Arizona Cardinals’ divisional threat once again Seattle
By Jim Koch
The NFC West will once again be a two-team competition this season between the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks
It had been six years but the Arizona Cardinals brought it back. The NFC West division title was back in the desert, the first time the Cardinals had won it since 2009.
The only real threat standing in their way was the Seattle Seahawks and they weren’t even much of one. Seattle finished 10 and 6, a full three games behind the 13 and 3 Cards.
So now, with the 2016 season upon us, it appears Seattle again will be the only team in the way of a repeat. The Los Angeles Rams added their QB of the future, 1st overall draft pick Jared Goff, but for them to finish above .500 is most likely unrealistic with a rookie at the helm. The San Francisco 49ers, with new head coach Chip Kelly taking over, appear to be in severe decline and may struggle to win even five or six games.
Therefore we’re probably looking at a two-team race. The following is a position by position breakdown of how the Cardinals and Seahawks match up for the upcoming season.
Quarterback- Russell Wilson, a third round pick in 2012, has become one of the best QBs in the league. He’s a dual threat as both a passer and a runner, a nightmare for defensive coordinators. Both he and Cards’ QB Carson Palmer are coming off of career years. Edge: Seahawks
Running Back- With the retirement of Marshawn Lynch, Thomas Rawls takes over as Seattle’s lead back. Rawls was playing at a high level before injuring his ankle last December. Rookie C.J. Prosise and fourth-year back Christine Michael provide depth. David Johnson, Chris Johnson and Andre Ellington make up an impressive Arizona backfield. Edge: Cardinals
Wide Receiver- Doug Baldwin leads the Seattle crew, coming off of a 14 TD campaign. Jermaine Kearse and Tyler Lockett are decent players but the speedy Paul Richardson needs to step up his game. Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, John Brown and J.J. Nelson comprise what may be the best corps in the league. Edge: Cardinals
Tight End- Jimmy Graham has been a major disappointment since coming over from New Orleans for center Max Unger. Luke Willson is a good backup who can get downfield and Nick Vannett was drafted in the 3rd round of this year’s draft. Jermaine Gresham and Darren Fells will most likely share snaps for the Cards with Troy Niklas and Ifeanyi Momah backing them up. Edge: Even
Offensive Line- Why such a successful franchise as Seattle would put such little stock in it’s O-line is a head-scratcher but they may have the worst group in the NFL. As of now the starters appear to be Garry Gilliam, Mark Glowinski, Justin Britt, rookie Germain Ifedi and journeyman J’Marcus Webb. The Cardinals boast studs in Jared Veldheer, Mike Iupati and Evan Mathis but do have question marks at center and right tackle. Edge: Cardinals
Defensive Line- DE Michael Bennett seems to be getting better with age and fellow end and former Lion Cliff Avril is very adept at getting to the QB. Jordan Hill, Ahtyba Rubin and promising rookie Jarran Reed will man the middle of the line while veteran pass rusher Chris Clemons returns after a two-year stint in Jacksonville. The Cardinals will start the outstanding Calais Campbell, ex-Falcon Corey Peters and risky rookie Robert Nkemdiche with Frostee Rucker, Red Bryant, Rodney Gunter, Josh Mauro and Ed Stinson providing depth. Edge: Cardinals
Linebacker- K.J. Wright is a tackling machine and Bobby Wagner is excellent in the middle. The departed Bruce Irvin will be replaced by Frank Clark, Michael Morgan or possibly even defensive end Clemons. Arizona struck it rich by acquiring pass rushing extraordinaire Chandler Jones from the Pats and round out their starting group with ex-safety Deone Bucannon, 2nd year edge rusher Markus Golden and the unspectacular Kevin Minter on the inside. Edge: Seahawks
Cornerback- Richard Sherman is still playing at a high level with Jeremy Lane and the big-bodied Tharold Simon battling for the other corner spot. Brandon Browner returns but most likely in a situational role. Patrick Peterson may be the best corner in the NFL ( yes, better than Sherman ) but rookies Brandon Williams and Harlan Miller along with incumbent Justin Bethel are all question marks. Edge: Seahawks
Safety- It doesn’t get much better than Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor. Kelcie McCray, Steven Terrell and rookie Tyvis Powell are the backups. Tyrann Mathieu is inching close to stardom but has to stay off the I.R. Tyvon Branch, Tony Jefferson, D.J Swearinger, Chris Clemons and rookie Marqui Christian round out a deep Cardinals group. Edge: Seahawks
Special Teams- Steven Hauschka converted 29 of 31 FGs last season while Jon Ryan is the longest-tenured Seahawk and still at the top of his game. Tyler Lockett returned both a kickoff and a punt for a TD last season. The Cards’ Chandler Catanzaro finished 2nd among NFC placekickers in points last season, Drew Butler needs to be replaced and return men Peterson and RB Kerwyn Williams were average at best in 2015. Edge: Seahawks