Seahawks top-flight; Cardinals taking off
Since 1999, the NFC West has been the domain of the St. Louis Rams, but no more. With the Rams showing cracks and the San Francisco ***** rebuilding, the Arizona Cardinals are ready to become an offensive juggernaut after hiring coach Dennis Green. The Seattle Seahawks will be one of the division's preseason favorites.
ARIZONA CARDINALS
• What we learned in 2003: Anquan Boldin is good. He had a rookie record 101 catches to go with 1,377 yards and eight touchdowns and should be a top playmaker for years.
• Key changes: New coach Dennis Green drafted Larry Fitzgerald and named Josh McCown the starting quarterback. Fitzgerald could form an incredible duo with Boldin, but Boldin is the better pick this year.
• Remaining questions: Besides wondering if McCown can complete enough passes, the Cardinals need to improve their running game. Coming off a zero-TD season, Marcel Shipp is not a good fantasy option, Emmitt Smith is too old, and Green likes young Josh Scobey, who has no carries in two seasons.
• What the schedule says: Road games at St. Louis and Atlanta and a home game against New England are a tough opening, but the second half features poor defenses and no bad-weather games.
ST. LOUIS RAMS
• What we learned in 2003: The Rams belong to
Marc Bulger. Kurt Warner is gone, and Bulger's backup is non-threatening Chris Chandler. Bulger needs to improve his 22-22 TD-interception ratio.
• Key changes: Aside from Warner leaving, the only significant change is the first-round draft pick, running back
Steven Jackson. Jackson has great value in a dynasty league but very little value in year-to-year leagues.
• Remaining questions: How Bulger handles the pressure of being the clear-cut starter and whether a third receiver steps up.
Dane Looker had 47 catches last year, but coach Mike Martz wants either Kevin Curtis or Shaun McDonald to step up in their second seasons.
• What the schedule says: The Rams won't have many tough games. Their home game against the Eagles in Week 16 is the only tough one down the stretch.
SAN FRANCISCO *****
• What we learned in 2003: The ***** didn't like what they had last year. They gutted the offense this offseason and will be a motley bunch this season.
• Key changes: Virtually everything. Quarterback Jeff Garcia is gone, to be replaced by Tim Rattay if he recovers from a torn groin. Receivers Terrell Owens and Tai Streets will be replaced by Cedrick Wilson, Brandon Lloyd and first-round pick Rashaun Woods. Kevan Barlow is the feature back after Garrison Hearst's departure.
• Remaining question: Do you want anybody on this team? Other than Barlow, no. Even Barlow likely will be drafted too early for a guy who has never carried more than 201 times in a season.
• What the schedule says: It doesn't matter whom the ***** play. Every team will be better than them.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
• What we learned in 2003: All the pieces are in place, and the Seahawks have the potential to be one of the most valuable fantasy teams in the league.
• Key changes: The Seahawks' only important move on offense was re-signing free-agent receiver Darrell Jackson.
• Remaining question: How good can the Seahawks be? Running back Shaun Alexander has 50 TDs the past three years and will be one of the first eight picks. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck threw a career-high 26 TDs last year and should push 30 this year. Jackson and Koren Robinson both could be double-digit scorers.
• What the schedule says: Seattle plays four road games in five weeks midseason, but that enables the Seahawks to close with five of their final seven games at home in what should be a playoff push.
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