Division Rivals

Many people think the Arizona Cardinals are the Seahawks biggest competition in the NFC West, but I just do not see it. Edgerrin James will make a difference, but his signing is basically their only offseason move worth noting. Things are looking worse for the Cardinals with RT Oliver Ross injuring his knee. He will be out for at least 3 weeks and could be out up to 10 weeks depending on how tests go. It could easily mean he is not ready to go for the Seahawks home opener, which is bad news for an already weak line in front of Edgerrin James and Kurt Warner. It gets worse if Leinart ever signs and has to play because Ross would be protecting the left-hander's blindside.

The St. Louis Rams added RB Moe Williams (a former Viking) to help with the loss of Marshall Faulk. They really wanted to get RB Michael Bennett from New Orleans, but the Saints dealt Bennett to Kansas City instead. Moe Williams is a decent player and will let Linehan give Stephen Jackson some rest. Despite his toothpick legs, Williams has been surprisly effective at the goal-line during his career. The Rams also brought in RB Tony Fisher from Green Bay this offseason. He should help pick up the blitz and contribute as a pass-catcher out of the backfield on third down.

The Rams are the only team to finish in the top two every season in the new NFC West. They should remain the Seahawks strongest competition in 2006 with the biggest reason being a much better offensive line than Arizona. For detailed analysis of the entire divison, see the NFC West Preview.

FSN's Midwest Sports Report (Video) covers the addition of RB Moe Williams and features an interview with new DT La'Roi Glover. Glover had 25.5 sacks in the two years he played under Jim Haslett (the Rams' new defensive coordinator) in New Orleans. Glover mentions the additions of LB Will Witherspoon (Carolina) and SS Corey Chavous (Minnesota). That gives the team a new impact player and leader on all three levels of the defense (the line, the linebackers and the secondary).