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Notes From Lombardi: NFC West

Michael Lombardi

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FROM MICHAEL LOMBARDI:

In today’s final installment of our division-by-division breakdown of team needs, we examine the NFC West. Here are five questions each team must answer heading into next month’s NFL Draft:

Click HERE for a breakdown of the NFC South

Click HERE for a breakdown of the NFC North

Click HERE for a breakdown of the NFC East

Click HERE for a breakdown of the AFC East

Click HERE for a breakdown of the AFC North

Click HERE for a breakdown of the AFC South

Click HERE for a breakdown of the AFC West 

NFC WEST

ARIZONA

1.    What’s the solution at left tackle? It affected them in the Super Bowl and it affected them in games all year. The Cards must find someone for the left tackle position. 

2.    Who is going to be the running back next season?  And how are the Cards going to improve their run game?  They ranked last in the NFL in four-yard runs. 

3.    How do they improve their nickel defense? They were the 28th-ranked team in allowing points in the two-minute drill.  They must find pressure without blitzing.  For all their blitzing, the Cards had only 31 sacks last year. 

4.    Who will be the kickoff returner?  Losing J.J. Arrington affected their ability to return. 

5.    Defensive end seems to be unproven or old, so who will be the most effective defensive ends? 

SAN FRANCISCO

           

1.    Who will be the most effective short- and long-term solution at QB?  Can either Shaun Hill or Alex Smith fit into the new offense? 

2.    Who will be the right tackle?  The 49ers have struggled to fill this area of need for some time. 

3.    How are the Niners going to pressure the passer next year?  Who will be the best rusher?

4.    Can Kentwan Balmer handle being a starting defensive end in this defense?

5.    Will the help of a pass rush aid the secondary, or do the 49ers need more speed and coverage talent in their secondary? 

SEATTLE

1.    With the signing of Colin Cole and the trade of Corey Redding have the Seahawks done enough to handle the inside of their defense?

2.    Who is going to be the right tackle of the future, and who will be the left tackle of the future?  This might be the last chance the Seahawks get at nailing down a legitimate left tackle.

3.    Opponents had a 96.0 quarterback rating against this defense last year. The Seahawks could not slow down a running game or passing game.  Who’s going to make plays for them on pass defense, Josh Wilson?

4.    Who’s going to fill in for Julian Peterson and replace his five sacks, which tied for second on the team? 

5.    Who is going to be the back-up QB?  Seneca Wallace proved last season he might be able to play quarterback, but he’s not a winning quarterback. 

ST. LOUIS

1.    Who takes over for Orlando Pace at left tackle?  It is not Alex Barron. 

2.    Who’s going to be the starting QB?  Alternatively, are they just going to say Marc Bugler’s bad season in ‘08 was an aberration?  If so, who’s the back-up? 

3.    The Rams allowed 26.2 yards per kickoff return last year, worst in the NFL.  How are they going to improve in this area?

4.    Who’s going to beef up the middle of their defense? They gave up almost five yards a carry last season.

5.    They do not have a legitimate Sam linebacker on the roster. Does this mean Aaron Curry might be a possibility at No. 2 in the draft?  They could use any talented player at any position. 

Comments

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Sixburgh08
Mar 24, 2009
05:37 PM

Terrible division

James Donaldson
Mar 24, 2009
07:34 PM

Seahawks;
Their secondary got scorched a lot, but is it their secondary or their pass rush that needs fixing? Their drop in sacks was huge last year, and I saw that as a bigger factor for the poor showing than lack of skill, though you can never have too many good CB's!

I'd love to see them try and scoop up Sean Smith from Utah - can shore up the FS OR the CB position. A sound strategy?

Eric Green
Mar 24, 2009
08:54 PM

Mike,
It seems like you think the OL is important.:)

DanH
Mar 24, 2009
11:18 PM

RE: Arizona

1. Didn't know there was a problem at LT. . . Gandy played well most all of the season and all the playoff games but the Super Bowl, where he was on an island against one of the best pass rushers in the league. Could have used a tight end to help him block, but the cupboard was bare because of injuries. Cards have signed a blocking TE (Anthony Becht) and hopefully will draft one as well.

2. If all goes well, a two-headed backfield of Hightower and Beanie Wells or Donald Brown. With Wright from Cleveland at third-string. Hopefully another year of continuity and improvement along the o-line along with the development of Hightower will keep the offense balanced enough to keep the D honest.

3. Bryant McFadden moves Rod Hood to nickel corner. Hopefully a draftee safety will keep Aaron Francisco on special teams. I'm also hoping the loss of Clancy "10 Yard Cushion and three-man rush" Pendergast will improve the play of the defensive backfield.

4. Got me there. Breaston is probably better as a punt returner, and may not even be wanted there if he's going to be the fulltime #3 WR. Maybe somebody like Marcus Thigpen.

5. Team is switching to a 3-4 fulltime now that Clancy "10 Yard Cushion, three-man rush" Pendergast is gone (thank goodness). Starting D-ends will likely be Dockett and Calais Campbell. You probably meant the linebacking corps was older. Hopefully add a couple via the draft.

All in all I'm a pretty stoked Cardinals fan. They've added some decent veteran depth and haven't lost many of their own free agents. If they can sign Dansby to a long-term deal, draft a RB to allow them to release Edge, and perhaps extend Okeafor, they could open up some cap room to add any free agents who fall through the summer cracks.

In Whiz we trust! Go Cards!

The Linc
Mar 25, 2009
09:04 AM

I assume the Rams will take LT with their 1st round pick.

Cardinals may miss out on one of the top RB prospects sitting as far back as they are in the draft. It sounds like the Eagles may like Donald Brown. If Brown, Wells, and Moreno are off the board they're probably better off waiting till round 2 to take a back.

deljzc
Mar 25, 2009
10:05 AM

Is it my imagination of do half the teams Lombardi has talked about have issues with "rushing the passer" and issues with "the left tackle position"?

It's starting to get repetitive.

Joe T.
Mar 25, 2009
11:43 AM

The Rams need to work on the OL, if they can protect Bulger he'll last at least another season. The have a young WR corps, so a veteran QB is a must.

Dumping Bulger now and drafting a QB in this year's weak class would be foolish.

tank
Mar 25, 2009
12:44 PM

I think they have done enough on the D-line. Ray Willis will be future RT. and Sean Locklear is the LT. Last year was a failure on all levels on "D" and the "O"..
As far as replacing J.Peterson hopefully Aaron Curry will fall to the Hawks in the draft and if not DD.Lewis is solid we did go to the superbowl with him at OLB in 05'. For back-QB I don't know I just hope and pray that Hasselbeck will be
healthy for the whole season....

Randy Bruhn
Mar 25, 2009
03:05 PM

I think the Seahawks need a little of everything?? I dont see Matt Hasslebeck panning out this year, I think his shoulder problem will continue to haunt him? I think they should give up Hasslebeck and the number 4 overall pick to Denver for Jay Cutler!!! I was surprised they have'nt been in the running for him. Seahawks need a backup RB OL DL QB LB CB, anything they do should help the team this year because they are in need of everything!!!!!

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