NFL
NFC West: Warner, Boldin didn’t shuffle off from Cards
This is the last of an eight-part series on the offseason moves in the NFL. Today’s installment covers the NFC West.
The biggest offseason news in the NFC West is what did not happen. The Arizona Cardinals did not lose quarterback Kurt Warner. After a bit of soul-searching, Warner did the logical thing and re-signed with the defending NFC champions. The Cards also did not trade star receiver Anquan Boldin. He’s disgruntled over his contract. But the Cards could not get fair value for him before the draft —reportedly their best offer was only a second-round draft pick. So the Cards’ devastating receiving combination of Larry Fitzgerald and Boldin remains intact.
That’s bad news for the rest of the division. Arizona is the strong favorite to repeat as division champion. Here’s a look at the West’s offseason moves:
 | Arizona: Warner's return makes Cards tough. |
 | San Francisco: Can weak O give stout D some help? |
 | Seattle: Mora needs old guys to stay healthy. |
 | St. Louis: Back to square one with new coach. |
Arizona Cardinals
Key gains: RB Beanie Wells (Ohio State), CB Bryant McFadden (Steelers), DE Cody Brown (UConn).
Key losses: RB Edgerrin James (cut),DE Travis LaBoy (unsigned), RB J. J. Arrington (Broncos), CB Rod Hood (cut),DE Antonio Smith (Texans).
Breakdown: The passing game ranked second in the league last year and should be as good as ever. The running game ranked 32nd. Wells gives Arizona a star talent in the backfield. Arizona could use some more pass rush off the edge. No Card had more than five sacks last season. It might be asking a lot for Brown to make a quick impact. McFadden should be an upgrade over Rod Hood.
Questions: Can the Cards work out new contracts for Karlos Dansby, Adrian Wilson and Boldin? Warner will be 38 this season. Can he stay healthy? Can Wells stay healthy? Should Arizona have addressed its offensive line more? Mike Gandy remains the starter at left tackle.
San Francisco 49ers
Key gains: WR Michael Crabtree (Texas Tech),DE Demetric Evans (Redskins),DE Marques Harris (Chargers), OT Marvel Smith (Steelers),WR Brandon Jones (Titans).
Key losses: OT Jonas Jennings (cut),DE Tully Banta-Cain (Pats),WR Bryant Johnson (Lions).
Breakdown: The Niners’ defense was pretty good last season—13th in the NFL. The challenge is the offense. Jimmy Raye replaces Mike Martz as coordinator. He’s the seventh offensive chief in seven years. That’s good news for RB Frank Gore, who will get more touches. The Niners were fortunate to get Crabtree with the 10th overall pick. Shaun Hill went 5-3 as the starting QB the second half of last season. He’s the favorite to beat out Alex Smith.
Questions: Does Hill nail down the QB job and is he good enough? Will Isaac Bruce slow down at age 37? The tackle position is a worry. Joe Staley struggled last year on the left side. Marvel Smith has chronic back problems. Can Mark Roman or Dashon Goldson play free safety?
Seattle Seahawks
Key gains: LB Aaron Curry (Wake Forest),WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Bengals), CB Ken Lucas (Panthers), DT Cory Redding (Lions), DT Colin Cole (Packers), C Max Unger (Oregon), WR Deon Butler (Penn State).
Key losses: Coach Mike Holmgren (retired), LB Julian Peterson (Lions), WR Bobby Engram (Chiefs), DT Rocky Bernard (Giants), RB Maurice Morris (Lions).
Breakdown: After 10 years, Holmgren is out and Jim Mora is in as head coach. The offense slumped to 29th in passing last year. QB Matt Hasselbeck missed nine games last year with a bad back. Houshmandzadeh, 31, teams with Deion Branch at WR. RB Julius Jones must rebound from a disappointing year for the offense to rebound. The defense ranked 30th and cornerback is a worry. Lucas struggled last year. Linebacker looks strong with Leroy Hill re-signed and Curry added.
Questions: Can the offense get by with aging Hasselbeck (who will be 34) and LT Walter Jones (35)? Can Redding and the massive Cole (330) bolster the run defense? Should they have done more at running back?
St. Louis Rams
Key gains: Coach Steve Spagnuolo (Giants), OT Jason Smith (Baylor), C Jason Brown (Ravens), LB James Laurinaitis (Ohio State), S James Butler (Giants), CB Bradley Fletcher (Iowa), WR Laurent Robinson (Falcons), QB Kyle Boller (Ravens), FB Mike Karney (Saints).
Key losses: OT Orlando Pace (Bears),WR Torry Holt (Jaguars).
Breakdown: It’s back to the drawing board for the Rams, who have won five games the past two years combined. Spagnuolo, the defensive guru of the Giants, cleaned house, shedding a couple of seven-time Pro Bowlers (Pace and Holt). They’re relying on young Donnie Avery and Keenan Burton at receiver. But the O-line has a foundation with Smith and Brown. The rebuilding of the defense, ranked 28th, will take time.
Questions: Does QB Marc Bulger have enough WR weapons? Can Bulger stay healthy? Can Spagnuolo play his attacking defense?DE Chris Long looks good, but DEs Leonard Little and James Hall are getting older. Fletcher better develop fast, because Ron Bartell is the only competent corner.
Log into MyBuffalo to post a comment
MyBuffalo is the new social network from Buffalo.com. Your MyBuffalo account lets you comment on and rate stories at buffalonews.com. You can also head over to mybuffalo.com to share your blog posts, stories, photos, and videos with the community. Join now or learn more.
Reader comments