NFC West 2014 Free Agency Signings

NFC West Division is the most competitive division in National Football League, currently hosting the Super Bowl 48 Champions Seattle Seahawks. Second to their NFC West Crown is the San Francisco 49ers, which were their eventual conference championship foes. Seahawks players thought that their conference championship matchup between the 49ers was way better than the actual Super Bowl battling with the Denver Broncos. The Arizona Cardinals finished 10-6 last season but come up short stepping into the post-season to compete once again to their prized rivals. St. Louis Rams boast their talented defense yet failed to have a winning season, some of the concerns might be the absence of their franchise quarterback in Sam Bradford. Overall, any team that participates here in NFC West has the potential to beat any team in any given season around the league.
[next]
ARIZONA CARDINALS

Bruce Arians' first season as a head coach in NFL comes smoothly as he guided the 'Cards to a 10-6 season. Bringing Carson Palmer as his starting quarterback to handle his offense that features big arm quarterback and deep threat receivers. Larry Fitzgerald might not possess the fastest legs on the team but he is the hands-down possession receiver for Carson Palmer emergency throws. Letting go of Andre Roberts will haunt them soon if they don't draft any talented receivers in this coming draft. Michael Floyd will always be the sidekick for Fitzgerald and has been effective to Arians' offensive scheme. These are the latest signings for the Arizona Cardinals:

Jared Veldheer
Jake Ballard
Jay Feely
Frostee Rucker
Ted Larsen
Jonathan Dwyer
Marcus Benard
Ted Ginn, Jr.
Matt Shaugnessy
Bryan McCann
Antonio Cromartie
LeQuan Lewis
Eddie Whitley
Dave Zastudil

Bruce Arians said that he was shocked that the Raiders let Jared Veldheer go in the free agency and that news made up their minds to grab Veldheer to be their next left tackle to anchor their offensive line. Arizona Cardinals was known for having poor offensive line before Bruce Arians era and this Veldheer move and last season's draft pick Jonathan Cooper reminds their fans that Arians is there to change that culture.

Picking up Antonio Cromartie for some veteran leadership throughout their secondary is a plus for youngsters like Tyrann Mathieu and Patrick Peterson. Picking up a strong and free safety in the middle rounds would complete their needs around their defensive backfield.
[next]
ST. LOUIS RAMS

Jeff Fisher's Rams draft positions in this year's draft came favorable to them because of the Washington Redskins standing in last regular season. That draft pick, second overall pick, could have been more useful for the Redskins in this year's rebuilding mode under Jay Gruden. The St. Louis Rams could pick the best player available at pick #2 after the Texans made their decision towards the future of their franchise at draft pick #1. Jadeveon Clowney created a lot of buzz for the #1 overall pick but the Texans might choose the other way, and the Rams will be on the hot seat if Clowney was still on board at #2. Picking him, will or will not make sense depends upon their satisfaction of getting pass rushers to the quarterback. With Robert Quinn and Chris Long anchoring their edges, Clowney will be a liability or their greatest asset for Rams future. But for now, let's take a look to their recent signings in the free agency market:

Rodger Saffold
Kenny Britt
Alex Carrington
Shaun Hill
Etienne Sabino
Greg Reid

Rodger Saffold to the Raiders didn't come successful after he failed the physical requirements after he signed for the Raiders to join them in their roster. Saffold was expected to replace Jared Veldheer for their vacant left tackle spot, but other teams consider him as a guard or a better fit at right tackle spot.

Kenny Britt second chance came from his former head coach at Tennessee Titans, Jeff Fisher. Now, the reuniting of Britt-Fisher to this Rams offense will resurrect Britt's playmaking ability as well as being the no. 1 wide receiver for a team.
[next]
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

The 49ers only fear this offseason is the drama between the front office and Jim Harbaugh about the future of the coach in this team. The executives pressuring Harbaugh to win a Super Bowl could result to Harbaugh forcing a trade to another team but as Jim said, he will not try to dump the team and won't go anywhere beyond San Francisco. 49ers are still one of the most talented teams despite some allegations around Aldon Smith and his Bomb Threat scandal which could result to another Aldon Smith-less season for the 49ers. After all of that scandal, the 49ers try to improve at least this offseason. Here are their recent signings in the free agency:

Phil Dawson
Antoine Bethea
Chris Cook
Bruce Miller
Kassim Osgood
Perrish Cox
Daniel Kilgore

Through Trade:
Blaine Gabbert
Jonathan Martin

Bringing Antoine Bethea to replace Donte Whitner is better for the team looking for veteran leadership who won a Super Bowl back in his glory days in Colts. Signing Phil Dawson and Kassim Osgood would stabilize their kicking game and bringing back Daniel Kilgore will give depth to their offensive line.

Trading for Blaine Gabbert to replace Colt McCoy as a backup for Colin Kaepernick will give some insurance to their quarterback position if the 49ers cannot extend the contract for Kaepernick heading to the next season. The reunion of Jonathan Martin and his Stanford Coach Jim Harbaugh will give some confidence to Martin and his troubled past in Miami. Giving Martin a responsibility to their offense will make Martin feel belong to his newly joined team.
[next]
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

The Super Bowl Champions of 2014 have been one of the underdogs in the league before Pete Carroll took control of this roster by bringing some talented players from the draft and hone their talents and reach their fullest potential to compete among the NFL best players. Seahawks boast the best secondary the league has ever seen for years and even though the original members of their Legion of Boom has gone to another teams, the Seahawks managed to replace them through their talented pool of players and step up and be part of the Legion of Boom's finest players. Here are the latest signing for the Seattle Seahawks this last free agency period:

Michael Bennett
Lemuel Jeanpierre
Jeron Johnson
Anthony McCray
Taylor Price
Tony McDaniel
Steven Hauschka
Stephen Schilling
Jorgen Hus

Contract Extension:
Head Coach Pete Carroll (through 2017)

Resigning Michael Bennett is their top priority this offseason and that makes some of their players leaving or releasing for the sake of their prized pass-rusher. Signing kicker Steven Hauschka will give them stability to their kicking game and bringing some depth and competition to their starters will only make them better this coming OTAs and Mini Camp this offseason.

Extending Pete Carroll to coach the Seahawks through 2017 will not only bring blessings to this Seahawks Franchise but can also bring a whole dynasty to build for their recent Super Bowl win. The Seattle Seahawks despite having a lot of under-the-radar guys from the draft, still manage to bring the best out of their talent and have that chemistry to lift each other up for the betterment of their whole team.
[next]
OVERALL

Every division hopes that their division will not encounter this NFC West throughout the season as they are capable of beating any teams and give horrible standings for those teams trying to reach the post-season. Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers still boast their young-yet-talented pool of player which were developed by their great head coaches and will give another taste to their storied rivalry in their recent matchups in the post-season. As for the Cardinals and Rams, notable draft and free agency moves can give them a chance to compete for the NFC west crown next season.