The NFC West - From Worst To First?

Back in 2010, the NFC West became the first division in NFL history to have a division champion with a losing record. Since winning an NFL division grants a team an automatic berth in the playoffs, the 2010 Seattle Seahawks won the division with just a 7-9 record, showing off the pure awfulness of the NFC West. The Seahawks weren’t a bad team, but they had no place in the playoffs. With a one-dimensional offense and a pedestrian defense, the Seahawks had absolutely no place in the playoffs.

The only reason they made it was due to the other teams in their division. The St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers, and Arizona Cardinals offered nothing to the division. They were untalented and poorly coached, but because of the parity of poor football in the league, they all competed for the division title. The NFC West had branded itself as not only the worst division in football, but the worst division in all of sports.

Fast forward to the 2013 season. The NFC West is arguably to most exciting and intriguing league in football. The West has two Super Bowl contenders in Seattle and San Francisco, and two competitive teams in the Cardinals and Rams, who could legitimately beat anyone on any given Sunday and would arguably make the playoffs if they were in a different division. The West has a plethora of explosive playmakers, suffocating defenses, and high profile head coaches. So how did it all change so quickly? What were the factors from making it the worst division in the league, to possibly the best division in the league?

Quarterback Play

One of the recipes for success in the NFL is quality quarterback play. In 2010, the quarterback play in the West was absolutely horrendous. Seahawks veteran Matt Hasselbeck and Rams rookie Sam
Bradford were the only consistent starters for their respective teams. Now the West has four quality starting quarterbacks, highlighted by Pro Bowl caliber standouts in Russell Wilson for the Seahawks and Colin Kaepernick for the 49ers.

Wilson, the third-round steal of the 2012 draft, has started every game for the Seahawks since the start of his rookie season in 2012. In his rookie campaign, Wilson threw for 3,118 yards and 26 touchdowns, as well as completing over 64% of his passes. Wilson also showed his dual-threat capability, rushing for 489 yards and four touchdowns. Wilson’s incredible versatility makes it so hard for defenses to stop him. He is great both in and out of the pocket and his ability to go out of I-formation, read-option, or shotgun sets make him a nightmare to prepare for.

In week 10 of the 2012 season, Kaepernick replaced the injured Alex Smith in a game against the Rams. In that short amount of time, Kaepernick has established himself as one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the league. Kaepernick led the 49ers to a 5-2 record to finish off the season and put up record setting numbers in the playoffs to lead the 49ers to the Super Bowl. Kaepernick’s world-class athleticism makes him San Francisco’s biggest weapon. His running ability in zone-read and pistol formation sets make him one of the most unique and dangerous quarterbacks in the league. Last season he also proved that he can throw the ball with accuracy as well, throwing for 1,814 yards and completing over 62% of his passes.

The other two quarterbacks in this league are not too shabby by any stretch of the imagination. The Cardinals, Carson Palmer, is in his first year with the team and is already a much needed
improvement for the team. Since the retirement of Kurt Warner in 2009, the Cardinals had not been able to find a reliable quarterback until Palmer was traded to the team from the Oakland Raiders. The two-time Pro Bowler has thrown for 1,483 yards to start the 2013 season.

Bradford, the only remaining West starting
quarterback from the 2010 season, has also show his ability to play well in this league. The former #1 overall pick and 2010 NFL Rookie of the Year winner has instilled hope in a team that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2004. Even though he has suffered several injuries in his short career, he has had a strong start to the 2013 season, throwing for 1,432 yards and 13 touchdowns in just six games.

Randy Moss reportedly done in San Fran; end of the line?

While there’s doubt where Randy Moss will ultimately end up, his short-term plans aren’t as concrete.

A source tells ProFootballTalk.com that the 49ers are planning to “steer clear” of Moss, making it clear that the future Hall of Fame receiver won’t be back in a San Francisco uniform next season.

It’s not too surprising.

Breaking Down The Alex Smith Trade

Breaking down the Alex Smith trade can be done more conclusively once Smith’s career as a Chief has ended, and the players who were selected with the additional draft picks have received a chance to perform for the 49ers. However, in the immediate aftermath of the trade between San Francisco and Kansas City, it is completely feasible to analyze what has occurred, and how it is likely to benefit both teams.

Smith was firmly entrenched as a backup in San Francisco, and the 49ers were wise to move him. Yet, Kansas City did well by securing a proven starter who will upgrade a position of serious weakness in recent seasons. He will be 29 when the regular season commences in September, and the Chiefs will have a better opportunity to win this season and beyond, then they would have experienced by allowing four-year starter Matt Cassel or former backup Brady Quinn to continue taking snaps. Smith became very efficient during the final two years of his eight-year tenure in San Francisco, after Jim Harbaugh joined the organization.

That said, Smith can hardly be considered an elite signal caller, and there are undeniable limitations with his game. He only generated 15+ touchdowns passes in two different seasons, and his career best is only 18. Plus, his TD/INT quotient was only favorable after Harbaugh became his head coach in 2011. Prior to that that time, Smith had tossed 51 scoring throws, and 53 INTs. That should be alarming to anyone who perceives Smith based primarily upon what he accomplished in the past two seasons.  But Andy Reid should construct his strategy around Smith capabilities, and the Chiefs’ offense should improve next season. The image of Smith connecting on short throws to Jamaal Charles is unquestionably strong.

Meanwhile, San Francisco’s interest in Peyton Manning during the 2012 offseason made it clear that Smith was not firmly entrenched in the team’s long-term strategy. The team eventually made a logical and successful decision to bench Smith, and place Colin Kaepernick into the starting role. Kaepernick’s subsequent performance made Smith extremely expendable, and the 49ers’ decision to trade him was extremely logical.

Harbaugh, 49ers Will Not Let Alex Smith Decide His Own Fate This Offseason

Two days after losing the Super Bowl and blaming the referees, 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh said all the right things, blaming himself and the play-calling. He also mentioned the future of Alex Smith, the now high-priced back-up quarterback that likely wants nothing more than a fresh start in a new uniform.

Whether or not Smith gets that fresh start with another team will not be up to him, though, as Harbaugh stated on Tuesday.

            “I don’t think any player has those wishes granted when they’re under contract,” Harbaugh said via San Francisco Chronicle’s Eric Branch. “And everything’s different. Every scenario is unique. It’s certainly not something we’re going to delve into and get into specifics.”

            ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the 49ers are going to shop Smith to teams this offseason, and Schefter also reported that teams are already lining up for Smith’s services.

            However, there may be a wrench thrown in the reported plans of Smith. The 49ers actually may keep him as their back-up quarterback next season.

I BELIEVE (in Flacco)

I admin it, I was not a beleiver.

When I looked at the big, relatively uncoordinated QB, I couldn't get past him failing to win a starting job at Pitt against a guy who didn't even get a cup of coffee. I couldn't get past his INT numbers or his relatively pedestrian completion percentages.

Now, I am not saying that I didn't see the potential early, or recognize that he was a starting QB at the NFL level late....but a premier QB?

Yeah, I just didn't see it.

I was wrong.

Joe Flacco has a couple things that you cannot buy, and you should never undervalue.

First, he has phsyical abilities which allow him to differentiate himself from other QB's in the league. He he is a huge man, which an easy delivery that allows him to make every required throw and several that most teams don't even bother to leave in the playbook.

This is a guy who put the ball 31 yards down the field, on the money, on the run last night.

We hear all the time about the "spread" offenses.

Those offenses spread the field horizontally, Flacco allows the Ravens to spread the defense vertically. This is not a new concept, it's just one we don't hear about much anymore. He is perfectlt suited to it, physically, and good on the Ravens for recognizing that and having the patience to let him grown.

Second, he could not care less what we all think about him.

Jack Harbaugh: Jim told me that Colin Kaepernick was best player in the Draft, the Night before he was drafted

With two sons coaching in the Super Bowl this weekend, it is easy to see why their father Jack Harbaugh has done a lot of reflecting lately. From their childhood, to their start as coaches at smaller levels, Harbaugh has been an interesting source of quotes all weekend. The latest one comes per The Sacramento Bee, and it centers around 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

“So I said, ‘Jim, tomorrow in the second round, surely you’re going to draft a quarterback. Which one is it going to be?‘” Jack said of the call. “And it’s dead silence. In fact, I can hear his voice (let’s out a sigh).”

Alex Smith enjoys last bittersweet experience with 49ers

San Francisco backup quarterback Alex Smith used the term ” bittersweet” on Tuesday to describe his first Super Bowl experience. 

As accurate as that probably is, Smith was definitely underselling the depth of his emotions.

The former No.1 pick has been kicked around during his entire seven-year tenure with the team.

Those with selective memories forget the other quarterback controversies that Smith endured before he finally settled into what he thought was his job to keep.

Shout-out to Troy Smith.

49ers coach Jim Haurbaugh did the tough thing and made the correct call by placing the future of the team in the hands of Colin Kaepernick.

That doesn’t mean Smith has to or should like it.

Colin Kaepernick: I don’t feel any Pressure playing in the Super Bowl

For a quarterback who hasn’t even started a full season’s worth of games, you might think 49er’s quarterback Colin Kaepernick has perhaps began to feel some pressure. Being days away from starting in the Super Bowl has to be intimidating… right?

Not if you ask Kaepernick.

“I’ve said this before: Pressure, I feel like, comes from lack of preparation. This isn’t going to be a pressure situation, it is going to be a matter of going out there and performing physically,” Kaepernick said after the 49ers arrived in New Orleans.

Strong words from the young quarterback. I admire his confidence.

But to be honest, words will mean nothing this Sunday. He’ll have to go out and show that he’s ready to win a ring for his team.

Be sure to check out other great articles at BlackSportsOnline.

49ers vs. Falcons: NFC Championship Preview and Prediction

By: Rich Bergeron

The San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons square off this Sunday at 3:00 PM EST on Fox for the NFL's NFC Championship and a ticket to the Super Bowl. Both teams are led by phenomenal young quarterbacks, and both of those young men have just one playoff win in their careers thus far. Atlanta's Matt Ryan has more overall experience, but San Francisco's Colin Kaepernick is clearly the more gifted runner of the two.
These teams never faced each other in the regular season, so there is no benchmark to look back on to help analyze how this game might go. With everything on the line in this win-or-go-home match-up, previous game scores might not matter much anyway. A better indicator could be how both teams did last week against different opponents.

Jim Harbaugh Says He’s Half The Coach His Brother John Is

It must be a gift and a curse to have a brother in the same profession, when both of you are really good at what you do and people around you expect you to fight for supremacy.

The Harbaugh brothers like any siblings are competitive with each other to a point, but do their best to avoid it turning into a rivalry.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is the older of the two and has always been a coach, Jim had success as a NFL quarterback before throwing his coaching hat on as well.

Colin Kaepernick sets single-game QB rushing record

Colin Kaepernick’s performance Saturday night was one for the ages.

During the 49ers’ Divisional Round contest against the Packers, Kaepernick set the NFL’s single-game rushing record for quarterbacks in any game.

Midway through the fourth quarter, with the Niners leading 38-24, the dynamic signal-caller had run for 179 yards, eclipsing Michael Vick’s previous mark (173).

Kaepernick also obliterated the postseason rushing yards record, formerly held by Vick (119).

5 Reasons why Colin Kaepernick erupted so fast

Colin Kaepernick watched Alex Smith lead the San Francisco 49ers to the NFC Championship Game last season.  This year Kaepernick is the man and Smith is the understudy.

During Saturday’s record-setting playoff performance against the Green Bay Packers,  we all saw that a star was born.

Lets look at how it all came together.

#1 His Confidence Grows Weekly

When some guys get their shot as the lead-dog they die on the vine like overexposed grapes.

Unlike Minnesota’s Joe Webb, Kaepernick has made the most of every opportunity that he has been given.
He is a special talent that can do a lot of great things.

When Alex Smith went down with a concussion and ultimately lost his job to the second-year man out of Nevada, the offense was quietly divided.

One of the most important pieces of that unit Vernon Davis, was as assertive as he could afford to be in supporting Smith.

To quell what could have been a diplomatic nightmare, Kaepernick earned the trust of his teammates by stepping up and distributing just a little more swagger with each passing week.

Skill players such as running backs and especially wideouts want to get on the ship that is being flown by the guy that performs like he is the man.

If Cam Newton is Superman, Kaepernick might just be Rick Flair.

He’s now out-dueled both Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. It’s these marquee wins that fuel his personal ability to understand that he is a gamer.

Vernon Davis: Kaepernick and I Don't Have Chemistry

Vernon Davis has 10 receptions for 112 yards in five games since Colin Kaepernick took over for Alex Smith under center. For the Pro Bowl tight end, that is simply not up to par.


Davis has flip-flopped in his stance over who he feels deserves to be the 49ers' quarterback -- Smith or Kaepernick -- but now with Kaepernick as the regular at the helm for San Francisco, Davis now must adjust to the new man throwing him the ball.

Tom Brady talks almost pulling off the impossible and Sandy Hook

Tom Brady and the New England Patriots almost pulled off the impossible on Sunday when they rallied from a 28-point deficient in the second half to tie the San Francisco 49ers 31-31.
Just when it appeared that the Patriots had the game locked down, a Colin Kaepernick-led 49ers group shut down any hopes of a historic backbreaking comeback.

Brady told WEEI’s Dennis & Callahan via the Boston Herald that he honestly felt that he and his group would pull off the win.

“When we were down 31-3, that was my thought,” Brady said. “I thought we were going to come back and win the game.

“Because I look around at the quality and character of the guys that we’ve got, and I have the confidence that we can do it,” Brady said.

“I’m really proud of the fact that our guys never blinked an eye to the best defense in the league.”

After pulling to a tie with plenty of meat left of the clock in the fourth, Brady says that the 49ers did not close the door on them. He feels that the Patriots closed the door on themselves.

“We kind of gave it them at that point,” Brady said. “We didn’t do anything on offense, and we didn’t put up the kind of fight that I wish we would have been able to.”

The contest was also ear-marked for the broadcast audience by President Obama’s address regarding the tragedy in Newtown, Conn.

The President’s remarks cut into approximately 20 minutes of the game’s total broadcast time touching off a shameful firestorm on various social media outlets.

Randy Moss: Kaepernick Dislocated my Finger

Randy Moss has played over 14 seasons in the NFL and has caught balls from a lot of quarterbacks.

From the likes of Tom Brady to Brett Favre, apparently no one has ever thrown hard enough to dislocate one of Moss’ fingers.

Until now.

While playing the Chicago Bears on Monday night, 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick threw a pass so hard that Moss dislocated his finger.