Who Will Win The NFC WEST For 2017 Season?

[Mike75]

Arizona Cardinals

 

Head coach:Bruce Arians
General manager:Steve Keim
Owner:Bill Bidwill
Home field:University of Phoenix Stadium
Record:7-8-1
Division place:2nd NFC West
Playoff finish:Did not qualify

Offensive Scheme:Air Coryell

Offensive Coordinator:Harold Goodwin

Defensive Alignment:3-4

Defensive Coordinator:James Bettcher

Offense Rank-PTS26.1(6th);YDS366.8(9th);PASS YDS258.5(9th);RUSH YDS108.2(18th)
Defense Rank-PTS22.6(14th);YDS305.2(2nd);PASS YDS210.3(4th);RUSH YDS94.9(9th)

 

 

 

2017 Free Agents:

    Chris Johnson, RB
    Stepfan Taylor, RB
    Zaviar Gooden, ILB (restricted FA)
    Gabe Martin, ILB (exclusive rights FA)
    Brian Dixon, CB (restricted FA)
    Mike Jenkins, CB
    Matt Wile, P (exclusive rights FA)

 

Free Agency Additions:

    Blaine Gabbert, QB – formerly with the 49ers
    Andre Ellington, RB – re-signed
    Jermaine Gresham, TE – re-signed
    Jeremy Ross, WR – re-signed
    Tony Bergstrom, G/C – released by the Texans
    A.Q. Shipley, C – re-signed
    John Wetzel, RT (exclusive rights FA) – re-signed
    Josh Mauro, DE – re-signed
    Olsen Pierre, DT (exclusive rights FA) – re-signed
    Frostee Rucker, DT – re-signed
    Karlos Dansby, ILB – formerly with the Bengals
    Chandler Jones, OLB – re-signed
    Jarvis Jones, OLB – formerly with the Steelers
    Antoine Bethea, SS – released by the 49ers
    Phil Dawson, K – formerly with the 49ers

 

Free Agency Losses:

    Darren Fells, TE (restricted FA) – signed with the Lions
    Taylor Boggs, G (restricted FA) – signed with the Bears
    Earl Watford, RT – signed with the Jaguars
    Calais Campbell, DE – signed with the Jaguars
    Kevin Minter, ILB – signed with the Bengals
    Sio Moore, ILB – signed with the Texans
    Alex Okafor, OLB – signed with the Saints
    Marcus Cooper, CB – signed with the Bears
    Tony Jefferson, SS – signed with the Ravens
    D.J. Swearinger, SS – signed with the Redskins
    Chandler Catanzaro, K (restricted FA) – signed with the Jets

 

Traded For:

     TBD

 

Traded Away:

    TBD

 

Released by Team:

    Zac Dysert, QB -signed with the Cowboys
    Evan Mathis, G – retired
    Daryl Washington, ILB
    Tharold Simon, CB – signed with the Redskins
    Ryan Quigley, P – signed with the Vikings

 

 

Draft Picks:

1st Round: Haason Reddick  LB  Temple

2nd Round: Budda Baker  S  Washington

3rd Round: Chad Williams  WR  Grambling State

4th Round: Dorian Johnson  OG  Pittsburgh

5th Round: Will Holden  OT  Vanderbilt

5th Round: T.J. Logan  RB  North Carolina

6th Round: Johnathan Ford  S  Auburn

 

Starters:

Offense

QB: Carson Palmer
RB: David Johnson
WR: Larry Fitzgerald
WR: John Brown
WR: J.J. Nelson
TE: Jermaine Gresham
LT: D.J. Humphries
LG: Mike Iupati
C: A.Q. Shipley
RG: Evan Boehm
RT: Jared Veldheer

 

Defense

DE: Robert Nkemdiche
DT: Corey Peters
OLB: Chandler Jones
ILB: Haason Reddick
ILB: Karlos Dansby
OLB: Markus Golden
CB: Patrick Peterson
CB: Justin Bethel
S: Tyrann Mathieu
S: Budda Baker
S: Tyvon Branch

 

2017 SCHEDULE:
Sep. 10 at Detroit Lions  1:00pm ET
Sep. 17 at Indianapolis Colts  1:00pm ET
Sep. 25 Dallas Cowboys  8:30pm ET
Oct. 1 San Francisco 49ers  4:05pm ET
Oct. 8 at Philadelphia Eagles  1:00pm ET
Oct. 15 Tampa Bay Buccaneers  4:05pm ET
Oct. 22 at Los Angeles Rams Twickenham Stadium, London, UK 1:00pm ET
Oct. 29 BYE
Nov. 5 at San Francisco 49ers  4:05pm ET
Nov. 9 Seattle Seahawks   8:25pm ET
Nov. 19 at Houston Texans  1:00pm ET
Nov. 26 Jacksonville Jaguars  4:25pm ET
Dec. 3 Los Angeles Rams  4:25pm ET
Dec. 10 Tennessee Titans  4:05pm ET
Dec. 17 at Washington Redskins 1:00pm ET
Dec. 24 New York Giants  4:25pm ET
Dec. 31 at Seattle Seahawks  4:25pm ET

 

 

 

 

 

Los Angeles Rams

 

Head coach Sean McVay
General manager Les Snead
Owner Stan Kroenke
Home field Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Record 4-12
Division place 3rd NFC West
Playoff finish did not qualify

Offensive Scheme:Air Coryell

Offensive Coordinator:Matt LaFleur

Defensive Alignment:3-4

Defensive Coordinator:Wade Phillips
Offense Rank-PTS14.0(32nd);YDS262.7(32nd);PASS YDS184.4(31st);RUSH YDS78.2(31st)
Defense Rank-PTS24.6(23th);YDS337.0(9th);PASS YDS233.2(10th);RUSH YDS103.8(16th)

 

 

 

2017 Free Agents:

    Chase Reynolds, RB
    Trey Watts, RB (restricted FA)
    Louis Trinca-Pasat, DT (exclusive rights FA)
    Blake Countess, S (exclusive rights FA)
    Isaiah Johnson, FS (exclusive rights FA)

 

Free Agency Additions:

    Lance Dunbar, RB – formerly with the Cowboys
    Robert Woods, WR – formerly with the Bills
    Austin Blythe, C – released by the Colts
    John Sullivan, C – formerly with the Redskins
    Andrew Whitworth, LT – formerly with the Bengals
    Connor Barwin, DE – released by the Eagles
    Dominique Easley, DT (restricted FA) – re-signed
    Matt Longacre, DT (exclusive rights FA) – re-signed
    Mike Purcell, DT (restricted FA) – signed with the Rams
    Tyrunn Walker, DT – formerly with the Lions
    Ethan Westbrooks, DT (restricted FA) – re-signed
    Trumaine Johnson, CB – franchise tagged
    Kayvon Webster, CB – formerly with the Broncos
    Greg Zuerlein, K – re-signed

 

Free Agency Losses:

    Case Keenum, QB – signed with the Vikings
    Benny Cunningham, RB – signed with the Bears
    Kenny Britt, WR – signed with the Browns
    Brian Quick, WR – signed with the Redskins
    Cam Thomas, DE – signed with the Chiefs
    T.J. McDonald, SS – signed with the Dolphins

 

Traded For:

    TBD

 

Traded Away:

    William Hayes, DE to the Dolphins for a 6th and 7th round draft pick

 

Released by Team:

    Tre Mason, RB
    Lance Kendricks, TE – signed with the Packers
    Stedman Bailey, WR
    David Arkin, OL
    Tim Barnes, C – signed with the 49ers
    Eugene Sims, DE
    Kevin Short, CB

 

Coaching Changes:

    Fired – Jeff Fisher, Head Coach (fired after week 14)
    Hired – Sean McVay, Head Coach (previously offensive coordinator of the Redskins)
    Fired – Rob Boras, Offensive Coordinator (now the tight ends coach with the Bills)
    Hired – Matt LaFleur, Offensive Coordinator (previously quarterbacks coach with the Falcons)
    Fired – Gregg Williams, Defensive Coordinator (now defensive coordinator of the Browns)
    Hired – Wade Phillips, Defensive Coordinator (previously defensive coordinator of the Broncos)

 

Draft Picks:

2nd Round: Gerald Everett  TE  South Alabama

3rd Round: Cooper Kupp  WR  Eastern Washington

3rd Round: John Johnson  DB/S  Boston College

4th Round: Josh Reynolds  WR  Texas A&M

4th Round: Samson Ebukam  LB  Eastern Washington

6th Round: Tanzel Smart  DT  Tulane

6th Round: Sam Rogers  FB  Virginia Tech

7th Round: Ejuan Price  DE  Pittsburgh

 

Starters:

 

Offense

QB: Jared Goff
RB: Todd Gurley
WR: Tavon Austin
WR: Robert Woods
WR: Cooper Kupp
TE: Gerald Everett
LT: Andrew Whitworth
LG: Rodger Saffold
C: John Sullivan
RG: Rob Havenstein
RT: Greg Robinson

 

Defense

DE: Dominique Easley
DT: Michael Brockers
DE: Aaron Donald
OLB: Robert Quinn
ILB: Alec Ogletree
ILB: Mark Barron
OLB: Connor Barwin
CB: Trumaine Johnson
CB: Kayvon Webster
S: Lamarcus Joyner
S: Maurice Alexander

 

 

2017 SCHEDULE:
Sep. 10 Indianapolis Colts  4:05pm ET
Sep. 17 Washington Redskins  4:25pm ET
Sep. 21 at San Francisco 49ers  8:25pm ET
Oct. 1 at Dallas Cowboys  1:00pm ET
Oct. 8 Seattle Seahawks  4:05pm ET
Oct. 15 at Jacksonville Jaguars  4:05pm ET
Oct. 22 Arizona Cardinals  1:00pm ET
Oct. 29 BYE 
Nov. 5 at New York Giants  1:00pm ET
Nov. 12 Houston Texans  4:05pm ET
Nov. 19 at Minnesota Vikings  1:00pm ET
Nov. 26 New Orleans Saints  4:05pm ET
Dec. 3 at Arizona Cardinals  4:25pm ET
Dec. 10 Philadelphia Eagles  4:25pm ET
Dec. 17 at Seattle Seahawks  4:05pm ET
Dec. 24 at Tennessee Titans  1:00pm ET
Dec. 31 San Francisco 49ers  4:25pm ET

 

 

 

 

 

San Francisco 49ers

 

Head coach Kyle Shanahan
General manager John Lynch
Owner Jed York
Home field Levi's Stadium
Record 2-14
Division place 4th NFC West
Playoff finish did not qualify

Offensive Scheme:West Coast

Offensive Coordinator:Kyle Shanahan

Defensive Alignment:3-4

Defensive Coordinator:Robert Saleh
Offense Rank-PTS19.3(27th);YDS308.1(31st);PASS YDS181.9(32nd);RUSH YDS126.2(4th)
Defense Rank-PTS30.0(32nd);YDS406.4(32nd);PASS YDS240.5(14th);RUSH YDS165.9(32nd)

 

 

 

 

2017 Free Agents:

    Colin Kaepernick, QB
    Thaddeus Lewis, QB
    Christian Ponder, QB
    Raheem Mostert, RB (exclusive rights FA)
    Jim Dray, TE
    Andrew Gardner, G
    Glenn Dorsey, DE
    Tony Jerod-Eddie, DE
    Chris Davis, CB (restricted FA)
    Vinnie Sunseri, SS (restricted FA)

 

Free Agency Additions:

    Matt Barkley, QB – formerly with the Bears
    Brian Hoyer, QB – formerly with the Bears
    Kyle Juszczyk, FB – formerly with the Ravens
    Tim Hightower, RB – formerly with the Saints
    Logan Paulsen, TE – formerly with the Bears
    DeAndre Carter, WR – out of the league in 2016
    Pierre Garcon, WR – formerly with the Redskins
    Marquise Goodwin, WR – formerly with the Bills
    Jeremy Kerley, WR – re-signed
    Aldrick Robinson, WR – formerly with the Falcons
    Tim Barnes, C – released by the Rams
    Garry Gilliam, RT (restricted FA) – formerly with the Seahawks
    Elvis Dumervil, DE – released by the Ravens
    Chris Jones, DT (restricted FA) – re-signed
    Earl Mitchell, DT – released by the Dolphins
    Malcolm Smith, ILB – formerly with the Raiders
    Brock Coyle, ILB (restricted FA) – formerly with the Seahawks
    Dekoda Watson, OLB – formerly with the Broncos
    K’Wuan Williams, CB – out of the league in 2016
    Don Jones, FS – formerly with the Texans
    Robbie Gould, K – formerly with the Giants

 

Free Agency Losses:

    Blaine Gabbert, QB – signed with the Cardinals
    Shaun Draughn, RB – signed with the Giants
    Quinton Patton, WR – signed with the Jets
    Rod Streater, WR – signed with the Bills
    Andrew Tiller, G (restricted FA) – signed with the Chiefs
    Nick Bellore, ILB – signed with the Lions
    Gerald Hodges, ILB – signed with the Bills
    Michael Wilhoite, ILB – signed with the Seahawks
    Marcus Cromartie, CB (restricted FA) – signed with the Seahawks
    Phil Dawson, K – signed with the Cardinals

 

Traded For:

    Kapri Bibbs, RB and a 5th round pick from the Broncos for a 2018 4th round pick.
    Jeremy Zuttah, C and a sixth-round draft pick from the Ravens for a sixth-round draft pick.

 

Traded Away:

    TBD

 

Released by Team:

    Glen Coffee, RB
    Mike Davis, RB – signed with the Seahawks
    DuJuan Harris, RB
    Je’Ron Hamm, WR (exclusive rights FA)
    Chris Harper, WR (exclusive rights FA)
    Keshawn Martin, WR – signed with the Lions
    Eric Rogers, WR
    Torrey Smith, WR – signed with the Eagles
    Marcus Martin, C – signed with the Browns
    Alex Balducci, OL – signed with the Jets
    Zach Moore, DE (exclusive rights FA)
    Mike Purcell, DT (restricted FA) – signed with the Rams
    Carl Bradford, ILB (restricted FA) – signed with the Bills
    Jayson DiMance, LB
    Wynton McManis, LB
    Shayne Skov, ILB (exclusive rights FA)
    Tramaine Brock, CB – arrested for domestic violence
    JaCorey Shepherd, CB (exclusive rights FA)
    Marcus Ball, FS (exclusive rights FA)
    Antoine Bethea, SS – signed with the Cardinals
    Brock Miller, P

 

Coaching Changes:

    Fired – Chip Kelly, Head Coach
    Hired – Kyle Shanahan, Head Coach (previously offensive coordinator of the Falcons)
    Fired – Curtis Modkins, Offensive Coordinator (now running backs coach with the Bears)
    Fired – Jim O’Neil, Defensive Coordinator
    Hired – Robert Saleh, Defensive Coordinator (previously linebackers coach with the Jaguars)

 

Draft Picks:

1st Round: Solomon Thomas  Defensive end  Stanford

1st Round: Reuben Foster  Linebacker  Alabama

3rd Round: Ahkello Witherspoon  Cornerback  Colorado

3rd Round: C. J. Beathard  Quarterback  Iowa

4th Round: Joe Williams  Running back  Utah

5th Round: George Kittle  Tight end  Iowa

5th Round: Trent Taylor  Wide receiver  Louisiana Tech

6th Round: D.J. Jones  Defensive tackle  Ole Miss

6th Round: Pita Taumoepenu  Defensive end  Utah

7th Round: Adrian Colbert  Cornerback  Miami (FL)

 

Starters:

 

Offense

QB: Brian Hoyer
RB: Carlos Hyde
WR: Pierre Garcon
WR: Jeremy Kerley
WR: Marquise Goodwin
TE: Logan Paulsen
LT: Joe Staley
LG: Jeremy Zuttah
C: Daniel Kilgore
RG: Joshua Garnett
RT: Trent Brown

 

Defense

DE: Solomon Thomas
DT: DeForest Buckner
DT: Earl Mitchell
DE: Arik Armstead
OLB: Reuben Foster
MLB: NaVorro Bowman
OLB: Ahmad Brooks
CB: Rashard Robinson
CB: Dontae Johnson
S: Eric Reid
S: Jimmie Ward

 

2017 SCHEDULE:

Sep. 10 Carolina Panthers  4:25pm ET
Sep. 17 at Seattle Seahawks  4:25pm ET
Sep. 21 Los Angeles Rams  8:25pm ET
Oct. 1 at Arizona Cardinals  4:05pm ET
Oct. 8 at Indianapolis Colts  1:00pm ET
Oct. 15 at Washington Redskins  1:00pm ET
Oct. 22 Dallas Cowboys   4:05pm ET
Oct. 29 at Philadelphia Eagles  1:00pm ET
Nov. 5 Arizona Cardinals   4:05pm ET
Nov. 12 New York Giants  4:25pm ET
Nov. 19 BYE 
Nov. 26 Seattle Seahawks  4:05pm ET
Dec. 3 at Chicago Bears  1:00pm ET
Dec. 10 at Houston Texans  1:00pm ET
Dec. 17 Tennessee Titans  4:25pm ET
Dec. 24 Jacksonville Jaguars  4:05pm ET
Dec. 31 at Los Angeles Rams 4:25pm ET

 

 

 

 

 

Seattle Seahawks

 

Head coach Pete Carroll
General manager John Schneider
Owner Paul Allen
Home field CenturyLink Field
Record 10-5-1
Division place 1st NFC West
Playoff finish Won Wild Card vs. Detroit Lions 26-6,Lost Divisional vs. Atlanta Falcons 36-20.

Offensive Scheme:West Coast

Offensive Coordinator:Kris Richard

Defensive Alignment:4-3

Defensive Coordinator:Darrell Bevell

Offense Rank-PTS22.1(18th);YDS357.2(12th);PASS YDS257.8(10th);RUSH YDS99.4(25th)
Defense Rank-PTS18.2(3rd);YDS318.7(5th);PASS YDS225.8(8th);RUSH YDS92.9(7th)

 

 

 

 

2017 Free Agents:

    Marcel Reece, FB
    Will Tukuafu, FB
    Brandon Cottom, RB (exclusive rights FA)
    Devin Hester, WR
    Kasen Williams, WR (exclusive rights FA)
    Tavaris Barnes, DE (exclusive rights FA)
    Terence Garvin, ILB – formerly with the Redskins
    Michael Morgan, OLB
    Ronald Powell, OLB (restricted FA)
    Stanley Jean-Baptiste, CB (exclusive rights FA)
    Mohammed Seisay, CB (exclusive rights FA)
    Steven Terrell, CB (restricted FA)
    Jeron Johnson, SS
    Kelcie McCray, SS
    Dewey McDonald, SS (restricted FA)
    Nolan Frese, LS (exclusive rights FA)
    Tyler Ott, LS (exclusive rights FA)

 

Free Agency Additions:

    Austin Davis, QB – out of the league in 2016
    Mike Davis, RB – released by the 49ers
    Eddie Lacy, RB – formerly with the Packers
    Troymaine Pope, RB (exclusive rights FA) – re-signed
    Luke Willson, TE – re-signed
    Cyril Grayson, WR – out of the league in 2016
    Oday Aboushi, G – formerly with the Texans
    Luke Joeckel, G – formerly with the Jaguars
    David Bass, OLB – formerly with the Titans
    Dion Jordan, DE – released by the Dolphins
    Michael Wilhoite, ILB – formerly with the 49ers
    Arthur Brown, LB – formerly with the Jets
    Marcus Cromartie, CB (restricted FA) – formerly with the 49ers
    Neiko Thorpe, CB – re-signed
    Bradley McDougald, FS – formerly with the Buccaneers
    Deshawn Shead, FS (restricted FA) – re-signed
    Blair Walsh, K – released by the Vikings

 

Free Agency Losses:

    Brandon Williams, TE – signed with the Colts
    Bradley Sowell, LT – signed with the Bears
    Garry Gilliam, RT (restricted FA) – signed with the 49ers.
    Damontre Moore, DE – signed with the Cowboys
    John Jenkins, DT – signed with the Bears
    Tony McDaniel, DT – signed with the Saints
    Brock Coyle, ILB (restricted FA) – signed with the 49ers
    Steven Hauschka, K – signed with the Bills

 

Traded For:

    TBD

 

Traded Away:

    TBD

 

Released by Team:

    Jake Heaps, QB
    George Farmer, RB
    Terrence Magee, RB (exclusive rights FA)
    Kelvin Taylor, RB – signed with the Chiefs
    Chris Briggs, TE
    Jamel Johnson, WR
    Ross Burbank, C
    Rodney Coe, DT
    Perrish Cox, CB
    Tyvis Powell, S – signed by the Browns
    John Lunsford, K

 

Draft Picks:

2nd Round: Malik McDowell  DT  Michigan State

2nd Round: Ethan Pocic  C  LSU

3rd Round: Shaquill Griffin  CB  Central Florida

3rd Round: Delano Hill  S  Michigan

3rd Round: Nazair Jones  DT  North Carolina

3rd Round: Amara Darboh  WR  Michigan

4th Round: Tedric Thompson  S  Colorado

6th Round: Mike Tyson  S  Cincinnati

6th Round: Justin Senior  OT  Mississippi State

7th Round: David Moore  WR  East Central

7th Round: Chris Carson  RB  Oklahoma State

 

 

Starters:

 

Offense:

QB: Russell Wilson
RB: Eddie Lacy
WR: Doug Baldwin
WR: Tyler Lockett
WR: Paul Richardson
TE: Jimmy Graham
LT: Luke Joeckel
LG: Ethan Pocic
C: Justin Britt
RG: Oday Aboushi
RT: Germain Ifedi

 

Defense

DE: Frank Clark
DT: Michael Bennett
DT: Jarran Reed
DE: Cliff Avril
OLB: K.J. Wright
MLB: Bobby Wagner
CB: Richard Sherman
CB: Jeremy Lane
CB: Shaquill Griffin
S: Earl Thomas
S: Kam Chancellor

 

 

2017 SCHEDULE:
Sep. 10 at Green Bay Packers 4:25pm ET
Sep. 17 San Francisco 49ers  4:25pm ET
Sep. 24 at Tennessee Titans  4:05pm ET
Oct. 1 Indianapolis Colts 8:30pm ET
Oct. 8 at Los Angeles Rams  4:05pm ET
Oct. 15 BYE 
Oct. 22 at New York Giants 4:25pm ET
Oct. 29 Houston Texans  4:05pm ET
Nov. 5 Washington Redskins 4:05pm ET
Nov. 9 at Arizona Cardinals  8:25pm ET
Nov. 20 Atlanta Falcons  8:30pm ET
Nov. 26 at San Francisco 49ers  4:05pm ET
Dec. 3 Philadelphia Eagles  8:30pm ET
Dec. 10 at Jacksonville Jaguars  1:00pm ET
Dec. 17 Los Angeles Rams  4:05pm ET
Dec. 24 at Dallas Cowboys  4:25pm ET
Dec. 31 Arizona Cardinals  4:25pm ET

[Mike75]

I went with Arizona to win the division and i also think Seattle will be close maybe a game behind.

 

As far as the Rams and 49ers they are out of it this year.

[Sol Aristatel]

Arizona 11-5

Seattle 10-6

San Francisco 5-11

Los Angeles 4-12

[Mike75]

To project which NFL franchises are in the best shape for the next three seasons, we asked our panel of experts -- Louis Riddick, Mike Sando and Field Yates -- to rate each team's roster (excluding quarterback), quarterback, draft, front office and coaching using this scale:

100: A+ (Elite), 90: A (Great), 80: B (Very good), 70: C (Average), 60: D (Very bad), 50: F (Disastrous), 40: F- (The worst thing imaginable).

 

After averaging the results from the panelists, each of the five categories was weighted to create the overall score -- roster (30 percent), quarterback (20 percent), draft (15 percent), front office (15 percent) and coaching (20 percent). The result is a comprehensive ranking based on how well each team is positioned for the future.

 

Now lets look at how each NFC WEST team did.......

 

 

Seattle Seahawks   Ranked 3rd out of 32 For Long Term Future Outlook

2016 record: 10-5-1 (lost in divisional round)
NFC West future rank: first

 

 

 

 

 

Why they're here: Does any team find more value in places that are otherwise not regarded as gold mines? The Seahawks build the depth of their roster through late-round picks -- as is the case around the league -- but also have found stars that are foundational pieces at discounted rates in free agency (Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril arrived on modest deals) and in the middle rounds of the draft (Russell Wilson, Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor and more). -- Field Yates

 

Biggest worry: The Legion of Boom's reign is coming to an end, with Sherman and Earl Thomas both carrying $10 million-plus cap numbers in 2018, and Chancellor, the team leader, about to become an unrestricted free agent in 2018 at the age of 30. That Seattle drafted four defensive backs this past spring is further proof that change is coming. This unit has been the heart and soul of the Seahawks for the past five seasons; when the transition is complete, where will the team get its attitude and spark? -- Louis Riddick

 

What could change for the better: The Seahawks could realistically outperform their No. 9 ranking in roster outlook after selecting six players in the second and third rounds of the 2017 draft. No team in the common-draft era (since 1967) has selected more total players across those rounds in a single draft. Quantity does not necessarily equal quality, but the Seahawks did give themselves a chance to restock an already strong roster. -- Mike Sando

[Mike75]

Arizona Cardinals  Ranked 22nd out of 32 For Long Term Future Outlook

2016 record: 7-8-1 (Second in NFC West)
NFC West future rank: Second

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why they're here: It seems at least plausible that the Cardinals could undergo a major shift following the 2017 season. Carson Palmer will be a free agent and there's no succession plan presently in place. Larry Fitzgerald also enters the final year of his contract. Their importance to the franchise -- Fitzgerald is perhaps the greatest player in its history -- cannot be overlooked. -- Field Yates

 

Biggest worry: Field mentioned it, but Palmer turns 38 in December and the Cardinals still don't have his presumed replacement on the roster. Every hit Carson takes could be his last, and he took a beating in 2016, getting sacked 40 times and hit countless others. The Cardinals' decision-making team should be worried sick about the future of the QB position in the short and long term. -- Louis Riddick

 

What could change for the better: The longer-term coaching outlook could improve if Bruce Arians' health issues subside. It has been speculated in the league and media over the past couple seasons that Arians might be forced to walk away, but what if that is not the case? At age 64, there is still a chance Arians could provide some solid seasons if his health stabilizes. -- Mike Sando

[Mike75]

Los Angeles Rams    Ranked 28th out of 32 For Long Term Future Outlook

2016 record: 4-12 (Third in NFC West)
NFC West future rank: Third

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why they're here: I find it a bit hasty of people to write off Jared Goff's NFL outlook following just seven starts, but his rookie season was certainly a little bumpy. Beyond being the No. 1 pick in the draft, Los Angeles mortgaged significant draft capital to acquire Goff. The positive? He's in good hands now with a revamped coaching staff led by offensive whiz Sean McVay. -- Field Yates

 

Biggest worry: McVay and QB coach Matt LaFleur must determine if Goff's nightmare rookie season was just a part of the inevitable maturation process, or if he is destined to be an underachiever. I am a firm believer in a quarterback's success/failure being largely determined by how he is coached and how the team is built around him. The Rams will find out soon enough how well they have done at selecting a coach and building a team. -- Louis Riddick

 

What could change for the better: The No. 25 ranking in QB outlook is 100 percent understandable and arguably could be optimistic based on the shaky first impression Goff made while posting an 0-7 starting record last season. However, there is also agreement in the league that McVay will dramatically upgrade the offensive scheming, which could realistically improve the long-term QB outlook -- whether or not Goff is part of the picture. (A McVay reunion with Kirk Cousins is another possibility down the line.) -- Mike Sando

[Mike75]

San Francisco 49ers   Ranked 30th out of 32 For Long Term Future Outlook

2016 record: 2-14 (Fourth in NFC West)
NFC West future rank: Fourth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why they're here: How does a team crater from first in our 2013 Future Power Rankings to 30th now? There's a litany of reasons, but organizational stability has been a critical issue since that time. Jim Harbaugh was ousted as head coach after the 2014 season. Since that time, San Francisco has hired three new head coaches and replaced GM Trent Baalke. With John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan now in control, organizational harmony is atop the list of keys to success. -- Field Yates

 

Biggest worry: Shanahan and Lynch appear to be hitting on all cylinders in their rookie season together, but until they get the QB they want, it is all just setting the table, like with any team. Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley are quality backups, and I don't see 2017 third-round pick C.J. Beathard as a starter in the league. I like how this team is being built, but QB remains a major concern. -- Louis Riddick

 

What could change for the better: Add the 49ers to the list of weak teams with a realistic shot at drafting one of the highly regarded QB prospects in 2018. San Francisco ranks only 29th in QB outlook. That's understandable as long as guys like Hoyer figure prominently into the equation. Big QB changes are coming in the next year or so, however. The outlook will improve. -- Mike Sando

[Sharp Square]

Arizona should have every chance to win this thing if they stay healthy at the QB position and even though as those above have noted I think Seattle will be in the mix as well I just don't like em which made Arizona an even easier selection. 

[Mike75]

 

 

 

[Mike75]

The preseason is often a letdown, as fans get excited for the return of football only to watch a game featuring a bunch of third-string scrubs who will be bagging groceries by September. At least Cardinals coach Bruce Arians is warning you in advance.

 

Arians said today that he has decided not to play quarterback Carson Palmer and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald in the Hall of Fame Game.

 

Although Arians said he does want to give his starters more preseason reps to have them up to speed for the start of the regular season, he doesn’t want to put too much on two of his most important players.

 

So when the Cardinals take the field against the Cowboys, Drew Stanton will get the start at quarterback. No word yet on whether Dak Prescott will suit up for Dallas, but suffice to say that if he does, he won’t play long. Nor will fans’ excitement for the return of football, once they remember what the preseason is all about.

 

Arizona vs. Dallas – 8pmEST Thursday August 3rd, NBC

[Mike75]

Mike Martz claims he was misquoted on Jared Goff, Sean McVay

 

 

Former Rams coach Mike Martz disputes quotes attributed to him criticizing current Rams coach Sean McVay and quarterback Jared Goff in an upcoming book.

In Thomas George’s new book, Blitzed: Why NFL Teams Gamble on Starting Rookie Quarterbacks, Martz is quoted as saying that Goff “couldn’t have gone to a worse place” than the Rams, where he struggled as a rookie last year and will now be coached by McVay, whom Martz described derisively as “a buddy for Jared.”

Martz appeared on ESPN LA 710 today and said that while he did point out that McVay, as the NFL’s youngest coach, is only a little older than Goff, he didn’t say the other negative things attributed to him about the McVay-Goff relationship.

“I would never say something like that,” Martz said. “[The quote] was kind of embellished. It was a very short interview, and I think what I told [George] was there’s only a couple years’ difference between them, and they probably brought him in because of his ability to communicate. With [Goff], you want somebody more his age, I guess. But all of that other garbage, I would never say something like that.”

The quotes from Martz in the book seem to be coming out of nowhere, as there’s little reason for Martz to have such animosity toward McVay. But it’s hard to believe that George would simply invent quotes like that. Perhaps George has an audio recording of the interview that can clear up exactly what Martz said.

[Mike75]

Is Anquan Boldin a Hall of Famer?

 

 

Kurt Warner thinks he is. The numbers suggest that he has a better case for it than Calvin Johnson. Ultimately, the decision will be made as to whether receiver Anquan Boldin gets in to Canton. But while the voters must wait five years to have the official debate, we can start now: Yes or no.......

[Mike75]

Bruce Arians: Blaine Gabbert “could be a starter”So far this preseason, Gabbert’s averaging an adult 8.7 yards per pass attempt, and is 36-of-57 passing for 496 yards, with a touchdown and an interception (which the team’s own website blames on one of their own wide receivers).

The Cardinals will need a long-term answer at the position, as Carson Palmer has been talking about retirement and backup Drew Stanton‘s in the last year of his deal. But if Arians is serious, and can speak this reclamation project into being, then his football wisdom is stronger than whatever’s in his glass right now.

[gijoe066]

Seattle

[easy does it]

If Palmer stays healthy cardinals will run away with the division like they did a couple years ago.