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The NFC West is a division that has teams that seem to always be talking about next year, but maybe this is the year that some of the potential turns into W’s for a couple of the teams.

The Seattle Seahawks have been the class of the division for the better part of the decade under the direction of Mike Holmgren. But one big piece of that success is no longer with the team, RB Shaun Alexander. The former league MVP was released and has yet to land with another team, his production had slipped of late as he ended 2007 with only 716 rushing yards and 4 TD’s. Longtime backup Maurice Morris will have a chance to be the starter, but former Dallas Cowboy Julius Jones was signed to pick up some of the slack.

On defense, the Seahawks are still a solid unit. Last year DE Patrick Kearney had a huge first year for Seattle. LB Lofa Tatupu is one of the league’s best backer’s and CB Marcus Trufant was locked up to a long term deal in the off-season. Holmgren’s squad may not be a Super Bowl contender, but it is still hard to see any other team in this division beating them out.

The Arizona Cardinals have been one of the pundits favorite sleeper picks for the past few years. Their skill position talent on offense ranks among the best in the league, but WR Anquan Boldin is having a contract dispute with the club after fellow WR Larry Fitzgerald also had some difficulties earlier in the year. QB Matt Leinart has been named the starter, and in year three he should start to prove his worth for the franchise. QB Kurt Warner is still with the team, but only time will tell if he will serve in a backup role or not. RB Edgerrin James is back, and though he put up some solid numbers in 2007, he could ease some pressure on Leinart with a big season.

Defensively, the Cardinals have a lot of athleticism but not a lot of results to go along with it. They did add pass-rush specialist DE Travis LaBoy from the Titans, but the unit will have to improve vastly if they want to win a division title. CB Antrel Rolle looks like he could be an electric player, after returning three interceptions for touchdowns last year.

The San Francisco 49ers may be in a put up or shut up season crossroads. Last year’s darkhorse playoff pick proved to be a dud. RB Frank Gore did not have the kind of season the organization was hoping and fought off injuries, while QB Alex Smith and Head Coach Mike Nolan feuded over the young quarterbacks play. However, the team did pick up some interesting pieces, including raiding two division foes for receivers in former Ram WR Isaac Bruce and former Cardinal WR Bryant Johnson. They also picked up RB DeShaun Foster to help Gore in the backfield. But, the offense will only go as far as the squad’s quarterbacks will take them as Smith will battle with Shaun Hill and J.T. O’Sullivan for the job.

DE Justin Smith was brought in from Cincinnati to help rush the passer. Playing behind him will be last year’s Rookie of the Year, LB Patrick Willis. Those two will team with CB Nate Clements to form the foundation for what the 49ers hope will be a defense to be reckoned with. If they get average quarterback play, they will improve on last year’s 5-11 mark.

The St. Louis Rams are in a transitional period, never a good phrase for fans to hear. As we said before, the 49ers signed longtime Ram WR Isaac Bruce, ending a great run for him in St. Louis. QB Marc Bulger battled injuries in 2007, as did star RB Steven Jackson. Those two staying healthy, along with WR Torry Holt, will go a long way in improving on last year’s 3-13 record. QB Trent Green was signed in the off-season to be insurance for Bulger, and WR Reche Caldwell will try to fill the void of Bruce.

Finishing with one of the league’s worst records does mean one good thing, a high draft pick. The Rams used the #2 pick in the 2008 draft on DE Chris Long, son of NFL Hall of Famer Howie Long. He will join last year’s first round pick DT Adam Carriker and former Pro-Bowl DE Leonard Little on what could be one of the league’s best defensive lines. Behind that line is where some of the problems lie for the Rams, improved secondary play would help get the Rams out of the division’s basement.

Predictions

Seattle 9-7

Arizona 9-7

San Francisco 6-10

St. Louis 5-11

Division MVP

WR Larry Fitzgerald

Rookie to Watch

DE Chris Long