NFL Preview: NFC West

One week before the 2015 regular season begins, here is a snapshot of the NFC West teams through the eyes of Sports Xchange correspondents covering each team.

Next week The Sports Xchange will analyze every unit on every team and project order of finish in each division

Teams here are listed in alphabetical order:

ARIZONA CARDINALS

2014 RECORD: 11-6
DIVISIONAL RECORD: 3-3
COACH: Bruce Arians
3rd season as Cardinals
3rd season as NFL head coach
21-12 overall; 0-1 postseason

–TEAM STRENGTH: Safety. The Cardinals have five safeties with starting experience — Tyrann Mathieu, Rashad Johnson, Tony Jefferson, Deonne Bucannon and Chris Clemons. Mathieu and Bucannon have great versatility that allows coordinator James Bettcher to be creative.

Mathieu is playing cornerback in nickel and dime packages. While still called a safety, Bucannon most often plays inside linebacker, next to starter Kevin Minter.

–Biggest question: Who plays right tackle to start the season?
Bobby Massie is facing a three-game suspension. Bradley Sowell has struggled as his replacement. Rookie D.J. Humphries, a first-round pick, doesn’t look ready. Earl Watford will get a chance to win the job over the next two weeks.

THE PLAYERS

QUARTERBACKS: Starter — Carson Palmer. Backups — Drew Stanton, Phillip Sims, Logan Thomas.

RUNNING BACKS: Starter — Andre Ellington. Backups — David Johnson, Chris Johnson, Stepfan Taylor, Robert Hughes, Kerwynn Williams, Marion Grice, Paul Lasike.

TIGHT ENDS: Starters — Darren Fells, Ifeanyi Momah. Backups — Jermaine Gresham, Troy Niklas, Gerald Christian.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters — Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, John Brown. Backups — DJ Nelson, Jaron Brown, Brittan Golden, Jaxon Shipley, Trevor Harman.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LT Jared Veldheer, LG Ted Larsen, C Lyle Sendlein, RG Jonathan Cooper, RT Bradley Sowell. Backups — G/T Earl Watford, T D.J. Humphries, C A.J. Shipley. Others: G Mike Iupati (starter, injured), T Bobby Massie (starter, believed to be suspended).

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — DLE Frostee Rucker, NT Rodney Gunter, DRE Calais Campbell. Backups — DE Cory Redding, NT Xavier Williams, DE Josh Mauro, DT Ed Stinson, DE Matt Shaughnessy.

LINEBACKERS: Starters — WLB Alex Okafor, ILB Kevin Minter, ILB Deone Bucannon, SLB LaMarr Woodley. Backups — ILB Kenny Demens, ILB Alani Fua, ILB Gabe Martin, OLB Shaq Riddick, OLB Markus Golden, OLB Kareem Martin, ILB Sean Weatherspoon (injured).

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — LCB Patrick Peterson, RCB Jerraud Powers, FS Tyrann Mathieu, SS Rashad Johnson. Backups — CB Justin Bethel, CB Cariel Brooks, CB C.J. Roberts, CB Jimmy Legree, S Chris Clemons, S Tony Jefferson, Harold Jones-Quartey, S Anthony Walters.

SPECIAL TEAMS: K Chandler Catanzaro, P Drew Butler, LS Mike Leach, KOR Golden Brittan, PR J.J. Nelson.

2015 SCHEDULE
Strength of schedule:
Overall .557; Division .542; Non-Division .566.
All times Eastern
Sept. 13, NEW ORLEANS, 4:05
Sept. 20, at Chicago, 1:00
Sept. 27, SAN FRANCISCO, 4:05
Oct. 4, ST. LOUIS, 4:25
Oct. 11, at Detroit, 4:05
Oct. 18, at Pittsburgh, 1:00
Oct. 26, BALTIMORE (Mon.), 8:30
Nov. 1, at Cleveland, 2:00
Nov. 8, OPEN DATE
Nov. 15, at Seattle, 9:30
Nov. 22, CINCINNATI, 5:05
Nov. 29, at San Francisco, 5:05
Dec. 6, at St. Louis, 1:00
Dec. 10, MINNESOTA (Thu.), 9:25
Dec. 20, at Philadelphia, 2:00
Dec. 27, GREEN BAY, 5:25
Jan. 3, SEATTLE, 5:25

ST. LOUIS RAMS

2014 RECORD: 6-10
DIVISIONAL RECORD: 2-4
COACH: Jeff Fisher
4th season with Rams
20-27-1 overall
20th season as NFL coach
167-153-1 overall; 5-6 postseason

–TEAM STRENGTH: Talk about a no-brainer. The Rams’ defensive line ranks as one of the top units in the NFL, and they set the tone for everyone behind them. The depth is considerable and helps the starters stay fresh and maintain top production. The line has five former first-round picks, including all four starters: right end Robert Quinn, left end Chris Long, and tackles Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers. As good as Donald was last season when he was named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, coaches believe he will only get better. Behind the starters are ends William Hayes and Eugene Sims, who can also play inside in passing situations, as well as former first-round pick Nick Fairley and Ethan Westbrooks.

–BIGGEST QUESTION: This is also a no-brainer. With the first five games of the season against Seattle, Washington, Pittsburgh, Green Bay and Arizona, the offensive line will experience a baptism under fire as it tries to protect quarterback Nick Foles and help the offense achieve any sort of consistency and get off to a good start. Under head coach Jeff Fisher, the Rams have gone 1-2, 1-3 and 1-4 in the opening stretch of his three seasons. Two rookies will start: Jamon Brown at left guard and Ron Havenstein at right tackle, and the starting center is a tossup between Barrett Jones (no career starts) and Tim Barnes (four career starts). Along with second-year left tackle Greg Robinson, who started 12 games last season, the most total starts they will have with the four starters aside from right guard Rodger Saffold is 16.

THE PLAYERS

QUARTERBACKS: Starter — Nick Foles. Backups — Case Keenum, Austin Davis, Sean Mannion.

RUNNING BACKS: Starter — Tre Mason. Backups — Benny Cunningham, Isaiah Pead, Chase Reynolds, Todd Gurley, Malcolm Brown, FB Zach Laskey. Others: Trey Watts (backup, suspended 4 games).

TIGHT ENDS: Starters — Jared Cook, Lance Kendricks. Backups — Cory Harkey, Alex Bayer, Justice Cunningham.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters — Kenny Britt, Brian Quick. Backups — Tavon Austin, Chris Givens, Stedman Bailey, Bradley Marquez, Emory Blake, Daniel Rodriguez.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LT Greg Robinson, LG Jamon Brown, C Tim Barnes, RG Rodger Saffold, RT Rob Havenstein. Backups — T/G Garrett Reynolds, T Andrew Donnal, T Darrell Williams, T Isaiah Battle, G Cody Wichmann, G Brandon Washington, C Barrett Jones, C/G Demetrius Rhaney.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LE Chris Long, T Aaron Donald, T Michael Brockers, RE Robert Quinn. Backups — E William Hayes, E Eugene Sims, E Matt Longacre, E Martin Ifedi, T Nick Fairley, T Ethan Westbrooks, T Louis Trinca-Pasat, T Marcus Forston.

LINEBACKERS: Starters — WLB Alec Ogletree, MLB James Laurinaitis, SLB Akeem Ayers. Backups — WLB Marshall McFadden, Cameron Lynch, MLB Daren Bates, MLB Bryce Hager, SLB Jo-Lonn Dunbar.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — LCB Trumaine Johnson, RCB Janoris Jenkins, FS Rodney McLeod, SS T.J. McDonald. Backups — CB Lamarcus Joyner, RCB Marcus Roberson, RCB Brandon McGee, RCB Trovon Reed, LCB Montell Garner, FS Cody Davis, FS Christian Bryant, FS Jacob Hagen, SS Mark Barron, SS Maurice Alexander.

SPECIAL TEAMS: K Greg Zuerlein, P Johnny Hekker, LS Jake McQuaide, KOR Benny Cunningham, KOR Isaiah Pead, PR Tavon Austin.

2015 SCHEDULE
Strength of schedule:
Overall .553; Division .646; Non-Division .497.
All times Eastern
Sept. 13, SEATTLE, 1:00
Sept. 20, at Washington, 1:00
Sept. 27, PITTSBURGH, 1:00
Oct. 4, at Arizona, 4:25
Oct. 11, at Green Bay, 1:00
Oct. 18, OPEN DATE
Oct. 25, CLEVELAND, 1:00
Nov. 1, SAN FRANCISCO, 1:00
Nov. 8, at Minnesota, 1:00
Nov. 15, CHICAGO, 1:00
Nov. 22, at Baltimore, 1:00
Nov. 29, at Cincinnati, 1:00
Dec. 6, ARIZONA, 1:00
Dec. 13, DETROIT, 1:00
Dec. 17, TAMPA BAY (Thu.), 8:25
Dec. 27, at Seattle, 4:25
Jan. 3, at San Francisco, 4:25

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

2014 RECORD: 8-8
DIVISIONAL RECORD: 2-4
COACH: Jim Tomsula
1st full season with 49ers
1st full season as NFL head coach
1-0 overall

–TEAM STRENGTH: Special teams. The 49ers made news in the off-season when they dealt one of their most dependable players, punter Andy Lee, to the Cleveland Browns, handing the position to rookie Bradley Pinion. The cost-cutting move had some questioning the priority the new coaching staff was putting on special teams. Suffice it to say, those critics have been silenced, not only by the brilliant punting of Pinion, but also by the emergence of Australian rugby star Jarryd Hayne as a punt returner. And now, after watching undrafted rookie Corey Acosta belt three no-doubt field goals last Saturday in Denver, you have to wonder about the future of another of the team’s holdovers, K Phil Dawson.

–BIGGEST QUESTION: How long before 49ers fans start calling for Blaine Gabbert? The backup quarterback surely outperformed starter Colin Kaepernick in the preseason, albeit it mostly against backups. That said, Gabbert has been impressive enough to at least identify himself as an option in the mind of disgruntled fans. Gabbert or no Gabbert, the call for change might have more to do with the starter than the backup.

THE PLAYERS

QUARTERBACKS: Starter — Colin Kaepernick. Backups — Blaine Gabbert, Dylan Thompson.

RUNNING BACKS: Starter — Carlos Hyde. Backups — Reggie Bush, Kendall Hunter, Mike Davis, Jarryd Hayne, Kendall Haskins, Bruce Miller.

TIGHT ENDS: Starters — Vernon Davis, Vance McDonald. Backups — Garrett Celek, Blake Bell, Xavier Grimble, Busta Anderson.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters — Anquan Boldin, Torrey Smith. Backups — Quinton Patton, Bruce Ellington, DeAndrew White, Isaac Blakeney, DiAndre Campbell. Others: Jerome Simpson (backup, suspended 6 games), DeAndre Smelter (backup, NFI).

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LT Joe Staley, LG Alex Boone, C Marcus Martin, RG Jordan Devey, RT Erik Pears. Backups — C Joe Looney, C Dillon Farrell, G Brandon Thomas, G Andrew Tiller, G/T Ian Silberman, T Trent Brown, T Patrick Miller, T Justin Renfrow. Others: C Daniel Kilgore (starter, PUP).

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — DLE Glenn Dorsey, NT Ian Williams, DRE Quinton Dial. Backups — DE Darnell Dockett, DE Tank Carradine, DE Tony Jerod-Eddie, DE Arik Armstead, DE Kaleb Ramsey, NT Mike Purcell, NT Garrison Smith.

LINEBACKERS: Starters — WLB Corey Lemonier, ILB Michael Wilhoite, ILB NaVorro Bowman, SLB Eli Harold. Backups — OLB Ahmad Brooks, OLB Aaron Lynch, OLB Marcus Rush, ILB Nick Moody, ILB Shayne Skov, ILB Philip Wheeler, ILB Nick Bellore.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — RCB Tramaine Brock, LCB Keith Reaser, FS Eric Reid, SS Antoine Bethea. Backups — CB Kenneth Acker, CB Shareece Wright, CB Dontae Johnson, CB Marcus Cromartie, CB Leon McFadden, FS/CB Jimmie Ward, FS Jaquiski Tartt, FS Jermaine Whitehead, SS Craig Dahl, SS L.J. McCray.

SPECIAL TEAMS: K Phil Dawson, P Bradley Pinion, LS Kyle Nelson, KOR Bruce Ellington, PR Jarryd Hayne, KOR Reggie Bush, KOR DeAndrew White, PR Reggie Bush, PR Bruce Ellington.

2015 SCHEDULE
Strength of schedule:
Overall .561; Division .604; Non-Division .534.
All times Eastern
Sept. 14, MINNESOTA (Mon.), 10:20
Sept. 20, at Pittsburgh, 1:00
Sept. 27, at Arizona, 4:05
Oct. 4, GREEN BAY, 4:25
Oct. 11, at N.Y. Giants, 8:30
Oct. 18, BALTIMORE, 4:25
Oct. 22, SEATTLE (Thu.), 8:25
Nov. 1, at St. Louis, 1:00
Nov. 8, ATLANTA, 4:05
Nov. 15, OPEN DATE
Nov. 22, at Seattle, 4:25
Nov. 29, ARIZONA, 4:05
Dec. 6, at Chicago, 1:00
Dec. 13, at Cleveland, 1:00
Dec. 20, CINCINNATI, 8:30
Dec. 27, at Detroit, 1:00
Jan. 3, ST. LOUIS, 4:25

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

2014 RECORD: 14-5
DIVISIONAL RECORD: 5-1
COACH: Pete Carroll
6th season with Seahawks
57-33 overall; 7-3 postseason
10th season as NFL head coach
91-66; 8-5 postseason

–TEAM STRENGTH: Seattle’s best attribute this season might be its speed on defense, and particularly in the front seven. Pete Carroll has said often that the speed up front might be the best of any team he has coached, and the preseason seemed to bear that out. Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril are as quick as any pair of ends in the NFL and Frank Clark has proven worth the trouble so far, also adding a speed dimension at base end and when moved inside in passing situations. The linebackers also appear as fast as any in the league, notably middle linebacker Bobby Wagner and weakside backer K.J. Wright.

–BIGGEST QUESTION: The offensive line remains a huge issue for the Seahawks as the team continues to try to settle on a workable grouping up front. Drew Nowak appears to have won the job of replacing Max Unger at center, and Garry Gilliam looks like a good fit at right tackle. Justin Britt, who has moved inside to left guard after starting last year at right tackle, appears to be still adapting to playing in the interior. Seattle also needs left tackle Russell Okung to stay healthy. He has battled injuries for years and missed the third preseason game against San Diego because of a shoulder injury.

THE PLAYERS

QUARTERBACKS: Starter — Russell Wilson. Backups — Tarvaris Jackson, RJ Archer.

RUNNING BACKS: Starter — Marshawn Lynch. Backups — Robert Turbin, Christine Michael, Thomas Rawls, Rod Smith, FB Derrick Coleman, Will Tukuafu.

TIGHT ENDS: Starter — Jimmy Graham. Backups — Luke Willson, Cooper Helfet, Anthony McCoy, RaShaun Allen.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters — Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse. Backups — Chris Matthews, Tyler Lockett, Ricardo Lockette, B.J.Daniels, Kevin Smith, Kasen Williams.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LT Russell Okung, LG Justin Britt, C Drew Nowak, RG J.R. Sweezy, RT Garry Gilliam. Backups — T/G Alvin Bailey, C Patrick Lewis, G Mark Glowinski, T Terry Poole, T/G Keavon Milton, G Kristjan Sokoli, C Will Pericak.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LE Michael Bennett, LDT Ahtyba Rubin, RDT Brandon Mebane, RDE Cliff Avril. Backups — DE Frank Clark, DE Demarcus Dobbs, DE Obum Gwacham, DT David King, DT Jordan Hill, DT Jesse Williams, DT T.Y. McGill, DT Julius Warmsley.

LINEBACKERS: Starters — WLB K.J. Wright, MLB Bobby Wagner, SLB Bruce Irvin. Backups — WLB Kevin Pierre-Louis, MLB Brock Coyle, SLB Mike Morgan, SLB Eric Pinkins, MLB Alex Singleton, WB Tyrell Adams.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — LCB Richard Sherman, RCB Cary Williams, FS Earl Thomas, SS Dion Bailey. Backups — CB Tye Smith, CB Douglas McNeil III, CB Tharold Simon, CB Mohammed Seisay, SS DeShawn Shead, FS Ryan Murphy, FS Steven Terrell, FS Ronald Martin. Others: S Kam Chancellor (starter, holdout).

SPECIAL TEAMS: K Steven Hauschka, P Jon Ryan, LS Clint Gresham, KOR Tyler Lockett, PR Tyler Lockett.

2015 SCHEDULE
Strength of schedule:
Overall .559; Division .521; Non-Division .581.
All times Eastern
Sept. 13, at St. Louis, 1:00
Sept. 20, at Green Bay, 8:30
Sept. 27, CHICAGO, 4:25
Oct. 5, DETROIT (Mon.), 8:30
Oct. 11, at Cincinnati, 1:00
Oct. 18, CAROLINA, 4:05
Oct. 22, at San Francisco (Thu.), 8:25
Nov. 1, at Dallas, 4:25
Nov. 8, OPEN DATE
Nov. 15, ARIZONA, 8:30
Nov. 22, SAN FRANCISCO, 4:25
Nov. 29, PITTSBURGH, 4:25
Dec. 6, at Minnesota, 1:00
Dec. 13, at Baltimore, 8:30
Dec. 20, CLEVELAND, 4:05
Dec. 27, ST. LOUIS, 4:25
Jan. 3, at Arizona, 4:25

–Correspondents covering each team for The Sports Xchange contributed material for this report. Next week The Sports Xchange will analyze every unit on every team and project order of finish in each division