NFC West

Seattle Seahawks
Can Matt Hasselbeck take the next step?
Yes, but he better start now. Believe it or not, this is Hasselbeck’s 10^th NFL season, if you count a practice squad year. He’ll be 32 in September. Watch for him to take that next step this season. He is healthy, he is smart and he’s done it before. The sky’s the limit with this guy with his coaching and his supporting cast.

Can Patrick Kerney be an impact defensive end?
The Seahawks made Kerney a free-agent priority. He gives the defense much-needed attitude and solidifies the line. He is a high-energy, big-time motor guy. Watch for a 10-12 sack season from the former Falcon.

Is Shaun Alexander still a premier back?

Elaine Thompson / AP file Shaun Alexander

For now. He is 30 and had an injury that caused him to miss six games last season. But he can still get it done. If he stays healthy, watch for a 1,500-yard season. I wouldn’t buy long-term stock in him, but for now, Alexander is a safe bet.

Seahawks in the Super Bowl?
Yes. They may be the NFC favorite. The Bears and Saints will be tough competition, but this team is hungry after falling off from their 2005 Super Bowl run. Seattle has to stay healthy because there is enough talent, depth and coaching to make it a real Super Bowl threat.

San Francisco 49ers
Is Alex Smith a big-time NFL quarterback?
No, not at all. Smith will never be a superstar quarterback. He’ll always be just OK and he’ll never take over games. He's certainly not good enough for the No. 1 overall draft pick of the 2005 draft. He’ll always be attached to the label of being a former top pick, butl never live up to expectations.

Can Frank Gore be even better?

Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP Frank Gore

First, Gore is going to have to recover from a broken hand he suffered in training camp. He's expected to be fully recovered by the season opener. And the only thing that will stop Gore from having another big year is an injury. Gore burst into the scene last season with 1,695 rushing yards. This guy is banger who punishes opponents. He will only get better.

Does Nate Clements improve this defense?
Yes, but don’t expect miracles. Actually, don’t be surprised if the Bay Area is a tad disappointed with Clements. He became the NFL's highest paid cornerback after signing an eight-year, $80 deal this offseason. Clements is good. Really good. But he’s not elite. This isn’t Champ Bailey. He will get beat.

Will this team advance to the playoffs?
Yes. This is the NFC team to watch. The 49ers are ready to make a big move right into the playoffs. It would not be a surprise if San Francisco was in the NFC title game. There is that much promise here. The coaching is good, the offense is solid — even with Smith as the quarterback and the defense is improved. Watch for this team to be a player in its conference.

Arizona Cardinals
Is Matt Leinart as good as he looks?

Ross D. Franklin / Reuters file Matt Leinart

Yes. He may not be the “Mr. Hollywood” he thinks he is off the field, but on it, the former Heisman Trophy is the real deal. He has a chance to have a very, long prosperous career. He was outstanding as a rookie thanks to his poise and leadership. He’ll be fun to watch for years to come.

Can this team average 30 points a game?
It's a possibility. It might not be this year, but the ingredients are there. Leinart is a stud, receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Bolden are great and running back Edgerrin James can still make teams worry. It's not easy to put up a 30 spot eachweek, but the Cardinals aren’t far away.

Is Ken Whisenhunt head coaching material?
Yes. The Cardinals scored big time. The Raiders desperately wanted Whisenhunt after the 2005 season when he was a huge reason why Pittsburgh won the Super Bowl. But Whisenhunt wanted to wait for a better job. He deemed the offensively gifted Cardinals as that job. Watch for Whisenhunt to flourish. This is a good fit.

Do the Cardinals finally make the playoffs?
It’s hard to say that about the Cardinals, even now. They are, after all, the Cardinals. But this team is improving and it wouldn’t be a shock. But the Cardinals will have to continue with both Seattle and San Francisco in the NFC West. Maybe next year.

St. Louis Rams
Will Scott Linehan improve upon rookie coaching mistakes?
Yes. He may end up as a very fine coach. The Rams were 8-8 in Linehan’s first season. For a team with mediocre talent, that was a good start. Linehan had his moments where he made some questionable decisions, but he is learning the game. He has only been in the NFL for five years, but is a bright, innovative guy.

Is Marc Bulger worth the big contract?
No. He signed a $62 million deal this summer after he threatened a potential holdout. Maybe the Rams should have let him walk. Bulger, 30, is solid, but he is not elite and never will be because he's done improving as a quarterback.

Can Steven Jackson become a superstar?

Tom Gannam / AP Steven Jackson

Yes. Jackson has the goods and is on the verge of being a household name. Jackson, in his first full season, rumbled for 1,528 yards and scored 13 touchdowns on 346 carries. This is a guy who can close out games in the fourth quarter because of his toughness. Expect the Rams to ride him hard. If the Rams make the playoffs, Jackson will be a major reason why.

How much do Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce have left?
Probably enough for St. Louis to get one more good year. Holt is 31 and Bruce will be 35 in November. Bruce had a resurgent season last year as he caught 74 passes for 1,098 yards. Holt kept on cruising with 93 catches for 1,188 yards. This combo isn’t the “Greatest Show on Turf” anymore, but it’s still pretty good.

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