The Crystal Ball 2014 - Preseason Preview NFC West

Sitting here tonight, on the eve of the 2014 season, the Lady K and I are enjoying a rousing viewing of the latest installment of “America’s Game” featuring the 2013 Seattle Seahawks.

As we’re watching, the Lady K states, “I think Richard Sherman and J.J. Watt are my favorite football players who aren’t Steelers.”

I agree with her statement. Which reminds me….

I really want a number 25 Steelers Richard Sherman jersey. Art Rooney II, any way you can make this happen?

And with that, our final installment.

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals

2013 – Finished 10-6 3^rd in Division

Talk about bad luck. Bruce Arians comes to the desert and resurrects his career, resurrects Carson Palmer’s career, manages to put up a tremendous 10-6 record, and all that got him was third place in the division and no berth in the playoffs. Man what’s a guy got to do to get some respect?

Fear not, Cardinal fans, Arians spent the off season retooling. He signed offensive tackle Max Starks, linebacker Larry Foote, and looked at signing linebacker James Harrison, until Harrison decided to retire before the season. And even though the team lost the services of running back Rashard Mendenhall, who also retired, it looks like the Steelers will be ready for the season.

Whoops, I mean Cardinals. I think.

Projected outcome –All Steelers West jokes aside, the team does look to be on a bit of an upswing. If Carson Palmer can continue to relive his salad days, and Patrick Peterson continues his ascent to the top of the NFL, I see this team climbing the ladder to 2^nd in the division.

St. Louis Rams

2013 – Finished -7-9 4^th in Division

Now what happened in St. Louis this off season? I know there was something big. Something paradigm shifting. What was it……

Oh yeah, that’s right they drafted Michael Sam. My thoughts on Sam after he was drafted were that I think any team that has him would get perhaps not the most talented player, but one that really wanted to make the most of his opportunity.

Sam knows who he is, what this moment means, and who he is representing. More importantly, he knows everything he says and does will be scrutinized through the eyes of ignorant, macho lens. So to prove everyone wrong, he's going to work that much harder than everyone else at all aspects, on the field, in practice, in the weight room, in the film room, in the media, off the field, in the community. His effort will be second to none. If he doesn't have the talent that will be minor in comparison to the effort and his motor and the team will feed off of it. I love having guys like that on my team.

And Sam did work tremendously hard during the preseason, and never let detractors distract him from his goals. However, in the end the Rams didn’t have space for him on their team, or on their practice squad. But we’ll see how Sam’s career plays out at his next stop in Dallas.

As for the Rams, well…..

Projected outcome – Before one regular season snap, the team lost quarterback Sam Bradford for the season, who tore the same ACL he tore last year. This could portend the end of Bradford’s career, and does portend the end of the Rams season. Unless Shaun Hill can pull off a miracle, I see another 4^th place finish.

San Francisco 49ers

2013 – Finished 12-4 2^nd in Division

Man, what hasn’t happened in the offseason to the 49ers? It has been a roller coaster of highs and lows since Richard Sherman ended their season on a cold Seattle night.

There’s contract issues surrounding Colin Kaepernick (the 49ers want him under a long term contract, why I do not know) and Vernon Davis (he wants a bigger one, and that I understand.) Guard Alex Boone has held out all of the preseason with contract demands, and after watching a month of shaky line play without him, the team was forced to capitulate to his demands.

The team made positive waves by trading for tackle Jonathan Martin, giving him a new lease on his NFL life. Running back Frank Gore is still rolling forward and sees no reason for decline, even though he’s in his 10^th year. And the team opened their technologically advanced, brand new stadium in Santa Clara. It is a marvel to look at, but with all the Wi-Fi connections available, I fear watching a game and seeing 60,000 people staring at their phones instead of the field. But I digress.

Injury wise, star linebacker NaVorro Bowman is still out after being injured in last year’s NFC Championship game, and looks to remain out until possibly mid-season. His absence will weaken their defense.

Then on the negative side of the ledger, Aldon Smith is battling drug issues, as well as a 9 game suspension. And now defensive tackle Ray McDonald was arrested under suspicion of domestic abuse and will be the first test for Roger Goodell and his now tougher policies on domestic violence.

To top off all of this, the team and head coach Jim Harbaugh agreed to table all talks about a contract extension, leaving the coach entering lame duck status. This is a sheer case of pure case of ego versus ego. I love that based on Harbaugh’s massive ego, it could get him out of a job by January. That’s just awesome.

Projected outcome – I think it’s time for a fall from grace for the organization, as well as their pompous, blow hard of a head coach. I see 3^rd place beckoning for Harbaugh and company.

Seattle Seahawks

2013 – Finished 13-3 1^st in Division

What is there to say for the Super Bowl Champions? They celebrated, big time, with the good people of Seattle. They got to draft last for the first time ever, and now, they get to embark on one of the most daunting and sought after challenges in all of sports; they get to defend their Lombardi Trophy and attempt to repeat as NFL Champions.

Projected outcome –Show me a reason for the Seahawks to finish anywhere but 1^st in the division, and I’ll know you are a wonderful fiction writer. Back to the top of the NFC West for this crew.

And that is our preseason preview. Tomorrow, we usher in the 2014 season with a small kickoff special, and then Sunday, the full season opens.