NFC West preview: Heavyweight Seahawks will rule division

There's nothing wild about the NFC West, but there was always something that was unpredictable.

OK, so it was the 49ers' own private Idaho for years. But following San Francisco's first-place finish in 1995, no club repeated as division champion until last year ... which is significant.

How much will Shaun Alexander miss Steve Hutchinson? (AP)

Because the team that broke the string then is likely to make it three in a row now ... the first time that's happened since ... well, since those 49ers of the early 1990s.

I'm talking, of course, about Seattle, which looks stronger today than it was a year ago when it lapped the AFC West by seven games. Yes, the Seahawks lost All-Pro guard Steve Hutchinson, but they gained former All-Pro linebacker Julian Peterson. They're loaded and, unless there's something about Arizona or St. Louis we don't know about, they're about to make it three in a row as division champions.

The most intriguing club here is Arizona, which has talent galore on offense, but admit it: There's something about the Cards that makes you nervous. Me, too. Then the light bulb goes on: It's that they're the Cards, and they make the playoffs as often as Al Davis toasts the league office.

The safest bet in this division, though, isn't Seattle; it's San Francisco. The 49ers struggled two years ago; they struggled last year; and they'll struggle again this season. The issue here is not winning; it's finding out if Alex Smith can cut it at quarterback. Good luck, guys.

Seattle Seahawks

Significant additions: LB Julian Peterson; WR Nate Burleson; S Mike Green; OL Tom Ashworth; DT Russell Davis; TE Will Heller.

Significant losses: WR Joe Jurevicius; G Steve Hutchinson; S Marquand Manuel; CB Andre Dyson; LB Jamie Sharper.

Biggest offseason move: Losing Hutchinson. The All-Pro guard signed with Minnesota when the Vikings offered him a gazillion-dollar deal Seattle didn't match. The question, of course, is what happens now that Hutch is history. I don't know, either, but the last time he was absent, the Seahawks averaged 390 yards a game, including 464 over the last five starts.

Will make the playoffs if: They avoid an injury to QB Matt Hasselbeck or RB Shaun Alexander.

Won't make the playoffs if: The defense suffers a 2004 relapse. Or is that collapse?

Rookie to watch: CB Kelly Jennings.

Overview: The Seahawks know they qualify for the dreaded Super Bowl loser jinx, but they're unconcerned. They should be. First, they have 19 of 22 starters back. Second, they're in the NFC West, the 99-pound weakling on the NFL beach. Seattle has too much talent to get caught ... unless, of course, injuries become a factor.

St. Louis Rams

Significant additions: LB Will Witherspoon; DT La'Roi Glover; S Corey Chavous; CB Fakhir Brown; QB Gus Frerotte; LB Raonall Smith; RB Tony Fisher; P Matt Turk; T Todd Steussie; FB Paul Smith.

Poll Which team is the biggest threat to the Seahawks in the NFC West?   17%  Rams     4%  Niners     44%  Cardinals     35%  These three teams are too weak to challenge     Total Votes: 18039

Significant losses: S Adam Archuleta; LB Chris Claiborne; CB Corey Ivy; DT Damione Lewis; DT Ryan Pickett; OL Rex Tucker.

Biggest offseason move: Hiring Jim Haslett as defensive coordinator. The Rams were dreadful on defense a year ago, and ushering in the former New Orleans head coach should give this unit the stability it missed in 2005. If the Rams are serious about catching Seattle, they better figure out how to slow down Alexander. All he has done against St. Louis the past two years is produce three games of 150 or more yards rushing and seven TDs.

Will make the playoffs if: Haslett can get these guys to make a tackle.

Won't make the playoffs if: They don't stop committing turnovers. The Rams had 37 last year. Only Green Bay and New Orleans were worse.

Rookie to watch: CB Tye Hill

Overview: The Rams cratered last year when they lost their coach, and the front office was torn apart by dissension. Those problems seem to have been repaired. Now the question: Do they have the talent for new coach Scott Linehan to make something happen? I doubt it. There are too many questions on both sides of the ball, particularly with a defense that was shredded by opposing backs.

Arizona Cardinals

Significant additions: RB Edgerrin James; DT Kendrick Clancy; G Milford Brown; WR Troy Walters.

Significant losses: DT Russell Davis; QB Josh McCown; S Quentin Harris.

Biggest offseason move: Signing James. The Cardinals not only ranked last in rushing last year, they had nearly 400 fewer yards than James. They also had 11 fewer rushing TDs. The Cards haven't had a decent running game in years, but that could change now that Edge is on the scene. I know, the offensive line could be an issue. But at least the Cards have a back who can find holes if they're there.

Will make the playoffs if: The offensive line holds up.

Won't make the playoffs if: Kurt Warner is hurt. Rookie quarterbacks make me nervous.

Rookie to watch: QB Matt Leinart.

Overview: It's possible this is the year the Cards do something. I mean, they have a new stadium and a new running back. Maybe they have a new attitude, too. But it's always the same-old-same-old with these guys, and I don't know how long Warner lasts; I just believe at some point he gets hurt. That means Leinart has to step in and take these guys where they haven't been since 1998. It would be a great story, but I don't see it happening.

San Francisco 49ers

Significant additions: T Larry Allen; QB Trent Dilfer; WR Antonio Bryant; CB Walt Harris; WR Bryan Gilmore; LB T.J. Slaughter; P Tom Rouen.

Significant losses: LB Julian Peterson; CB Ahmed Plummer; QB Ken Dorsey; DE Andre Carter; RB Kevan Barlow; FB Fred Beasley; WR Johnnie Morton; DE Chris Cooper.

Biggest offseason move: Hiring offensive coordinator Norv Turner. If Smith is going to become a franchise quarterback, it's Turner who can get him there. Remember, this is the guy Troy Aikman had introduce him at Canton. Turner is good for struggling young quarterbacks, and Smith qualifies there. One difference: Aikman had a ton of talent around him; Smith doesn't.

Will make the playoffs if: 31 clubs go on a season-long strike.

Won't make the playoffs if: Joe Montana and Jerry Rice don't come out of retirement.

Rookie to watch: TE Vernon Davis.

Overview: There's trouble in San Francisco, and this time Barry Bonds has nothing to do with it. The 49ers are a bad team that will be better than last year ... but not by much. While they have young talent, they don't have enough to make a difference. Not now anyway. The concern is at quarterback: Does Smith have what it takes to become a franchise player? I don't know. I know that he's in the right hands with Turner. But this is a project, folks, and it might take longer than a season.