Ahh the NFC West, *sniff* *sniff*, smells like mediocrity in the morning. Nothing like turning on the TV for the late afternoon game to find the exciting display of incompetence that is Rams/Cardinals. I mean it’s pretty hard to take this division seriously when two years ago they sent a 7-9 team to the playoffs. The Niners are at least a bright spot in this black hole of suck of the NFL. Let’s get this over with quickly, because I can’t be drunk while I write this and have no other way to dull the pain.
San Fransisco 49ers – Last year the Niners were a couple of rookie mistakes away from going to the Super Bowl. They have a good defense and went out and got some pretty good weapons on offense. The key for this team is really Alex Smith. If he plays 10% better than he did last year, hell 5% better than he did last year, this team will make a deep playoff run. One thing you have to ask yourself if you are a Niners fan is whether the attempt to get Peyton Manning in free agency rattled the confidence he built during the last season. Quarterback, more than any other position in the NFL, is subject to fragile egos. (See Sanchez, Mark) If Trent Dilfer can win a Super Bowl with a good defense I see no reason Smith can’t take his place among the “Average QB’s with a Ring” club. The addition of Manningham should give him another red zone option which is where they really struggled last year. They should easily win the division but the schedule looks rough, so home field might be a stretch. Chance of making the Super Bowl – 30%
Arizona Cardinals – Really? Do I really have to write something about this team? They overpaid Kevin Kolb last year not realizing that it’s the system stupid. I’m hard pressed to think of a single back up QB who came in when the starter was injured, turned it into a big fat free agency contract and then became a star. Matt Cassel became successful because he went from one Belichik system to another. Aaron Rodgers stayed in the same system. The jury is still out on Matt Flynn. Seriously if anyone can name a successful backup who changed systems and remained successful please, let me know. The Cardinals would be better off starting John Skelton (He did go 5-2 last year!) but Kolb is making too much money to be holding a clipboard. Larry Fitzgerald is probably sending 2am texts to Kurt Warner begging for one more season. Chance of making the Super Bowl – Only if they get on a bus and drive to New Orleans.
St Louis Rams – On paper this is a really good team, then again on paper my designs for a time machine look flawless. Key pieces of this team are far too injury-prone, add to that a new head coach (a good one though) and you are looking at a team in transition. I’d rather use this space to weigh in on the penalty handed down to Penn State. Now I’m not a big college football fan but I still follow big sports stories rather closely and this has probably been one of the biggest this week. I’ve heard the spectrum of not enough to too much. I think the real problem is that this wasn’t really an NCAA issue. What happened was a criminal matter. Yes the culture of worship that surrounded Joe Paterno definitely helped foster the environment of silence that allowed the abuse to happen but I think the punishment will have more affect on the kids going there and the town than the school itself. The money is pocket change to the school but I’m sure they’ll make sure to raise tuition to offset the loss. Personally I think everyone involved should have been sacked and outside people should have been brought in to run the school for a few years and hopefully change the culture. No Super Bowl for the Rams this year, but if they can stay healthy I could see them competing for a playoff spot in a couple years.
Seattle Seahawks – I’d imagine the Seahawks aren’t very happy campers right now. They planned on building the team around Marshawn Lynch, who was arrested last week for a DUI in Buffalo. This is his third strike and that means a pretty lengthy suspension from the NFL for violation of the personal conduct policy. I honestly don’t know if Matt Flynn can be successful. (See my previous statement about backups who go to new systems.) Other than Sidney Rice, I’m having trouble even recognizing any of the other names on their offense roster. I could see Seattle competing for the top pick in next year’s draft. Chance of making the Super Bowl – 0%, too many questions regarding the roster.
Other Sports News – Congratulations to Ernie Els for winning the British Open. Elvis Dumervil also showed up on the police blotter which is bad news for Broncos fans if it turns into significant time away from the team. Good news for Cowboys fans as Dez Bryant’s mom decided not to press charges. Clearly Bryant is a troubled individual and I don’t think the Cowboys are the right place for him to deal with his issues. It should be noted he is 24 and his mom is 37. Do the math and you see where the problem might stem from? Ichiro is now a Yankee, so hell must have frozen over.
Next Week – The NFC South also known as “Who in the fuck knows what is going to happen”
