NFC West Preview

NFC West – This division is probably one of the weakest in football (ironically, along with the AFC West). From top to bottom, there aren’t any teams that really wow me, nor do I expect any of them to represent the NFC in the Superbowl; however, somebody has to win the division.

San Francisco 49ers – The 49ers are the most intriguing team in the NFC West, because they parallel their rivals across the bay. Their receivers are solid, but young. They have a great, young tight end, a solid QB, strong running game, and very plausible defense. Frank Gore should benefit from Alex Smith’s efficiency and return to being the fantasy beast he was in 2006. A full year of Crabtree will also help take some pressure off Gore’s shoulders as well as keep eight men out of the box. Don’t sleep on the defense either, last year the Niners were 6th in opponent rushing yards (just 97 yards allowed per game). Projected record: 9-7

Seattle Seahawks – Pete Carroll is taking another stab at being an NFL head coach (and left USC crumbling in his absence). He will coach a few of his former players in Lofa Tutupu and Mike Williams. Tutupu has always been a solid pro; however, Williams has looked very good in his first two preseason games under his old head coach. This could be an interesting season for the Seahawks; however, don’t expect them to make much noise outside of a few games. I’m not sure that Carroll is sold on Hasselbeck being the franchise QB (to tell you the truth, neither am I). Projected record: 7-9

Arizona Cardinals – The Cardinals lost all hope when their leader, Kurt Warner, retired; not to mention the fact that the team followed up by trading Anquan Boldin, their toughest receiver. Now the offense will fall on the shoulders of a disappointing Matt Leinhart, how well the team does will depend on his ability to run the offense (assuming he hasn’t already lost the job to Derek Anderson). On defense the Cardinals lost Karlos Dansby and Antrel Rolle - two of their best players. This could be a long season for Ken Wisenhunt and the Red Birds. Projected Record: 8-8

St. Louis Rams – The $50 million question is: “Can Bradford put up any respectable numbers without a viable number-one receiver to throw to?” (Although, for $50 million, I don’t think he cares who he’s throwing to.) Stephen Jackson is going to get over 1,000-yards and 10 TDs, but will he play 16 games? Doubtful. The Rams are going to be the doormat of this division; however, they’re only a few key pieces away from being an 8-win team. Unfortunately, most of those pieces are on the most important side of the ball, defense. Projected Record: 4-12

The bottom line is that this division is a two team race between the Cardinals and the 49ers until further notice (and by further notice, I mean the next 2-years; unless the Seahawks can pry Vincent Jackson away from San Diego). The Rams are doing the right thing by letting Bradford watch the first couple of regular season games from the sidelines. Eventually he’ll be the starter, but there’s no need to rush a guy coming off a major injury into an ass whooping. Hopefully Carroll can turn around a Seahawks franchise that took a stage dive since the 2005 Superbowl.

By Aaron Hilton
Follow me on twitter @Way_2_Tall401

Third Time is the Charm for Otis Amey

Otis Amey is coming home to Sacramento.

He will play wide receiver for the Sacramento Mountain Lions, who host all of their opponents at Amey's Alma Mater, Sacramento State.

The 28-year-old, two-time All-American holds Hornets records in career receptions, receiving touchdowns, single season receptions, single game receptions, career kickoff return yards, longest punt return for a TD and most punt returns in a season.

His role with the Mountain Lions will be as a “jack of all trades.”

“He’ll return some balls,” Mountain Lions receivers coach, Charles Collins, said. “He’ll be back there on kick offs, he’ll play a little on the inside and outside. I expect to move him around; I’m not going to pigeon hole him in one spot.”

While he’s exited to be playing for his home team, back in Hornet Stadium, Amey hopes to return to the NFL soon.

“To be honest, guys at the River Cats don’t say, ‘I’m happy playing with the River Cats,’” Amey said. “They want to be on the A’s. It’d be a lie to say that I don’t want to be back in the NFL."

After signing with the 49ers as an undrafted rookie, Amey made an immediate impact. He returned a punt for a 75-yard touchdown on his first touch in the NFL.

Recapturing that moment proved to be too difficult for Amey. The Union City native was cut by the 49ers - a team he rooted for as a child - after that season. In his words, it was the “lowest point in my life.”

Amey spent the 2006-07 season in the Arena Football League with the Austin Wranglers. The most memorable moment, in his time away from the NFL, came on Mother’s day in 2007 when he played against his big brother, Vince Amey.

“I wasn’t even worried about making the tackle,” said Vince, who was a seventh-round pick for the Oakland Raiders in 1998. “I had him in my sights and wanted to drive (Otis) backwards a few feet.”

After that season, Amey got his second chance to make an NFL roster with the Atlanta Falcons. Due to Michael Vick’s dog fighting charges, the Falcons needed to sign a replacement at quarterback. Amey, who had originally been placed on the 53-man roster, ended up being the odd man out.

The ordeal in Atlanta only added more fuel to the fire for Amey; he was determined to revitalize his career. He played the 2008 AFL season with the Cleveland Gladiators, leading the league in scoring with 50 touchdowns.

Amey credits his big brother, Vince, for helping to keep his head straight through the ups and downs of playing professional football. Amey has been through a lot in his five-year professional career; however, he’s not ready to give up on his dreams quite yet.

“That’d be the dream scenario: winning a championship here, getting picked up, and winning a Superbowl as well. You couldn’t write it any better than that.”

By Aaron Hilton
Follow me on twitter @Way_2_Tall401