From the Gateway to the Pacific - History and Tradition of the NFC West

The first of the team analysis categories continues as we look at the history/tradition of the NFC West. Ranging from a dynasties to duds and marked by teams changing locations, this is not a division that's ever short on excitement.

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals - When describing the history/tradition of the Arizona Cardinals, mediocre might be a complement. The did win NFL championships in 1925 (who knew!?) and 1947, but then made the playoffs only 6 times over the next 60 years.

As the "other" St. Louis Cardinals, the team failed to come close to its baseball counterparts in winning or fan support. Life in Arizona wasn't much better outside of a playoff run behind Jake the Snake in 1998. Then, of course, there was last year's improbable Super Bowl run.

Have the Cardinals turned the corner? Maybe, but if I'm just looking at the past, the possibility of my new team making the playoffs once a decade isn't exactly exciting.

3/20

San Francisco 49ers - Behind 2 of the greatest QBs of all time, without question the greatest WR ever, and one of the greatest coaches in history, the 49ers of the 80s are one of the greatest dynasties in NFL history.

Up until 1981, the 49ers history was nothing extraordinary. Behind Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, and Bill Walsh's west-coast offense, that all changed in the 80's as the team won 4 championships. As many of the veterans from that dynasty aged and retired, the team brought in some younger free agent talent and loaded up for its 5th championship in 1994 with Steve Young at the helm. That team stayed competitive throughout the rest of the decade but has failed to return to the Super Bowl.

While their pre-80s history isn't all that special and the last 10 years haven't been overly kind, their dominance in the 80s is almost unmatched. You have to think they won't be content until they get back to the championship level.

17/20

Seattle Seahawks - In its first 32 years, the Seahawks franchise has made 10 playoff appearances but is still looking for its first championship. The franchise got off to a promising start after drafting Steve Largent, but failed to live up to the early hype. They became a playoff team during the 80's under Chuck Knox , but that success was temporary as they struggled through the 90s.

Seattle's fortunes turned when they were able to hire Mike Holmgren away from the Green Bay Packers. One of Holmgren's first moves was to acquire his former backup QB in Matt Hasselbeck. Behind Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander, the Seahawks soon became a playoff regular, finally getting to a Super Bowl in 2005, though a couple of controversial calls and a loss to the Steelers left a sour taste in the fans' mouths.

Relatively young and moderately competitive, the Seahawks success under Holmgren is by far the best ear in the franchise's history. What's unclear is whether this will prove in the future to be the exception or the norm.

7/20

St. Louis Rams - The history of the Rams? Better on paper than you might think. Multiple playoff appearances in every decade except the 90s, NFL titles in 1945 and 1951, and of course a Super Bowl win and "The Greatest Show on Turf".

However, this one gets a little personal. As a Dodgers and Lakers fan, the L.A. Rams were the logical choice for my NFL team. Granted, my passion for the team paled in comparison to my allegiance to the Dodgers and Lakers, but a young Jerome Bettis had me as excited as ever and I was beginning to get invested. Then, of course, came the move to St. Louis, and I was as furious as a 12 year old in Alabama could be (even though, really, the team just got closer).

The Rams are a team that have been competitive over the years with a brief stint as a championship level franchise. Since, I'm wiping the slate clean for all the other teams, it'd probably be fair to do it here as well. Still, the move that incited a 12 year old Alabamian is a part of their history.

7/20

Next up, the AFC West.  Also, I'll try to get a standings up on the site soon so that you can see where all the teams currently rank in the points standings (though it's still way too early to pick any favorites).