NFC West Defenses

[blstoker]

So, here's the D's, and a couple of things. 1) I really don't think I did as good a job at the D's, but I am gonna post what I have at the moment as I just don't have the desire to re-do it. 2) At least this time I titled the thread correctly.

 

[blstoker]

DL

Arizona Cardinals
Calais Campbell; Dan Williams; Darnell Dockett
Matt Shaughnessy; David Carter; Ricky Lumpkin; Frostee Rucker; Ronald Talley

Campbell is as solid a 3-4 DE as any in the league, and IMO one of the most underrated players at his position in the NFL. Williams plays a very solid NT, but he hasn't yet played a full 16 game schedule. Dockett just seems to have been around forever. The Cardinals biggest issue on the line may be their depth, as I am not sure they could handle any of their starters being lost for an extended amount of time and still play at an extremely high level.

San Francisco 49ers
Ray McDonald; Ian Williams; Justin Smith
Glenn Dorsey; Lawrence Okoye; Lamar Divens; Mike Purcell; Cornellius Carradine

McDonald is a very good 3-4 end, his accomplishments include an All pro team. Williams, Divens and Purcell will have huge shoes to fill with the exit of Isaac Sopoaga. Justin Smith is one of my favorite 9ers, his motor and tenacity is a disruptive force offenses have to account for, it's just a shame he's only been getting recognition the last few years. The 9ers are deeper than the Cardinals and could theoretically handle a starter going down easier, but their questions at NT make me want to see how that position is handled before giving them more love.

Seattle Seahawks
Red Bryant; Tony McDaniel; Brandon Mebane; Cliff Avril
Michael Bennett; Jaye Howard; Jesse Williams; Chris Clemons

Bryant has had injury issues, but when healthy, no DE stuffs the run better than Bryant. ESPN lists McDaniel as the starter, and though he is a veteran presence I expect Jesse Williams to get plenty of playing time. Brandon Mebane has been a mainstay on the Hawks line for years, and though his play hasn't gotten much recognition outside Seattle, he has been a fan favorite for years. Avril was brought in to bring more pass rushing to the Hawks this year, and if Clemons is healthy, you could see Irvin, Clemons, Avril and Bennett all rushing the passer from different angles on the same play. Injuries and inexperience among the relief squad made me drop the Hawks, but if everyone plays as they could, this could be the best unit in the NFL.

St Louis Rams
Chris Long; Kendall Langford; Michael Brockers; Robert Quinn
Eugene Sims; Matt Conrath; Jermelle Cudjo; William Hayes

Chris Long has established himself as a viable pash rushing threat with 33 sacks the last 3 years. Langford is entering his second season with the Rams and is looking to continue to grow in his change from 3-4 DE to 4-3 DT. Brockers had a good rookie season last year, and I expect him to get better, I really liked him in last years draft. Quinn has emerged as the second pass rushing threat, two DE with 10+ sacks is a 4-3 teams dream, and I think the Rams can have that again this season.

Overview

The depth of the DLs in this division is impressive. Each of these lines is considered on of the best in football, and it is very difficult to decide who is best. They each have at least one question mark coming into the season, but also have a lot of potential to be great.

 

[blstoker]

LB

San Francisco 49ers
Ahmad Brooks; NaVorro Bowman; Patrick Willis; Aldon Smith
Parys Haralson; Dan Skuta; Michael Wilhoite; Corey Lemonier

Brooks is a solid 3-4 OLB, and you're in great shape when you have a player like him and he is the weakest of the group (and him not being charged in alleged assault case helps keep him on the field). Bowman and Willis are by far the best ILB combo of any team in the NFL (or best LB duo period), both are sideline to sideline LBs who have amazing abilities to diagnose and blow up plays. They are a huge reason for the 9ers defensive dominance. Aldon Smith has shown he is capable of being a top tier pass rusher, and he should keep QBs from feeling secure again this season. As for the reserves, having a LB the quality of Haralson to fill in is a huge luxury.

St Louis Rams
Alec Ogletree; James Laurinaitis; Jo-Lonn Dunbar
Jabara Williams; Josh Hull; Sammy Brown

Ogletree is gonna get a chance to start and show people what he can do, Laurinaitis is a stud, and it's a shame he doesn't get more recognition, but with Navorro and Willis in SF, he's a little overshadowed. Dunbar proved to be an exceptional pick up last season and I expect him to have a similar year this season. Overall, the Rams LBs are young and talented, and could be a very good unit for a few years to come.

Arizona Cardinals
Lorenzo Alexander; Daryl Washington; Jasper Brinkley; Sam Acho
O'Brien Schofield; Karlos Dansby; Kevin Minter; Alex Okafor

I really don't know much about Alexander, but ESPN has him as a 6'1” 244 pound LB, which pro-football-reference has him as a 6'1” 300 pound DT. Washington is a great young player, and arguably the best player on the Cardinals roster. Brinkley has a chance to shine in a defense that will need to stop some of the best run offenses in the NFL, but he has to beat Dansby out for the job. Acho is coming off a season where he saw a drop in his sacks, but was better nearly everywhere else, if he can play at that level and get his sacks up, watch out.

Seattle Seahawks
Malcolm Smith; Bobby Wagner; K.J. Wright
Heath Farwell; John Lotulelei; Ty Powell; Mike Morgan; Bruce Irvin

I'm not sure exactly what the Seahawks are planning to do at the third OLB, but fans have a lot of theories, we'll see which happens and whether it pans out. Wagner came onto the scene last year and had a great season, even with that, I still would rank him as the #5 MLB in the NFC West. K.J. Wright has been really good the 2 seasons in Seattle.

Overview

Another set of units that are going to be really good, but the 9ers LB corps is by far the best in the league, everyone else's units are trying to be second. The West is gonna have some fun watching some very young, talented and athletic LBs this season, no matter what team you are watching.

 

[blstoker]

DB

Seattle Seahawks
Richard Sherman; Brandon Browner; Antoine Winfield; Kam Chancellor; Earl Thomas
Jeremy Lane; Therald Simon; Winston Guy; Jeron Johnson; Chris Maragos

Sherman ilicits a lot of opinions from everyone, but most would agree that he is currently one of the best CBs in the NFL. Browner is a bruiser (though some may say mauler or thug), but he's also very talented and can cover with the best of them. The addition of Winfield theoretically solves the only weakness in the backfield, i.e coverage of slot WRs. Chancellor is one of the biggest hitter in the league and receivers take notice when he closes in. Thomas is another guy who is in the conversation of those who are the best at their positions. In total, the LOB is a unit to be feared.

Arizona Cardinals
Patrick Peterson; Antoine Cason; Jerraud Powers; Rashad Johnson; Yeremiah Bell
Jamell Fleming; Javier Arenas; Tyrann Mathieu; Jonathon Amaya Curtis Taylor

Patrick Peterson is a top talent who has shown he is very good in a lot of different roles. Cason comes over from San Diego and is hoped he can have similar success in the desert, and prove that letting William Gay walk wasn't a bad idea, I think he should be able to do it. I threw Powers in here as the nickel, but I have no idea who will actually win this spot, but he did have a good year in Indy last year, at least for the 8 games he played. The departure of Adrian Wilson gives Johnson a chance to show what he can do, though there are plenty of guys who want that position. Bell has been a good FS for a long time, but I think his most valuable role for the Cardinals is showing Mathieu how to play in the NFL (and I'm not sure Mathieu doesn't win the job).

San Francisco 49ers
Carlos Rogers; Nnamdi Asomugha; Tarell Brown; Donte Whitner; Eric Reid
Chris Culliver; Tramaine Brock; Perrish Cox; Trenton Robinson; Craig Dahl

Rogers successfully revitalized his career in SF, but wasn't able to maintain his INTs of 2011 in 2012, but he's still a solid starter. Asomugha will have a chance to show that the last couple of years in Philly were flukes that need not be remembered. Brown has been good for the 9ers for a good number of years, but I see him stepping out of the starting role and move to the nickel. Whitner is a good SS, though like many of his position he's got some issues in coverage, but overall his game is very solid. Eric Reid will look to replace an All Pro, and 9ers fans will need to tempter expectations from what they got to what Reid will be able to do this year, not saying he's not gonna be a good safety, just that he isn't gonna be Goldson this season.

St. Louis Rams
Cortland Finnegan; Janoris Jenkins; Trumaine Johnson; Darian Stewart; Rodney McLeod
Brandon McGee; Quinton Pointer; Matt Daniels; T.J. McDonald

Finnegan has a reputation as a tough corner, he plays bigger than his size, and he isn't afraid to take on anyone. Jenkins had 3 INT TDs last season and he'll get plenty of playing time again this season, will he be able to be just as impressive this coming season as he was as a rookie. Johnson had a really good year last year and he may be needed to take another step forward and use his size against bigger WRs like Fitzgerald and Boldin.

Overview

Its hard to see any unit on the defenses of these 4 teams that isn't at least moving in the right direction. Two years ago the Rams' backs were a joke, and now even they have some very good backs. It'll be fun to watch these 4 defenses play, and it won't be because of the defenses if the teams don't make the playoffs.

 

[DunceKaep]

Jesse Williams,

Bull Durham 5 cent head, or NFL talent?
5th round Steal, or "that's who we thought he was"??????
Weak lower body and can penetrate, or Huge upper body that will control the gaps?

Bring it Jesse.

Good Post Above. Good Job.

 

[AZhawks]

Not sure I agree that the Cardinals have the best DL in the division, bit of a reach IMO.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

I see the Rams has having the best DL myself. A bunch of young guys that were good last year and should be better this year.

Great post however.

 

[RoboticDreams]

As a 49er fan I just want to say that I appreciate civil and intelligent talk about our division by Seahawks fans. At ESPN I never saw anything remotely logical like I do here.

Good luck this year and I hope we end up playing each other in the NFC championship game. Beware the Rams.

 

[France_Steve]

Thank you blstoker for the great post. For someone like myself who is a fan but never played this provides great insight. Really enjoyed reading it.

 

[Attractive and Rich]

The 49ers are stocking up on corners but I really am not all that afraid of their secondary. The Seahawks' is still far superior - Asomugha is over the hill and Eric Wright was not even going to see the field over a rookie in Tampa.

 

[Podunkparte]

As a 49er fan I just want to say that I appreciate civil and intelligent talk about our division by Seahawks fans. At ESPN I never saw anything remotely logical like I do here.

Good luck this year and I hope we end up playing each other in the NFC championship game. Beware the Rams.

You don't have to tell us. We're aware. We actually beat the Rams last season. Perhaps you should relay your message to the San Fransisco 49ers though

 

[Jikkle]

I would say 9ers have the best front 7 and the Seahawks have the best Secondary.

I say front 7 because I don't think comparing a 3-4 DL and LB corp to a 4-3 DL and LB corp is an apples to apples type of comparison so I think you have to encompass both when ranking them.

When it comes to front 7s I think 1-4 between the teams is close but 9ers are a clear #1 and you could argue the placement of 2-4. In fact when I try to rank 2-4 I can't because everytime I think of whose #2 I can't pick one over the other.

Seahawks are a clear #1 in terms of secondary but like the front 7s I would say 2-4 is close and you could easily argue placement there.

But I would go #2 Arizona; #3 Rams; #4 9ers.

 

[SeattleOspreys]

I would say 9ers have the best front 7 and the Seahawks have the best Secondary.

I say front 7 because I don't think comparing a 3-4 DL and LB corp to a 4-3 DL and LB corp is an apples to apples type of comparison so I think you have to encompass both when ranking them.

When it comes to front 7s I think 1-4 between the teams is close but 9ers are a clear #1 and you could argue the placement of 2-4. In fact when I try to rank 2-4 I can't because everytime I think of whose #2 I can't pick one over the other.

I agree you can't compare 3-4's to 4-3's but I don't think the 9er's have the best front 7. I love your 4 Lb's, sure, but your front 3 is a huge
I like the Rams front 7 and Ogletree adds even more athleticism. Rams were the #1 Sack squad in the NFL. They're tough. The Hawks have potential with the additions of Avril and Bennett who can put
pressure and have the ability to move around the front. Clemons and Irvin come back and our pass rush
is significantly improved and we added run stuffers. Even if you would add Aldon to the front and
call it a 4-3, I still take the Rams.

What did the 9ers do to improve the front 3 for 2013. I've been a Justin Smith guy for All-Pro. He's an
old time animal football player but he's starting to slow down. Other 5 tech? NT? I have to go Rams
#1 and splittin hairs at this juncture with Hawks and 9ers.

Seahawks are a clear #1 in terms of secondary but like the front 7s I would say 2-4 is close and you could easily argue placement there.

But I would go #2 Arizona; #3 Rams; #4 9ers.

Rams need safety help. The 9ers need corner help and Zona needs 1 of each.

We're rivals but the 9ers front 3 and back 4 are suspect heading into 2013 and Harbaugh
knows it and why he'll bring in PED and Booze abusers in any attempt to patch the hole.

Add in the lack of WR depth on the 9ers and I'm just not that scared of your squad. You're riding
the wave of being in the SB but aren't the same team defensively at all. Age, rookies, poor
performance.

Are you telling me you aren't the least bit concerned? If you aren't, you should be.....

 

[Clayton]

Some really good defenses there. Rams just picked up Will Witherspoon (again) so he should be seen as a depth LB at the least.

It won't be the defenses deciding the division. Itll be the special teams, offenses and coaching.

 

[SeattleOspreys]

Some really good defenses there. Rams just picked up Will Witherspoon (again) so he should be seen as a depth LB at the least.

It won't be the defenses deciding the division. Itll be the special teams, offenses and coaching.

Fisher is a good coach and ya'll have a real nice defense. Nailed a nice draft from what I see. The
guy I like who is a total jitterbug and is quick but not fast is Stedman Bailey. It's all Tavon this,
Tavon that... Watch for Stedman Bailey who maybe a smurf but has serious juke moves... You have to press him because if you give him any space on a quick bubble screen, he's dangerous and tough to tackle.

Running game? Bradford? Rams are a solid sleeper squad that could sneak in at #6. I think you're
a year away from making that next jump but who knows at this juncture? I wouldn't be overly
shocked.

 

[Clayton]

I actually think Ogletree will have the biggest impact of all of our rookies assuming that he comes in and plays up to his talent level. The Rams had a really good defense except against teams like New England that spread us out and targeted our lack of safety/olb play. I'm not really sure there is a team in football that can do that this year to the level that the Patriots could last year, though. And Ogletree's specialty looks to be coverage so we don't have to rely on Dunbar to do anything other than what he is good at - big hits.

I don't know how good Tavon Austin will be but he will be a threat. Givens was such a huge part of our offense last year just because he was the only real speed threat. Next year's Rams offense will be a lot faster with Austin and Cook joining the fold. The question will be: how durable and how disciplined? The Rams led the league in penalties last year and that just has to be fixed. Bailey was quoted as having the best hands in the draft by Kiper IIRC so I think he has a good shot at making some noise in his career. At the very least, Austin and Bailey can trade off in the slot and more than fill Amendola's vacancy. But Cook is also alleged to be in the slot at times, too.

 

[Jikkle]

I agree you can't compare 3-4's to 4-3's but I don't think the 9er's have the best front 7. I love your 4 Lb's, sure, but your front 3 is a huge
I like the Rams front 7 and Ogletree adds even more athleticism. Rams were the #1 Sack squad in the NFL. They're tough. The Hawks have potential with the additions of Avril and Bennett who can put
pressure and have the ability to move around the front. Clemons and Irvin come back and our pass rush
is significantly improved and we added run stuffers. Even if you would add Aldon to the front and
call it a 4-3, I still take the Rams.

What did the 9ers do to improve the front 3 for 2013. I've been a Justin Smith guy for All-Pro. He's an
old time animal football player but he's starting to slow down. Other 5 tech? NT? I have to go Rams
#1 and splittin hairs at this juncture with Hawks and 9ers.

Justin Smith is on the decline but he's still going to be an very effective player in 2013

Dorsey despite being a disappointment in KC I believe will be an upgrade over Soap. If there is talent their Tomsula will get it out and maximize it.

Ray McDonald is actually really good at RDE he just flys under the radar and gets overshadowed by the bigger names on defense. He's hit his ceiling but he's still 28 so he's still in his prime years and I don't expect a decline.

Tank Carradine is just about recovered from his injury and I expect him to serve as a pretty effective rotational player which is what the defensive line desperately needs.

The rest of the defensive line is just quality depth especially Williams who I think could be a pretty solid guy to rotate in to give the starters a breather.

The front 3 is still really solid and really good.

Rams need safety help. The 9ers need corner help and Zona needs 1 of each.

We're rivals but the 9ers front 3 and back 4 are suspect heading into 2013 and Harbaugh
knows it and why he'll bring in PED and Booze abusers in any attempt to patch the hole.

Add in the lack of WR depth on the 9ers and I'm just not that scared of your squad. You're riding
the wave of being in the SB but aren't the same team defensively at all. Age, rookies, poor
performance.

Are you telling me you aren't the least bit concerned? If you aren't, you should be.....

There are concerns especially with the secondary and WR corp but the team that went to the SB is still largely intact.

Secondary wise Brown should perform about the same.

Culliver should continue to improve.

Nnamdi isn't anything close to a shut down corner but I believe he can still be pretty effective in our defensive scheme and matched up with the bigger WRs like the Julio Jones of the world who killed us in the playoffs because our secondary lacked size.

Rodgers is a major concern because he simply can't cover the better slot WRs in the league and having him on Harvin and Austin scares me.

Whitner scares me in coverage as well but the rest of his game is solid.

Reid is the great unknown but I don't think he'll be any worse than Goldson in coverage.

As far as offense goes......

Kaepernick will have a full offseason as the starter and get all the 1st team reps and he's already gotten some of the growing pains out last season so I expect him to be even better this season.

The offensive line is still one of the best in the league. Staley is still in his prime, Iupati, Davis, and Boone should be better, and Goodwin is the only guy that's on the downside.

The RB situation is still very good. Gore hit 30 but with a managed snap count I still expect him to be effective. Hunter is a wait and see how he comes back from injury but if he's healthy he's really good, LMJ showed some flashes last season I expect him to be a bigger factor this year.

The WR corp is an issue though but it's not like been a point of strength in the past couple of years.

Crabtree loss hurts but at least it looks like he'll be back in Dec. which hopefully give him enough time to get back into the swing of things in time for the playoffs.

Boldin is a big upgrade over Moss and I think him and CK will connect well together.

Jenkins can't be any less effective than he was last season and reports of him having bulked up and more comfortable with the playoffs means he should at least catch a pass this season.

Kyle Williams is back healthy and he's actually a pretty solid contributor as a #3-4 guy

Manningham is a big question mark with his injury. If he comes back from injury strong he'll be another guy that will be an effective contributor.

It's not a great situation but in some ways it's better than it was last season because once playoff time came it was Crabtree and virtually nothing else.

 

[Clayton]

Justin Smith is on the decline but he's still going to be an very effective player in 2013

Justin Smith doesn't decline. Justin Smith declines you

 

[SonnyCID]

Most great players dont gradually decline. They usually just hit a wall and fall off drastically in a year, two years if they're lucky.

If Smith regains form, the niners are probably the best line in the division just because of him. If he doesn't regain form, the niners are probably the worst line in the division.

The Rams and the Cards have the least ?s with their d-lines. Seattle made some great additions and are the deepest of any team in the division, if they can keep it that way and have fresh legs late in the season watch out.