2012 NFC West Preview

We meet again Trebek. As stated before, the process is simple. I predict records that will be inconceivable by Week 3, and you all get to point and laugh at me for being wrong. Anyway, let's get this rolling with my predictions for the NFC West.

1. San Francisco 49ers (11-5)

Head Coach: Jim “Enthusiasm” Harbaugh (2nd season w/ 49ers; 2 years total exp.)

Quarterback: Alex Smith (17 TD, 5 Int, 3144 Yds, 61.3 Cmp%)

Running Back: Frank Gore (1211 Yds, 8 TD); Brandon Jacobs (571 Yds, 7 TD); LaMichael James (R); Kendall Hunter (473 Yds, 2 TD)

Wide Receiver: Michael Crabtree (72 Rec, 874 Yds, 4 TD); Mario Manningham (39 Rec, 523 Yds, 4 TD); Randy “One Clap” Moss (out 2011)

Tight End: Vernon “Now a Winner” Davis (67 Rec, 972 Yds, 6 TD)

Defensive Player: Carlos Rogers (CB; 6 INT) NOTE: In his previous six seasons with Washington, he only had eight interceptions. What a consistent athlete (insert sarcasm).

Rookie to Watch: A.J. Jenkins (WR; Illinois) - He may have to step up if Manningham was lightning in a bottle and Moss decides to take plays/series/games/season off.

In the division of the not so wild wild west, the 49ers can rinse and repeat from last season and win the division. I doubt Alex Smith will throw 20 touchdowns, and expect Frank Gore to have a little smaller role with the additions of Brandon Jacobs and LaMichael James. I still can’t see how Randy Moss will work with what many consider a mediocre quarterback. 

This is me on the weekends, except the popcorn is beer.

2. Seattle Seahawks (4-12)

Head Coach: Pete “Funny Man” Carroll (3rd season w/ Seahawks; 7 years total exp.)

Quarterback: Pick ‘em! Matt Flynn (6 TD, 2 Int, 518 Yds, 67.3 Cmp%); Russell Wilson (R); Tarvaris Jackson (14 TD, 13 Int, 3091 Yds, 60.2 Cmp%)

Running Back: Marshawn “Skittles” Lynch (1204 Yds, 12 TD); Leon Washington (248 Yds, 1 TD)
Wide Receiver: Sidney Rice (32 Rec, 484 Yds, 2 TD); Doug Baldwin (51 Rec, 788 Yds, 4 TD); Terrell "Popcorn" Owens (72 Rec, 983 Yds, 9 TD)

Tight End: Kellen Winslow Jr. (75 Rec, 763 Yds, 2 TD); Zach Miller (25 Rec, 233 Yds, 0 TD)

Defensive Player: Brandon Browner (CB; 6 INT and 2 TD)

Rookie to Watch: Bruce Irvin (DE; West Virginia) - For a player drafted in the 1st round with a troubled past and a projected mid 2nd-round pick by experts, he has a lot to prove to the critics.

It smells like someone took a dump and lit it on fire. In other words, this team is a dumpster fire! The coach would rather bring in celebrities and pull pranks on his own players than coach. Matt Flynn should be their quarterback, but the coach said it’s open to everyone. Lynch, the star of their offense, got arrested... again. And Irvin has the feel of a bust. Other than that, this team has as much potential as Terrell Owens and his ownership in the IFL.

Who's Arizona's QB? Could be her before season's end.

3. Arizona Cardinals (4-12)

Head Coach: Ken Whisenhunt (6th season w/ Cardinals; 6 years total exp.)

Quarterback: A crapshoot! Kevin Kolb (9 TD, 8 Int, 1955 Yds, 57.7 Cmp%); John Skelton (11 TD, 14 Int, 1913 Yds, 54.9 Cmp%)

Running Back: Chris “Beanie” Wells (1047 Yds, 10 TD); Ryan Williams (Injured Reserved in 2011)

Wide Receiver: Larry Fitzgerald (80 Rec, 1411 Yds, 8 TD); Early Doucet (54 Rec, 689 Yds, 5 TD); Michael Flyod (R)

Tight End: Jeff King (27 Rec, 271 Yds, 3 TD); Todd Heap (24 Rec, 283 Yds, 1 TD)

Defensive Player: Patrick Peterson (CB; 2 INT; 4 TD RET)

Rookie to Watch: Michael Floyd (WR; Notre Dame) - Teaming up with Pro Bowl receiver Larry Fitzgerald will make corners have to decide who to cover... now if Arizona can figure out their quarterback.

This team has potential, and when looking back at season’s end, may have seven to nine games won this season. However, with the quarterback position up in the air, I expect inconsistent performances on a week-to-week basis. Don’t expect Beanie Wells to get 1,000 yards again with Virginia Tech product Ryan Williams spelling for him. Expect Fitzgerald to produce admirably again and be a superhero, while Peterson could experience the dreaded sophomore slump; personally, I doubt that will happen, hence why I said “could.” 

4. St. Louis Rams (3-13)

Head Coach: Jeff Fisher (1st season w/ Rams; 18 years total exp.)

Quarterback: Sam Bradford (6 TD, 6 Int, 2164 Yds, 53.5 Cmp%)

Running Back: Steven “Freak of Nature” Jackson (1145 Yds, 5 TD)

Wide Receiver: Brandon Gibson (36 Rec, 431 Yds, 1 TD); Danny Amendola (5 Rec, 45 Yds, 0 TD (Missed most of 2011)); Brian Quick (R)

Tight End: Lance Kendricks (28 Rec, 352 Yds, 0 TD)

Defensive Player: Chris Long (DE; 13 SCK)

Rookie to Watch: Michael Brockers (DT; LSU) - If multiple bodies are required to block him, Chris Long could have closer to 20 sacks this season.

See Arizona above. The team has potential. A possible Hall of Fame coach is trying to resurrect the franchise with the best mustache in football. But there’s many questions with this team: Can Bradford stay healthy? Is Jackson nearing the end of his career? Are there any receivers/tight ends that can contribute? Can the 32nd offense from 2011 score more than 12 points a game this season? And lastly, which Batman is the best Batman? And yes, I did run out of material to discuss for the Rams.

Next up: NFC North preview. Will be posted Sunday 9 pm. Now I must suit up and save Gotham City.