

New NFC West faces include 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan (left), Seahawks running back Eddie Lacy (middle) and Rams coach Sean McVay.





The Cardinals will begin training camp a week before their NFC West counterparts due to their inclusion in the Hall of Fame game. It won't be long before the Rams, 49ers and Seahawks hit the field as well. There seems to be a wide gulf between the two top teams and the two bottom ones in the division heading into 2017, with the Seahawks and Cardinals pushing for the playoffs while the Rams and 49ers rebuild. Here is a look at where the Cardinals' divisional counterparts stand as they get ready for camp:

LOS ANGELES RAMS

Reason for optimism: The Rams have a young, bright new coach in Sean McVay, who will aim to revive a moribund offense, and he tabbed Wade Phillips as the team's new defensive coordinator. Los Angeles still has some impressive pieces on defense, led by star defensive tackle Aaron Donald, and an offense which features high draft picks at quarterback (Jared Goff) and running back (Todd Gurley). The Rams also added star left tackle Andrew Whitworth in free agency.

Reason for concern: While Goff and Gurley are talented, they have yet to fulfill their potential. Gurley's troubles can be tied to stacked defensive fronts, and he should be a threat if teams can't sell out to stop him. That's contingent on Goff becoming a better quarterback after struggling mightily as a rookie. While there is plenty of time to turn it around, more growing pains are expected in his second year, which is why the Rams aren't projected to win many games.