Seattle is teetering on the edge, still a good team but not quite as good as they were. The defense is very solid but the offense has huge question marks at the skill positions.

Cardinals are getting a lot of hype, thanks to their high-powered offense. But their defense is nowhere near playoff-caliber.

If the 49ers can stay healthy and get solid play from both lines, they have a shot. It's funny but I actually feel better about this year's team than last year's: Martz instead of Hostler, a solid defense, a deeper o-line and better receivers. The big question mark is whether they can get consistent play from the QB position, and a solid o-line will help in that regards.

_____________________________________________________________________

"Come here a second and listen. Now lookit...I don't want the Warriors to be the guy in the PG-13 movie everyone's *really* hoping makes it happen. I want this team to be like the guy in the rated-R movie; you know, the guy you're not sure whether or not you like yet. You're not sure where he's coming from alright. Okay?"