Cnotes 2013 NFL Team Preview Of Each Division !

2013 NFL training camp preview: Seattle Seahawks

July 3, 2013 12:50 PM ET



In 2012, the Seahawks went 11-5 and seem poised to build on that momentum this year. In 2012, the Seahawks went 11-5 and seem poised to build on that momentum this year.

Some people will tell you there's only one team in the NFC capable of beating San Francisco, and it's not Atlanta. It's the Seattle Seahawks.

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They buried the 49ers late last year and were on target to meet them in the conference championship game -- until, that is, Atlanta got in the way.

The Falcons are loaded this season, but so is Seattle ... if, that is, Russell Wilson continues to play as he did as a rookie. There's no reason he shouldn't. As the season wore on last year the Seahawks turned more of their offense over to him ... and he responded.

So has his ballclub. The Seahawks made big offseason moves to close the gap between them and San Francisco and to make sure that this time neither Atlanta nor the 49ers keep them from getting to the top.
Key changes

Roster additions: WR Percy Harvin, QB Tarvaris Jackson, De Cliff Avril, DE Michael Bennett, QB Brady Quinn, DT Tony McDaniel, CB Antoine Winfield.

Roster subtractions: QB Matt Flynn, WR Deon Butler, DT Alan Branch, LB Leroy Hill, WR Ben Obomanu, CB Marcus Trufant, KR Leon Washington, DT Jason Jones..

Staff changes: When defensive coordinator Gus Bradley left to become head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Seahawks wasted no time reaching out to Dan Quinn, defensive coordinator for the University of Florida. Quinn's defenses finished in the Top 10 nationally in his only two years there and were a reason Florida was in the mix for the national championship game through the last weekend of the regular season. Not only did the Gators rank second in fewest touchdown passes allowed; they surrendered an average of 2.98 yards per rush -- sixth best in the nation. That's good, but this is better: Quinn has a familiarity with the Seahawks and what coach Pete Carroll wants. He was an assistant here before leaving to take the Florida job.

One of Quinn's first moves was to hire Travis Jones, former assistant defensive line coach at New Orleans, as his defensive line coach. Jones replaces Todd Wash, who left for Jacksonville to join Gus Bradley.


Position battles

Brady Quinn is the backup to Russell Wilson, right? Not so fast. The Seahawks moved a little too quickly to bring back Tarvaris Jackson after the completion of their mandatory mini-camp, and that should tell you something: Yep, they want competition at the position, and Jackson's history in

Seattle should make him the favorite.

Right guard should be a showdown between John Moffitt and J.R. Sweezy. Moffitt has been the starter here, so you'd think he has the edge. But he also has a history of injuries, which opened the door for Sweezy, a converted defensive lineman who, at times, rotated with Moffitt last season. Sweezy started the last few games last season and was solid. He's young, and the Seahawks like his fitness level and effort, which means they like him, period. He gains the early edge.

Outside linebacker Bruce Irvin moves to the strong side, where he competes with Malcolm Smith, while K.J. Wright moves from the strong side to the weak. Anyway, Irvin will be on the field for third downs, so that doesn't change. What could is his overall time on the field, but that should be determined by his face-off with Smith.


New scheme

Quinn takes over one of the league's premier defenses, and, as long as Carroll is in charge, there should be no big changes. First of all, Quinn has been here before. He was Seattle's defensive line coach 2009-10. Second, it's Carroll's defense, with his coordinators running it. If there is a difference it might be that Quinn blitzes more than his predecessor, Gus Bradley. He was more conservative, preferring to play coverage, while Quinn seems more likely to gamble.


Bubble watch

You can start with fullback Michael Robinson. The Seahawks spent a sixth-round pick on Spencer Ware and are trying him at fullback -- which is your first clue. With Robinson scheduled to pull down $2.5 million this year, Seattle might look to replace him. Guard Paul McQuistan is another possibility. He's due to make $3.3 million, and while he's penciled in as the starting left guard all plans are on hold until the Seahawks how comfortable they feel with James Carpenter after he missed time last season with a knee injury.


Unheard-of-guy to watch

Take your pick: Luke Willson or Sean McGrath. They're both backup tight ends, and they're front and center now that Anthony McCoy -- the previous No. 2 -- is out with a torn Achilles. McGrath is the more intriguing of the two. He's an undrafted rookie free agent who made it on the active roster late last year and looked good in OTAs.


Biggest concerns

Frankly, it's not so much Bruce Irvin's four-game suspension for PEDs that's the issue; it's whether he can play strong-side linebacker. It's a gamble, and Carroll knows it. He also knows that the suspension will affect the learning curve. "But that preseason will be hugely important for him," he said. No kidding. Concern going to be Aaron Curry part II.

Backup tight end Anthony McCoy is lost for the season, which means rookie Luke Willson and second-year pro Sean McGrath audition for a seat behind starter Zach Miller. Carroll said he liked the progress of McGrath, mentioning him as one player who "jumps out" at mini-camp, but that was June. Stay tuned.


Something to prove

Make it defensive lineman Red Bryant. The Seahawks re-signed him last year to a big contract, then he went out and struggled. No one is sure why, but they are sure that plantar fasciitis probably had something to do with. Bryant tried to play through the painful injury but lacked his usual explosiveness. That, in turn, had an impact on the Seahawks' run defense, which fell off the second half of the season.

2013 NFL training camp preview: St. Louis Rams

July 2, 2013 12:17 PM ET


The Rams finished 2012 with a 7-8-1 record, third in the NFC West. The Rams finished 2012 with a 7-8-1 record, third in the NFC West.


The St. Louis Rams are supposed to be a year away from challenging Seattle and San Francisco in the NFC West, but don't be surprised if the timetable changes.

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Of course, a lot that depends on the development of quarterback Sam Bradford, and he's the beneficiary of key offseason moves that delivered him playmakers the club has been missing since ... well, since the days of "The Greatest Show on Turf."

These Rams aren't the Greatest Show Anywhere, but they're good enough that they had the division's best record a year ago and didn't lose to San Francisco. These Rams are better, which means these Rams could start squeezing the top a year ahead of schedule.

Don't be surprised if they do.
Key changes

Roster additions: TE Jared Cook; T Jake Long; S Matt Giordano.

Roster departures: RB Steve Jackson; WR Danny Amendola; T Wayne Hunter; S Quintin Mikell; DL Trevor Laws; LB Rocky McIntosh; G Robert Turner; WR Steve Smith; S Craig Dahl; WR Brandon Gibson.

Staff changes: Tim Walton becomes the new defensive coordinator. Walton, whom Jeff Fisher tried to hire a year before, comes in from Detroit -- which is perfect because it means the Jim Schwartz/Jeff Fisher/Tennessee connection remains intact. The team last year played without a coordinator after Gregg Williams was suspended in Bountygate, but Williams' son, linebackers coach Blake Williams, stepped in to serve as De facto coordinator. When he was fired after the season, the Rams first appeared to be in line to hire Rob Ryan, but that didn't work out and this did -- with Walton making the jump from secondary coach to coordinator.


Position battles

The departure of Steven Jackson means running back is wide open, with three inexperienced vets and one rookie competing for jobs. Daryl Richardson is the favorite, mostly because he's the only guy with a resume. As Jackson's understudy last season, he ran for 475 yards, averaged 4.8 yards per carry and demonstrated big-play capability. Isaiah Pead could push him, and the Rams would like that. But he was a huge disappointment as a rookie, with only 10 carries. That's not what the Rams were expecting from their second-round pick, nor is this: Pead must serve a one-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Nevertheless, look for him to compete with rookie Zac Stacy and journeyman Terrance Ganaway for carries in what could be a crowded, running-back-by-committee approach.

Undrafted rookie Bennie Cunningham is the longshot here, but let's be real: Given the makeup, anything's possible. The same goes for left guard where the Rams don't have an incumbent. Chris Williams, the former first-round draft pick of Chicago, is the favorite, but he could get squeezed by Shelley Smith, claimed off waivers from Houston. If neither works out, look for rookie Barrett Jones to get in the mix. I know, he's a center, but the guy can play guard -- and he may, once he recovers from his Lisfranc injury.

There's no incumbent at safety, either, where Quintin Mikell and Craig Dahl are both gone. Darian Stewart should man one position, but the guy barely played a year ago because of injuries and was in Fisher's doghouse. Then, of course, he was a starter in 2011. Rookie T.J. McDonald -- the son of former NFL star Tim McDonald -- will be in the mix, but so will free- agent acquisition Matt Giordano.


New schemes

The Rams have the same playbook, same terminology and same coordinator on offense. Nevertheless, expect them to shake things up. For the first time in years they have playmakers to surround quarterback Sam Bradford, and with so much speed and quickness there they should spread the field more, operate more out of the shotgun and try the no-huddle -- all of which Bradford does best. In short, St. Louis wants to be more explosive, and they have the people to get there. I know it's contrary to what Fisher has done with his teams, but there is so much speed here -- even including tight end Jared Cook -- that it makes sense to take advantage of what they have.

Even though there's a new coordinator on defense, don't look for much to change. It's basically the Tennessee Titans' defense Fisher brought with him, with input from former Tennessee assistants Dave McGinnis and Chuck Cecil. The Rams return seven linemen to a defense that tied for the league lead in sacks, so there's no need to fool with formulas. If there's a change, it's a small one, with the Rams going to left and right outside linebackers instead of weakside and strongside backers. They're undersized and aggressive at the positions, with Jo-Lonn Dunbar and rookie Alec Ogletree at their best when playing in space. Which means ... uh-huh, that pressure should be applied by a familiar source: The front four.


Bubble watch

The Rams don't have a lot of depth, so there's really no one of consequence in danger of getting cut.


Unheard-of-guy to watch

Safety Rodney McLeod. Undrafted a year ago, he looked good in spring workouts and could be a factor if Stewart is hurt again. In fact, some believe the undersized safety will be a key contributor and could wind up starting -- again, depending on what happens with Stewart.


Biggest concerns

Depth is one issue. There just isn't much of it. Then there's the offensive line. It's either feast or famine with these guys. If the five starters stay healthy, the Rams could have one of the league's best units -- with Jake Long, Harvey Dahl, Scott Wells and Rodger Saffold protecting Bradford. One problem: None of them played 16 games last year. The Rams are expecting a lot from their offensive line, but there's danger with age -- and of the Rams' three players 30 or older, two are on the offensive line.

The concern at running back isn't so much that there's not much experience; it's that there's not much experience picking up blitzes. If there's one thing overlooked about Steven Jackson's game it's how effective he was on blitz-pickups. Most of the backs the Rams audition are smaller than Jackson, and no one can be certain how effective they'll be in the passing game -- not so much as receivers but as blockers.


Something to prove

It has to be Sam Bradford. He's in his fourth year, and it's not exactly make-or-break time. But it is time for him to move to the next level. With the additions the Rams made on offense, some of the excuses for his inconsistent play are gone. If nothing else, this could be a defining year for Bradford, with the quarterback returning the same coordinator and outfitted with valuable outside weapons for the first time in his pro career.

2013 NFL training camp preview: Arizona Cardinal

July 3, 2013 1:11 PM ET


New head coach Bruce Arians will get to work trying to reverse the Cardinals' recent fortunes. New head coach Bruce Arians will get to work trying to reverse the Cardinals' recent fortunes.

The Arizona Cardinals think they finally found the quarterback they've been missing since Kurt Warner, and that's great. But this isn't: They still have to survive in the NFC West.

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Arizona is the consensus last-place choice in a division dominated by two playoff teams and a St. Louis club ready for takeoff.

It's not that the Cards don't have talent. They just added Carson Palmer to play catch with Larry Fitzgerald. It's that they don't have enough of it.

Maybe that's why hiring coach Bruce Arians made so much sense. He did the improbable a year ago, helping to turn a 2-14 Indianapolis doormat into an 11-5 miracle under extreme circumstances, and he'll have to perform magic here. Arizona is not a bad football team. It's just good enough to push the top of this division.
Key changes

Roster additions: QB Carson Palmer, RB Rashard Mendenhall, LB Karlos Dansby, S Yeremiah Bell, CB Antoine Cason, LB Lorenzo Alexander, DT Frostee Rucker, DE Matt Shaughnessy, QB Drew Stanton, CB Javier Arenas.

Roster departures: QB Kevin Kolb, CB Greg Toler, RB Beanie Wells, WR Early Doucet, S Adrian Wilson, CB William Gay, RB LaRod Stephens-Howling, LB Paris Lenon, LB Quentin Groves, DT Nick Eason, DE Vonnie Holliday, QB John Skelton, FB Anthony Sherman, S Kerry Rhodes.

Staff changes: Let's start at the top. Steve Keim replaces Rod Graves as the team's GM and made an immediate impact by acing the draft -- starting with the choice of guard Jonathan Cooper. Now let's work our way down. The head coach is new, with Bruce Arians replacing Ken Whisenhunt, and his entire staff is new, with a couple of exceptions. Freddie Kitchens moves from coaching tight ends to coaching quarterbacks, and Ryan Slowik, who coached outside linebackers a year ago, takes over the defensive backs. Otherwise, it's an entirely new crew, with the exception of the strength-and-conditioning group, though it's not entirely young. Included are 77-year old Tom Pratt and 74-year-old Tom Moore, both assistant coaches.


Position battles

Jerraud Powers was signed to take over as Patrick Peterson's partner at cornerback, but he'll have competition from Antoine Cason. The Cards made the offseason play for Powers first, so it figures that he probably has the inside track. Plus, they signed Cason to only a one-year deal. But Powers has a hard time avoiding injuries, and Cason is determined. This one bears watching.

The inside linebacker position is unsettled because of a four-game suspension to Daryl Washington. The Cards signed Karlos Dansby to play there while Washington is gone, which is great. But what happens when Washington returns? They'll have a decision to make. They already have Jasper Brinkley at one inside spot, and he's not going anywhere. The question is: How does this all come together when Washington returns?


New schemes

The Cards talk about getting more physical within the division, but let's be honest: With Arians in charge, they're bound to throw more -- more specifically, throw more downfield. Not only do they believe they have the people in Palmer, Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd to put a vertical game together, but they believe they have the pass protection to do it, too -- especially after the second-half performance of Bobby Massie last season. What they don't have is a fullback, and no surprise there. Arians didn't have one in Indianapolis, either, which tells you a little about how much Arizona might run. So that's one change. Floyd's promotion to the first team is one change, with Arians hopeful he makes more and better use of him. Then there's the tight end. The plan is to incorporate that position more in the passing attack, with the Cards high on Rob Housler. With Housler's talents, it makes sense.

Defensively, they will stay with the 3-4, but new coordinator Todd Bowles likes to play a scheme that more closely resembles a Wade Phillips production than what the Cards ran last season. Under former coordinator Ray Horton, the front three was asked to play two-gap, read-and-react football. Bowles wants to cut them loose more and get to the backfield, though for the last few days of spring practices, players were in all-out blitzes and attacking off angles as they did under Horton. Skeptics are right to question how a changed defense worked. It was the only thing that went right for the Cards last season. Nevertheless, Bowles is hoping his scheme makes Darnell Dockett a factor again, and that's a huge issue. He faded last season, and the Cards faded with him. Now, they're hoping he finds himself and emerges as something close to what Houston has in J.J. Watt.


Bubble watch

The Cards weren't happy with defensive tackle Dan Williams when he gained weight in the offseason. But he's since lost it and vows to report to training camp at 315 pounds. Still, that doesn't change things. He could be in for a challenge. The Cards picked up Frostee Rucker as insurance at the position, and second-year pro David Carter -- a grinder who can play nose tackle or defensive end -- could be in the mix. Bottom line: It's time for Williams to respond with a decent year.

Darnell Dockett's not on the bubble, but he is under the microscope. He's coming off a horrible year, one where -- after the first month -- he had no impact. Dockett turned 32 this year, so there's that obvious question: Was it the scheme, or is he starting to lose it? We won't have long to find out.


Unheard-of-guy to watch

Tight end Rob Housler. He's someone who can run and catch, much like, say, Rob Gronkowski in New England. He has unusual speed for the position, which should create matchup problems for opponents, but he still needs to work on his blocking.


Biggest concerns

Let's start with the offensive line. When you allow a league-high 58 sacks that's something a new coach will want to fix -- which is why the Cards used their first pick on Cooper. Nevertheless, tackle Bobby Massie made a remarkable recovery last season, producing a stellar second-half after a forgettable first, and Levi Brown returns after a season off because of injury. So the Cards could have the pieces up front to help produce respectable passing game, but please don't pass the word to cynics. They've heard it before.

Then there's the Cardinals' rushing attack. It almost always was among the league's bottom feeders, finishing dead last in 2012. They've talked about developing a power running game, but they're shaky at the position. Rashard Mendenhall is the lead back, but he's coming off of an injury-plagued season, and Ryan Williams spent most of his two years in the league on the sidelines recovering from something. Maybe rookies Stepfan Taylor and Andre Ellington can help out, but I don't blame Arizona fans if they're skeptical.

The passing attack should be improved if only because Palmer is a huge leap forward from what the Cards rolled out a year ago, but depth at wide receiver should be a concern. Beyond Fitzgerald, Floyd and Andre Roberts there's not much.
Something to prove

This one's easy. It's Palmer. Critics say he's finished, and the Raiders all but admitted it by giving the guy away. So it's up to him to prove he can do what he hasn't the past three years -- namely, win and become part of the solution instead of part of the problem. Of course, Dockett deserves mention here, too, but the Cards go nowhere if Palmer isn't fixed. So that's where you start.

2013 NFL training camp preview: San Francisco 49ers

July 2, 2013 4:55 PM ET


The defending NFC champion 49ers regroup with the goal of getting back to the Super Bowl. The defending NFC champion 49ers regroup with the goal of getting back to the Super Bowl.

The San Francisco 49ers aren't just one of the best teams in the NFC. They're one of the best teams anywhere.

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In two years under Jim Harbaugh, they've been to two conference championship games, one Super Bowl and were within five yards of a sixth Lombardi Trophy. They have a raft of talent, a coach who can't lose and a reason for wanting to be just a little bit better.

They believe they were the best team a year ago.

Of course, they're going to have to prove it all over again -- only this time with Colin Kaepernick as their starter entering camp, without Michael Crabtree and with a defense that no longer is a slam-dunk to stonewall anyone.
Key changes

Roster additions: G Adam Snyder; CB Nnamdi Asomugha; WR Anquan Boldin; S Craig Dahl; DT Glenn Dorsey; PK Phil Dawson; QB Colt McCoy; LB Dan Skuta.

Roster departures: S Dashon Goldson; TE Delanie Walker; QB Alex Smith; DT Isaac Sopoaga; DT Ricky Jean Francois; WR Randy Moss; PK David Akers; LB Tavares Gooden; LB Clark Haggans.

Staff changes: Former head coach and defensive coordinator Eric Mangini joins the 49ers as an offensive consultant, and I know what you're thinking: Huh? Well, the move makes sense. Mangini's job is to study opposing defenses, pass the information on to offensive assistants and tell them how and where those defenses are vulnerable. My guess: If this works, you'll see others making similar hires.


Position battles

With the departure of Dashon Goldson, there's a Help Wanted sign at starting safety. Rookie Eric Reid is the favorite to win the job, mostly because the 49ers traded up to draft him -- and they would like nothing better. But first things first, and first he must beat out veteran Craig Dahl.

The loss of Michael Crabtree means there's a void at wide receiver, with Anquan Boldin the most likely to move in there. Boldin is by far the 49ers' best receiver now. With his expected move to this position, the question is: Who becomes the other wideout? The 49ers would like it to be A.J. Jenkins, but he's a work in progress.

Then there's the defensive line, where the 49ers lost veteran tackles Isaac Sopoaga and Ricky Jean Francois. The obvious question: Who replaces them? The most logical response is Ian Williams -- mostly because he has the size to do it. If for some reason he doesn't make it, the 49ers' next option may be newcomer Glenn Dorsey, but he's undersized for the position, as Kansas City found out.


New schemes

It's possible the 49ers may go more to the read-option and Pistol than they did last year, if for no other reason than this: They suit the talents of Kaepernick. OK, so that's a good reason. It's not a lock, but it does make sense. Kaepernick is the focal point of the offense, and the 49ers won't put him in uncomfortable situations or schemes.


Bubble watch

Asomugha may be back in the Bay Area, where he starred with the Raiders, but there's no guarantee he makes the team. Still, the guy looked good in practices, and the 49ers got him on the cheap after he bombed out in Philadelphia. Running back Anthony Dixon, who seems to be on the bubble every year, is another possibility ... but he probably makes it again primarily because draft pick Marcus Lattimore won't be ready for some time. Nevertheless, if Jewel Hampton or a fullback emerges, Dixon could leave. It's not likely, but it is possible. Linebacker Parys Haralson, who took a pay cut in the offseason, is another possibility, mostly because the 49ers have a glut of young pass rushers. Cam Johnson is beginning to make an impact, and the 49ers have high hopes for rookie Corey Lemonier. Haralson is solid, and he's a veteran -- so the 49ers know what they have. That should help, though the 49ers like the potential they have in their young players.


Unheard-of-guy to watch

Wide receiver Ricardo Lockette is buried on the depth chart, but the guy has talent. He's fast, tying for the third fastest time at the 2011 NFL combine and winning the Division II 200-meter sprint at Fort Valley State (2008), and he's big, checking in at 6-2, 211 pounds. So he's everything you want physically. Plus, he roomed with Kaepernick, so the two know each other well. He and A.J. Jenkins are guys to watch at wide receiver. If Jenkins doesn't wash out, the 49ers could look to Lockette as their downfield threat. But first he must learn the offense and be more consistent catching the football.


Biggest concerns

Finding a replacement for Michael Crabtree. Crabtree was Colin Kaepernick's favorite receiver, with Kaepernick targeting him 94 times in his 10 starts. Well, now he's gone for at least six months, and he takes with him 85 catches, 1105 yards and nine TDs ... as well as one security blanket for his quarterback. The auditions for a successor have begun, with Anquan Boldin, A.J. Jenkins and Quinton Patton first in line, and tight end Vernon Davis not too far removed. Yes, that Vernon Davis . He worked out with wide receivers during the 49ers' June mini-camp, and he and Kaepernick seemed to find a connection they'd been missing during most of last season.

There's also a question about the defense and where it goes next. The 49ers were one of the league's best through the first 14 games of last year. Then Justin Smith and Aldon Smith were hurt, and the defense sprung leaks -- suddenly allowing almost twice as many points per game. The secondary is older, just lost Goldson and still has Carlos Rogers as a nickel back -- most of which isn't good. They have new faces on the defensive line, too, and people wonder how they fit in with the vets. Mostly, they wonder how good this defense is. The consensus seems to be it's not the unit we watched most of last year and that there's a shift from defense to offense with the 49ers. If so, it wouldn't be the first time.
Something to prove

There are cornerbacks Tarell Brown and Chris Culliver, and then there's incoming safety Eric Reid. But the guy with the most to prove is wide receiver A.J. Jenkins. The 49ers spent a first-round draft pick on him a year ago, and he didn’t do squat. Now that Crabtree is sidelined an estimated six months, there's an opportunity for Jenkins to prove the 49ers were right to take him. So will he? More important, can he? It would make this season easier on Kaepernick and offensive coordinator Greg Roman.