ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The Cardinals, who entered the season stressing the importance of continuity, are the only team in the NFC West to start the same five offensive linemen in every game this season.

The subject came to mind with Orlando Pace, the Rams' most important offensive lineman, missing practice again. The Seahawks are considering another change at right tackle after Sean Locklear struggled a bit upon returning from injury. Ray Willis played well before Locklear returned. In fairness to Locklear, he faced a tough opponent in Week 6 when Aaron Kampman and the Packers visited Qwest Field.

A look at the offensive line situations around the division, with an emphasis on continuity:

Arizona: The Cardinals' line, left to right, features Mike Gandy, Reggie Wells, Lyle Sendlein, Deuce Lutui and Levi Brown. The coaching staff has kept pressure on Lutui by giving first-team reps to Elton Brown at times during practice. Line coach Russ Grimm might want to drive-block me out of the room for mentioning, again, that the line depth could be a problem if the Cardinals suffer injuries at the position. We'll never see that depth as long as Arizona keeps starting the same five.

San Francisco: The 49ers have started the same five since the third game. That's when Barry Sims replaced the injured Jonas Jennings at right tackle. The other four, left to right, include Joe Staley, Adam Snyder, Eric Heitmann and Tony Wragge. Penalties have been a problem for the right side of the 49ers' line this season. Staley continues to make the adjustment from right tackle.

St. Louis: The Rams have started the same players at left tackle (Pace), center (Nick Leckey), right guard (Richie Incognito) and right tackle (Alex Barron) in every game this season. Adam Goldberg filled in for left guard Jacob Bell in the second and third games. Goldberg would start at left tackle if Pace's thigh injury prevents him from playing. I would expect Pace to play. Look for Incognito to show a little more discipline after drawing two 15-yard penalties against the Redskins last week.

Seattle: The Seahawks have used multiple combinations on the line. The Seahawks have started the same players every week at left tackle (Walter Jones), left guard (Mike Wahle) and center (Chris Spencer). Floyd Womack has played well since replacing the injured Rob Sims after the first game. Willis started the first two games at right tackle while Locklear recovered from a knee injury. The contract Locklear signed in May pays him starter money. It also includes escalators in case he starts at least half the games at left tackle, a consideration made given that his contract figures to outlast Jones' career.