Early preseason observations: NFC West Edition

Arizona Cardinals: The Good:  Rookie LB Daryl Washington is going to be a good player in this league barring any major injury. This preseason he has displayed quickness and good awareness.  He knows how to get to the ball and make plays. He will be competing for former Cardinal MLB Karlos Dansby spot.

The Bad:  Who’s gonna be the starting QB when the season starts, will it be Matt Leinhart or Derek Anderson? Both quarterbacks have looked very average this preseason. I predict Anderson will be starting opening day or if not then but after the first few regular season games. Leinhart just doesn’t look comfortable in the pocket. He doesn’t display any leadership abilities. This team needs a for sure QB who can take command of this offense. I believe Anderson will succeed in this offense.

San Francisco 49ers: The Good:  The 49ers running game looks very strong. Rookie RB Anthony Dixon had a 100 yard rushing performance against the Colts this preseason. Newly acquired veteran RB Brian Westbrook will help out this season on third down situations. He is dangerous out the backfield on screens. He will definitely help out QB Alex Smith, who needs all the help he can get. A quarterback’s best friend is a strong running game and a few screen passes.

The Bad:  The season hasn’t started yet for this hungry team. I believe the 49ers are a sleeper team in the NFC. They have a very physical defense and a strong running game. There is good quality depth at all the skill positions. This is a top 10 defense. Now Alex Smith needs to produce, if not David Carr will relieve him and succeed in this offense.

Seattle Seahawks: The Good: QB Matt Hasselback is finally healthy. Hopefully he can stay healthy for a full season. Hasselbeck isn’t a bad quarterback. He threw for 3,966 yards in 2007. Like I said before his problem is durability. Hopefully he can stay healthy for the 2010 season.

The Bad:  This team is seriously lacking a pass rush. So far DE Chris Clemons has looked great, but the problem with Clemons is inconsistency. He had a breakout year in Oakland as a situational pass rusher where he had 8 sacks in the 2007 season. This off-season the Seahawks traded away former first round bust DE Lawrence Jackson to the Lions. But what’s a head scratcher is that the team traded for another first round DE/DT bust in Kentwan Balmer. I don’t understand the logic. You trade away one bust for another? Why? How does this help? Balmer can play the DT position as well. Hopefully him being traded can help motivate him to step his game up this year.

St. Louis Rams: The Good:  Rookie QB Sam Bradford didn’t play like a rookie in the Rams recent preseason victory after the Patriots. In fact the whole Rams team didn’t play like they were the worst team in the league last season. Bradford showed a lot of poise and executed two touchdown drives. To start the game Bradford completed his first six passes, finished 15 of 22 for 189 yards.

The Bad:  The Rams top receiver from last year Donnie Avery tore his ACL in the game vs. the Patriots. Avery led the Rams last season with 47 catches and had two catches for 48 yards in this game. The Rams have a relatively young receiving core. WR’s Danny Amendola and Laurent Robinson will need to step their game up this year. Amendola had 43 catches in 2009. He played more as a slot receiver. Robinson had 13 catches in 2009 after being picked up by the Rams later in the season. Look for Robinson to have 40 plus catches this year. This team still needs a veteran WR. Now that Antonio Bryant has been released maybe if healthy the Rams could sign him.