ ARI, DAL, GB, @ STL, @ CAR, NE, @ SF, @ DET, MIN, NYJ, BYE, @ MIA, @ CHI, ARI, @ BUF, SF, STL

Franchise Players = RB Marshawn Lynch, WR Sidney Rice, T Russell Okung, S Earl Thomas

Key Free Agent Acquisitions = QB Matt Flynn, DT Jason Jones, G Deuce Lutui
Potential Impact Rookies = LB Bruce Irvin (West Virginia) 1-15

Outlook = Before Marshawn Lynch’s recent DUI, I was much higher (pun intended) on their chances to crack .500 this season. A previous offender of the NFL’s conduct policy, Lynch is likely facing at least a four game suspension. With little else behind him on the depth chart, former Packers backup Matt Flynn (I’m assuming that he wins the starting job over Tavaris “The Virus” Jackson, but assuming Pete Carroll will do something that makes sense is a dangerous proposition) transition to full-time starter that much more difficult. They’ll be a pain in the ass to play in Seattle (watch out Cowboys, Packers, and Patriots fans), but expect a long season in the great northwest. 

Ceiling = 10-6

Floor = 3-13
No Credentials Prediction = 5-11


3. St. Louis Rams

2011 Record = 2-14, Last in NFC West

2012 Schedule = @ DET, WAS, @ CHI, SEA, ARI, @ MIA, GB, NE, BYE, @ SF, NYJ, @ ARI, SF, @ BUF, MIN, @ TB, @ SEA

Franchise Players = QB Sam Bradford, RB Steven Jackson, DE Chris Long, DE Robert Quinn

Key Free Agent Acquisitions = CB Cortland Finnegan
Potential Impact Rookies = DT Michael Brockers (LSU) 1-14, CB Janoris Jenkins (North Alabama) 2-7, CB Trumaine Johnson (Montana) 3-2

Outlook = St. Louis was the most aggressive team in accumulating future assets (click here for some praise for their fleecing of the Washington Redskins). They’ll have two first round picks for each of the next two seasons (think about how awesome that is for a second, especially when both picks have a great chance of being in the top 10 next year ). Trading down with Dallas (a minor fleecing, but it should be worth it for the Cowboys) and ending up with Michael Brockers solidifies their defensive line. Young cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson each have the potential to be shutdown corners who will have a chance to learn behind Cortland Finnegan. The only thing that will hold back St. Louis is their miserable offensive line and lack of playmakers at wide receiver. Assuming the Rams address those two holes in the 2013 draft, expect big things for them in 2016.

Ceiling = 8-8

Floor = 2-14
No Credentials Prediction = 5-11

2. Arizona Cardinals

2011 Record = 8-8, Second in NFC West

2012 Schedule = SEA, @ NE, PHI, MIA, @ STL, BUF, @ MIN, SF, @ GB, BYE, @ ATL, STL, @ NYJ, @ SEA, DET, CHI, @ SF

 

Franchise Players = RB Beanie Wells, WR Larry Fitzgerald, DT Darnell Dockett, CB Patrick Peterson, S Adrian Wilson

Key Free Agent Acquisitions = None
Potential Impact Rookies = WR Michael Floyd (Notre Dame) 1-13, T Bobby Massie (Mississippi) 4-17

Outlook = The success of the Arizona Cardinals hinges entirely on the success of Kevin Kolb (editors note: I’m aware that Kolb is in a position battle with John Skelton. However, No Credentials believes that Kolb has way more upside than Skelton, and choosing Skelton over Kolb guarantees a 6-10 record or worse). He was a tick below average last season, but that won’t cut it in (cue Ron Jaworski’s voice) THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE. If he puts it together, he has one of the two best wide receivers on Earth in the form of Larry Fitzgerald, and a potential stud across the field from him in the form of rookie Michael Floyd. Throw in a serviceable running game, an adequate defense, and Kevin Kolb has all the pieces to succeed. Wouldn’t bet on it happening though.

Ceiling = 12-4

Floor = 3-13
No Credentials Prediction = 7-9

1. San Francisco 49ers

2011 Record = 13-3, First in NFC West, Lost in NFC Championship Game
2012 Schedule = @ GB, DET, @ MIN, @ NYJ, BUF, NYG, SEA, @ ARI, BYE, STL, CHI, @ NO, @ STL, MIA, @ NE, @ SEA, ARI

Franchise Players = RB Frank Gore, TE Vernon Davis, T Anthony Davis, T Joe Staley, G Mike Iupati, LB Patrick Willis

Key Free Agent Acquisitions = RB Brandon Jacobs, WR Randy Moss, WR Mario Manningham
Potential Impact Rookies = WR A.J. Jenkins (Illinois) 1-30

Outlook = See how many offensive lineman are in the 49ers franchise players list? That’s why a team that was quarterbacked by Alex Smith only missed out on the Super Bowl due to a couple of mistakes by Kyle Williams. Unfortunately, they were unable to upgrade from Smith to Peyton Manning, but Smith is been beaten down enough in his career that he shouldn’t be impacted by his team’s failed pursuit of an upgrade. He’ll have a few more weapons to play with on the outside, although it remains to be seen how much they’ll get out of Randy Moss. Mario Manningham presents a reliable third down option to take some pressure off of Vernon Davis. The schedule is significantly tougher than last years (week 15 at New England should be a great one), but they still have an elite defense that can keep them in any game. I don’t expect a repeat of their 2011 13-3 record, but barring a career year from Kevin Kolb, 10 wins will be enough.

Ceiling = 12-4

Floor = 9-7
No Credentials Prediction = 10-6




Click here to read about the AFC East
Click here to read about the AFC North
Click here to read about the AFC South
Click here to read about the AFC West
Click here to read about the NFC East
Click here to read about the NFC North
Click here to read about the NFC South