The 2014 season is a wrap, which means we are ready to get started looking ahead to 2015. Over the offseason we'll have plenty of coverage and analysis of the San Francisco 49ers, but as is always the case, we'll be keeping an eye on the 49ers division-mates.
The NFC West was the best division in football in 2013, and while the 49ers struggles brought it down a little this season, it was still a tough division. The Seattle Seahawks claimed the division with a 12-4 record, the Arizona Cardinals finished second with an 11-5 record, the 49ers were third at 8-8, and the St. Louis Rams brought up the rear at 6-10. The Cardinals seemed ready to take the division, but injuries ravaged them, and they finished up with a wild card berth. The Rams were all over the place. They managed to beat Denver, Seattle and San Francisco, but were destroyed by Minnesota.
Early Super Bowl 50 odds are out, and last night I posted Westgate's odds. They had the Seahawks as 5/1 favorites, and the other three NFC West teams at 25/1. Bovada has since release their own odds, and they have the NFC West as follows (with free agents listed for each team):
Seattle Seahawks: 5/1
The Seahawks are coming off a brutal, heart-breaking loss to the New England Patriots. Life's rough! They face an interesting offseason with several question marks. Russell Wilson is officially eligible for a contract extension, and even with Sunday's loss, he will be getting some serious coin sooner rather than later. Additionally, Ian Rapoport said the Seahawks were expected to offer Marshawn Lynch a sizable extension. There is nothing new on that front, but keep an eye out for more on that.
The Seahawks suffered several notable injuries, and it sounds like some big names will be dealing with offeason surgery. Richard Sherman reportedly played the Super Bowl with torn ligaments in his elbow and will undergo Tommy John surgery. TJ surgery has a different recovery timeline for football players compared to pitchers, with a chance to return much quicker. Early reports are suggesting by the start of the season, but that will be something to watch. Earl Thomas is also expected to have shoulder surgery. Jeremy Lane suffered a broken arm that was described as a compound fracture. I imagine he should recover for the coming season, but again, a name to watch.
Free agents: Unrestricted - QB Taravis Jackson, FB/DE Will Tukuafu, TE Anthony McCoy, TE Tony Moeaki, C Lemuel Jeanpierre, CB Byron Maxwell, DT Kevin Williams, DE O'Brien Schofield, DE Demarcus Dobbs, DT D'Anthony Smith, OLB Malcolm Smith, MLB Heath Farwell, S Jeron Johnson, LS Clint Gresham; Restricted - WR Jermaine Kearse, WR/PR Bryan Walters, OLB Mike Morgan, DE Greg Scruggs, OG Stephen Schilling
San Francisco 49ers: 20/1
Jim Tomsula and his new coaching staff will be the thing to track through the offseason workout program. Injury recoveries for guys like Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman, Daniel Kilgore and Ian Williams will be what we track as training camp approaches. We've begun the discussion for the 49ers, and there will be plenty more.
Free agents: Unrestricted - QB Blaine Gabbert, QB Josh Johnson, RB Frank Gore, RB Alfonso Smith, RB Philip Tanner, WR Michael Crabtree, WR Brandon Lloyd, WR Kassim Osgood, OG Mike Iupati, OLB Dan Skuta, ILB Desmond Bishop, CB Chris Culliver, CB Perrish Cox, CB Chris Cook, SS Bubba Ventrone; Restricted - TE Garrett Celek, LS Kyle Nelson; Exclusive rights - ILB Michael Wilhoite, DE Tony Jerod-Eddie
Arizona Cardinals: 33/1
The Cardinals looked like the team to beat in the NFC West at times, but injuries decimated their roster. Had Carson Palmer not gotten hurt, I actually think they win the division, and maybe they're the ones doing some impressive postseason work. That Palmer injury is a huge what if from this season. Given that his injury happened late in the season, it is going to be a tough comeback for him. I'm sure he would like to be good to go in training camp, but I would be a little bit skeptical. A November ACL injury is going to create a tough timeline. The Cardinals did draft Logan Thomas, but who knows how they view his process. Drew Stanton was adequate as a replacement, but even he went down.
The key for Arizona is getting healthy. They will get back guys like Darnell Dockett, John Abraham, and Andre Ellington (to go along with Palmer, eventually). Add in Daryl Washington returning from suspension, and that team is going to be interesting, to say the least.
Free agents: Unrestricted - TE Rob Housler, RG Paul Fanaika, LB John Abraham, NT Dan Williams, DT Tommy Kelly, LB Sam Acho, LB Larry Foote, LB Marcus Benard, CB Antonio Cromartie, LS Mike Leach; Restricted - OT Bradley Sowell, QB Ryan Lindley, NT Alameda Ta'amu
St. Louis Rams: 40/1
Aside from whether or not they move to Los Angeles, the Rams need to figure out what's up with their quarterback position. Is Sam Bradford ready for another opportunity? Can he actually do something with it? St. Louis needs to figure this out, otherwise they are wasting a defense that is very good, and only getting better.
Free agents: Unrestricted - OT Joe Barksdale, DT Alex Carrington, OG Davin Joseph, QB Shaun Hill, WR Kenny Britt, TE Lance Kendricks, OL Mike Person, LB Will Herring; Restricted - QB Austin Davis, S Rodney McLeod, C Tim Barnes; Exclusive rights: TE/FB Cory Harkey, ST Chase Reynolds, OL Brandon Washington