By Andy Benoit - www.NFLTouchdown.com

1. Seattle Seahawks

Owners of the division’s best combination of talent and experience. Having a loaded defense doesn’t hurt either.

2. Arizona Cardinals

On the rise? Perhaps. But questions at quarterback and a stagnant rushing attack present issues.

3. St. Louis Rams

Great in spots but outright porous in others. Can Linehan survive another year?

4. San Francisco 49ers

Only three significant weakness, but all of them damning: quarterback, offensive line, coaching staff.

Best Offseason Move

The Seattle Seahawks saying goodbye to Shaun Alexander.

Worst Offseason Move

The 49ers guaranteeing $20 million to solid but not spectacular defensive end Justin Smith, a 4-3 prototype who doesn’t fit their scheme.

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Just a few days ago Kelly Holcomb called it quits, and now today another veteran QB has decided it’s over, as Trent Dilfer has stated that he’s retiring. Dilfer, who last was with the 49′ers, said that he make a formal announcement in the next few days. A recent injury to his Achilles suffered playing basketball clinched the decision for Dilfer, who won a Super Bowl with the Ravens as their starting QB in 2000.

“I was going to retire anyway. This just gives clarity to the situation,” he told reporters on a conference call promoting the 19th annual American Century Celebrity Golf Championship. “I think in the next few days there will be a formal announcement on all those things,” he stated. Dilfer declined to give reporters any idea of what he’s going to do now that his NFL career is over, but did do a nice job doing some media work during the playoffs two years ago on the NFL Network.

Dilfer played for five teams, starting his career with the Buccaneers as a first-round draft pick back in 1994, the 6th pick overall. He played six seasons with the Bucs before moving to the Ravens in 2000 for a Super Bowl run, then left the next year to play backup to Matt Hasslebeck in Seattle for four seasons. He had another starting job with the Browns in 2005, then left in a trade to play in 07 with the Niners.

By Andy Benoit, www.NFLTouchdown.com

Predicted: 1^st

2007 Record: 10-6 (1^st NFC West)

Head Coach: Mike Holmgren (10^th season)

Roster Quick View

*rookie

**new veteran

Offense

QB: Matt Hasselbeck Probably deserves a little more credit than he gets for his annual improvements and stable leadership.

RB: Julius Jones** Criticized in Dallas for a perceived lack of toughness. Lucky for him, the fans up here are accustomed to seeing Shaun Alexander.

FB: Leonard Weaver Terrific all-around FB who can lead-block and occasionally handle the ball. Pro Bowls await him.

WR: Bobby Engram Coming off his first 1,000-yard season. Still more of a No. 2 than a No. 1.

WR: Nate Burleson Has never really earned a starting job anywhere but will get an opportunity here, thanks largely to attrition at wide receiver.

TE: John Carlson* Seahawks had him rated as the draft’s top tight end. Is expected to contribute in the passing game right away.

LT: Walter Jones Has been supplanted by Joe Thomas as the best LT in football, though NFC defensive ends may disagree.

LG: Mike Wahle Was underwhelming last year in Carolina, but at 31, has veteran experience and enough left in the tank. Good pickup for the Hawks.

C: Chris Spencer

Has evolved into the team’s best interior offensive lineman, but hasn’t quite yet fulfilled all the potential that made him a first-round choice.

RG: Rob Sims Moves to the right side after having some issues early last season on the left. Talent is acceptable––just needs to improve awareness.

RT: Sean Locklear Natural skill has allowed him to develop too many bad habits. New five-year contract will likely stunt the rest of his growth.

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QB: Seneca Wallace Hey Charlie Frye! Start playing up to par so this guy can move to slot receiver!

RB: T.J. Duckett Downhill running style makes him a good fit in this straight-line offense.

WR: Courtney Taylor Sixth-round pick last year, caught only five passes in limited action.

WR: Deion Branch (injured) Coming off February ACL surgery, likely won’t be ready to compete until midseason (if then). His absence hurts.

Defense

DE: Patrick Kerney Led the NFC with 14.5 sacks last season, though wore down late. Regularly feasts on shoddy right tackles.

DT: Brandon Mebane Holmgren loves the guy. He’ll love him even more if his improved quickness pays off as expected.

DT: Rocky Bernard Offseason arrest for domestic abuse looks bad, but frankly (perhaps sadly?), not bad enough for the Seahawks to forget how explosive he can be.

DE: Darryl Tapp A quintessential solid DE. Overcomes mild lack of size with adeptness in his second move.

SLB: Leroy Hill The third guy in the dynamic linebacking trio. Doesn’t have blazing wheels, but a demon at the point of attack.

MLB: Lofa Tatupu Three Pro Bowl appearances in three years. Enough said.

WLB: Julian Peterson Versatility makes him perhaps the team’s best front seven player.

CB: Marcus Trufant Received a well-deserved top-dollar contract this past offseason. Teams are starting to throw away from him.

SS: Deon Grant By no means a star, but consistently performs up to par wherever he is.

FS: Brian Russell If you think he’s a classic example of a limited athlete surviving on scrappiness and smarts, you might be surprised….by exactly how right you are.

CB: Kelly Jennings Improved drastically during his rookie season; Seattle may have a gem in this No. 2 cover corner.

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DL: Craig Terrill Down on the depth chart, but his underrated quickness always seems to afford him playing time.

LB: Will Herring Almost exclusively a special teamer because Tatupu, Peterson and Hill never come off the field.

NB: Josh Wilson May have a tough time keeping Jordan Babineaux out of the nickel duties.

2008 Seahawks Preview Report

Pssstt. Come here. Shhh. Listen up.

Now, what I’m about to tell you needs to be kept quiet. You can’t repeat any of this to anyone––especially not the Seahawks. If they hear you, this plan will be foiled. Got it? Good. Now listen: As you know, head coach Mike Holmgren is retiring after the season. Can you believe he’s been here 10 years now? Neither can he. But come 2009, he’s done. Wants to open a bakery with his wife Kathy or something. Anyway, because he’s leaving, everyone––the media, fans, whoever––will begin to say that the 2008 season will be one last hurrah for this Seahawks team.

This, of course, is nonsense. For whatever reason, people either don’t realize or don’t believe that this franchise is pretty well set. There is a winning roster in place for at least another two or three years (which, in pro football time, is an eternity). GM Tim Ruskell has done a very fine job.

Why are you shrugging your shoulders? What, you don’t agree? Read more

It is hard to believe, but it appears that no less than seven teams are interested in the services of former Saints and Browns OL LeCharles Bentley, who asked for and got his release from the Browns two weeks ago.  Bentley feels that he is healthy and can be a starter on a team this season, but it’s going to up to the team that he eventually signs with to figure that out.

Adam Schefter of NFL Network put out a list of the seven teams, breaking down as follows:

Buffalo - The Bills O-line was better in 07 than 06, but could use some help.  They need to make sure to get Jason Peters signed, and they have Melvin Folwer as their center, a good, but not great player.

Cincinnati - They need some help up front, and if Bentley is going to line up at center, it’s a position they can use, with right now Eric Ghiaciuc listed as the starting snapper.  Staying in the North means he can stick it to the Browns as well.

Miami - Bentley can teach some traits to #1 pick Jake Long, and probably take some playing time away from center Samson Satele.  The line needs some experience, and Bentley can add that.

Oakland - The silver and black were 6th in the league in rushing last year, and while they could use some depth, I can’t see him wrestling away a starting job on this already pretty good line.

Pittsburgh - The issues on the O-line were well documented for the Steelers in 2007, and now that Alan Faneca is gone, it’s still a problem spot.  They will have 2-3 new starters on the line this year, and while they already brought in a center in Justin Hartwig, Bentley might be an interesting fit here.

St. Louis - This is the top spot in my opinion for Bentley to land.  The Rams lost out on Barry Sims this week to the Niners, and have been looking hard at the O-line market since they were so banged up there last year.  Mark Setterstrom will be the center in 08, and he can be displaced if Bentley signs.

San Francisco - This may have been a more pressing need before they got Sims this week, but the Niners want to upgrade the O-line still, and would love to add someone like Bentley that can teach youngsters like Chilo Rachal and last years #1 Joe Staley.

Seattle - Walter Jones is coming off another shoulder surgery, and the middle three spots are trouble issues, which is why Bentley is getting consideration here. Center Chris Spencer has offseason thumb surgery, making a run at Bentley even more of a possibility.

Could the career of one-time NFL MVP Shaun Alexander be over? It depends on who you believe, but a recent article on CBSSportsline.com suggests that Alexander is done as a back in the NFL. The 05 MVP was released awhile back by the Seahawks, and despite his high profile, is still unemployed as training camp nears about a month away.

Alexander did talk to two teams that we know of, the Bengals and Saints, but neither seem to be in much of a hurry, if any, to sign him. In the article, one NFL GM says that the main reason Alexander was such a good back was due to the Hawks O-line and blocking schemes that allowed him to gain chunks of yards. There could be some truth to that since Alexander was never the same back after the team lost OL Steve Hutchinson to the Vikings two years ago.

After the 2005 season, Alexander struggled in 2006 and 2007, coming off an 1880 yard season in 05, he put up 896 yards in 10 games in 06, and 716 yards in 07. He also struggled with injuries, as up until the 2006 season he had played in 16 games in each of his first six seasons. The last two seasons, he’s only been able to play in 23 of 32 games.

If the GM is right and Alexander is indeed done, it will be a dramatic free fall for a back that rushed for 43 touchdowns in the 2004 and 2005 seasons combined. The Seahawks may have realized that his speed and durability have been his undoing, and that dumping him now was the only answer. We’ll likely find out soon if the other 31 teams in the league feel the same way. So far, most seem to be on that page as well.

Teams are really missing out with Shaun Alexander still being available. The MVP, 2 years removed, is still on the market and teams have yet to take advantage of him. Alexander rushed for 1,880 yards and 27 touchdowns during his MVP year in 2005, but since then has suffered with injuries and his numbers reflect this. In 2006 he ran for just 896 yards with 7 touchdowns and even worse with 716 yards with only 4 touchdowns in 2007.

Shaun Alexander is still a steal and whichever team lands him is going to be on the good end of an even better deal. The veteran running back was cut from the Seahawks after the team picked up Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett in the free agency. Alexander signed a huge $62 million dollar 8 year contract 26 months before he was cut.

Shaun can still have a great end of his career with another team. He has a few teams looking at him and has visited with some. Cincinnati would be a good fit for the MVP, not having to be an every down back, which he isn’t anymore, would allow Alexander to have the recovery and fresh start he needs. Being coupled with a good back like Rudi Johnson would work great. Denver and New Orleans have considered Alexander, and he would fit both places.

For the most part I see him fitting in best in Cincinnati but he could easily do well in New Orleans with Reggie Bush. Both backs aren’t every down backs but sharing the load could create a force to be reckoned with, adding to an increasing Saints offense this offseason. Wherever he goes, he will make a great contribution but hopefully he isn’t passed up on. I mean, he was an MVP for a reason.

Hawks LB Lofa Tatupu finds himself in trouble today, as it has come out that he was pulled over about 2:30am Saturday morning and arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. The Seattle Times is reporting that an officer spotted Tatupu’s car doing 50 in a 35 zone, and after he was pulled over he submitted to field-sobriety tests, but declined to take a portable Breathalyzer.

After being handcuffed and taken to the police station, reports say he was cooperative throughout the process. Tatupu’s blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) was measured at 0.155 and 0.158, nearly double the legal limit of 0.08. That measurement was taken about two hours after Tatupu was observed driving the car.

He put out a statement today about the incident. “I want to apologize to my family, teammates, the Seahawks ownership and organization, and the fans for making a poor decision and putting myself in a bad situation. I take seriously my role as a leader on this team, and in the community, and because of that I’m disappointed and embarrassed by the level of poor judgment I used last weekend. Thankfully, nobody was hurt. This will never happen again, and I hope through hard work on and off the field to begin earning your respect and trust again.”

The 25-year-old has been with the Hawks for three seasons, and signed a new deal in March for $42 mil though the 2015 season. He was in practice last week as part of a mandatory minicamp. No word on if the league will suspend him or take other action against him for the incident.

The Packers today decided it was time to say good-bye to wide out Koren Robinson, cutting the 28-year-old veteran wide out who has had numerous off the field issues in his career.  Robinson worked his way back into the league after a year suspension for alcohol-related problems, and responded with 21 catches for 241 yards and one touchdown.  He also had 25 kickoff returns for 596 yards.

Robinson was signed by the Pack back in 2006, but had to wait out the one-year suspension to get back on the field.  The Packers were impressed by his work ethic as well as his determination to make it back, but in the end, it was not enough for him to keep a roster spot.  He was also suspended for substance abuse back in 2004 and served jail time in 2005 for a chase in Minnesota with police while driving with alcohol in his system.

It was that incident that led to his release from the Vikings.  He also played four years with the Seattle Seahawks.

Franchise Player: CB Marcus Trufant (tendered at $9.465M); signed a long-term contract.

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

• TE Ben Joppru is used almost exclusively on special teams and often is hindered by injuries. The team could take him or leave him.

• LS Jeff Robinson solidified a position that was a circus all season. However, Robinson is going to be 38 years old. It remains to be seen if he will return.

• RB Josh Scobey signed with only a few games left in the season, broke his leg in the team’s playoff game against the Packers and is unlikely to be re-signed.

• OL Floyd Womack stays with the team because while he is short on talent he is versatile, able to play every position except center. He is likely to return.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (not tendered offers)

• RB Alvin Pearman (not tendered as RFA) was one of the team’s kick returners until a knee injury in Week 4 ended his season. His return is questionable.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED

• DT Chris Cooper: FA Seahawks; 1 yr, terms unknown.

• RB T.J. Duckett: UFA Lions; $17M/5 yrs, $5M guaranteed.

• RB Julius Jones: UFA Cowboys; $12M/4 yrs, SB unknown.

• LB D.D. Lewis: FA; 1 yr, terms unknown.

• S Omare Lowe: UFA Falcons; $605,000/1 yr.

• PK Olindo Mare: FA Saints; $3.5M/2 yrs, SB unknown.

• TE Jeb Putzier: FA Texans; $605,000/1 yr, SB unknown.

• DT Larry Tripplett: FA Bills; terms unknown.

• OG Mike Wahle: FA Panthers; 5 yrs, terms unknown.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

• RB David Kirtman: ERFA; terms unknown.

• LB Lance Laury: ERFA; terms unknown.

• OT Sean Locklear: Potential UFA; $32M/5 yrs, SB unknown.

• CB Marcus Trufant: Franchise FA; $50.2M/6 yrs, $10M SB/$7M RB ‘09, $3M RB ‘10; 2008 cap: $2.77M.

• FB Leonard Weaver: RFA; tendered at $1.47M; terms unknown.

PLAYERS LOST

• RB Shaun Alexander (released).

• OT Tom Ashworth (released).

• LB Kevin Bentley: UFA Texans; $4M/3 yrs, $1M SB.

• K Josh Brown: UFA Rams; $14.2M/5 yrs, $4M SB.

• DT Chuck Darby: UFA Lions; 3 yrs, terms unknown.

• WR D.J. Hackett: UFA Panthers; $3.5M/2 yrs, SB unknown.

• LB Niko Koutouvides: UFA Broncos; $7.5M/3 yrs, SB unknown.

• TE Marcus Pollard: UFA Patriots; terms unknown.

• DL Ellis Wyms: UFA Vikings; $1.5M/1 yr, $500,000 SB.

The Seahawks have owned the NFC West the past few seasons, and with this being Mike Holmgren’s last season as coach, it will be interesting to see if they have what it takes to stay on top. The team made some bold offseason moves, changing around their running attack with the release of all-time leading rusher Shaun Alexander and signing free agents T.J. Duckett and Juilus Jones. The Hawks downfall has been with the running game, which since the Super Bowl two seasons ago has been anemic. Matt Hasslebeck also lost one of his wide outs in D.J. Hackett, but they did bring in TE Jeb Putzier, who is a good pass catching TE.

As for the defense, the biggest move was re-signing CB Marcus Trufant, who is back with a six-year deal. The team needs to do a better job stopping the run as well, which gave up 102.8 yards per game last season. The Hawks are going be pressed by a better NFC West this year, and with a schedule that includes a stretch in mid-November into December with games vs Arizona (11/16), Washington (11/23), at Dallas (11/27) and vs New England (12/7). The window for the Hakws is closing, but they still have the talent to be the class of the division.

Offseason Grade to Date: C+

The Seattle Seahawks have been mum on the situation in regard to running back Shaun Alexander, but today the Seattle Times is reporting that Alexander is as good as gone and has played his last game for the Hawks. The paper says that a source close to the situation claims that Alexander may be released as tonight or Wednesday. The back is the all-time leading rusher for the Hawks, but he was told at the end of last year the team would look at free agent backs.

Seattle did sign backs T.J. Duckett and Julius Jones, and it looks now that those two signings will mark the end of Alexander’s career in Seattle. It was just two seasons ago that Alexander was the NFL MVP, as he ran for 1,880 yards and 27 TD’s. He was a leading force as the Hawks made their first ever Super Bowl appearance, losing to the Steelers in Super Bowl XL in Detroit, 21-10.

The past two seasons for Alexander have been frustrating. He has been hurt, playing 10 games in 2006 and rushing for 896 yards, and last season in 13 games he ran for 716 yards and four touchdowns. In eight seasons with the Hawks, Alexander has rushed for 9,429 yards and 100 rushing touchdowns, with another 12 TD’s receiving.

Once he’s on the market, there will be a number of teams that will look at Alexander, among them may be the Lions, Bears, Eagles and Cardinals, all teams that have had their eyes on backs this offseason.