NFC WEST

ARIZONA CARDINALS

• Offseason additions: G Adam Snyder, DE/OLB Quentin Groves, CB William Gay, S James Sanders

• Key draft picks: WR Michael Floyd, CB Jamell Fleming, OT Bobby Massie, G Senio Kelemete

• Offseason losses: OT Brandon Keith, G Rex Hadnot, CB Richard Marshall

• Outlook: Cardinals fans were ecstatic when the team drafted wide receiver Michael Floyd out of Notre Dame in the first round, but who is going to throw the ball to him? Kevin Kolb has the big contract but can’t seem to hold onto the job either because he can’t stay healthy or he doesn’t play well. John Skelton is an unheralded quarterback from Fordham, but the team seems to play better with him under center. Who plays better when he gets his chance will go a long way toward determining Arizona’s season.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

• Offseason additions: QB Matt Flynn, RB Kregg Lumpkin, G Deuce Lutui, DT Jason Jones, ILB Barrett Ruud, WR Braylon Edwards, TE Kellen Winslow

• Key draft picks: DE/OLB Bruce Irvin, LB Bobby Wagner, QB Russell Wilson, RB Robert Turbin, DT Jaye Howard

• Offseason losses: RB Justin Forsett, WR Mike Williams, TE John Carlson, G Robert Gallery, DE Raheem Brock, DT Tony Hargrove, ILB David Hawthorne, ILB Lofa Tatupu, SS Atari Bigby

• Outlook: The quarterback situation is murky at best. Seattle signed Flynn as a free agent in the offseason and gave him a big contract, but third-round pick Wilson will be the starter to open the season. Imagine where the Seahawks could have spent the money if they hadn’t signed Flynn?

ST. LOUIS RAMS

• Offseason additions: WR Steve Smith, OT Barry Richardson, C Scott Wells, DE William Hayes, DT Kendall Langford, DT Trevor Laws, OLB Mario Haggan, OLB Jo-Lonn Dunbar, CB Cortland Finnegan

• Key draft picks: DT Michael Brockers, WR Brian Quick, CB Janoris Jenkins, RB Isaiah Pead, S Trumaine Johnson, WR Chris Givens, K Greg Zuerlein

• Offseason losses: RB Cadillac Williams, WR Brandon Lloyd, WR Mark Clayton, G Jacob Bell, G Adam Goldberg, C Jason Brown, DE James Hall, DT Justin Bannan, DT Fred Robbins, DT Gary Gibson, OLB Chris Chamberlain, OLB Brady Poppinga, CB Ronald Bartell, CB Justin King, K Josh Brown, P Donnie Jones

• Outlook: The Rams have better days ahead, but not now. St. Louis traded down and netted a number of picks for the future.

– Miami Herald

THE REST OF THE NFC

SOUTH

• ATLANTA FALCONS The Falcons are in playoff limbo. They are a team that is always in the hunt for a spot in the playoffs but can’t seem to make the jump to Super Bowl contender. Those hopes could rely on second-year wide receiver Julio Jones. Jones’ development means opponents can’t double team him, Tony Gonzalez and Roddy White at the same time. They also can’t give Michael Turner running room. Also, don’t underestimate the trade for Asante Samuel. He could solidify the defense.

• CAROLINA PANTHERS

What will quarterback Cam Newton do for an encore in his second year? He threw for 4,000 yards and set a rookie record for rushing touchdowns with 14. It’s defense where the Panthers can make the biggest jump. With the return of Jon Beason, along with rookie Luke Kuechly, the linebacking corps should make a huge leap.

• NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

After a difficult and controversy-filled offseason, the Saints should be happy to simply get back on the field. It took most of the offseason to re-sign record-setting quarterback Drew Brees, and thanks to “Bountygate,” the Saints will play without their head coach all season and his assistant head coach for the first six games of the season. On the field, the Saints might have to play without linebacker Jonathan Vilma, who is appealing his one-year suspension for his role in the scandal.

• TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

The Bucs took a giant step back last year, going from 10-6 to 4-12. Coach Raheem Morris was fired as a result and replaced by Rutgers coach Greg Schiano. Schiano is a disciplinarian who will push quarterback Josh Freeman.

NORTH

• CHICAGO BEARS

The Bears were cruising along at 7-3 before the loss of quarterback Jay Cutler to a thumb injury. A week later, star running back Matt Forte suffered a knee injury and the season was essentially over. The duo returns and adds Pro Bowl MVP Brandon Marshall, who was acquired from the Dolphins for two third-round picks. The aging defense needs to hold on until the offense gets its act together and makes an impact.

• DETROIT LIONS

The Lions improved from 3-13 to 10-6 and a playoff appearance in one season. The next step is legitimate playoff contender in the same division as the 15-1 Packers. The offense, led by Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson, can score on anyone, and the defensive line is imposing when Ndamukong Suh isn’t suspended. If the Lions can grow up after an offseason full of arrests, improve in the defensive backfield and find a running back among Jahvid Best, Kevin Smith and Mikel Leshoure, they could go far.

• GREEN BAY PACKERS

A 15-1 season went up in smoke with a playoff loss to the Giants. Despite the stellar regular season, the Packers finished last in overall defense and devoted their first six draft picks to that side of the ball. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers had an MVP season, but with the loss of backup Matt Flynn to free agency, the pass-happy Packers are in deep trouble if something happens to Rodgers.

• MINNESOTA VIKINGS

How much can the Vikings really expect from running back Adrian Peterson, who is coming back from a torn ACL late last season? He is scheduled to play from Week 1, but these injuries usually take a full year to heal.

EAST

• DALLAS COWBOYS The championship window is closing fast for Tony Romo and Co. The Cowboys invested heavily on defense with four draft picks, but the injuries (Jason Witten) and offseason drama (De Bryant) could throw off the timing of the receiving corps. A healthy DeMarco Murray at running back would help.

• NEW YORK GIANTS

Don’t let the shine of last season’s Super Bowl hide some obvious warts. The Giants squeaked into the playoffs before getting hot and lost one of their best receivers (Mario Manning ham), tight ends (Jake Ballard) and running backs (Brandon Jacobs). The Giants struggled running the ball, but the additio of running back David Wilson will help. The NFC East is loaded so a return to the playoffs is no guarantee.

• PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Last season at this time, the Eagles were compared to the Hea for their star-studded offseason pickups. The Eagles didn’t make the playoffs but finished strong, proving that their talent is still there. Coach Andy Reid, dealing with the death of his so during training camp, has his hands full on and off the field. The Eagles could flame out again or win the Super Bowl.

• WASHINGTON REDSKINS

The Redskins paid a big price to move up and draft Robert Griffin III, but it will take time. Look for Leonard Hankerson to make a big leap forward. Last season, Hankerson had eight catches for 106 yards against the Dolphins before he was lost for the season with a hip injury. Hankerson would give Griffin a big-play threat. Now if coach Mike Shanahan could settle on a running back.

– Miami Herald

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