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NFC West Capsules
Compiled by Gene Wang
Coach: Dan Reeves, 23-27 in three seasons with Falcons (181-148-1 overall). Key acquisitions: QB Michael Vick (first-round pick, Virginia Tech), CB-PR Darrien Gordon (Raiders). Key losses: LB Jessie Tuggle (retired), K Morten Andersen (Giants), WR Tim Dwight (Chargers). Outlook: Hope has not been a word used much in Atlanta since the Falcons advanced to the NFC championship game in 1998. In the two seasons since, Atlanta has won nine games, endured a season-ending injury to Pro Bowl tailback Jamal Anderson and foundered when it came to the passing game. But Reeves has cause for optimism with Vick. It will take time for Vick, who left Virginia Tech after his sophomore season, to get acquainted with NFL offenses. But the No. 1 overall pick in the draft was the most exciting player in college last season, and Falcons fans knew it: About 6,000 of them turned out for the team’s draft party in April. One to watch: At Reeves’s urging, Tuggle retired after 14 seasons rather than being cut. Enter Keith Brooking, the up-and-coming weak-side linebacker, who is returning from torn toe ligaments that forced him to miss the final 11 games of last season. His health will help determine the Falcons’ success on defense.
Coach: George Seifert, 15-17 in two seasons with Panthers (123-52 overall). Key acquisitions: C Jeff Mitchell (Ravens), T Todd Steussie (Vikings), G Kevin Donnalleycq (Dolphins), RB Richard Huntley (Steelers), LB Dan Morgan (first-round pick, Miami), QB Chris Weinke (fourth-round pick, Florida State), WR Stevonne Smith (third-round pick, Utah). Key losses: QB Steve Beuerlein (Broncos), QB Jeff Lewis (released), DE Chuck Smith (retired), DE Reggie White (retired), CB Eric Davis (Broncos), DT Eric Swann (released), LB Lee Woodall (Broncos), RB-KR Michael Bates (Redskins). Outlook: The Panthers will have a drastically different makeup this season. Most notable will be Chris Weinke, the rookie quarterback for a team that has none with NFL starting experience. But Weinke has the benefit of a retooled and tested offensive line. Mitchell, Donnalley and Steussie (two Pro Bowls) were starters last season. One to watch: Because of injuries, tailback Tshimanga Biakabutuka has not produced the 1,000-yard season the Panthers envisioned. When he does play, he shows stretches of greatness. Another season of injuries may endanger the fifth-year player’s job.
Coach: Jim Haslett, second season, 10-6 overall (lost to Minnesota in NFC semifinals of 2000 playoffs). Key acquisitions: WR Albert Connell (Redskins), RB Deuce McAllister (first-round pick, Mississippi), S Jay Bellamy (Seahawks), Sedrick Hodge (third-round pick, North Carolina). Key losses: TE Andrew Glover (Raiders), LB Mark Fields (Rams). Outlook: Second-year QB Aaron Brooks has been named the starter after taking over for Jeff Blake (2,039 yards, 13 touchdowns). The reason? Blake’s recovery from a foot injury he suffered in Week 11 last season has been slower than expected, and Brooks led the Saints to their second division title in franchise history. Oft-injured RB Ricky Williams needs to stay healthy or risk his starting role. He missed seven games last season with a broken ankle, though he managed 1,000 yards before the injury. During his rookie season, Williams missed four games with various ailments. One to watch: Charlie Clemons replaces Pro Bowl pick Fields in the middle after missing all of last season with a torn Achilles’ tendon. The fourth-year player has never started an NFL game.
Coach: Mike Martz, second season, 10-6 overall (lost to New Orleans in first round of playoffs in 2000). Key acquisitions: CB Aeneas Williams (Cardinals), S Kim Herring (Ravens), LB Mark Fields (Saints), C Frank Garcia (Panthers), QB Jamie Martin (Jaguars), DT Damione Lewis (first-round pick, Miami), S Adam Archuleta (first-round pick, Arizona State). Key losses: DE Kevin Carter (Titans), QB Trent Green (Chiefs), DT D’Marco Farr (released), QB Joe Germaine (Chiefs), CB Todd Lyght (Lions), S Keith Lyle (Redskins), LB Mike Jones (Steelers), TE Roland Williams (Raiders), S Devin Bush (Browns). Outlook: Despite Marshall Faulk’s 26 rushing touchdowns last season and St. Louis’s penchant for scoring sprees, the Rams have Super Bowl aspirations this season largely because of a significantly upgraded defense. Williams has been a Pro Bowl starter four of the past five seasons, Fields went to the Pro Bowl last season, and Herring had 59 tackles and three interceptions as a starter for one of the best defenses in history. One to watch: The Rams are counting on Lewis to contribute right away on the defensive line after the departures of Carter and Farr. Pro scouts have likened Lewis to Buccaneers all-pro DT Warren Sapp.
Coach: Steve Mariucci, 37-31 in four seasons. Key acquisitions: LB Derek Smith (Redskins), DT Dana Stubblefield (Redskins), DE Andre Carter (first-round pick, California). Key losses: WR Jerry Rice (Raiders), LB Ken Norton (released), RB Charlie Garner (Raiders), DT Brentson Buckner (released), DE Anthony Pleasant (Patriots), LB Winfred Tubbs (released), K Wade Richey (Chargers), QB Rick Mirer (released). Outlook: The 49ers begin their first season in 17 without reliable No. 80 at wide receiver, but there is no panic. WR Terrell Owens is quickly becoming among the best in the league, and QB Jeff Garcia, in his first season as a starter, went to the Pro Bowl after setting a team record with 4,278 yards passing. There is, however, concern at tailback, where Garrison Hearst, the only proven runner, is back on the active roster after ankle surgery in January. One to watch: Stubblefield, the 1997 defensive player of the year, rejoins his mates after an unproductive stint in Washington. The eight-year veteran, who fell asleep in training room during halftime of Redskins’ loss to Cowboys in Dallas last season, must prove he again can be a force in San Francisco’s young defense. |
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