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The Cardinals' starting safeties are in contention to represent the NFC in the Pro Bowl.

Adrian Wilson ranks first in fan balloting among strong safeties. Antrel Rolle ranks second behind the Saints' Darren Sharper among free safeties.

Those are among the revelations upon looking at Pro Bowl balloting through Monday. Voting is ongoing here.

Among the other highlights, with emphasis on the NFC West:

• The Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald leads NFC receivers while ranking fifth among all players from the conference. Drew Brees, Eli Manning, Adrian Peterson and Brett Favre are ahead of him.
• No quarterback from the NFC West ranks among the top five.
• The 49ers' Frank Gore ranks third among NFC running backs, with the Rams' Steven Jackson fifth. Peterson and the Falcons' Michael Turner rank ahead of Gore. The Panthers' DeAngelo Williams ranks fourth.
• The 49ers' Vernon Davis ranks third among NFC tight ends. The Falcons' Tony Gonzalez and the Saints' Jeremy Shockey rank ahead of him.
• The Cardinals' Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie ranks fourth among NFC cornerbacks behind the Eagles' Asante Samuel, the Vikings' Antoine Winfield and the Packers' Charles Woodson.
• The 49ers' Patrick Willis ranks first among NFC inside linebackers.
• The 49ers' Andy Lee ranks fifth among NFC punters. Former Cardinals and Seahawks punter Jeff Feagles ranks first.
• Speaking of former NFC West players, the Vikings' Steve Hutchinson ranks first among NFC guards. The Eagles' Leonard Weaver ranks second among NFC fullbacks. The Cowboys' Allen Rossum ranks fifth among NFC kickoff returners.
• The Cardinals' Darnell Dockett ranks fourth among NFC defensive tackles behind the Vikings' Pat Williams and Kevin Williams and the Redskins' Albert Haynesworth.

The Rams' Jackson should rank higher among running backs. The Cardinals' Kurt Warner has a chance to move up if he stays hot.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

HOUSTON -- The 49ers' decision to release return specialist Allen Rossum appears dubious after Arnaz Battle muffed a punt, setting up the Texans' second touchdown Sunday.

Battle appeared to lose track of the ball in the sunlight.

The 49ers released Rossum when they activated Michael Crabtree. It's impossible to know how Rossum would have fared fielding that punt, but he could not have fared worse than Battle fared. A costly, costly blunder.

On another subject: Crabtree does have one reception, a 4-yarder on third-and-16 after you know who -- right guard Chilo Rachal -- allowed a sack on second down.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

A penalty wiped out Allen Rossum's 75-yard punt return against the Seahawks in Week 2.

Rossum's release from the 49ers this week doesn't necessarily mean the Seahawks are finished worrying about him. As Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas notes, Rossum is close to an agreement with the Cowboys, who face Seattle on Nov. 1.

Rossum has had kickoff returns for touchdowns against the Seahawks and Cardinals during his career.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

NFC West personnel people were busy Monday. Here's what they were up to:

Arizona: The Cardinals released defensive tackle Keilen Dykes. They asked for and received a roster exemption for tight end Ben Patrick. The exemption expires Oct. 19. I would expect the Cardinals to activate Patrick for their Week 6 game at Seattle. They'll want to check out his conditioning level to be sure. NFL rules banned Patrick from team-related activities during his four-game suspension.

San Francisco: The 49ers released return specialist Allen Rossum and submitted a waiver claim for Seahawks defensive tackle Michael Bennett. The NFL awarded Bennett to the Bucs, who had waiver priority based on an inferior record. The 49ers activated receiver Michael Crabtree to make sure the team had 53 players on its roster. Failing to keep 53 players on the roster would have forced the team to release Dominique Zeigler from its practice squad.

St. Louis: The Rams planned to re-sign receiver Tim Carter after placing defensive tackle Gary Gibson on injured reserve. Carter and former Seahawks receiver Jordan Kent had tryouts Monday. The Rams signed linebacker K.C. Asiodu and defensive tackle Chris Bradwell to their practice squad. To make room, they released defensive tackle Adrian Gandy and cornerback Lamar Myles.

Seattle: The Seahawks lost Bennett to the Bucs. The team did not immediately make a roster move.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The 49ers activated Michael Crabtree to their 53-man roster Monday immediately upon releasing return specialist Allen Rossum.

The move seemed a little curious because the NFL had awarded San Francisco a two-week roster exemption for Crabtree. Why activate him now? Why not wait until Monday of next week? There would seemingly be no advantage to using a roster spot prematurely.

But there is an advantage in this case.

Leaving open a roster spot would have forced the 49ers to release receiver Dominique Zeigler from their practice squad.

What? How could that be? Here is how: This is Zeigler's third season on the practice squad. Any player spending a third season on a practice squad can do so only if his team keeps 53 players on its active roster at all times.

Releasing Rossum without filling the 53rd roster spot would have affected Zeigler's eligibility.

Another teaching moment here on the NFC West blog.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Rams will be without injured top cornerback Ron Bartell for the first time this season.

The Rams have named Bartell among their inactive players along with Nate Jones, James Butler, Roger Allen III, Jason Smith, Victor Adeyanju and Darell Scott. Marc Bulger is the third quarterback.

The 49ers have named return specialist Allen Rossum inactive along with Frank Gore, Curtis Taylor, Reggie Smith, Cody Wallace and Ricky Jean-Francois. Nate Davis is the third quarterback. That means receivers Jason Hill and Brandon Jones are both active. Perhaps we'll see the 49ers use a few more multiple-receiver personnel groups.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Vikings would like a new stadium to replace the Metrodome.

The flavor here isn't so bad, though, particularly from the press box.

Former Vikings coach Jerry Burns is chatting up former referee Jerry Seeman and former Vikings tight end Stu Voigt directly over my left shoulder. There's no glass separating the press box from the rest of the stadium, so there's a good feel for the environment.

I can see a few dozen fans in 49ers jerseys behind the team's bench directly across the field. And there's a guy wearing a Jerry Rice jersey walking down to his seat directly below. I saw several conflicted couples before the game, one wearing 49ers stuff and the other wearing Vikings gear.

The teams have gone back into their locker rooms one final time before kickoff.

Jerome Boger is the referee for this game. I ran across him this morning and said hello, then went back through my records to see his history with the 49ers. He has worked one of their games, a 33-30 overtime victory over the Seahawks at Qwest Field last season. Nothing too eventful to that game from an officiating standpoint.

I'll be watching the punt-return units for these teams. Allen Rossum nearly had a 75-yard touchdown return against Seattle in Week 2 (a penalty negated the return). The Vikings have allowed a 67-yard punt return for a touchdown this season. They are allowing 19 yards per punt return (while averaging a healthy 18 yards on their own returns). Perhaps a big return will shape this game.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The facts: The Cardinals lost their season opener to the 49ers, 20-16.

The upside: Even the worst defeats tend to feature a bright spot or two.

• The defense shut down Frank Gore and the 49ers' running game.
• Tim Hightower caught 12 passes for 121 yards, becoming the first Cardinals running back since Larry Centers in 1996 to finish with at least 10 receptions and 100 yards per game. Hightower lacks the speed to consistently get outside as a runner, but he can be effective there as a receiver.
• Second-year defensive end Calais Campbell continued his strong play. He batted down a screen pass. Campbell also set up teammate Bertrand Berry for a sack by getting a hand on 49ers quarterback Shaun Hill.
• Linebacker Gerald Hayes had four tackles for loss.
• The Cardinals were generally physical on defense. Adrian Wilson's hit on Vernon Davis drew a penalty for unnecessary roughness, but it also sent a message.
• Ben Graham averaged 54.7 yards per punt with a net average of 45.2.
• The Cardinals' special teams contained 49ers return specialist Allen Rossum.
• Antrel Rolle averaged 11.0 yards per punt return with a long return of 27 yards.
• Kurt Warner apparently escaped serious injury after suffering what he described as a "stinger" in his throwing arm. Warner briefly lost feeling in the arm.

Looking ahead: The Cardinals visit the Jaguars in Week 2.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Dan Bickley of the Arizona Republic senses the Cardinals are about to awake following a sleepy preseason. Bickley: "From an Arizona perspective, the worst preseason imaginable might be the best thing that's ever happened to this team. Warner said the team was successful only in "embarrassing ourselves" and, fortunately, it seems like a missing fire suddenly has returned. A rebound performance in Week 1 atones for everything."

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic checks in with Ben Claxton and other Cardinals players feeling fortunate to have landed spots on the team's initial 53-man roster. Somers: "After signing contracts with eight teams, spending two seasons in NFL Europe and two seasons out of football, Claxton survived the final cut of training camp for the first time."

Also from Somers: The Cardinals' 2008 opening-day starters have now been cut by two other teams.

More from Somers: Pro Bowl safety Adrian Wilson wasn't biting when asked about matching up with 49ers tight end Vernon Davis. "Who?" Wilson asked. Somers also explains how Herman Johnson's emergence at backup right tackle gives the Cardinals the flexibility to move Levi Brown to left tackle if something happens to starter Mike Gandy.

More yet from Somers: Anquan Boldin is resting a hamstring injury.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says Larry Fitzgerald is eager to open up the playbook and play to the Cardinals' offensive strengths.

Taylor Price of 49ers.com takes an early look at the Cardinals heading into the season opener. Price: "The Cardinals held the 49ers to an average of 18.5 points per game in the team’s two meetings last season and they’d like to continue that trend this Sunday when the teams kick-off the 2009 regular season."

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee singles out receiver Josh Morgan as a player to watch on the 49ers this season. Barrows: "Josh Morgan is a 220-pound wide receiver who can run 40 yards in less than 4.4 seconds. He's the best leaper on the 49ers, a strong blocker in the running game, and he's an infrequent visitor to the training room."

Also from Barrows: The 49ers need Dashon Goldson to force turnovers.

More from Barrows: Allen Rossum came up big for the 49ers in the return game last season.

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times says the Seahawks confirmed Lawyer Milloy's role as a backup to Jordan Babineaux, as expected. Milloy: "I'm trying to get in and fit in. If I have to be a backup, that's what I have to do. I'll accept that role. As a backup, you're always pushing to be the starter. It was like that my rookie year and it's going to be like that now."

Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune says Milloy worked out for the Lions last week, but Seattle was his preference all the way. Defensive backs coach Tim Lewis after Milloy's first practice: "I thought he did a great job. He's very smart. He’s experienced. He's easy to get him acclimated to our defensive system. We have that Gus Bradley system, and it's one that requires the safety to be smart, instinctive and a good feel player."

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch checks in with Rams players who felt fortunate to earn roster spots. One of them, David Roach, set up his family as though the Rams had cut him, only to surprise them with the good news. Of course, roster spots can be fleeting and the Rams will adjust their personnel.

Also from Thomas: Adam Carriker's shoulder surgery is scheduled for Wednesday. Recovery time is expected to be four months. Carriker said he suffered a 75 percent tear of the subscapularis muscle.

Bryan Burwell of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says rookie guard Roger Allen III found it "eerie" to see friends' names removed from lockers at Rams Park.

Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says new Rams defensive lineman LaJuan Ramsey focused on football after his preferred sport, swimming, became an unrealistic one to pursue. Coats: "He was a swimmer, a 50-meter sprinter, but his size -- he's 6-feet-3 and 300 pounds -- wasn't exactly suited for the pool."

Brian Stull of 101ESPN St. Louis details the Rams' plans for Marc Bulger this week.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The 49ers' roster appears most interesting at running back and receiver.

The more I think about how much the 49ers want to pound the ball on offense, the more I see them keeping two fullbacks on the Week 1 roster.

Zak Keasey's broken forearm prevents him from becoming part of the equation early, and it's tough to see a team waiting two months for a backup fullback to get healthy. Enter Bill Rentmeester. Formerly of the Chargers, Rentmeester offers what preseason touchdown machine Brit Miller does not: experience at fullback. For the sake of this roster exercise, I'll pencil in Rentmeester for Week 1.

The numbers at receiver figure to swell while the team waits for Brandon Jones to heal and Michael Crabtree to sign and get ready to contribute.

San Francisco 49ers Week 1 Roster Counts since 2003 QB RB WR TE OL DL LB DB ST Fewest 3 4 5 2 8 5 6 7 2 Most 4 7 7 4 10 9 8 11 4 Average 3.2 5.2 5.8 3.2 8.8 7.2 7.3 9.3 3.0 Currently on roster 4 8 12 4 14 9 12 14 4

The chart provides a framework for how many players the 49ers might keep at each position heading into the regular-season opener against the Cardinals.

Here's a quick look at which 49ers players I might keep on the cutdown to 53 players (I made one change, moving Cody Wallace into the group of offensive linemen at Joe Toledo's expense):

(Read full post)

Pos. ARI SF STL SEA QB 4 4 4 4 RB 8 8 7 8 WR 11 11 12 11 TE 6 4 5 5 OL 15 14 15 14 DL 10 9 15 13 LB 11 12 9 9 DB 15 15 14 12 ST 3 5 3 4 Totals 83 82 84 80

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

NFC West teams will have to remove a combined nine players from their rosters before welcoming 16 as-yet-unsigned draft choices to training camp.

The chart counts each team's players by position, including those unsigned picks.

The Rams are heavy at receiver while Derek Stanley recovers from knee surgery, although their total for running backs and receivers -- 19 -- matches the other NFC West totals. The Cardinals are heavy at tight end.

Carrying extra players at a position sometimes means a team feels unsettled in that area. That is certainly the case for Arizona at tight end. Defensive scheme -- 4-3 or 3-4 -- affects the numbers in the front seven. The Rams have 15 defensive linemen, a high number for a team running a 4-3 scheme.

I might adjust the Cardinals' totals at receiver given that Sean Morey is essentially a specialist. Michael Ray Garvin could count as one also. I've already made Allen Rossum a specialist for the 49ers, reducing by one their numbers in the secondary [expect additional shrinkage there pending a decision on injured corner Walt Harris].

These numbers become more critical as teams reduce roster sizes, players suffer injuries and position battles shake out.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reached into its archives for a 2000 story about Steve McNair's performance against the Rams in the Super Bowl. Wrote Bill coats: "Tennessee had a final drive after Isaac Bruce's electrifying 73-yard touchdown catch with 1:54 remaining. The Titans started on their 12-yard line, but the splendidly elusive McNair quickly guided them downfield. McNair wriggled out of trouble and hooked up with wide receiver Kevin Dyson for a 16-yard gain to the Rams 10. Six seconds were on the clock as the Titans took their last timeout and mapped the strategy for a final play. Again, it was McNair to Dyson, who gathered in the pass at about the 5. [Mike] Jones wrapped him up at the 3, and Dyson's outstretched arms wound up about a yard short as time expired."

Clare Farnsworth of Seahawks.com says rookie quarterback Mike Teel is eager to learn from starter Matt Hasselbeck. Teel: "I always heard about how good Matt was. To actually watch him work and the way he goes about it, the mental approach he takes towards it is incredible. For me, to come in and watch how he does it, you can't even put into words how beneficial that is." 

Jerry Brewer of the Seattle Times checks in with Seahawks coach Jim Mora and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as they prepare to climb Mount Rainier. Brewer: "I've been looking at Mount Rainier since I was a little boy, but I can't say that I ever aspired to climb. So now that I've kind of set my sights on this, I don't really have any goals past that as far as mountains are concerned. In terms of going to Mount McKinley or something like that after this, I don't know. I'm too old. And I've got too many kids running around that need me."

Aaron Weinberg of Seahawk Addicts challenges an NFC West assistant coach's contention that Hasselbeck is declining. Weinberg: "At 34-years-old he's not getting much better but the Addicts seam to universally agree that a healthy Matt unlocks success for the 2009 season. He missed nine games last year due to injury so you might wanna' just toss out 2008. By all accounts, Matt seems healthy and clicking."

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says Bob Titchenal, an original 49ers player and a former coach at San Jose State, passed away at age 91. A sign of how much times have changed: Titchenal played center on the football team at 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds.

Also from Maiocco: Allen Rossum is a prohibitive favorite to emerge as the 49ers' return specialist, although the team has depth at the position. That depth was tested last season after injuries sidelined Rossum and Nate Clements.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com questions whether Darnell Dockett wrote the "announcement" suggesting Dockett had no plans to demand a trade or otherwise protest his contract. Urban: "Now, did Darnell write this? Uh, it's tough to think so. It's written like a press release and unlike anything Dockett has put on his Twitter page, including the tweet to announce that he'd have an announcement. ... Here's the question now: Will Anquan Boldin have a similar message when he arrives at camp?"

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic says second-year Cardinals receiver Early Doucet seems to be benefiting from Anquan Boldin's absence at voluntary practices. Teammate Steve Breaston: "He's got the talent to do great things for us." Doucet became a forgotten man after suffering a hamstring injury just as Breaston was asserting himself as the third receiver last offseason.

Dan Bickley of the Arizona Republic quotes Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt as saying Matt Leinart appears to have grown up some. Leinart: "I always wanted to be here, and I want to be here until I'm done playing. There's a business side to it, and everything doesn't always happen the way you want it. But my opportunity is coming, and it's on me to continue getting better and to be ready when it happens."

Andrew Bagnato of the East Valley Tribune checks in with new Cardinals defensive coordinator Bill Davis. The Cardinals want to build on how they played defense through the playoffs, distancing themselves from the unit that allowed more points than all but four teams during the regular season.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says the Cardinals have no interest in quarterback Michael Vick. Why would Arizona make any sense at all as a destination? I have no idea.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee takes note of the 49ers' reluctance to rule out Vick as a future option. Receiver Josh Morgan: "He's the reason so many people went to Virginia Tech. He's definitely the reason I went there. That's my idol. We love him, and we talk about him and think about him all the time. We can't wait for him to get back on the field. He's always been a humble guy, with a quiet personality, but he's always helping out people and not even talking about it. I got to throw with him, to run some drills, and he's a great guy."

Also from Barrows: He doesn't think the 49ers will sign Vick, but he did speak at length with Vick's former Falcons teammate, Allen Rossum, for thoughts on the disgraced quarterback. Rossum: "Well, I haven't personally talked to him or texted him, but I have sent messages through mutual friends who we are both very close to. I think we are still close. I still support him as a man. I don't support the action that he did, of course. But just like if I had a brother who made a mistake, I'm still going to love him, still consider him a brother. Hopefully he has learned from it."

The 49ers' Web site provides a transcript from Mike Singletary's post-practice media session Thursday. Will Reggie Smith move back to corner following Walt Harris' injury? Singletary: "No. Absolutely not. No, although Reggie, when we drafted him, he's a guy that had the flexibility. There's some guys that you can get that can do both. And he can do both, but right now he's at safety, and he's making strides there and is doing a good job."

John Crumpacker of the San Francisco Chronicle details Bear Pascoe's steer-roping roots. The 49ers' rookie tight end grew up on 30 acres of ranchland and farmland. His family owns or leases another 4,000 acres featuring 150 head of cattle. Said Pascoe's father: "It's a good life. There's a lot more to it than money, let me tell you. It's in your blood."

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says the 49ers signed Dre Bly to a one-year deal for $845,000. That's the minimum for a player with Bly's experience. It's a buyer's market after the draft.

Also from Maiocco: Bly knows he'll have to win Harris' old job. No gimmes here.

Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Marc Bulger appreciates the support Steve Spagnuolo and the Rams' new coaching staff has shown for him. Bulger: "Now it's my turn to keep my side of the bargain and play better."

Also from Coats: Donnie Avery and Laurent Robinson were the first-team receivers in practice while Keenan Burton rested a sore hamstring. Avery and Burton are the starters when all are healthy.

Dave Boling of the Tacoma News Tribune says the Seahawks shouldn't take a chance on Michael Vick. No worries there. Seattle isn't among the teams with interest.

Greg Johns of seattlepi.com says the Seahawks were mostly mum on the Vick front. The Seahawks' strongest ties to Vick -- Jim Mora and Greg Knapp coached him -- do not necessarily work in Vick's favor. Vick was a one-dimensional player in Atlanta. That dimension was a spectacular one, but I think the Seahawks' coaches are looking forward to working with a more conventional passer. And if character-stressing general manager Tim Ruskell suddenly starts showing interest in convicted felons, the media will have a field day with it. Not going to happen.

Clare Farnsworth of Seahawks.com checks in with new Seattle snapper Bryan Pittman. Pittman: "I think it's every player's dream to go back and to play for their hometown team. I'm just excited about the chance to have that opportunity."

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Paola Boivin of the Arizona Republic checks in with Cardinals defensive lineman Kenny Iwebema following surgery to remove a baseball-sized benign tumor from Iwebema's chest. Iwebema: "I can't even remember the last time I got an X-ray on my chest [before joining the NFL]. It's a blessing the NFL does this. It might have been too late. I'm really lucky."

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com provides medical information about Iwebema's condition. Urban: "Iwebema never knew anything was wrong. After his X-ray he began participating in practice, just like he had taken part in all of the Cardinals' strength and conditioning program during the offseason. But the mass was now in his chest, having grown exponentially over the past year. The teratoma initially appeared in Iwebema at birth. [Trainer Tom] Reed said there is no explanation why Iwebema's genetic code suddenly encouraged growth. Normally, a patient will show some sort of symptom, whether it was shortness of breath or weakness in the upper extremities, as the tumor gets bigger."

Steve Wyche of NFL.com says the Cardinals have "worked hard" on a new contract for receiver Anquan Boldin, according to team president Michael Bidwill. Agent Drew Rosenhaus expresses optimism. Not sure much has changed here, though. The team has pointed to contracts for Adrian Wilson and Karlos Dansby as higher priorities. Perhaps a new deal for Dansby would compel me to say his name right. I accidentally called him "Carlos Daniel" on the radio Wednesday, an unplanned reference to the acrobatic Washington State basketball forward I covered during the 1990s. Sorry, Karlos.

Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic says Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner appears to be functioning well at practice. Warner on his recent hip surgery: "I don't know if it's going to make much of a difference at all. I may be able to move better ... but for a guy my age, I'm not expecting to be able to break any records or get a lot faster than I've been in my career. Hopefully, it keeps me where I was last year and if it gives me any advantage moving-wise, especially at this point when you're just trying to hold on ... that will be a benefit."

Also from McManaman: A few Cardinals remained absent from voluntary practices. Wilson, Boldin and Darnell Dockett were not there. Update: Wilson was there. The other two were not.

The 49ers' Web site provides details on Jerry Rice's visit to organized team activities and the banter between quarterback Shaun Hill and cornerback Nate Clements. Rice passed around his three Super Bowl rings to players. Clements sounded inspired. Tight end Vernon Davis made trick catches at Rick Reilly's request. Reilly attended with Rice to record an ESPN special.

John Crumpacker of the San Francisco Chronicle says kick returner Allen Rossum replaced Walt Harris at cornerback after Harris suffered what could be a season-ending injury. That is certainly a temporary arrangement.

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says the 49ers are showing interest in free-agent cornerback Dre' Bly.

Also from Maiocco: "Quarterbacks Shaun Hill and [Alex] Smith [two interceptions aside] threw the ball very well on the rare windless day on the 49ers' practice field. The nicest pass of the day was probably Hill's perfectly lofted pass to Michael Robinson on a wheel route down the right sideline. Robinson made the catch downfield after getting a couple steps on outside linebacker Diyral Briggs."

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says second-year receiver Josh Morgan has stood out during the 49ers' practices. That makes sense. Morgan is healthy after a staph infection slowed him last season. Morgan and the other incumbent receivers also face more competition for playing time after the 49ers bolstered the position this offseason.

Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News says 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan seems more comfortable now that Mike Singletary has replaced Mike Nolan and the 49ers have changed up their offensive staff. Another change: Jed York's ascendancy to team president. McCloughan: "I think you see it with Jed, the passion in his eyes, the way he talks about the 49ers. His No. 1 priority is whatever we can do every day to put us in a situation to be successful. I respect that. And I'm doing it my way, my philosophy, my vision, right or wrong. If I go down, I go down my way. It just wasn't meant to be. I feel very confident, very comfortable, that we're going to win."

Daniel Brown of the San Jose Mercury News quotes potential Harris replacement Tarell Brown as calling himself the "most athletic guy on the team."

Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch checks in with Rams offensive lineman Mark Setterstrom. Two season-ending knee injuries have kept Setterstrom from competing for playing time. Coats: "The Rams are set at guard, with Jacob Bell and Richie Incognito. Setterstrom, 25, is trying to nail down a spot as a multipurpose backup. He's spent the offseason at center, a position he has never played."

John Morgan of Field Gulls revisits kicker Olindo Mare's first season with the Seahawks. Brandon Coutu also remains on the roster. Morgan: "Seattle is either retaining Coutu hoping they can trade him. As Coutu hasn't shown anything that elevates him from a street free agent, I doubt this. Seattle is retaining Coutu as the kicker and Mare as the kickoff specialist. In this case, the team likely loses Mare after 2009 when Mare signs somewhere he can do both. Or, and I grump that this is the most likely scenario, Seattle is retaining Coutu expecting him to beat out Mare in the preseason and take over kicking duties."